The American Reality
The American dream states that everyone has an equal chance to success through hard work and determination. Very few have lived out this reality, the famous rags to riches stories; but most are stuck in an endless cycle of working thousands of hours just to get a small break. Many parents wish for their children to have a better or easier life than they did, not thinking about the cost it will take on their child. We are influenced from birth to believe what the media preaches, what religion teaches us, without second thought. The reality of the American dream is that it is only for some, most will work their lives away holding off retirement the fear of not having enough over their heads. We are all under the illusion that this dream is for all, and if not us then our children.
“Warren Pryor” by Alden Nowlan is a poem about a boy whose parents worked hard for their son to go to school. They didn’t want him to work the fields like they do, all the back breaking work. As all parents, they do what they think is best; even if it means sending their child away to learn. The son suffered alone at school, without his parents there to comfort him. This caused rage inside him to grow. He got an office job that did nothing for him. Many parents do what appears to be best but don’t always realize the toll it takes on their child.
The Transhumanist Wager by Zoltan Istvan explains how we are conditioned to accept what society and religion teach us. In this excerpt Istvan lays out how society works, all the things we’re to achieve and the choices that will be a black mark on us. This goes on to how our spirit is used as a bartering tool in exchange for the smallest of things. This is the tragedy of our society. So many people give away their lives for that one hope, that one dream. So many lose their dreams to a life of work and expectations. A photo follows this excerpt, it shows a line of people with lunch pails in front of a sign about the American dream. None of these people look happy, they have been worn down. The illusion of working for a better life only motivates people to a point. The dreams and ambitions that are lost are not worth this lifestyle.
This society promises a life of success if you work hard, yet there are people working more than one job just to make the bills. If this way of living worked, the people would be happier; there wouldn’t be as many protests. Children have no say in how they are raised, or what decisions they should make. They are packed off to school in hopes for a better future. The love of parents overrides their need to speak out and say that this doesn’t work. This way of life is not what they want; they want to be home and see the parents they love. American society teaches us that suffering is needed for success, that the mind draining work we do is worth the little payoff. Things can change and they will, slowly but surely this society may change.
The American dream states that everyone has an equal chance to success through hard work and determination. Very few have lived out this reality, the famous rags to riches stories; but most are stuck in an endless cycle of working thousands of hours just to get a small break. Many parents wish for their children to have a better or easier life than they did, not thinking about the cost it will take on their child. We are influenced from birth to believe what the media preaches, what religion teaches us, without second thought. The reality of the American dream is that it is only for some, most will work their lives away holding off retirement the fear of not having enough over their heads. We are all under the illusion that this dream is for all, and if not us then our children.
“Warren Pryor” by Alden Nowlan is a poem about a boy whose parents worked hard for their son to go to school. They didn’t want him to work the fields like they do, all the back breaking work. As all parents, they do what they think is best; even if it means sending their child away to learn. The son suffered alone at school, without his parents there to comfort him. This caused rage inside him to grow. He got an office job that did nothing for him. Many parents do what appears to be best but don’t always realize the toll it takes on their child.
The Transhumanist Wager by Zoltan Istvan explains how we are conditioned to accept what society and religion teach us. In this excerpt Istvan lays out how society works, all the things we’re to achieve and the choices that will be a black mark on us. This goes on to how our spirit is used as a bartering tool in exchange for the smallest of things. This is the tragedy of our society. So many people give away their lives for that one hope, that one dream. So many lose their dreams to a life of work and expectations. A photo follows this excerpt, it shows a line of people with lunch pails in front of a sign about the American dream. None of these people look happy, they have been worn down. The illusion of working for a better life only motivates people to a point. The dreams and ambitions that are lost are not worth this lifestyle.
This society promises a life of success if you work hard, yet there are people working more than one job just to make the bills. If this way of living worked, the people would be happier; there wouldn’t be as many protests. Children have no say in how they are raised, or what decisions they should make. They are packed off to school in hopes for a better future. The love of parents overrides their need to speak out and say that this doesn’t work. This way of life is not what they want; they want to be home and see the parents they love. American society teaches us that suffering is needed for success, that the mind draining work we do is worth the little payoff. Things can change and they will, slowly but surely this society may change.