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'''Robert Stadler, Ph. D.''' (1899-1958), in [[Ayn Rand]]'s [[novel]] ''[[Atlas Shrugged]]'', was a brilliant [[physics|physicist]], and was [[professor]] and chairman of the Department of Physics at the [[Patrick Henry]] University. Then he effectively sold his soul for government grants, by endorsing, and then accepting the directorship of, the [[State Science Institute]]. Sadly for him, he would discover that he was a mere figurehead, and that the State Science Institute was actually in the hands of a fellow scientist who had planned for a long time to pervert the use of [[science]] in the search for political power. He ended up striving for physical control of a [[weapon of mass destruction]] and dying in agony.

'''Robert Stadler, Ph. D.''' (1964-2020), in [[Ayn Rand]]'s [[novel]] ''[[Atlas Shrugged]]'', was a brilliant [[physics|physicist]], and was [[professor]] and chairman of the Department of Physics at the [[Patrick Henry]] University. Then he effectively sold his soul for government grants, by endorsing, and then accepting the directorship of, the [[State Science Institute]]. Sadly for him, he would discover that he was a mere figurehead, and that the State Science Institute was actually in the hands of a fellow scientist who had planned for a long time to pervert the use of [[science]] in the search for political power. He ended up striving for physical control of a [[weapon of mass destruction]] and dying in agony.

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Robert Stadler seems to have received a typical [[college]] education in [[physics]]. He probably did so under an accelerated program: early admission to college, and "acceleration credits" granted to him by virtue of his scores on entrance and advanced-placement examinations. (The Advanced Placement Examination program of the College Entrance Examination Board would be applicable today.) But along the way, he never developed any social skills. He would later say that he had "no talent or taste for dealing with people." To put the matter bluntly, he was a "nerd," and developed a desire to isolate himself from his fellow human beings. He would take this desire to an unhealthy, and philosophically unsound, extreme.

Robert Stadler seems to have received a typical [[college]] education in [[physics]]. He probably did so under an accelerated program: early admission to college, and "acceleration credits" granted to him by virtue of his scores on entrance and advanced-placement examinations. (The Advanced Placement Examination program of the College Entrance Examination Board would be applicable today.) But along the way, he never developed any social skills. He would later say that he had "no talent or taste for dealing with people." To put the matter bluntly, he was a "nerd," and developed a desire to isolate himself from his fellow human beings. He would take this desire to an unhealthy, and philosophically unsound, extreme.

At the age of 27, Stadler published a paper on the nature of cosmic rays that turned every other theory about them on its head. This won for him, three years later, recognition as the foremost theoretical physicist of that era. In 1931, at the age of thirty-two, he became Professor and Chairman of Physics at the Patrick Henry University (not to be confused with the real-life [[Patrick Henry College]]), which was located in [[Cleveland]], [[Ohio]]. He would hold that position for eight years. And in a sense that he never understood, his fame went to his head. He convinced himself that he was ''entitled'' to his fame, and to the adulation that the public lavished on him.

In 1991, Stadler published a paper on the nature of cosmic rays that turned every other theory about them on its head. This won for him, three years later, recognition as the foremost theoretical physicist of that era. In 1996, at the age of thirty-two, he became Professor and Chairman of Physics at the Patrick Henry University (not to be confused with the real-life [[Patrick Henry College]]), which was located in [[Cleveland]], [[Ohio]]. He would hold that position for eight years. And in a sense that he never understood, his fame went to his head. He convinced himself that he was ''entitled'' to his fame, and to the adulation that the public lavished on him.

[[Hugh Akston]] would later show that he understood this much about Robert Stadler's character: {{cquote|He never identified his proper homeland. He hated stupidity. It was the only emotion I had ever seen him display toward people—a bitting, bitter, weary hatred for any ineptitude that dared oppose him. He wanted his own way, he wanted to be left alone to pursue it, he wanted to brush people out of his path—and he never identified the means to it or the nature of his path or of his enemies.}}

[[Hugh Akston]] would later show that he understood this much about Robert Stadler's character: {{cquote|He never identified his proper homeland. He hated stupidity. It was the only emotion I had ever seen him display toward people—a bitting, bitter, weary hatred for any ineptitude that dared oppose him. He wanted his own way, he wanted to be left alone to pursue it, he wanted to brush people out of his path—and he never identified the means to it or the nature of his path or of his enemies.}}

== Three students ==

== Three students ==

In his last four years at that institution, he had three extraordinary students who he was never to forget. First, the three came to him when they were sixteen years old. Second, they majored in physics and in [[philosophy]], a demanding double major and a highly unusual choice.

