The Few

There are always a few definitive individuals in any given era. 

That is to say, these individuals define the era. 

John Cage is one of them.

They question all authorities (sources of normalcy, institutions) (though not for contemptible reasons) and pursue items that intrigue them for their own intrinsic value... They don't do this for anything but their own personal benefit; however, they are consequently working for general welfare of all people.

Others who do this? Andrew Carnegie; Leonardo DaVinci; etc.

This, I believe, is one key to success. 

Yes, I love Ayn Rand's novels. 

If you could sing like anyone, who would it be?

Freddy Mercury. 

?

Life is continually unbalanced. It oscillates between the unexpected exceptional events and the corrosive realization that I am unable to do and create such that I meet my own ideals.

Is it so wrong to have ambition in what can be accomplished in life? I find myself lost without a sense of what is undeniably valuable.

Were there no conflicts, injustice, poverty, violence or hatred in this world: HOW WOULD YOU TEACH PEOPLE TO LIVE? How do we improve the world? Where mere existence and subsistence is not enough we need a pursuit. Life must focus on: music/art/philosophy/knowledge/technology and relationships.