Active Now

Slartibartfast
Discussion » Questions » Life and Society » What does the American dream mean to you?
KeepYourEyesPeeled

What does the American dream mean to you?

Is it a house with a white picket fence? Lavish wealth? A life better than your parents’? Do you think you will be able to achieve the American dream? Do you think your own dreams are different from those of your parents at your age? Your grandparents? Do you believe your family has achieved, or is on the way to achieving, the American dream? Why or why not? Do you think you will be able to achieve the American dream when you are older? What leads you to believe this? Do you think the American dream is available to all Americans or are there boundaries and obstacles for some? If yes, what are they? Is the American dream a useful concept? Is it helpful in measuring our own or our country’s health and success? Do you believe it is, or has ever been, an ideal worth striving for? Is there any drawback to continuing to use the concept even as its meaning evolves?

Posted - February 12, 2019
Tags : None

Responses


  • 46117
    Absolute propaganda and nonsense.   



      February 12, 2019 8:33 AM MST
    2

  • Going to Disney Land. 
      February 12, 2019 8:34 AM MST
    2

  • 46117
      February 12, 2019 8:40 AM MST
    2

  • I’d never heard this before. I like it. 
      February 12, 2019 8:42 AM MST
    1

  • 46117
    Huge song in early 90's. 
      February 12, 2019 8:43 AM MST
    2

  • Oh, I was probably busy watching Scooby doo then. 
      February 12, 2019 8:45 AM MST
    2

  • 46117
    Ahhh.   I seeeee.  Scooby Doo was not my jam.   Huckleberry Hound was.
      February 12, 2019 8:47 AM MST
    2

  •   February 12, 2019 8:50 AM MST
    2

  • 46117
    He was blue.   I think they were preparing us for the psychedelic 60's
      February 12, 2019 8:52 AM MST
    2

  • 5391
    Way too many questions in there. 

    Let’s just say it’s the right and opportunity to chase whatever your dream is.

    I’m there. This post was edited by Don Barzini at February 12, 2019 8:49 PM MST
      February 12, 2019 9:18 AM MST
    5

  • 19937
    For me, the American Dream is getting a good public school education (it was good back in the 50s-60s), getting a good job, being able to live comfortably, putting away money for retirement and not having to eat cat food when I do.
      February 12, 2019 10:52 AM MST
    5

  • You nailed it.
      February 12, 2019 7:49 PM MST
    1

  • 19937
    Thank you. :)
      February 13, 2019 9:27 AM MST
    1

  • 46117
    Me 2
      February 12, 2019 7:54 PM MST
    1

  • 4624
    I see it as mostly a kind of jingoistic propaganda, used partly by govt and often by advertising.

    If it's that fancy materialistic life we often see in movies - no thanks - I pass - I could not bear that lifestyle.

    But it could also be the some total of all the ideals of each American - what a confusing hotch-potch that would be.

    Or it could be a humanitarian ideal - the hope for what humanity at it's best can strive to create - with benefits deriving from exploration of what works and what doesn't. The greater the communal effort, the better the outcomes.

    It could also, if it chose, incorpaorate ecological ideals for the survival and health of the planet - and work towards them.
      February 12, 2019 4:57 PM MST
    1

  • 14795
    It should stay a dream and not be forced on all others around our world....plus every living person has the right to freedom of their thoughts.....Do you want another Hitler or any other despot ...? 
      February 12, 2019 5:08 PM MST
    1

  • 5835

    At first the American dream was simply to get here, escaping from something.

    Then it was to own a farm. 

    Then it was to own a business.

    Then it was to own a house.

    Then it was to get a good job.

    Then it was to win the lottery.

    Now it is to get a good internet connection.

    This post was edited by Not Sure at February 13, 2019 5:21 AM MST
      February 12, 2019 7:46 PM MST
    3

  • 46117
    If you would have pursued the internet connection first, maybe the rest of the journey would have been a tad easier.



      February 12, 2019 7:47 PM MST
    1