News Guide

The Atlas Society (TAS) annual summer event brings together the community of scholars, students, professionals, entrepreneurs, and artists who have made open Objectivism a central part of their life and thought. Together, we explore the vision of a society committed to reason, independence, and productive achievement."We surveyed our membership and are offering a 2012 Seminar that fits what the majority of our respondents asked for. It will have a classy setting and a tight, three day program full of heavy-hitting speakers," said William Thomas, Director of Programs for The Atlas Society.

The theme for 2012 is “Either-Or: Atlas Shrugged and the Future of Individualism.”
TAS's Edward Hudgins will kick off the seminar by explaining how true Atlas Shrugged has become as a prophecy of today's crises. Today, our society faces a stark choice: Either individualism and freedom will lead to prosperity; Or collectivism and big government will bring us further and further down.

Fox Business Host and Commentator, John Stossel, will host a special Summer Seminar supper event, Friday, June 29, where leaders in the political fight for freedom will discuss the role of Atlas Shrugged in inspiring their fight.
"Either-Or" refers to Part 2 of Atlas Shrugged. So it is perfect that the Summer Seminar will feature a special, early look at elements of the movie Atlas Shrugged Part 2, which will be in editing by that time. We expect the filmmakers to attend in force for a celebration of the new movie, Saturday, June 30.

Other Speakers include philosophers Stephen Hicks, David Kelley, and Fred Seddon; psychotherapist Joel Wade; Steve Davis, director of advanced projects at SpaceX, the leading providers of private innovation in spaceflight; financier Ziad Abdelnour on "Economic Warfare"; and many more.

The Atlas Society's staff will bring keen Objectivist insights to every day of the program. William R Thomas will address career, goodwill, and trust as values in Atlas Shrugged. TAS COO Aaron Day will argue that "Atlas Should Shrug Now!" And TAS's Business Rights Center will bring business issues front and center will talks from Roger Donway on "The Backdated Options Rich-Hunt" and from Alexander R. Cohen on why insider trading is ethical and should be legal. Donway will be joined by former Brocade Communications CEO Greg Reyes, who will present his personal perspective on being persecuted for doing business.

Full information about the Summer Seminar and how to register is online at http://www.atlassociety.org/summer-seminar-2012

If you are interested in sponsoring and exhibit at the event, please contact:
Aaron Day, COO at 617-248-8990 or e-mail ard(at)atlassociety(dot)org.

About The Atlas Society:
Founded in 1991, The Atlas Society (TAS), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Washington DC, develops and promotes open Objectivism: the philosophy of reason, individualism, achievement and freedom. Objectivism was founded by Ayn Rand (1905-1982), the author of Atlas Shrugged, The Fountainhead, The Virtue of Selfishness, and other works. As the founders of open Objectivism, TAS believes that the philosophy is a body of knowledge open to expansion and revision, through rational inquiry and open discussion and debate. The organization's programs reach a broad audience ranging from the general public to graduate students in philosophy.