What is "The American Way of Life"?

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  • brianlux
    brianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 43,761
    pjhawks said:
    brianlux said:
    pjhawks said:
    dudeman said:
    IMO, the American way of life applies to individuals, not necessarily groups. In that way, the ideology can be interpreted as a the ability to reach whatever goals one wishes, limited only by ones own motivations and the laws that govern the land. 


    I agree with this.  We don't have to conform to a certain lifestyle, job, education, etc. here.  You have many different paths you can take and that decision is an individuals own decision.
    I interpret this to mean you guys see the American way of life as the freedom to be who or whatever you want.  I agree with that notion but only somewhat idealistically.  It's a lot easier to be who or what you want to be if you are born into enough wealth.  But what if you are born into poverty?  What if you are born a U.S. citizen but also happen to be Arabian or Hispanic, for example?  Equal opportunity for all?  Horacio Alger story?
    equal no but yes you have an opportunity to rise from poverty in America as well as or better than most countries.  that's getting a bit harder these days with the shrinking middle class and less middle class incomes but it's not impossible.  I would imagine that is the reason so many immigrants still want to come here.
    No doubt, PJH.  Conditions are certainly worse in many other countries.

    But beyond the (shrinking) opportunities to improve one's lot in life, what is that way of life here in the U.S.

    I think it's hard to argue that this is not a big part of it:

    dankind said:
    Compromise
    Conformity
    Assimilation
    Submission
    Ignorance
    Hypocrisy
    Brutality
    The Elite
    All of which are American dreams!     
    and if so, is this what Morris, et al, are afraid we are in danger of losing?
    "It's a sad and beautiful world"
    -Roberto Benigni

  • oftenreading
    oftenreading Victoria, BC Posts: 12,856
    pjhawks said:
    brianlux said:
    pjhawks said:
    dudeman said:
    IMO, the American way of life applies to individuals, not necessarily groups. In that way, the ideology can be interpreted as a the ability to reach whatever goals one wishes, limited only by ones own motivations and the laws that govern the land. 


    I agree with this.  We don't have to conform to a certain lifestyle, job, education, etc. here.  You have many different paths you can take and that decision is an individuals own decision.
    I interpret this to mean you guys see the American way of life as the freedom to be who or whatever you want.  I agree with that notion but only somewhat idealistically.  It's a lot easier to be who or what you want to be if you are born into enough wealth.  But what if you are born into poverty?  What if you are born a U.S. citizen but also happen to be Arabian or Hispanic, for example?  Equal opportunity for all?  Horacio Alger story?
    equal no but yes you have an opportunity to rise from poverty in America as well as or better than most countries.  that's getting a bit harder these days with the shrinking middle class and less middle class incomes but it's not impossible.  I would imagine that is the reason so many immigrants still want to come here.
    In studies that look at standard of living via ranking important parameters, including the ability for social mobility, the USA does not even rank in the top 10. Yes, immigrants want to come to the US; they want to go to lots of different counties where their lives might be better than what they have. Media also has a big influence on that. 
    my small self... like a book amongst the many on a shelf
  • PJfanwillneverleave1
    PJfanwillneverleave1 Posts: 12,885
    OP
    Are you asking the masses, the board or Americans?



  • dankind
    dankind Posts: 20,841
    https://youtu.be/f7PlSUQiISY
    I SAW PEARL JAM
  • brianlux
    brianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 43,761
    PJfanwillneverleave1 said:
    OP
    Are you asking the masses, the board or Americans?



    Not the masses because only 10 Club members can give an answer.

    Board members, yes.

    Board members who are not Americans?  Yes, in fact, yes, please.  It would be useful to know what people from outside the U.S. think our "way of living is".

    Also consider whether or not you consider the term "the American way of living" to make sense or have any relevance or to even be definable.
    "It's a sad and beautiful world"
    -Roberto Benigni

  • Smellyman
    Smellyman Asia Posts: 4,528
    edited July 2017
    It's a subtle catchpharse to keep people under control.  Mostly to keep the ignorant republican base scared of things.


    Edit:  I see Go Beavers had the same notion.


