InjuI was back in Bangalore after a long time. And I was catching up with some of my buddies today. It was a casual meeting to talk about life, dreams, and stuff that mattered. I met Sumiit for the first time, and we were chatting about a book I was reading, The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand.
Mind you, this book has been with me for many years now. I started it many times but couldn’t finish. Determined, I started reading it again recently and glad that I stuck with it this time.
I explained the basic idea in the book, about this guy, Howard Roark, who wants to live life on his own terms. A man who creates what he believes in. Doesn’t bend to the market. Doesn’t care about popularity or trends. Just pure, original work.
And then there’s Peter Keating. The complete opposite. The guy who plays to the gallery. Who does what the world wants? Not because he believes in it — but because he wants applause.
Roark vs. Keating
When you really sit with the characters, it hits you hard.
Howard Roark is the guy who will design a building the way he thinks is right, even if no one asks for it, even if he gets zero clients for years.
Peter Keating is the guy who asks the client what they want, copies other people’s ideas, and gives them whatever will win awards.
It’s tempting to think being Roark is glamorous. That he must be happy because he’s “pure.”
But actually, it’s brutal.
When you’re truly original, most people don’t get you.
When you say, “I won’t do what everyone likes, I’ll do what I know is right,” you sign up for a long, lonely fight.
Meanwhile, Keating gets applause.
He’s charming.
He wins awards.
He fits the mould.
Society rewards people like him quickly because he makes people comfortable. He builds buildings that the owner thinks others will like.
The Cost of Original Taste
Sumiit said something intriguing during our chat:
“It’s always better to have original taste in creative fields like Architecture.”
And I agreed. But I also said — having original taste costs you.
- You have to deal with rejection daily.
- You have to be okay with being misunderstood.
- You have to fuel yourself without applause and appreciation.
- You have to deal with zero recognition for the beauty you create
- You have to watch others rise faster while you stay hidden.
It’s not just talent you need.
You need crazy stamina to push through the junk in this world, to climb up the trash and be visible. You need to believe in yourself when the world doesn’t even care that you exist.
And even after all that, you might not “succeed” — not in the world’s eyes.
That’s the price you pay for following your voice.
Living Like Roark Today
On the way back from the meetup, I was thinking, In today’s world, it’s even tougher to live like Roark.
Because now, the “market” isn’t just a bunch of clients — it’s millions of likes, views, trends, validation loops.
- You post an original idea — it bombs.
- You copy a trending reel — it explodes.
The temptation to “Keating your way through life” is stronger than ever.
Blend in. Be safe. Don’t take creative risks.
But deep down, we all know.
The ones who create something timeless, something that moves the world forward, something real — they’re all Roarks at heart.
Even if they had to eat shit for years before getting recognized.
So, how should a man live today?
The Simple answer: Be like Roark, but don’t expect the world to clap.
- Build your taste.
- Build your craft.
- Build your original voice.
- Create things you believe in, even if no one notices at first.
- Expect it to be hard. Really hard.
- Expect to doubt yourself a hundred times.
- Expect lonely nights where you wonder if you’re stupid for trying.
But keep building.
Because in the end, the world doesn’t need another Keating.
It needs more people who dare to say, “This is what I believe in. Take it or leave it.”
And if you stay the course long enough, maybe, just maybe — the world will catch up.
Let me know your thoughts on what kind of life you would choose and why. Few questions that I’ve explored and answered below.
What can we learn from Howard Roark today?
Howard Roark teaches us that true fulfilment comes from living by your standards, even if it means facing rejection and loneliness.
Why is Peter Keating considered a cautionary tale?
Peter Keating represents the danger of living for others’ approval—while it may bring quick rewards, it ultimately leads to emptiness and regret.
Is it practical to live like Roark in today’s world?
Living like Roark is difficult, but those who stick to their original vision often end up building timeless, meaningful legacies.
What is the cost of originality?
The cost of originality is loneliness, slow success, and massive resistance—but the reward is a life truly your own.
Thanks for trusting me with your time reading this blog post.
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