—in the coffin of “Objectivism.”
Some say, “Two out of three ain’t bad,” but empirical observation says, “When it’s a milking stool or a tripod, or a 3-legged philosophy, two out of three ain’t enough to sit (or to hang your hat) on.”
Daniel Pink’s latest book, Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us, presents the scientific research of over 50 years that should settle the question of why John Galt’s dollar-sign hanging in the sky1 hasn’t brought the “promised fulfillment.”
Pink’s call to upgrade to Motivation 3.0 (autonomy, mastery, and purpose) should be required reading for every soul, especially politicians, teachers, employers, and above all, “Objectivists.”
Ayn Rand may have understood, in large measure, the drives toward autonomy and mastery—but what of the drive to purpose? Her “faith” in the supreme (extrinsic) motivation of the “$-sign” has been proven unsupportable. Her beloved “objective” proofs show that “carrot-and-stick” incentives (Motivation 2.0) are lower-grade motivators and can often “encourage unethical behavior, create addictions, and foster sort-term thinking.” In addition, Motivation 2.0 “can extinguish intrinsic motivation, diminish performance, crush creativity, and crowd out good behavior.” (Pink, p. 205 summary)
Please read Drive. And would someone please tell Tennessee GOP State Senator Stacey Campfield that “...nothing motivates like cash”2 is unscientific as to critical “intrinsic motivations”; AND that such erroneous belief is a tad alarming coming from a politician surrounded by lobbyists , temptation, opportunity, and déjà vu.
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1. See the last page of Ayn Rand's philosophic (fictional) epistle, Atlas Shrugged.
2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbKjvXDPSjA (at about minute 5:38) or also see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLtynfHBt_U (at about minute 1:05)
Also see, Martin Bashir interview at the only place I could find it: http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/heather/tenn-gop-rep-stacey-campfield-wants-tie-we
