The highly trafficked “Philosophies for Life” Youtube channel released a video attempting to distill “9 Life Lessons from Ayn Rand.” The 25 minute video has gained more than 44,000 views so far: how well does it succeed at its goal? Compared to how Rand is often treated by professional intellectuals, the video is remarkable for its seriousness and its recognition that her philosophy is meant to be a guide to life. Moreover, the video’s errors and misconceptions are themselves revealing, underscoring just how radical Rand’s philosophy is. Onkar Ghate and Elan Journo discuss the video and what it illuminates about how Rand is (mis)understood in today’s society. Recorded Dec. 22, 2021.

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