Theos-Talk Archives (January 1997 Message tl00778)

John Straughn wrote:

>liesel f. deutsch writes:

>>I prefer men who can talk about something not quite as inane as the >>weather, such as politics, 

Collectivism is good in that it provides security and bad in that it
encourages laziness.  Individualism is good in that it provides freedom and
bad in that it encourages selfishness.


>>or foreign affairs, 

Get out of Bosnia.


>>or Picasso, 

Didn't he paint something?


>>or the latest budding company to buy shares of. 

Keating Savings and Loan might be at an all-time low.


>>He also has to demonstrate that he has a bit of insight 

Some things are good.  Others are bad.


>>& compassion. 

I feel your pain.


>>The only favor I might look upon favorably is if he comes with a
>>pair of concert tickets, but without strings attached. 
>>
>>Liesel

>There are always strings attached.  For instance, if the guy brings the 
>tickets, then surely he wants you to go with HIM, not someone else.  String 
>number one.  (shiver)

Objectivism promotes selfishness as a virtue, and it is not nearly as
anti-theosophical as it sounds.  It is a fantasy to believe that pure
altruism, totally removing self-interest from one's motives, is possible.
Brotherhood and close relationships involve connecting the interests of
others with self-interest, not with trying to deny all self-interest.
Relationships should be partnerships, not charities.  Only relationships
between equals are stable.


>when it comes to getting what I want, I always want more, or I don't want it >anymore.  I think it is a male thing.  I wish I could get rid of it.

Always wanting more keeps evolution going.  It is only wrong to be selfish
and greedy if one is unfair to others.