Ayn Rand's philosophy, which is called Objectivism, not Randianism, is presented best, and most thoroughly in her novels, Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead. These novels present the philosophy in detail, but also in sum, portrayed in the life of one man, or one society. Those, such as Mr. Sciabarra, who claim to admire the philosophy but not the fiction have misunderstood the philosophy. This mistake is typical of the Libertarians, who find certain ideas of Objectivism appealing, and the popularity of Ayn Rand useful toward their political ends. In the article Howard Roark is described as ". . . the 'cold-eyed' and 'contemptuous-lipped' architect . . . who designed buildings too beautiful for a mediocre world . . ." This view of Roark can only come from a half-digested, sloppy reading of The Fountainhead. That Roark's buildings are not " . . .too beautiful for a mediocre world . . .", that Roark's buildings belong on earth and that those who are unworthy of them are irrelevant, is one of the key points of the novel. It is precisely this point which the character of Dominique comes to understand by the end of the book. Perhaps the source of that description did not care to read the whole thing?
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