I'd like you to post a comment to this blog entry that sums up what you discovered in your research today. These are the points you should try to address (some if not all).
1. Summarize your major findings.
2. Did you find a source that supports your thesis?
3. Did you find a source that does not support your thesis?
4. Have you changed your thinking about your thesis at all based on your research today?
5. What are your next steps?
1. I found a lot of people who thought that the American Dream was either "dead", "a nightmare", or "a pyramid scheme". Many people seem to hold a grudge against the Horatio Alger version of the Dream. And others seem to think that it was and always will be just a dream. The more radical people thought that the American Dream was established by Banks and Big Business to attract cheap labor.
ReplyDelete2. I found a BBC interview with Ronald Reagan's son, who thought that the American Dream is an "overused cliche".
3.I found an Economist article titled "Going to America: A Ponzi Scheme that Works" which took an interesting side on the issue.
4. I found plenty of sources that are aligned with my thesis and I still like the idea of "The current American Dream is a Scam, and has shifted from the Dream of Old". Or something like that.
5. Brainstorm. Organize. Synthesize. Write. Edit. Re-Write.
I hadn't heard that about Ronald Reagan's son....but just because he thinks it's a cliche doesn't mean he thinks it is a scam, does it?
Delete1. I found that there is a large age gap as far as the American Dream goes. The older generations seem to believe strongly in the American Dream as it once was, but the younger generations seem to feel that the American Dream is unreachable or nonexistent. This draws the conclusion that the American Dream has either changed so drastically as to be nearly impossible to meet, or that the world has changed so drastically that the American Dream is no longer relevant.
ReplyDelete2. One of the sources that best supports my theory is a newspaper article from BBC News, which interviews a woman who immigrated from Russia in the 1930's, as well as an 18 year old woman who came to New York from Jamaica to start anew - And is finding the American Dream much more difficult to locate.
3. An article from MPR News, although it contains some interesting points of view that would be useful to me, also contains some viewpoints that do not agree with my viewpoint.
4. I have changed the way I'm considering my thesis after today's research. My opinion has changed slightly, because it seems that the American Dream may indeed still exist even if reaching it is nearly impossible.
5. More research, Organization, Adjusting my thesis, Writing my paper, Editing my paper, and than Pulling it all together.
Focusing in on what your generation may think is a really good idea. Are young people more disallusioned by current events because they don't have the perspective of time (and the many ups and downs that come with it?)
Delete1. I found that a lot of people are blaming the death of the American Dream on the current economic crisis ...some are now calling it the "American Nightmare". In the midst of a recession, more and more people are having trouble holding onto jobs and houses while the rich get richer. Today, in a country deep in debt, fulfilling the American dream is certainly more difficult that it was a century or two ago.
ReplyDelete2. There was a site that I found called "Saving the American Dream" which had a lot of information that supported my thesis.
3. The Washington Post posted an article about the myths of the American dream. Some of it did not support my thesis, especially the so-called "myth" that money plays a key role in the modern American dream.
4. There is definitely a lot of sides to take on the American dream. After today I may want to rethink my thesis. I read a few convincing articles that explained that the American dream can be achieved even if you're not well-endowed. You just need to be a hard-worker and a smart spender.
5. More research and topic development. And some writing.
I'll have to check out that Saving the American Dream site!
Delete1. From my research today, I learned a lot about the definition of the American dream. The arguments that I looked at were not-so-much driven by logic and statistics, as they were driven by pathos and success stories. These results made me re-think my thesis and the idea I'm arguing. Instead of blindly supporting the American Dream I hope to qualify it conceptually and argue that it makes for a pretty idea, but the dream itself is more of a dream.
ReplyDelete2. The Center for a New American Dream is an extremely valuable source that will eventually support a thesis (once I've written one.) It argues that the American Dream needs definition and that in redefining the dream we can redefine our way of life in The United States.
3. It's such a prevalent idea that the American Dream is a sham that thousands of sources were immediately eliminated in my search for a solid argument. It was amazing how many reputable bloggers had discussed the American Dream as a concept and their cynical opinions were not useful in structuring a solid argument, but their obvious dissatisfaction with American Dream may prove to be useful in the qualification aspect of my argument.
4. I've definitely decided to go in a different direction with my argument after today. Blatant ignorance of the cynicism that exists toward the American Dream doesn't capture the idea that it still exists today. I think with qualification my argument will be stronger because it will present the opinions of the public and the success stories of the very same public.
5. Next, I really want to look into the lives of successful people today-their beginnings, stories, and example. I want to read more about what the American Dream IS or WAS and I want to collect opinions. I hope by then I'll have a strong argument and I can put it all together.
I think you'd find Dan Rather's book and the book, The American Dream, by Jim Cullen helpful. There are lots of success stories, with commentary.
Delete1. My main findings are examples of American Corporations demonstrating a lack of empathy towards fellow American people in the name of money. A common theme appears to be that in order for someone to have a bigger slice of the dream, it must be taken from others.
ReplyDelete2. One example is a case in the southern US, where a soft drink bottling plant was the major source of employment for a small town. The plant brought in income by producing throwback style bottles. Unfortunately, the major brand had an ownership dispute, and the bottling plant made massive cuts and proceeded to produce cheaper, generic drinks instead.
3. No sources as of yet have attempted to change my mind about capitalism, although there is certainly evidence that not all Americans have only greed in mind. One person who realized the American Dream is Bill Gates, (becoming the richest man in the world at the time) and has now stepped down from working at Microsoft to form a philanthropist organization.
4. Although there are some kind-hearted American Dreamers, the vast majority still are willing and able to mow down the masses to line their pockets.
5. Proceed to gather more sources and examples and compile them into a proper rant.
1) Many of the sources that I found classified the American Dream as the opportunity for anyone to become whatever they want regardless of their race or class. A survey by American Family Insurance revealed that most people viewed the American Dream as allowing them to “define success on their own terms, pursue their passion, and be themselves.” Although, other answers revealed thoughts that the American Dream meant “having money, owning a nice car, and owning a business.”
ReplyDelete2) I had trouble finding an article that actually supports my idea of the America Dream; however I came across an online forum where someone living in a foreign country has a very similar as me-- that the America Dream is similar to the life goals that everyone has, and it is not limited to the USA.
3) I found an endless supply of sources that claim the American Dream means getting a job and becoming wealthy and that America is the only place where everyone can do this or I found sources that claim particular groups of people face certain challenges when trying to achieve this goal. This is the typical view of the American Dream according to many online sources and goes against my thesis.
4) My opinion of the American Dream has not drastically changed after my research. I still do not feel that these goals can only be achieved by people living in America. I do feel that a couple centuries ago the desire for a land where everyone could achieve success was prevalent in countries where groups of people were discriminated against and even killed, so there was hope that such a dream existed, although I do not feel this is still completely relevant today.
5) My next steps include refining my thesis, writing and focusing on developing my argument as well as staying centered to help prove my point. I also hope to find other opinions that are similar to mine before I finish writing my final draft.