<p>^When and where and to whom and from whom exactly would this phrase be used appropriately? I haven't read Atlas Shrugged, but what is to this central "immortal query"?</p>
<p>In Atlas Shrugged, at the beginning of the novel people use the question, "Who is John Galt?" as a reflection of their helplessness, as in - "Don't ask important questions, because there aren't any answers." </p>
<p>At the end of the book it is explained that John Galt is a man disgusted that non-productive members of society use laws and guilt to leech from the value created by productive members of society. He made a pledge that he will never live his life for the sake of another man, nor ask another man to live for him, and founded an enclave, separate from the rest of the country, where he and other productive members of society have fled.</p>
<p>The title is analogous to the Greek story of Atlas who carried the world on his shoulders. In Atlas Shrugged, the people who create, whether it be economics, art, literature, etc. carry all the leeches on their shoulders. What would happen if they shrugged. </p>
<p>It is a great book that I highly recommend reading when you have a long time to sit down and read. It is very long!</p>
<p>One man's production is another man's doo-doo. "Who is John Galt?" is akin to "How many angels can dance upon the head of a pin?" only more pretentious.</p>
<p>I like the pro capitalist message of the book. The writing needs some work. They money speech was really good though.</p>
<p>I read "Atlus Shrugged" in college 25+ years ago. It had a tremendous impact on me back then. The incription on the inside of my graduation ring reads, "Who Is John Galt?" My 17 yr old son is reading the book right now.</p>
<p>"One man's production is another man's doo-doo. "Who is John Galt?" is akin to "How many angels can dance upon the head of a pin?" only more pretentious."</p>
<p>^^ I don't really understand. Are you implying that the question who is john galt is as futile and as meaningless as the question how many angels...?</p>
<p>Got it in one, Bobert. Though there are notions of smug and pretentious to associate with the smug and futile. And a large dollop of narcissism to propel the vision of one's self as part of the worthy. Not that this trait is exclusive to Randite theology.</p>
<p>It's okay. There are people who take Khalil Gibran seriously too.</p>
<p>I asked people to explain what it was they saw in Rand in a thread a while back; the more they did, the more it skeeved me. But I'm a big fan of human community and, eek, working together and feeling obligated to help others, so I would probably be one of the enemy, or the weak, or whatever. Oh well.</p>