Objectivism

An American poetic movement that emerged from the Imagist school of poetry in the 1930's. Influenced by early Modernist poets such as Ezra Pound, T.S. Eliot, H.D., and William Carlos Williams (who is also considered an Objectivist poet), the Objectivist poets utilized free verse, dense, concentrated language, and imagery. However, the Objectivist school of poetry rejected the Imagist's interest in Classicism and mythology, choosing to focus on ordinary objects and everyday life, a focus reflected in their use small, everyday words. They believed in treating the poem as an object presenting the poet's sincere attempt to look clearly at the world. Objectivist poems ranged in length anywhere from a few lines to, in the case of Louis Zukofky's "A," eight hundred pages.

Prominant Objectivist poets were Louis Zukofsky, George Oppen, Charles Reznikoff, and Carl Rakosi.

The Objectivist school of poetry is in no way related to the pop philosophy of Ayn Rand.

Poem Indicative of Objectivism: "Among the heaps of brick and plaster lies / a girder, still itself among the rubbish." - Charles Reznikoff

by David Magaro December 7, 2006

objectivism

Selfishness excusing itself as virtue. First propounded by cultic pop-philosopher Ayn Rand, objectivism prizes narcissistic (or "rugged") individualism, self-centered achievement, commerce, industry, and tall buildings as being of prime value over love, faithfulness, generosity, and humility. Adherents of the Ayn Rand cult, called objectivists, or randroids at the extreme, tend towards patronizing rudeness, and a near-dogmatic infatuation with their pet theories on race and the superiority of western civilization and culture.

"I find that courtesy is often the first victim of objectivism." - Nietschze

by PenangGai February 1, 2005

objectivism

A philosophy often criticized by those who have read nothing about it.

"Objectivism is so self-centered! That's mean and wrong!"

by userexec February 24, 2008

objectivism

The philosophy of Ayn Rand, who had one of the leading noses of her era; states that one's virtue is measured in their ability to be a self-obsessed egotist. Easily characterized by their slavish adherence to irony, in that the foloowers of this 'individualistic' (read-spoiled) philosophy tend to be some of the biggest tools you'll ever meet.

Also notable for it's idea that there is no disagreement among rational minds-this is basically the philosophical equivalent of an 8-year-old kid playing Cops & Robbers who totally just got shot, but all of a sudden claims he has "special bullet proof invincibility armor." Whatever, kid. For more, see douchebaggery.

Many over-achieving high-school students, in deeming that their parents are failures, turn to objectivism to feel better about themselves, but they're really just putting off the inevitable.

by Professor Afro June 1, 2006

objectivitism

Alteration of objectivism.

This word originated in 1999 on a free ProBoards forum when some diehard randroid came and put a quote relating to Objectivism in her signature. This caused ads for Objectivist dating/sportswear/etc. to appear on every thread---the administrator quickly added "objectivism" to the censored word list and made it so every time she used this word it would become "objectivitism."

Since then, the word has come into widespread use in our community and probably others as well; where I live, you frequently hear people referring to "objectivitism" or "objectivitists" when referring to Ayn Rand's philosophy or her followers, respectively.

Jennifer is a diehard Objectivitist; she is a devout follower of Objectivitism.

by Kathryn January 22, 2005

objectivism

Politically-correct term for evil.

"Please, we don't use the word 'avarice' around here. We prefer 'objectivism'."

by Alex Stockwell November 21, 2013

objectivism

The philosophy founded by Ayn Rand, which essentially states that one should be rewarded in life based on merit, not on how badly one wants something. This philosophy also perpetuates the idea that one should live one's life for one's own purposes and that one should not place one's goals in other people, and that people who are motivated by a desire to spite, exalt, or out-do other people are shallow with no real ability to cognate. They are properly referred to as second-handers, because they are only able to live at another's expense, or under another's direction. They are truly sad people.

Most of the people on Urban Dictionary who give Ayn Rand and Objectivism bad reviews are suck up socialists or lazy slugs who want their life handed to them by someone else, and do not feel secure in thinking rationally because they do not have the capability of effort to do so.

by mckickass March 15, 2008