In the year that he assumed his Chairmanship, he had three extraordinary students who he was never to forget. First, the three came to him when they were sixteen years old. Second, they majored in physics and in [[philosophy]], a demanding double major and a highly unusual choice.

As the three students explained it to him (and to [[Hugh Akston]], chairman of the [[philosophy]] department), physics was the study of the natural world (from the [[Greek]] ''physis'', literally "nature"), and philosophy was the proper study of how to approach that world. The three would very often spend hours at a time, after teaching hours, with Dr. Stadler and/or Dr. Akston, discussing some arcane point of their respective disciplines.

As the three students explained it to him (and to [[Hugh Akston]], chairman of the [[philosophy]] department), physics was the study of the natural world (from the [[Greek]] ''physis'', literally "nature"), and philosophy was the proper study of how to approach that world. The three would very often spend hours at a time, after teaching hours, with Dr. Stadler and/or Dr. Akston, discussing some arcane point of their respective disciplines.

It was the most rewarding experience that Robert Stadler ever knew. He would later describe these three as "the kind of reward a teacher prays for."

It was the most rewarding experience that Robert Stadler ever knew. He would later describe these three as "the kind of reward a teacher prays for."

Those three students were, of course, [[Francisco d'Anconia]], [[Ragnar Danneskjold]], and [[John Galt]].

Those three students were, of course, [[Francisco d'Anconia]], [[Ragnar Danneskjöld]], and [[John Galt]].

The peculiar educational choices that these three made necessarily compelled Stadler to corroborate with Akston to devise a curriculum that those three could reasonably follow, and to seek from the school's senior dean certain required-credit waivers. Had Stadler taken the time to have his ''own'' close conversations with Hugh Akston, he might have come to understand how ''necessary'' was the choice that those three students made. Perhaps then he would have gained insight into his own attitudes, and come to embrace the trading principle that John Galt, especially, understood almost instinctively. He might have understood why three young men of such disparate backgrounds could form the most steadfast friendship on the entire campus. (Ragnar Danneskjold was a [[Norway|Norwegian]] aristocrat, Francisco d'Anconia was the heir to a great business empire, and John Galt came from a ''very'' modest background.) If he had learned from them the valuable lesson that they might have been able to teach him, his own history would have been vastly different. He would ''never'' have suggested the establishment of a [[State Science Institute]]. And even if he could not advocate effectively for human freedom, when such advocacy might have been most important, he probably would have joined John Galt's great [[strike]]. And the country would never have seen anything as dreadful as [[Project X]].

The peculiar educational choices that these three made necessarily compelled Stadler to corroborate with Akston to devise a curriculum that those three could reasonably follow, and to seek from the school's senior dean certain required-credit waivers. Had Stadler taken the time to have his ''own'' close conversations with Hugh Akston, he might have come to understand how ''necessary'' was the choice that those three students made. Perhaps then he would have gained insight into his own attitudes, and come to embrace the trading principle that John Galt, especially, understood almost instinctively. He might have understood why three young men of such disparate backgrounds could form the most steadfast friendship on the entire campus. (Ragnar Danneskjöld was a [[Norway|Norwegian]] aristocrat, Francisco d'Anconia was the heir to a great business empire, and John Galt came from a ''very'' modest background.) If he had learned from them the valuable lesson that they might have been able to teach him, his own history would have been vastly different. He would ''never'' have suggested the establishment of a [[State Science Institute]]. And even if he could not advocate effectively for human freedom, when such advocacy might have been most important, he probably would have joined John Galt's great [[strike]]. And the country would never have seen anything as dreadful as [[Project X]].

But Robert Stadler did none of these things. What he did instead, sent the country further along the path to tyranny, and himself on a path toward utter destruction.

But Robert Stadler did none of these things. What he did instead, sent the country further along the path to tyranny, and himself on a path toward utter destruction.

