One of the interesting effects of Obama’s election and the deepening financial crisis has been the surge in interest in Ayn Rand’s ideas, and in sales of Atlas Shrugged. As of this writing, Atlas is #1 in US Fiction and Literature, #6 in total Fiction and Literature and #16 overall. It’s been climbing for weeks, and is now selling at 3x faster of a pace than it did when it was released 50 years ago.

And now, it’s selling so fast that Amazon can’t keep it in stock.

Here’s a screen shot of Amazon tonight:

Rand references are popping up almost daily. Drudge linked to a story today about a potential movie version of Atlas. Rush gave a monologue on Tuesday that contains one of the most eloquent statements of Objectivist principles delivered by a non-Objectivist that I can recall. Business Week, today, published a debate on whether “The Economy needs Ayn Rand“, with Onkar Ghate of ARI arguing the pro side. And, as to be expected, the National Review continued a decades old practice of dishonestly representing her ideas with a “symposium” on Rand’s recent popularity.

These are just a few that spring to mind. There have also been innumerable TV and Radio appearances by Yaron Brook and others from the Ayn Rand Center for Individual Rights. Her ideas are clearly penetrating the culture in ways not seen previously, and they are needed now more than ever.

Filed under: Objectivism