The Fountainhead

The Fountainhead
Ayn Rand, Philosophical Fiction


In the novel The Fountianhead, Ayn Rand uses the main character, Howard Roark, to express her daringly original philosophy--Objectivism. Like Rousseau's "Natural Man" in The Social Contract, Ayn Rand presents Howard as a man, as man should be-- strong-willed, self-sufficient , self-confident, and self motivated. A man who, in spite of cruelty from an unaccepting society, fights to work and live as only he chooses to do so. Through the course of the story the reader sees how Roark completely disregards the norms and principles that define society. He does this to maintain the idea that true happiness cannot be achieved through the standards of others. Rather, happiness can only be attained by subsisting on one's own canon, never for a moment yielding the integrity of his/her ego. This idea, in short, is the basis of Objectivism.

In my opinion, I think Ayn Rand's philosophy is completely ridiculous. According to The Fountainhead our entire society is based upon the unchanging principles made up and maintained solely by powerful, influential old men (Elsworth Toohey). Furthermore, Miss Rand dictates that true happiness can only be found by defying these principles. I would have to say that although Miss Rand's Objetivism works well with in the realm of the book, I fail to see it in the "real world." In the "real world" these underlying principles are ever-changing. Brought out by constantly advancing ideas, technology, and influences, old conventions become replaced everyday. I fail to see the social beauracracy that Miss Rand seems to believe there is. Besides even if it did exist, I don't see how intentionally going against it would make anyone happier.

Although I have to say that I did not agree with Ayn Rand's ideas, I did however find The Fountainhead an excellent read. The story-telling itself makes it a book that is hard to put down. I would definitely recommend it to anyone.

Science Fair Project Melting Ice

Science Fair Project
Melting Ice


Materials:

- 3 aluminum baking pans
- water to fill each pan
- 1/2 cup of salt
- 1/2 cup of rubbing alcohol
- 1/2 cup of sand
- watch
- large freezer
- thremometor

Procedure:

First fill three aluminum baking pans with water and
freeze them in alarge freezer for three hours. Then get a
thremometor to get the tempature of the freezer. Then make sure
that you put them all in for the same amount of time. Label each
ofthe aluminum baking pans A and the other B and the other C.
Then check on them every half a hour to see if they are frozen
yet. Then when they turn completly into a solid,(take them
out of the freezer) pour 1/2 cup of each subtance into a seperate
baking pan. Make sure that when you pour the subtance in pour
it evenly. Then label the pan with the name of its subtance.
Then time to see which one melts first and then second and the
last one to melt. Then record how long it took each one to
melt.


Research:

The temperature at which water forms into a solid is 32 degrees Fahrenheit or 0 degrees Celsius. The temperature 32 degrees Fahrenheit or 0 degrees Celsius is called freezing point. The freezing point is decreased by about .55 degrees Celsius or 1 degree Fahrenheit for each increase of 80 atmospheres of pressure.

Safety Inspector

The Safety Inspector

Mr. Redos, I am an inspector for the OSHA. I have noticed the following safety objects missing in the room F 203, chemistry room. These are sprinklers, a drain, and a glass wall. You must have these objects for the safety of the students and the faculty. I have also observed the following safety objects present in the regarded room. Fire blanket, fire extinguisher, fire shower, first-aid kit, an apron, eye goggles, and an eye shower.

I am very concerned in the following situations. If a fire spread throughout the classroom, there are no sprinklers to extinguish the fire only a fire extinguisher. Another situation is if someone were to use the fire shower, there would be no drain for the water to go to, thus a very slippery floor that is unsafe. When the teacher is conducting experiments in the front of the room, there is no glass wall to protect the students in the case of an explosion.

Some improvements that must be made are installing sprinklers. Another must is the glass wall, the last thing a school would want to do is to deal with would be an injured kid. Not a necessary improvement, but suggested is to put in a drain for the fire shower. I like your regulations on everyone must wear goggles and the use of a fire blanket. I am also very pleased with the amount of exits from the room in the case of fire.
Overall you have the basic safety functions intact but you still need to add a couple of more precautions for when an emergency might take place.