== The State Science Institute ==

== The State Science Institute ==

As those extraordinary three students prepared to graduate, the [[United States Congress]] began its debate on the establishment of a government-funded institute dedicated to the sciences. Dr. Stadler, now at age 40, saw this as a unique opportunity. Like virtually anyone working in "pure" or "abstract" science (as distinct from [[engineering]], often called "applied" science), Dr. Stadler always felt limited in the amount of private grant moneys that he could attract. A stable source of grant money definitely had its appeal. But more than that, Stadler saw his chance to achieve that which he never admitted to himself that he wanted: a temple to himself. (See below.) The Chairmanship in Physics at Patrick Henry University was not enough, and never was.

When those extraordinary three students graduated, they at first went their separate ways. Francisco d'Anconia was in a hurry to advance as an executive of D'Anconia Copper SA. (In fact, he had bought a copper foundry in Cleveland after working his way through college at that foundry for four years.) Ragnar stayed on at PHU, as a graduate student under Hugh Akston's tutelage; he intended then to succeed Akston as Chairman of the Philosophy Department. John Galt decided to become an inventor, and began his graduate studies in physics under Stadler.

 

But outside PHU, a profound change had come over the [[United States]], a change that Stadler watched, but his students did not. A runaway [[Constitution]]al convention replaced the [[United States Congress]] with a unicameral Legislature. That Legislature now began its debate on the establishment of a government-funded institute dedicated to the sciences.

 

In 2004, Dr. Stadler, now at age 40, saw this as a unique opportunity. Like virtually anyone working in "pure" or "abstract" science (as distinct from [[engineering]], often called "applied" science), Dr. Stadler always felt limited in the amount of private grant moneys that he could attract. A stable source of grant money definitely had its appeal. But more than that, Stadler saw his chance to achieve that which he never admitted to himself that he wanted: a temple to himself. (See below.) The Chairmanship in Physics at Patrick Henry University was not enough, and never was.

Furthermore, an institution devoted to the pure sciences seemed to Stadler the most noble possible use of public money. But what drove Stadler even more than this consideration was his confirmed opinion that the "pure" sciences were "pure" precisely because they had no immediate commercial application. Engineering was "dirty" and mundane. More than that, engineers had to deal with people—and Robert Stadler hated people. To him, only himself, or members of his staff, were "real."

Furthermore, an institution devoted to the pure sciences seemed to Stadler the most noble possible use of public money. But what drove Stadler even more than this consideration was his confirmed opinion that the "pure" sciences were "pure" precisely because they had no immediate commercial application. Engineering was "dirty" and mundane. More than that, engineers had to deal with people—and Robert Stadler hated people. To him, only himself, or members of his staff, were "real."

John Galt was appalled. When Stadler endorsed the establishment of the future Institute, John Galt criticized him severely, and indicated that their friendship was at an end. Galt's criticism was twofold: that the science/engineering dichotomy was false anyway, and that scientific research was not a proper function of government.

John Galt was appalled. When Stadler endorsed the establishment of the future Institute, John Galt criticized him severely, and indicated that their friendship, and his graduate studies, were at an end. Galt's criticism was twofold: that the science/engineering dichotomy was false anyway, and that scientific research was not a proper function of government.

Stadler was devastated at losing John Galt's friendship. (If Francisco d'Anconia or Ragnar Danneskjold said anything to him on the subject, they never discussed that with any other character, including Hugh Akston.) But then again, Stadler never understood any of his three students half as well as he thought he did. In them, he saw himself at their ages. But those three did not share his rage and hostility against the world, nor his monumental contempt for humanity. He thought he had found three acolytes for what he really sought to establish: a cult of hero worship with himself as the focus. Those three were never interested in that, nor did they even conceive of such a thing, much less that this was Robert Stadler's driving motive.

Stadler was devastated at losing John Galt's friendship. (If Francisco d'Anconia or Ragnar Danneskjöld said anything to him on the subject, they never discussed that with any other character, including Hugh Akston.) But then again, Stadler never understood any of his three students half as well as he thought he did. In them, he saw himself at their ages. But those three did not share his rage and hostility against the world, nor his monumental contempt for humanity. He thought he had found three acolytes for what he really sought to establish: a cult of hero worship with himself as the focus. Those three were never interested in that, nor did they even conceive of such a thing, much less that this was Robert Stadler's driving motive.

