Atlas Shrugged!

Atlas shrugged. Why? Was this an isolated event that can be found somewhere in the annals. Or does it happen everyday, each moment of our lives? Why did it happen, and why does it happen? Is it due to the ever burgeoning weight of human population? Or is it the pot of human misdeeds and misdemeanors that caused Atlas' shoulders to budge? Who is/was Atlas anyways?

Atlas is someone of this world. Not a superhero, not a God. But a human being, a man who still thinks. And thinks rationally. One may wonder whatever happened to the rational thinking ability of the general mankind? Well, yeah. Does everyone in this world think? Yes. Does everyone think rationally? Well, what is rational thinking? A man, who strives to give his best, his everything into anything he does, for his own good (mind you, there is no "selflessness" involved here), and does so within the realms of ethics, is a rational being. A fitting choice for being the Atlas. Or rather, an Atlas. For sharing the load of this earth. For being responsible to carry the world ahead. For being responsible of protecting and helping the civilization progress and prosper.

Then arises another question. Did one say ethics? What are they? Who defines them? Or, fundamentally, what is good and what is bad? Well, ethics are those principles which guide a man to take actions ensuring his survival, but not at the cost of another living being. Killing/Looting for survival would not qualify as ethics. Thus, in a nutshell, any man who pursues actions for his own survival, without endangering another being, and continues to think all the way, is an Atlas. A load-bearer.

Why then did Atlas shrug? Why does he shrug? Expectations. Ironies of the world. The ones making this world a better place, the ones making a difference to others' lives, are the ones viewed with utmost suspicion. The ever increasing misdeeds of fellow beings, under the pretense of "selflessness" or "common good" or "to each according to his need, from each according to his ability", makes the weight too much to be borne. Further, being perceived as enemies of people, acting for their own good, they are loathed, viewed with abomination.

All these and many more, cause the existing Atlases to break. Also imposes a high entry barrier to this Monopoly! Thus, the weight increases. The weight bearers continue to dwindle. Result, Atlas Shrugged!

What is needed, or are needed, are people with high intrinsic motivation, with extreme sense of determination to bear the vagaries of the world, undertake their mission and take it to completion. Needed are people with such strong determination to bear any weight and yet not buckle. To be stronger than Rearden Metal, yet be lighter than a feather.

All Atlases of the world
Here's inviting thee
Come, share the load
Rise from the sea
Hold our hands
Liberate us free !