Atlas Shrugged—Chapter One

I like how Ayn Rand introduces James Taggert. He is non-commital, and waits for to hear the opinions of others. He won't take a stance, but he will complain. He has no principle, but seems to maintain wishy-washy notions about helping others that leads him to disdain people of confidence. For example, he wants to keep the contract with the incompetent Orren Boyle of Associated Steel, because in James' mind, Orren needs a chance, he is his friend, and most importantly, James can escape responsibility by blaming the problems of his company on others. He was reluctant to contract with the competent Hank Rearden. It is as if working with competent people forces one to also be accountable and principled.