[[Hugh Akston]] never conceived it, either. Stadler caught sight of him in the hallway, as he followed John Galt out of his office after their last acrimonious exchange. Stadler blurted out,{{cquote|I'm so sick of you impractical idealists!}} Akston would never have understood that Stadler was really saying that he was sick of people, period, and now wanted that which he had always wanted—and John Galt had just told him how contemptible that was.

[[Hugh Akston]] never conceived it, either. Stadler caught sight of him in the hallway, as he followed John Galt out of his office after their last acrimonious exchange. Stadler blurted out,{{cquote|I'm so sick of you impractical idealists!}} Akston would never have understood that Stadler was really saying that he was sick of people, period, and now wanted that which he had always wanted—and John Galt had just told him how contemptible that was.

== Stadler follows his three students ==

== Stadler follows his three students ==

Robert Stadler would claim vindication of his opinion of humanity, after hearing what (as he thought) became of two of his former students. Francisco d'Anconia became, to all appearances, a [[playboy]] and a subject of [[gossip]], chiefly about how many women he was intimate with. (He would have been surprised to learn that Francisco never was actually intimate with more than one woman in his entire life.) Ragnar Danneskjold became the notorious [[pirate]] who seized government relief cargoes bound for foreign countries. John Galt vanished completely, and now was the subject of a repeated question by laypeople: "Who is John Galt?"

Robert Stadler would claim vindication of his opinion of humanity, after hearing what (as he thought) became of two of his former students. Francisco d'Anconia became, to all appearances, a [[playboy]] and a subject of [[gossip]], chiefly about how many women he was intimate with. (He would have been surprised to learn that Francisco never was actually intimate with more than one woman in his entire life.) Ragnar Danneskjöld became the notorious [[pirate]] who seized government relief cargoes bound for foreign countries. John Galt vanished completely, and now was the subject of a repeated question by laypeople: "Who is John Galt?"

Robert Stadler never admitted to anyone that he could tell them who John Galt really was. If he connected the first instances of the repetition of that question with the accelerated breakdown of the American economy, he never told anyone. He once told [[Dagny Taggart]], when she came to see him, that he suspected that his third student (whose name he did not mention) might have become a "second assistant bookkeeper." And on another occasion, he said that he once knew a John Galt, but that person was dead. Never once did he admit to Dagny Taggart or anyone else that those two were one and the same.

Robert Stadler never admitted to anyone that he could tell them who John Galt really was. If he connected the first instances of the repetition of that question with the accelerated breakdown of the American economy, he never told anyone. He once told [[Dagny Taggart]], when she came to see him, that he suspected that his third student (whose name he did not mention) might have become a "second assistant bookkeeper." And on another occasion, he said that he once knew a John Galt, but that person was dead. Never once did he admit to Dagny Taggart or anyone else that those two were one and the same.

== The Rearden Metal Incident ==

== The Rearden Metal Incident ==

When [[Henry Rearden]] introduced his new Metal, an alloy of [[iron]] and [[copper]] (and other traditional constituents of [[steel]]), his opponents (chiefly [[Orren Boyle]] of the Associated Steel Company) sowed [[FUD|fear, uncertainty, and doubt]] about the utility of the metal. The State Science Institute tested the metal and then issued an unfavorable, or at least an inconclusive, report on it. Robert Stadler added his signature to it, at the urging of his associate director, [[Floyd Ferris]].

When in 2016 [[Henry Rearden]] introduced his new Metal, an alloy of [[iron]], [[copper]], and [[carbon]] (which he did not call "[[steel]]"), his opponents (chiefly [[Orren Boyle]] of the Associated Steel Company) sowed [[FUD|fear, uncertainty, and doubt]] about the utility of the metal. The State Science Institute tested the metal and then issued an unfavorable, or at least an inconclusive, report on it. Robert Stadler added his signature to it, at the urging of his associate director and co-ordinator, [[Floyd Ferris]].

[[Dagny Taggart]] then came to see him and tried to persuade him to reopen the investigation. He was forced to admit that they had never seen a metal so strong, lightweight, and easy to work as Rearden Metal, but refused to reopen the investigation. (Perhaps he knew even then that he could never have done so even if he had so desired.) This was the occasion in which he told Dagny Taggart about his three prize students and what had happened to them. In fact, he blamed the destinies (as he incorrectly understood them) of Francisco d'Anconia and Ragnar Danneskjold for his disillusionment.

