What happens when the competent opt out (opens in new tab)

I don’t understand that metaphor or whatever the book title is referencing. Is Atlas supposed to shrug while he’s holding the world on his shoulders? In which case wouldn’t it make more sense to drop the world first? Or is he shrugging after having dropped the world, meaning nothing happens when atlas shrugs because it already happened when he dropped the world?

That book really appealed to my 15 year old brain that thought I was some special snowflake. An elite that would hold up the world. It wasn't until later that I realized that the world wasn't being held up with a small core of intellectuals. It seems to be more of a swarm or a gestalt and it just kind of works.

Ayn Rand's ideas were simplistic and appeals to people who want to believe that they are better, smarter, and worthy of admiration. A lot of her stuff does make sense in a limited way. But there are other philosophies that are much more complete and aren't so narcissistic.

I guess the answer to "What happens when Atlas shrugs?" is, he already did and no one noticed.

Who's John Galt?

> Is there actual evidence for this over the long term?

A ten minute walk in downtown San Francisco will show you plenty of evidence.