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@Indigo @icedquinn
>Atlas Shrugged is just too damn bloated though, I got through it, but I understand why a lot of people just can't finish it; you really need to be at least 60% with her in order to get into it

That's such a shame, otherwise I would recommend it, not to convert people necessarily, but to debunk some other shitty claim: that the science fiction genre is and has always been about Fully Automated Luxury Space Communism.

>That said, I think "the charity question," is pretty cleanly explained in AS, basically charity is only immoral if you're giving against your interests, if you're donating to a charity that will ultimately lead to a long term benefit for you in some way that's still kosh (EG: donating to a homeless shelter because having people sleeping in the streets is bad for business, so you're ultimately helping yourself by helping other people).

Of course most businesses would only ever donate out of their own self-interest, but when it comes to individuals I don't think donating to something that won't benefit you is immoral. Ultimately, people do selfless acts because it makes them feel good, so there really is no such thing as doing something against your self-interest. Though I do understand the dangers of being too altruistic where people take advantage of you. I know that from experience.