What Are We Even Doing?
I want to go to work, test some samples, make a few people laugh, and then go home after 4 hours and get paid the same or more.
I don’t like the thought of working 8 hours every day for all eternity. Why do we let people do this? And why is it, that if I say these things out loud, all of a sudden someone will respond “I come from a generation that works” or somehow translates as me being lazy?
That’s an example of ignorance.
The origin of the problem lies in these culture norms we are expected to obey just because that's how life is set up. And I understand that I’m not the only one tired of these norms we blindly follow.
My friend put this in perspective for me saying: “Generations before me didn’t spend 60,000$ on a 4-year degree. The 250,000$ house was a nice house!” And its true, a person wouldn’t be able to find anything in the 250,000$ range in Bend today. Plus, it didn’t cost 20,000$ for a household vacation to Disneyland.”
Why isn’t it set up to spend more time with your family? Why do most people need 2 incomes to survive? I can’t wrap my head around it. Why is our culture set up like this? It’s irritating. Who decided this for me?
Why is the American dream dead, and unattainable? And why aren’t we talking about it???? Why perpetuate the cycle of madness by compiling? Things need to change for everyone.
The American Dream is a concept that suggests that with hard work, determination, and perseverance, anyone can achieve success, prosperity, and upward social mobility. However, many argue that the American Dream is dead, and it is no longer possible for most people to achieve this kind of success and financial security.
One reason? The rising wealth inequality in the United States. The top 1% of Americans hold a disproportionate portion of the country's wealth, while many middle- and working-class families struggle to make ends meet. This makes it difficult for people to achieve upward social mobility and can lead to feelings of hopelessness and frustration.
Another factor is the rising costs of education and healthcare. There's no doubt that college tuition has skyrocketed in recent years, making it difficult for many young people to pursue higher education and improve their economic prospects. The cost of college should be criminal. Healthcare expenses are also a significant burden for many Americans, with medical bills often leading to bankruptcy and financial ruin.
The decline of well-paying manufacturing jobs and the growth of the gig economy have also contributed to the demise of the American Dream. Numerous of workers now find themselves in low-wage, unstable jobs without benefits or job security
And to make matters worse, the COVID-19 pandemic has further exposed the cracks in the American Dream. The pandemic has disproportionately affected low-income and marginalized communities, highlighting the systemic inequalities in American society.
I’ll say it again, the American Dream is dead for many people. Unless these issues are addressed, it will be difficult for most Americans to achieve the kind of success and prosperity that was once possible. And yet, the younger era feels smarter than us. I can feel the eagerness to finally make change happen. There are more teenagers that are self-made millionaires than ever before. And I must pick their brains because the older generations—(as the saying goes) “got me fucked up.”
