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Small-Scale Question Sunday for August 30, 2026

Do you have a dumb question that you're kind of embarrassed to ask in the main thread? Is there something you're just not sure about?

This is your opportunity to ask questions. No question too simple or too silly.

Culture war topics are accepted, and proposals for a better intro post are appreciated.

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Atlas Shrugged is a little funny because it's (likely unintentionally, given the timeline) a send-up of the magically unlimited resources concept.

  • The Strikers don't need the generator: they're able to produce all the oil they need anyway.
  • Its existence motivated the Strikers to strike, fearing that the broader world would use it to empower a system of slavery-in-all-but-name.
  • Except the broader world ended up with a leading scientist and a machine operator that couldn't perform basic maintenance on a car radio; they couldn't use unlimited energy even if it were delivered to their front door.