Selfishness

Thelemites, specifically of the OTO brand, are some of the most selfish people around. The difference between what you're talking about and what Crowley is talking about is that selfishness is a virtue and most individuals are continuing to practice it as a vice. And Crowley defines this selfishness is nearly identical phrasing as Ayn Rand—and, yet, how many times do we see Thelemites start screaming about Rand the moment she's brought up, ignoring all of Crowley's comments in the same vein, including his praise for her novel, The Fountainhead, while he was reading it. No, Crowley was clear. His institutional followers, specifically, don't understand the concept as defined by Crowley and Rand. They want fetid rebellion rather than self- (or even social) revolution. They want to stick it to people around them rather than be independent and work toward their own self-interest which sometimes includes working with others toward common goals or helping someone out of the water rather than watching them drown. Rand, unlike Crowley, understood Nietzsche for the ridiculous ethics he proffered. Crowley was a student of Spenser who we now know to be a crank. Just because Crowley said it doesn't make it gospel. Test all things, he said echoing Paul. Hold on to that which is true.

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