Money, the root of all evil...?

Wow. (long silent pause)

Yes, I am *still* trying to work my way through Atlas Shrugged. I don't recall the exact date I started, but it's been a long time, even for non-book-worm me. Today I hit a passage that struck me, perhaps more than anything I've read in a long time; a passage so important and so fundamental to the heart of Objectivism that I have to recommend people to read (or re-read) it on their own.

At the wedding reception of Jim Taggart, there is a brief monologue by Francisco d'Anconia starting with "So you think that money is the root of all evil?" and making many points including "Money is a tool of exchange, which can't exist unless there are goods produced and men able to produce them. Money is the material shape of the principle that men who wish to deal with one another must deal by trade and give value for value."

...this monologue continues some pages later "Americans were the first to understand that wealth has to be created. The words 'to make money' hold the essence of human morality".

I cannot do justice to this long passage, other than to agree with it wholeheartedly and recommend that everyone should have a chance to read it and to think about it. I'm far enough into learning about Objectivism that I've lost much of my newbie status, so if this is the first time you've encountered this idea that the phrase "to make money" is more than just metaphor, I'd be interested to hear what you think.

For myself, I know that money doesn't always have to be involved -- as I was limbing a downed tree at my in-laws today, there I was out in the sunshine and fresh air doing work for no monetary benefit, and it felt very good to see the branch piles grow, to accomplish something worthwhile in the world, and to know that I was productive. (yes, there are non-monetary benefits to this activity, including clearing a sidewalk, making the yard safer for my son, getting fresh air and exercise, some small scraps of cherry wood for "play" on the wood lathe, and contributing to a family that I value)

wishing you all a productive day...

rootie