Reason First: Imagine Him Living- The Murder of John Lennon

When John Lennon was murdered, he joined a long and growing list of men who met violent ends despite spending their lives preaching peace. Gandhi, JFK, RFK, Medgar Evars, Malcolm X, MLK and even Jesus of Nazareth represented a mixed set of premises, but all agreed on the value of peace, and all were struck down nonetheless. And more.

What each of them lacked consisted of a proper route towards peace. This is in no way justifying their murders. In fact, it is a call for future generations to recognize and implement reason, individualism, and capitalism into the culture.

At the Dakota, an apartment building in New York City, on December 8, 1980, Lennon headed back from studio hours creating new music. Mark David Chapman opened fire on the Beatle. He sent five rounds into Lennon’s arm and back. Lennon would soon perish due to heavy loss of blood.

What this brings into focus is the fact that the hatred of the individual who attracts massive followings may always have a target on his or her back. Chapman murdered Lennon not because the rock star was a man of peace but because he had garnered so much fame. The killer wanted to snatch a piece of that glory for himself in a senseless and sacrificial way.

Chapman is still serving time. He felt compelled to commit this heinous crime out of his feelings and not thought. Some may be surprised that J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye, about a disillusioned, dissident, depressed youth did not inspire Chapman’s actions. In fact, those who seek unearned glory and the glare of the limelight like Chapman will always find a scapegoat like a novel.

Lennon’s life warranted him to live out the rest of it to the fullest. Peace is something to be achieved. John Lennon championed the thought of bringing tranquility to the earth. Sometimes (even more irony) that is through death and destruction of those who initiate force against innocents. Chapman’s envy consumed him and that is what pushed him to carry out his vicious act.

There is no way that the ideation of Chapman could continue. The idea of projecting to the world that a novel can spur someone to bask in disaster brings together what Ayn Rand said was, “The anti-industrial revolution.” This movement seeks to demolish anything of value. It wants to break up oil pipes and stop drilling as a symbol of their hatred. Chapman exemplifies this notion as he rots away in his cell.

The placement of Lennon as one of the greatests of all time inspired people like Steve Jobs. One creative man precipitated the thought of another thoroughly independent and productive genius. Thousands of musicians have modeled their careers off of the ideas of John Lennon. Chapman could not be able to halt the sensible actions of these figures because of his selfless act.

In a way, Lennon’s aura and his myth was elevated in his death. Through the power of music, he conveyed a sense that all of his power could be channeled into challenging the world.

Imagine Lennon recording because of Ayn Rand. There’s no way that he could have avoided a glory-hungry fanatic like Chapman from killing him, but consider the influence and reach that would have been generated by the power of Miss Rand’s words. Lennon could have absorbed The Fountainhead or Atlas Shrugged. But would that even have done anything to prevent Chapman from committing his crime? It’s doubtful. Chapman made it his choice to murder Lennon out a thirst for unqualified fame. Additionally, with a book concerning Objectivist philosophy in the hands of another killer like Chapman, wouldn’t they pervert the ideas? The potential to reach as many ears (and minds) as possible with a radical, rational philosophy could have been achieved but, sadly, Lennon would have seen the grave by malicious intent. Imagine John Lennon leading the way with a system of morality that has the power to revolutionize lives. Imagine a world where the Chapman’s of the world receive none of the fame and glory they yearn for in life. Imagine.