[[Dagny Taggart]] then came to see him and tried to persuade him to reopen the investigation. He was forced to admit that they had never seen a metal so strong, lightweight, and easy to work as Rearden Metal, but refused to reopen the investigation. (Perhaps he knew even then that he could never have done so even if he had so desired.) This was the occasion in which he told Dagny Taggart about his three prize students and what had happened to them. In fact, he blamed the destinies (as he incorrectly understood them) of Francisco d'Anconia and Ragnar Danneskjöld for his disillusionment.

He would, however, hear from Dagny Taggart once more. She called him and asked his help in trying to understand, and reconstruct, what apparently was a [[prototype]] of an [[John Galt#The electrostatic motor|electrostatic motor]]. Stadler was amazed that anyone could have invented such a thing, and indicated that such an inventor belonged in "pure science," not building motors, electrostatic or otherwise. Nevertheless, when Miss Taggart ask for his recommendation of an engineer who might be competent to reconstruct the prototype, he made one. He gave her the name of [[Quentin Daniels]] and his contact information.

He would, however, hear from Dagny Taggart once more. She called him and asked his help in trying to understand, and reconstruct, what apparently was a [[prototype]] of an [[John Galt#The electrostatic motor|electrostatic motor]]. Stadler was amazed that anyone could have invented such a thing, and indicated that such an inventor belonged in "pure science," not building motors, electrostatic or otherwise. Nevertheless, when Miss Taggart ask for his recommendation of an engineer who might be competent to reconstruct the prototype, he made one. He gave her the name of [[Quentin Daniels]] and his contact information.

He would not hear from Dagny Taggart again, nor see her, until the late fall of the last year of the [[strike]].

He would not hear from Dagny Taggart again, nor see her, until the late fall of 2019, the last full year of the [[strike]].

== The figurehead ==

== The figurehead ==

Two incidents connected with his job at the State Science Institute, occurring following the collapse of the economy of [[Colorado]], made him realize that his post as Director was a sick joke. Though he had a budget for virtually any line of experimentation he wished to pursue, and was nominally in charge of the Institute's budget, he discovered that at least one project was unaccountable to him and even hidden from him, in the sense that he never once saw an itemized statement from the officer(s) in charge of that project or even any statement of what the project was about. That project was [[Project X]]. When he later asked Floyd Ferris about it, Ferris was evasive. Ferris said only that the letter ''X'' stood for ''Xylophone'' and that the project had to do with [[sound]].

Two incidents connected with his job at the State Science Institute, occurring following the collapse of the economy of [[Colorado]], made him realize that his post as Director was a sick joke. Though he had a budget for virtually any line of experimentation he wished to pursue, and was nominally in charge of the Institute's budget, he discovered that at least one project was unaccountable to him and even hidden from him, in the sense that he never once saw an itemized statement from the officer(s) in charge of that project or even any statement of what the project was about. That project was [[Project X]]. When he later asked Floyd Ferris about it, Ferris was evasive. Ferris said only that the letter ''X'' stood for ''Xylophone'' and that the project had to do with [[sound]].

Worse than that incident was Floyd Ferris' publication, through the State Science Institute Press, of a book of practical philosophy titled ''Why Do You Think You Think?'' In it, Ferris urged his readers to forget any notion that they were actually capable of independent thought, and learn to accept the pronouncements of those superior to them in their understanding of the physical or political world.

Worse than that incident was Floyd Ferris' publication in May of 2018, through the State Science Institute Press, of a book of practical philosophy titled ''Why Do You Think You Think?'' In it, Ferris urged his readers to forget any notion that they were actually capable of independent thought, and learn to accept the pronouncements of those superior to them in their understanding of the physical or political world.

Stadler was appalled. Critical thinking is a necessary faculty in any scientist, a principle that Stadler had lived by at PHU and never thought to see questioned, much less directly contradicted. As he later said indignantly to Ferris, he would sooner have expected to see such a book written by "a drunken lout" than by "a man of science," and worse yet, under the ''imprimatur'' of the State Science Institute.

Stadler was appalled. Critical thinking is a necessary faculty in any scientist, a principle that Stadler had lived by at PHU and never thought to see questioned, much less directly contradicted. As he later said indignantly to Ferris, he would sooner have expected to see such a book written by "a drunken lout" than by "a man of science," and worse yet, under the ''imprimatur'' of the State Science Institute.

