In 1976 the Agency that created the Internet, then known as ARPANET, gathered together four vastly different prominent people in American culture to discuss Article 21 of the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This is a small segment of their conversation
JIM HENSON
I think Ms. Rand and my character Oscar the Grouch would have a lot to talk about actually. I am laughing out loud at this idea.
AYN RAND
Why would I want to talk to him. What has he achieved or trying to achieve.
JIM HENSON
He has achieved what I think is the ultimate goal of your way of thinking.
YOKO ONO
But society is what makes our culture and is what makes a people different. I know the US is different to Japan. The US should try to get on with societies it doesnt like. Vietnam was a catastrophe.
JIM HENSON
Isolation. Contempt for others. A hard heart. Yet even he can muster a bit of empathy every now and then.
SIDNEY NOLAN
When Ms. Rands idea of individualism is amplified to the extreme things like Vietnam happen.
AYN RAND
I am not isolated. I have no contempt for others. Millions of people read my books and find my thoughts inspirational. I hardly spend my time on the sidelines in a trash can grumping.
JIM HENSON
Not yet anyway.
For the full transcript go here.*
*none of this actually happened, but it is funny. It makes you wish it was real…
