Sunday, March 29, 2009
The Fountainhead
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After many recommendations by good friends, I've started reading Ayn Rand - and I've loving her!! A quote from "The Fountainhead" that I think will stick with me all week:
"A house can have integrity, just like a person...and just as seldom...Your house is made by its own needs. The others are made by the need to impress. The determining motive of your hosue is in the house. The determining motive of the others is in the audience."
The book clearly uses architecture as a means through which to make social commentary, and I'm finding endless parallels, especially to religious society. How much of what we do in "church" is about the audience? I've often asked myself why we do what we do in church (and in my case, in Christian schools). I step back and think, "We could do whatever we want. It doesn't have to look like this for any good reason."
I wonder what I would change about myself if I stopped created a facade just for others to look at and be impressed by. What if I acted only out of necessity and purpose, and not for approval?
Ironic questions to write on a blog.....perhaps the most self-indulgent medium in our culture. Maybe I'll twitter about it tomorrow..............
"A house can have integrity, just like a person...and just as seldom...Your house is made by its own needs. The others are made by the need to impress. The determining motive of your hosue is in the house. The determining motive of the others is in the audience."
The book clearly uses architecture as a means through which to make social commentary, and I'm finding endless parallels, especially to religious society. How much of what we do in "church" is about the audience? I've often asked myself why we do what we do in church (and in my case, in Christian schools). I step back and think, "We could do whatever we want. It doesn't have to look like this for any good reason."
I wonder what I would change about myself if I stopped created a facade just for others to look at and be impressed by. What if I acted only out of necessity and purpose, and not for approval?
Ironic questions to write on a blog.....perhaps the most self-indulgent medium in our culture. Maybe I'll twitter about it tomorrow..............
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2 comments:
Good stuff. Ayn Rand has been a favorite of mine for a long time. The Fountainhead is excellent, though I think I prefer Atlas Shrugged. It's a bit more work to get through, but it's so worth it. Anthem, while much shorter, is also a good read.
Hm... maybe now I'll go and pick up some Rob Bell...
Really interested to get your take on this book! I have also had it recommended strongly by friends, but have yet to dive in.
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