The American Dream Has Been Perverted

Over the course of the past several decades, the original concept of the American Dream - the belief that anyone, regardless of their background, could achieve great success through hard work and determination - has largely been replaced by a culture of mediocrity. The defining characteristic of the American Dream today appears to be an emphasis on acceptance rather than striving for excellence, with many individuals seeking a comfortable, unremarkable existence rather than taking risks and working towards greatness.

One of the primary reasons for this shift is the deterioration of traditional societal structures, which were once instrumental in promoting and nurturing individual achievement. A lack of emphasis on traditional family values, combined with the commodification of education and the rise of mass media, has created a culture that discourages intellectual curiosity and values conformity over innovation. As a result, rather than striving to stand out from the crowd through sheer merit, many Americans are content to simply blend in.

Additionally, economic realities have contributed to the erosion of the American Dream. The gradual disappearance of jobs that provide a decent standard of living, combined with the soaring cost of living, has led to widespread disillusionment with the idea of working hard to achieve financial stability. Despite the continuing rhetoric of meritocracy, the reality is that the majority of Americans will never attain the kind of financial success that was once a hallmark of the American Dream, further fueling a sense of mediocrity.

Finally, the hyper-political nature of contemporary America has shifted the discourse away from the idea of individual achievement and towards group identity politics. Rather than being seen as a country of individuals united by a common dream, America is increasingly defined by the various labels that its citizens attach to themselves. In this new paradigm, the concept of personal responsibility has been supplanted by a focus on one's position as a member of a particular group.

Ultimately, the shift towards a culture of mediocrity has multiple causes, but it is clear that it is a deeply entrenched phenomenon. To rekindle the original American Dream and recapture a spirit of excellence, it will be necessary to reconsider these causal factors and work towards a society that once again values individual achievement and intellectual curiosity as desirable traits.

 Unlikely Buddha 2023