Category Archives: Research & Background

David Brooks on why America will be fine

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I was sent this NY Times article by David Brooks titled “Relax, we’ll be fine”, by a friend and it got me thinking about my research and the future. Here is a quick taste from the article-

“This column is a great luscious orgy of optimism. Because the fact is, despite all the problems, America’s future is exceedingly bright.

Over the next 40 years, demographers estimate that the U.S. population will surge by an additional 100 million people, to 400 million over all. The population will be enterprising and relatively young. In 2050, only a quarter will be over 60, compared with 31 percent in China and 41 percent in Japan.”

This article along with my research has gotten me thinking about the future of American and why it is important to make this movie.

While bouncing some ideas for the documentary to a friend, he came up with the phrase “We are the future. But who are we?” (Thanks AC!!). This I think is a perfect phrase that sums up “One American Dream?”. We, Generation Y/ the Millennials, are the future of America. We are going to be in charge one day, like it or not. But who are we as a generation and what to we care about (ie what is our American Dream)?

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Healthcare, death of the American Dream?

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On late Sunday night the House of Representatives passed a historical bill.  Whether you think it will destroy the country or is a very necessary piece of legislation, you can’t argue on its historical precedence.

On side believes it is a government takeover of our health care, will make us become a socialist country, and will bankrupt us.  The other believes it is providing health care to 32 million more Americans, eliminating preexisting condition clauses that are in insurance plans, and extending health care to young adults (till age 26).  Everyone is entitled to their opinion, as I have mine about this subject which i won’t go into.

What I am interested in more is whether or not you think this health care bill is the death of the American Dream.
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The entitlement or advantage of Gen Y/ the Millennials

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Today, I came across an article on the MSN Money site by Teresa Mears titled “Gen Y: Entitled slackers or nimble creatives?” and it got me thinking. In it Mears cites multiple articles with different opinions on the Millennial generation or Generation Y. The articles range from the optimistic Newsweek article by Nancy Cook to the more critical Wall Street Journal article by Ron Alsop that was adapted from his book.

After reading the articles and thinking about it, I think there are members of the Millennial generation that fit in to every part of the spectrum and it is not necessarily a this or that. There are Millennials who have taken advantage of the prime positioning we are in to benefit from the economic and social changes that have occurred and there are also those of us who think we deserve everything and are nicked named “Trophy Kids” (courtesy Ron Alsop).

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Is It Time To Replace The American Dream?

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When I went to check the news this morning on The Huffington Post I found this article by Jeremy Rifkin titled “‘Empathic Civilization’: Is It Time To Replace The American Dream?”. It is a very interesting article directly relating to some of the themes I would like to feature in “One American Dream?”.

“Although American history is peppered with lamentations about the souring of the dream, the criticism never extends to the assumptions that underlie the dream, but only to political, economic and social forces that thwart its realization. To suggest that the dream itself is misguided, outdated, and even damaging to the American psyche, would be considered almost treasonous. Yet, I would like to suggest just that.”

While doing my research for the documentary, I’m trying to keep as open minded as possible and listen to every different opinion of the American Dream that I can. This article, I think, is an excellent take on what the American Dream means and is doing to our nation. The idea of that the past American Dream has changed and no longer feasible in today’s society is a general idea that i have encountered while talking to members of our generation (Generation Y specifically, but it is also in the minds of Gen Xers).

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Detroit: The new home for the American Dream?

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To be honest I have never been to Detroit and my main impression of it has been formed from reading about the failing economy. I was thinking about telling the “Detroit economy” story for the documentary, however after talking to a friend and doing different research i found this article by Aaron M. Renn that appeared on New Geography’s site.

My opinion is now changed and there is a different side of Detroit I want to include in the movie. That side is one of hope and people now more then ever trying and achieving their American Dream. It is being coined by Renn as an “Urban Laboratory and the New American Frontier.”

“In a way, a strange, new American dream can be found here, amid the crumbling, semi-majestic ruins of a half-century’s industrial decline. The good news is that, almost magically, dreamers are already showing up.” New York Times.

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Rethinking the American Dream

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This is a very interesting Vanity Fair article by David Kamp about rethinking the American Dream.

“Along with millions of jobs and 401(k)s, the concept of a shared national ideal is said to be dying. But is the American Dream really endangered, or has it simply been misplaced? Exploring the way our aspirations have changed—the rugged individualism of the Wild West, the social compact of F.D.R., the sitcom fantasy of 50s suburbia—the author shows how the American Dream came to mean fame and fortune, instead of the promise that shaped a nation.”

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How adults achieve happiness

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This recent article in Business Week discusses how adults achieve happiness both at work and at home.

“Most parents will tell you they just want their kids to grow up to be happy (even if they’re nudging them toward the Ivy League). But how does an adult achieve a high level of contentment while living a frenetic and distraction-packed life? The two of us have just reviewed results from our new survey designed to elicit insights into short-term satisfaction (happiness) and long-term benefit (meaning)—both at work and away from it. Our respondents weren’t randomly chosen. They’re well-educated (more than 60% have graduate degrees) managers, entrepreneurs, and professionals (split almost evenly between the sexes), numbering over 3,000. “

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Living in a city?

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This SF Gate article touches on a theme I have witnessed in my own life and one that I think is relevant to many people in the older Gen Y and Gen X crowd. Its the idea of “settling down” in a place where you can afford, raise a family, and being able to achieve the work-life balance.

For at least a couple of years now, my wife and I have been rehearsing a break-up conversation with the Bay Area. As much as we love it here, we’re just not sure if it will ever work out.

A lot of our uncertainty revolves around money, and our realization that we can’t afford to buy a home here. That fact, rightly or wrongly, has become a touchstone for other uncertainties — about finding a neighborhood we can stay in for the long term; about having good school options for our two-year-old daughter; about making enough money to afford the high cost of living without giving all of our waking hours over to work.

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Gen Xers in the workplace

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An interesting follow up to the article posted yesterday, this SF Gate article discusses Gen Xers being disgruntled in the work place.

“They’re antsy and edgy, tired of waiting for promotion opportunities at work as their elders put off retirement. A good number of them are just waiting for the economy to pick up so they can hop to the next job, find something more fulfilling and get what they think they deserve. Oh, and they want work-life balance, too.

Sounds like Gen Y, the so-called ‘entitlement generation,’ right?”

Not necessarily, say people who track the generations. In these hard times, they’re also hearing strong rumblings of discontent from Generation X. They’re the 32- to 44-year-olds who are wedged between Baby Boomers and their children, often feeling like forgotten middle siblings – and increasingly restless at work as a result.”

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Millenials in the workplace

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Even though this article from BNET is a bit old, January 2008, it is still relevant today for what young adults expect in the workplace.

“Millennials–also known as Generation Y–share many of the same concerns as more-tenured workers when it comes to saving for retirement, finding a solid health care plan and achieving work/life balance. But this group also expects a lot from company leaders and looks to them as partners in success and job satisfaction, according to a recent report.”

The Millennials definitely have different career priorities then previous generations. I have seen this personally with myself and my friends. While we are most concerned, as the article states, Keep reading…