I really enjoyed reading Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand, so I knew I had to read her other major work of fiction (which actually came first), The Fountainhead. This book was just as enjoyable and inspiring. It focuses on the concept of a "heroic" man who by production and achievement in his own selfish way represents progress of our civilization and the best man can be. This book explains how selfishness is a virtue and how pity, sacrifice, and altruism are really not. The idea is that by doing work in a "primary" capacity, actually building, making, achieving things in the way you and you alone think is right, you create happiness for yourself and are self-reliant. Relying on other producers and being a "second-hander" is the opposite of this (mooching off others' achievements while criticizing and punishing them nonetheless).

A lot of the ideas resonated with me, and I was really inspired by the main character and how he is able to face the world, not care what others think, and do things the way he thinks is right, no matter what (and ends up contributing significantly to society along the way).

Ayn Rand's focus on production and achievement reminds me a lot of the current trend towards encouraging people (like in the tech community) to MAKE instead of just watch, theorize, and plan, and I like that.

The book was filled with lots of details about architecture (the author even worked at an architectural firm for a while as part of her research). I enjoyed these details and am actually now interested in learning more about architecture and building.

Below are my other notes and takeaways from the book.

• The ego of man as the fountainhead of all human progress
  
• Love of and belief in self
  
• No need to please others or fit in others' mold
  
• Beauty of man and truth, not religion or something external and invisible
  
• Concrete and absolute
  
• So many vivid details
  
• Movement, shape, architecture, building, progress
  


• One friend goes to big company, politics, concept of "face," faking, promotions
  
• One expelled and goes to visionary who was hated by society
  
• Society hates and kills those who are passionate and different
  
• Roark wants to be architect because doesn't believe in gd and loves earth and wants to change it
  


• Teaching philosophy through real, believable story gives actionable examples that show ppl how to act and what behaviors to model
  


• Nothing greater or more heroic for a man than pursuit of the best for himself
  
• Not pity but selfishness
  
• Heroic man
  
• Man's achievement as top purpose
  


• Don't do something for someone else or to benefit others
  
• Client of project just material like bricks and steel
  
• Purpose is always just to do what you want with materials and building in your way
  
• Sanction of the victim
  


• Self-sufficient ego
  
• Not putting power in others' hands
  
• Not putting others above self
  
• Not choosing for others
  
• Not seeking others' approval
  
• Primary decisions, not second-hand opinions. No decision by committee.