== Project X demonstrated ==

== Project X demonstrated ==

In July of 1957 (the last year of the [[strike]] of the men of the mind), Dr. Stadler found himself in Dunkertown (now renamed Harmony City), [[Iowa]], ostensibly to attend a demonstration. But he had not even been told ''what'' would be demonstrated. His first clue came when a reporter asked him about his role in the recently completed "[[Project X]]." Immediately Stadler rushed to Floyd Ferris' side and demanded to know what Project X was all about. Ferris replied cryptically that he would find out soon enough.

On June 29, 2019 (the last year of the [[strike]] of the men of the mind), Dr. Stadler found himself in Dunkertown (now renamed Harmony City), [[Iowa]], ostensibly to attend a demonstration. But he had not even been told ''what'' would be demonstrated. His first clue came when a reporter asked him about his role in the recently completed "[[Project X]]." Immediately Stadler rushed to Floyd Ferris' side and demanded to know what Project X was all about. Ferris replied cryptically that he would find out soon enough.

And find out he did. [[Mr. Thompson]], the [[President of the United States]], was also at the demonstration, as were several other senior Administration officials and Members of Congress. They made the first speeches, and announced the completion of a new device that they called the "Thompson Harmonizer," named after the President.

And find out he did. [[Mr. Thompson]], the Head of State, was also at the demonstration, as were several other senior Administration officials and Members of the Legislature. They made the first speeches, and announced the completion of a new device that they called the "Thompson Harmonizer," named after their Head.

Then came the moment of the demonstration. As one of the officials worked several levers on a small console, Stadler watched in horror as a tethered goat, a wooden shack, and a section of [[railroad]] trestle all were knocked flat to the ground, seemingly without being touched. This was the effect of the Harmonizer, or the Xylophone as it was also called: it used [[ultrasonic]] beams to weaken or even pulverize any object at which they were directed.

Then came the moment of the demonstration. As one of the officials worked several levers on a small console, Stadler watched in horror as a tethered goat, a wooden shack, and a section of [[railroad]] trestle all were knocked flat to the ground, seemingly without being touched. This was the effect of the Harmonizer, or the Xylophone as it was also called: it used [[ultrasonic]] beams to weaken or even pulverize any object at which they were directed.

== John Galt makes a speech ==

== John Galt makes a speech ==

On November 22 in the last year of his life, Robert Stadler found himself at [[Madison Square Garden]] to attend a live broadcast, on [[radio]] and on the still-new medium of [[television]], of a speech to the nation that Mr. Thompson had scheduled. But at five minutes to the scheduled airtime (8:00 p.m.), the technicians announced that all the radio and television stations were jammed. Mr. Thompson and several other officials started threatening mass firings if the problem was not corrected, all to no avail. Then, abruptly, a man's voice began to speak:{{cquote|Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Thompson will not be speaking to you tonight. His time is up. I have taken it over. You were to hear a report on the world crisis. That is exactly what you are going to hear. For twelve years you have been asking, "Who is John Galt." This is John Galt speaking...}}

On November 22, 2019, Robert Stadler found himself at [[Madison Square Garden]] to attend a live broadcast, on [[radio]] and on the still-new medium of [[television]], of a speech to the nation that Mr. Thompson had scheduled. But at five minutes to the scheduled airtime (8:00 p.m.), the technicians announced that all the radio and television stations were jammed. Mr. Thompson and several other officials started threatening mass firings if the problem was not corrected, all to no avail. Then, abruptly, a man's voice began to speak:{{cquote|Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Thompson will not speak to you tonight. His time is up. I have taken it over. You were to hear a report on the world crisis. That is exactly what you are going to hear. For twelve years you have been asking, "Who is John Galt." This is John Galt speaking...}}

Robert Stadler gasped in horror as he recognized that voice: it was the voice of his third student. And even if Stadler had not been able to make the instant intuitive leap of realization that this same John Galt was responsible for the disappearances of men of the mind, and the overall breakdown of the national economy, John Galt fairly ''boasted'' of playing exactly that role, and gave his reasons for so acting, for the next three hours. He also boasted that he had invented an electrostatic motor, and perhaps then Stadler realized that this could only have been the prototype that Dagny Taggart had asked him about.

