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It is in John Galt's self-interest to see the current world implode on itself, so that he can pick up the pieces. Does that justify undermining Taggart Transcontinental? That is a tough question.
The theme of the novel was the role of the mind in human life, illustrated by showing what happens when it is withdrawn. To show that in the accelerated, fictional plot, Galt deliberately set out to bring down the corrupt society through the best minds not helping it, getting the evil mindlessness out of the way by collapsing its coercive power, so that the rational could produce and live.
That isn't practical or even possible in reality as a means, and Ayn Rand did not advocate it. As a tactic "strikers" would barely be noticed if at all, and to the extent it had an effect it would only make things worse -- much worse if the economy and political system were to actually collapse. It is not a way to a better world; without the required general acceptance of the proper philosophic principles employed for guiding actions nothing would change for the better in any kind of recovery.
But in the novel and in reality people should, and do, as individuals refuse to work for their own punishment, which is a different motive, and Ayn Rand did support that, rejecting sacrifice by individuals.
The question is always how much injustice to tolerate in any particular activity, and what else is possible in some other kind of job or career and in what location. Holing up in the wilderness as a way of life is not practical, and neither is an attempt at a secret utopian society.
In the plot of Atlas Shrugged the decline due to producers dropping out was "noticed" because it was explicitly described as the focus of the artificially accelerated plot.
If something you are doing is not of actual service to anyone, how does that make you a profit? It don't. Making money is the surest sign that you are doing good. NB: Making Money. Not looting or mooching to acquire it.
The balance between altruism for those he values and his attention to his own benefit runs throughout.
Nevertheless, I would strive to undermine and hasten the end of a successful Marxist takeover inflicted by the Antifa and BLM extensions of the Jackass wannabe commie Demonrat Party.
Even with your life and assets intact, civilized life requires production and trade so that you can buy what you need and want with your assets. A normal life cannot be assumed available as long as we have 'retirement' assets. That is still possible now, even in Europe, but it isn't guaranteed under further disintegration should that rapidly occur in what you called an otherwise tragic world -- let alone in what you say your are "looking forward to [with] the total collapse of the rule of looters and moochers".
There is a certain appeal to the poetic justice in prospects for collapse for the "looters and moochers" caused by themselves, but the reality of a real collapse destroys everyone and is not something to look forward to even though the "looters and moochers" would deserve it.
The Romantic Manifesto is very important. Among other essays in there pay special attention to "Philosophy and Sense of Life".
A good supplement to The Romantic Manifesto is The Art of Fiction: A Guide for Writers and Readers, transcribed from informal lectures she gave to friends in her living room in 1958, a year after publishing Atlas Shrugged. It focuses on the 'mechanics' of writing, reading, the nature of the styles, etc rather than explicitly on philosophy.
The other problem I have, specific to AS audio, is that the narration doesn't sound right - at least in the version I listened to. I have a corresponding problem with the movie in that the characters chosen - while I am sure were excellent for their roles - and they did do a good job - just don't look like or sound like the characters I constructed in my head as I was reading, all five times. I'll say, though, that every time I read it again, there is something new and different I notice.
I'm afraid it's just too late for me to "rearrange" my internal vision of this book, and it's the same with The Fountainhead.
I can't get Dagny as a blonde. I painfully see myself as Reardon. I liked the actors in AS I the best and Graham Bissel looked exactly the way I pictured Ellis Wyatt. Even though many people didn't think so I thought Gary Cooper was a really good Roark.
I can't tell you how many times I have read it (30+), and I always get something new out of it.
I understand about the audio; audio-books put me to sleep. I had a cassette version (narrated by E. Hermann) back in the late 1990s, and would listen on my commute to work. For whatever reason, I never lost focus and it was short enough a drive to not fall asleep.
As for the movies, no matter how well they were done, I was disappointed with the actors. Most did not fit my mind's picture of the characters based on Rand's description. A few did, but most didn't. Especially when the actor changed from movie to movie.
The book is always better than the film.
But the whole plot in Atlas Shrugged was artificially accelerated. If the last page comes again it will be long after your career. Don't start a new company waiting for it. Assess the possibilities and risks now and for the foreseeable future, then choose accordingly what to try.
My company is making nice progress in the last month. This is the time for capitalize on how to be sure about cleanliness, and my products will make that happen. We have an .mp4 that is ready to post on the web site. Once that is posted, I will talk more about the company.
It took 1100 pages to present the plot. The plot itself was described as taking place over only a few years, not counting flashbacks. Even with the flashbacks for the major characters, encompassing about a generation, the events in that time span were an artificial acceleration of actions leading to a collapse due to withdrawing key individuals and those dropping out on their own.
I hope your company succeeds and then continues to thrive. The great advances in technology have been in spite of the political and other irrational trends.
Might have to be totally independent, Atlas Shrugged Dot TV and just lay it out there. Monetizing it might be possible now. The tools are finally here to get it done. The Star Wars Triple Trilogy method might also work, spun out over a decade or so. Maybe Disney? Naw. There is just a lot of material. Trying to keep it PG-13 is my only real complaint about the Movie Trilogy which does not lend a very Randian Vibe. Amazon might do OK at a production. Although, they just turned Bosch into an anti-Libertarian screed this season.