So the St. John's Alumni Associaton's magazine invited readers to suggest and defend suggestions for books that aren't on the Program. The ones that they selected to print in this issue are:

• Notes of a Native Son, by James Baldwin (K. S. SF'98)
• Death in Venice, by Thomas Mann (C. G. AGI'02)
• The Decameron, Giovanni Bocaccio (J. W. A'08)
• The Philosophy of Freedom, Rudolf Steiner (L. T. parent of D. T. A'04)

...and, you guessed it:

• Atlas Shrugged, by Ayn Rand (S. I. AGI'02)

Each offers an argument for inclusion; but S's argument amounts to an apology that most "academic philosophers" disparage the book but, nevertheless, as SJC is a seminar school and discussion is crucial, this book will certainly encourage a lively discussion.

*sigh*

It's interesting that the strongest candidate, Decameron, was suggested by a current student. (My vote, if I were to have a vote, would be Baldwin. But I'd add some feminists first; for all her faults, I still think I'd choose Simone de Beauvoir's The Second Sex).

SJC attracts very bright, very intellectual malcontents (more and more it's getting the run-of-the-mill high-achievers) and, as we all know, very bright alienated high school students are diabolically attracted to Rand. So there's a portion of johnnies who are randroids. However, it's my impression that most, after having read real philosophers, realize that Rand is a bad playwright.

I heard a couple of tutors talking one day, they were both reading application essays. One said to the other, exasperated, "Why do so many of these kids write about Ayn Rand?" I was glad I wasn't them.

Anyway, I expect the summer issue of the alumni magazine will have many letters rightly ridiculing that nomination. And, next fall, some letters defending Rand. Did I *sigh* already?

Incidentally, the "A" stands for the Annapolis campus; SF, were any of these from that campus, Santa Fe; and "GI" denotes the graduate institute. The GI program is actually not a continuation of the program in grad school; but rather is a condensed version of the undergraduate program and is intended for, primarily, educators.

As much as I strongly disagree with the ideas in Rand's philosophy, I find it hilarious she is villified as a "amateur" by other armchair philosphers.

Of all Rand's books, I've only ever read Anthem back in high school, and I actually found that one interesting.

Well, Alex, when an armchair philosopher comes around to ridicule Rand, we'll let you know.

Careful with that royal we.

No, he was including me.

Letting other people think for you is not a good sign. No matter. Carry on.

Missing the joke (not to mention the point) is not a good sign. No matter. Carry on.