Robert Stadler gasped in horror as he recognized that voice: it was the voice of his third student. And even if Stadler had not been able to make the instant intuitive leap of realization that this same John Galt was responsible for the disappearances of men of the mind, and the overall breakdown of the national economy, John Galt fairly ''boasted'' of playing exactly that role, and gave his reasons for so acting, for the next three hours. He also boasted that he had invented an electrostatic motor, and perhaps then Stadler realized that this could only have been the prototype that Dagny Taggart had asked him about.

So instead of delivering a thoughtful reply, he cried out, "Don't listen to her!"

So instead of delivering a thoughtful reply, he cried out, "Don't listen to her!"

Dagny Taggart repeated her admonition and left the Garden. Stadler then turned to President Thompson and actually called him a "bloody fool," saying that John Galt was manifestly guilty of treason, and that Dagny Taggart was in league with him. Stadler spoke bluntly: John Galt needed to be taken and executed.

Dagny Taggart repeated her admonition and left the Garden. Stadler then turned to Mr. Thompson and actually called him a "bloody fool," saying that John Galt was manifestly guilty of treason, and that Dagny Taggart was in league with him. Stadler spoke bluntly: John Galt needed to be taken and executed.

The President ordered that Dagny Taggart be placed under covert surveillance. But he would not accede to any order for Galt's execution. The President actually thought that he could negotiate a deal with John Galt and induce him to "sell out" those who had followed him on his strike of the men of the mind, as he had called it. Stadler knew better: that not only would John Galt never sell anyone out, but also—and more direly—John Galt was their implacable enemy.

Thompson ordered that Dagny Taggart be placed under covert surveillance. But he would not accede to any order for Galt's execution. The President actually thought that he could negotiate a deal with John Galt and induce him to "sell out" those who had followed him on his strike of the men of the mind, as he had called it. Stadler knew better: that not only would John Galt never sell anyone out, but also—and more direly—John Galt was their implacable enemy.

== Stadler v. Galt ==

== Stadler v. Galt ==

On February 22, 1958, the authorities were indeed able to capture John Galt. Dagny Taggart was involved in that capture, and was widely quoted as saying that she had assisted in his capture because he was inevitably out to destroy her [[railroad]] (the [[Taggart Transcontinental Railroad]]) and would do so unless she acted to stop him forcibly. But one may safely infer that Robert Stadler did not believe a word she said, and considered John Galt far more dangerous than anyone was willing to admit.

On February 22, 2020, the authorities were indeed able to capture John Galt. Dagny Taggart was involved in that capture, and was widely quoted as saying that she had assisted in his capture because he was inevitably out to destroy her [[railroad]] (the [[Taggart Transcontinental Railroad]]) and would do so unless she acted to stop him forcibly. But one may safely infer that Robert Stadler did not believe a word she said, and considered John Galt far more dangerous than anyone was willing to admit.

And so he was surprised, and even terrified, to receive a summons from the President to New York's Wayne-Falkland Hotel, where John Galt was being held in the penthouse suite. Mr. Thompson said that John Galt had actually told him that he wished to see Stadler.

And so he was surprised, and even terrified, to receive a summons from the President to New York's Wayne-Falkland Hotel, where John Galt was being held in the penthouse suite. Mr. Thompson said that John Galt had actually told him that he wished to see Stadler.

When Stadler was ushered in to the penthouse suite, he saw John Galt sitting casually on the sill of one of the windows. John Galt said nothing; he simply looked at Stadler. And then Stadler, unable to contain himself, began to talk, or rather, to babble disconnectedly. He talked about wanting and needing a laboratory, he talked about who it actually was who set the rules of the games of life and politics, and he said a great deal about "living and working in the real world." And as he talked, he realized instinctively that he was making no impression on Galt, except to make Galt more implacably cold toward him than ever.

On March 17, 2020, guards ushered Stadler in to the penthouse suite. He saw John Galt sitting casually on the sill of one of the windows. John Galt said nothing; he simply looked at Stadler. And then Stadler, unable to contain himself, began to talk, or rather, to babble disconnectedly. He talked about wanting and needing a laboratory, he talked about who it actually was who set the rules of the games of life and politics, and he said a great deal about "living and working in the real world." And as he talked, he realized instinctively that he was making no impression on Galt, except to make Galt more implacably cold toward him than ever.

