Atlas Shrugged II

Though I saw it all around
Never thought I could be affected
Thought that we'd be the last to go
It is so strange the way things turn
--Peter Gabriel

Saw Atlas Shrugged II this weekend and very much enjoyed it. Different cast than AS1 as it appears that the producers want to change the cast for each part in order to focus more on story and less on celebrity. Will be sad to see this list of players go because I thought parts were very well cast.

During AS2, the State's grip on productive resources tightens, driving more and more producers to leave the system. Standard of living decreases in kind, and social unrest grows. The classic Misesian chaos endpoint of socialism is nearing.

As the AS2 plot unfolded, I thought of the menu of choices available to slaves as I pondered why Taggart, Rearden or any remaining producer chooses to stick around in the midst of stifling force of the State confiscating production--particularly as the producers become increasingly aware of a potentially attractive 'leave the system' alternative available to them.

The answer is that choosing the 'leave the system' option means that you succumb to force - force that is driving you to surrender your pursuits and interests in exchange for perhaps a safer or more comfortable environment.

As Jefferson eloquently wrote and as Patrick Henry eloguently spoke, for people who value their inalienable right to liberty, leaving the system could be viewed as a fate worse than death.