The reason it was accepted is that at that time the Pact was broken by WW2.

There was also a quite good movie made from the book, in Fascist Italy of all places. Apparently the censors noted that it was anti-Communist and passed it on that basis; they were too dumb to see that it was more generally anti-totalitarian. When this was recognized, the movie was withdrawn.

Atlas Shrugged is one third science fiction. Unfortunately for the barely-above-average teen, it’s the last third.

Stupid kids will grow up to be stupid adults, no matter what. What this sort of fiction does that’s useful is this: it helps the smart ones crystallize their doubts.

It’s far more useful as deprogramming than as ideology. Objectivism just isn’t all that well thought through. But Rand’s critique of conventional wisdom is bracing. She denied being influenced by Nietzsche, but she continued where he left off.

Compared to what? Compared to whom?

What she saw clearly – and illustrated – is that not all people who express ideas are sincere. Too many professed ideas are a coverup, an excuse, a mask for hidden, venal motives. She called them out on their bullshit.

Never debate ideas with this type of people. If you take their ideas at face value, you’ve been suckered. Simply point out their hypocrisy by what they actually do, then move on to your ideas, as if their ideas don’t exist. Because really, they don’t exist as such.