I think it is repellent, because of its total pragmatism and lack of concern for others. Indeed it preaches contempt for others. But then I am judging based on my Judeo-Christian belief system, whereby the highest value is in doing good and being loving. What do YOU think of it?

I don't think that it necessarily teaches a lack of concern for others, and definitely doesn't teach contempt. If you study her philosophy closely, you will find that it only undermines the impact that each of us has on our own surroundings. "She believed that individuals should choose their values and actions solely by reason. According to Rand, the individual 'must exist for his own sake, neither sacrificing himself to others nor sacrificing others to himself. The pursuit of his own rational self-interest and of his own happiness is the highest moral purpose of his life.'" If limited resources were not a variable in the equation of existence, this theory might work effectively. "Nor sacrifice others to himself" is very important in the context of her philosophy. Just because you are pursuing your own self-interest does not ALWAYS mean that you are acting contemptible. It is all about trying to persue your own interest while not having an effect on anyone [so she says]. Therefore, her philosophy does not teach people to not be concious of others, but encourages action that does not have an effect upon others. The problem is that within real-world application it does not work, given the fact that (1) we have limited resources and taking your share has an effect on every other being within the ecosystem and (2) every action has an equal but opposite reaction, in which others are affected.