I spent a long weekend at an Objectivist conference last summer. (I later pulled together a deeper dive on the experience for Full Context—read that version here.) I’ve read Ayn Rand since college. I’m a product manager by day, and I like clear thinking. So I wanted to see if the talks would help me think better about work, money, and life. Did it work? Mostly. Let me explain.
Why I Went
I wanted answers to simple things that still feel hard:
- Is “rational self-interest” just being selfish?
- How do I say no at work without feeling bad?
- Can art really boost my drive?
Earlier in the year I’d also taken a deep tour of several Objectivist groups and projects—here’s what actually helped. For an organized library of essays, podcasts, and archived lectures, the Ayn Rand Institute is a straight-shot resource worth bookmarking.
I also wanted to finally ask a question I’ve had for years: “How do you stay kind and still put yourself first?”
First Impressions: Name Tag, Cold Room, Big Ideas
The hotel ballroom was bright and cold. I wore a sweater over a summer dress. My name tag kept flipping around. Coffee smelled strong, and the line was long—like, make-a-friend long.
The crowd was mixed. College kids with big backpacks. Startup folks in hoodies. A few older couples in nice jackets. I sat near a retired math teacher from Ohio and a nurse from Phoenix. We traded snacks like we were at camp.
Sessions That Stuck With Me
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Saying No, Without Guilt
One speaker walked through a real case. A team lead wanted me to work Saturday again. I felt that. The speaker drew two lists: values and trade-offs. He asked, “What do you gain? What do you lose?” I wrote: gain a happy boss, lose rest and Sunday time with my son. He said, “Choose the higher value with eyes open.” Simple. But it landed. I used that the next week and set a boundary. No drama. -
Art That Lifts
There was an art talk with slides from heroic paintings. The teacher said good art shows man “as he can be.” I know, that sounds lofty. But then we did a quick sketch of a strong pose. My stick figure looked… brave? I felt silly and also fired up. On the spot, I set a small goal for my home office: one bold piece of art on the wall. I bought a print in the hall. It’s up now. It still helps. -
Markets in Plain Talk
A business panel told a supply story from the pandemic. They showed why prices matter when things get tight. No fancy math. Just clear charts and real shops. A grocery owner stood up and shared how he handled egg shortages. It wasn’t theory. It was Tuesday. -
The Hot Q&A
I stood up and asked my big one: “How do I stay kind and still choose me?” The answer: “Be honest about your values. Don’t fake care. Don’t fake guilt.” It stung a little. But it was fair. On the flight home, I wrote a list of people I help because I want to, and people I help because I’m afraid to say no. That list changed a few things.
The Human Stuff (Little Moments Matter)
You know what? The hallway time was the best part.
- I charged my phone at a sad wall outlet and met a software engineer who plans his life like a backlog. We laughed when I said my goals needed a roadmap and fewer “scope creeps.”
- I had lunch with three strangers. We shared wins and flops. One woman said, “I’m tired of being the nice one who stays late.” All of us nodded like bobbleheads.
- The bookstore got me. I set a budget. Then I broke it by twenty bucks. No regrets. Okay, some regrets.
One hallway chat even veered into health “bio-hacks”—someone asked if delaying orgasm could really spike testosterone. Objectivist or not, everyone agreed that facts matter more than fads. If you’re curiosity-prone too, you can skim the evidence in this clear rundown on the science of edging Does Edging Increase Testosterone? which sifts through actual studies so you can separate gym-bro rumor from reality.
While the conversation was still in that candid, adults-only vein, another attendee joked that rational self-interest should also cover where you meet people for casual fun when you’re on the road. If business ever brings you to the Inland Empire, take a look at this up-to-date AdultLook guide for Redlands—it lists verified ads, screening pointers, and local safety tips so you can make any off-hours meetup both consensual and drama-free.
What Shined
- Clear ideas in plain words. No fluff.
- Speakers took hard questions. No ducking.
- The schedule ran on time. My planner brain did a little cheer.
- Volunteers were kind and fast. They found me a seat when I came in late.
- The energy felt like, “Yes, build your life. Make it real.”
What Bugged Me
- Echo chamber vibes at times. Not a lot of pushback from outside views.
- Pricey ticket. Plus hotel. Plus food. It adds up fast.
- Some talks moved fast and used jargon. A glossary would help.
- Not many quiet spots. I needed a slow corner to think.
- Coffee lines. Oof. Bring a thermos if you can.
- One mic kept crackling like popcorn. Small thing, big distraction.
Who Should Go
- If you’ve read even one Rand book and want more tools for life, go.
- If you like lectures and note-taking, you’ll be happy.
- If you need heavy debate with non-Objectivists, you might feel stuck.
- Teens with a parent could handle it. Most sessions felt fine for 16+.
If your calendar is clear next summer, note that OCON 2025 is already on the books and accepting early registrations.
If you’d like to sample thoughtful essays and interviews on Objectivism before committing to a full-blown conference, check out Full Context—the online archive is free and surprisingly deep. If you’re more of a quick-read person, I also captured what stuck after a month of binge-reading Objectivist blogs.
Quick Tips I Wish I Knew
- Bring a sweater. Rooms run cold.
- Wear comfy shoes. The hall is long.
- Pack snacks. Lines can eat your break.
- Set a bookstore budget. Then add ten bucks.
- Plan to skip one session and rest. Your brain will thank you.
- Ask one question, even if your voice shakes. It’s worth it.
A Tiny Contradiction (That I Worked Out)
I went for hard ideas. And I also went for feelings—hope, courage, calm. At first, that felt wrong. Like I should pick one. But the talks showed me I didn’t have to. Clear thinking gave me calmer feelings. Wild, right?
My Verdict
Was it worth it? Yes, mostly.
- Score: 4.2 out of 5
- I’d go again. I’d bring a friend who argues well, just to keep me sharp.
- I left with one big change: I say no faster and yes with a full heart.
If you want a weekend that treats your mind like a muscle and your choices like your own, this hits. It’s not perfect. It’s not cheap. But it’s real. And sometimes real is exactly what we need.