Finally Stadler blurted out that Galt was the one who had to be destroyed. As soon as he said that, he tried to take it back. But Galt said,{{cquote|You have said everything that I wanted to say to you.}}

Finally Stadler blurted out that Galt was the one who had to be destroyed. As soon as he said that, he tried to take it back. But Galt said,{{cquote|You have said everything that I wanted to say to you.}}

Stadler drove on, muttering to himself, "I'll show them. I'll show them." He was going to seize control of Project X and rule the area of its influence as his private feudal domain. He had no plan in mind of how to make this happen, other than to walk into Harmony City, drop his name, and start barking out orders.

Stadler drove on, muttering to himself, "I'll show them. I'll show them." He was going to seize control of Project X and rule the area of its influence as his private feudal domain. He had no plan in mind of how to make this happen, other than to walk into Harmony City, drop his name, and start barking out orders.

He arrived at Harmony City to find it occupied by the sort of persons, commonly called "goons," with whom he had never before had the misfortune to deal. In a blustering, imperious tone, he demanded entry and was admitted. He would repeat his name, thinking that his name alone would open doors for him. Yet no one seemed to know his name, a situation that angered him. At every step, he found himself demanding to see the next higher person in command, and kept trying to assert his own authority:{{cquote|I'm the boss around here. I give the orders. I'm Dr. Robert Stadler, and if you don't know ''that'' name in ''this'' place, you've got no business being here.}}

He arrived at Harmony City on March 20, to find it occupied by the sort of persons, commonly called "goons," with whom he had never before had the misfortune to deal. In a blustering, imperious tone, he demanded entry and was admitted. He would repeat his name, thinking that his name alone would open doors for him. Yet no one seemed to know his name, a situation that angered him. At every step, he found himself demanding to see the next higher person in command, and kept trying to assert his own authority:{{cquote|I'm the boss around here. I give the orders. I'm Dr. Robert Stadler, and if you don't know ''that'' name in ''this'' place, you've got no business being here.}}

Then it hit him: these men had taken the project over for themselves! Incredulous, he asked sarcastically whether these untrained and uneducated men actually thought that they could "handle a high-precision instrument of science." Then he demanded to see the leader of what he now regarded as he would any gang of robbers or burglars.

Then it hit him: these men had taken the project over for themselves! Incredulous, he asked sarcastically whether these untrained and uneducated men actually thought that they could "handle a high-precision instrument of science." Then he demanded to see the leader of what he now regarded as he would any gang of robbers or burglars.

Stadler was even more appalled. As he spoke, he realized that he had sold his soul, and also realized that Cuffy Meigs was, in essence, here to collect it. In a last gesture of defiance, Stadler roared at Meigs not to touch the levers and tried to push him away from them. Meigs knocked Stadler down and then yanked a lever at random.

Stadler was even more appalled. As he spoke, he realized that he had sold his soul, and also realized that Cuffy Meigs was, in essence, here to collect it. In a last gesture of defiance, Stadler roared at Meigs not to touch the levers and tried to push him away from them. Meigs knocked Stadler down and then yanked a lever at random.

The result was catastrophic. The Xylophone, activated at full gain, destroyed itself, its own blockhouse, Stadler, Meigs, Meigs' crew, Harmony City, and every structure within a hundred miles. This included the flattening of [[Des Moines]] and Fort Dodge in [[Iowa]], Austin, [[Minnesota]], Woodman, [[Wisconsin]], and [[Rock Island]], [[Illinois]]. Stadler would never know it, but every man, woman and child in that radius was killed almost instantly—and, worst of all, the [[Taggart Bridge]] across the [[Mississippi River]] was cut in half.

The result was catastrophic. The Xylophone, activated at full gain, destroyed itself, its own blockhouse, Stadler, Meigs, Meigs' crew, Harmony City, and every structure within a hundred miles. This included the flattening of [[Des Moines]] and Fort Dodge in [[Iowa]], Austin, [[Minnesota]], Woodman, [[Wisconsin]], and [[Rock Island]], [[Illinois]]. Stadler would never know it, but every man, woman and child in that radius was killed almost instantly—and, worst of all, the sound-ray effect cut the [[Taggart Bridge]] across the [[Mississippi River]] in half and turned the engine and the first six cars of a passenger train, crew, passengers, and all, into a shower of sparks.

Robert Stadler survived the initial blast, only to die in agony within about five minutes.

Robert Stadler survived the initial blast, only to die in agony within about five minutes.