Joker Shrugged: The Greatest Reset

By Robert Bernhardt

I like Ayn Rand's work, even if some aspects are comical (where the hell are the children?). Still, the ending of Atlas Shrugged has a pretty comical vibe - the world descends into chaos, the lights go out in New York, only the heroes survive, and perhaps there's a great future to be built on the ashes of the previous civilization. Or maybe not.

What if that was all there was? What if John Galt had simply used the libertarian talking points to destroy a flawed, yet somehow functional system and replace it with nothing? What if John Galt, as a character, was nothing more than the Joker, a talented and charismatic force who ultimately strives for anarchy. And isn't that exactly what John Galt achieves? Wouldn't the Joker have done exactly the same thing in his place?

These thoughts were the starting point for this short novel. Then there was the idea that, in this case, John Galt wouldn't invent an engine, but an AI so powerful that it could not only neutralize all political power but also permanently contain it. The AI would first create anarchy and then enforce its stability - and non-violence - thus enabling a truly utopian libertarian private law society.

At least, that's the idea, but once the plan is triggered, there's no turning back. Francisco designed the AI so that only Dagny can trigger its execution, and the core of the novel revolves around the pros and cons of her decision, which she discusses with various characters (including the AI itself).

I've changed the characters' names, but it should be clear who is being referred to. In contrast to Rand's timeline in the 1930s, the story takes place in the near future. The role of the investor is also considerably more relevant than in the original and is inspired by current Silicon Valley Venture Capitalists.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0DX6R8M76
• ISBN13: 9798310656062
• Release Date: February 2025
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 152 Pages
• Weight: 0.47 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 6.0" x 9.0"