    Post edited by Smellyman on
  • brianlux
    brianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 43,761
    Smellyman said:
    It's a subtle catchpharse to keep people under control.  Mostly to keep the ignorant republican base scared of things.


    Edit:  I see Go Beavers had the same notion.


    That sounds about right to me.

    The other thing is, it makes no sense.  Who gets to define what this "way of life" is and who gets to live it?  And what makes it so exclusively immune to change or improvement?  It's got to be one of the most ambiguous and misleading terms around.  And how many people would read it and simply knee-jerk react to it as though it has some awe-inspiring meaning and substance. 
    "It's a sad and beautiful world"
    -Roberto Benigni

  • fife
    fife Posts: 3,327
    oftenreading said:
    pjhawks said:
    brianlux said:
    pjhawks said:
    dudeman said:
    IMO, the American way of life applies to individuals, not necessarily groups. In that way, the ideology can be interpreted as a the ability to reach whatever goals one wishes, limited only by ones own motivations and the laws that govern the land. 


    I agree with this.  We don't have to conform to a certain lifestyle, job, education, etc. here.  You have many different paths you can take and that decision is an individuals own decision.
    I interpret this to mean you guys see the American way of life as the freedom to be who or whatever you want.  I agree with that notion but only somewhat idealistically.  It's a lot easier to be who or what you want to be if you are born into enough wealth.  But what if you are born into poverty?  What if you are born a U.S. citizen but also happen to be Arabian or Hispanic, for example?  Equal opportunity for all?  Horacio Alger story?
    equal no but yes you have an opportunity to rise from poverty in America as well as or better than most countries.  that's getting a bit harder these days with the shrinking middle class and less middle class incomes but it's not impossible.  I would imagine that is the reason so many immigrants still want to come here.
    In studies that look at standard of living via ranking important parameters, including the ability for social mobility, the USA does not even rank in the top 10. Yes, immigrants want to come to the US; they want to go to lots of different counties where their lives might be better than what they have. Media also has a big influence on that. 
    here is an interesting article.

    http://inequality.stanford.edu/sites/default/files/Pathways-SOTU-2016-Economic-Mobility-3.pdf

    concerning PJ comment, yes you are right anything is possible but looking at the stats it is more rare than what people believe.  but I will say this, looking from the outside of america, americans in general have a strong belief that they can be anything and anyone.  maybe more than any other country I have ever seen. 

  • HughFreakingDillon
    HughFreakingDillon Winnipeg Posts: 39,995
    as a canadian, my perspective is that americans see the american way of life as freedom to succeed and prosper. they also see it as the best way of life. which is odd to me. I never have, nor will I ever, understood patriotism in that sense. how is the american way of life, really, honestly any different from any other first world country's way of life? I think the only main difference is other countries don't tend to brag about it. 

    in my mind, the whole idea of the american dream started out as a way to attract european immigrants so they could stack the labour force and help the economy. and over time, people bought into it, and it became a national source of pride. 
    Your boos mean nothing to me, for I have seen what makes you cheer



  • brianlux
    brianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 43,761
    HughFreakingDillon said:
    as a canadian, my perspective is that americans see the american way of life as freedom to succeed and prosper. they also see it as the best way of life. which is odd to me. I never have, nor will I ever, understood patriotism in that sense. how is the american way of life, really, honestly any different from any other first world country's way of life? I think the only main difference is other countries don't tend to brag about it. 

    in my mind, the whole idea of the american dream started out as a way to attract european immigrants so they could stack the labour force and help the economy. and over time, people bought into it, and it became a national source of pride. 
    We are a braggadocio people, without a doubt. 
    "It's a sad and beautiful world"
    -Roberto Benigni

  • camsjam
    camsjam Posts: 375
    I watched an interesting documentary on Netflix a couple months ago called requiem for the American dream. Dankind's list above hits most of  the  10 principles of how the American wealthy ( who founded and still operate or control our government) protect their interests while creating and manufacturing the illusion of equality to pacify the citizens who hugely outnumber them. People forget how America was really founded. Remember the Puritans? Taxes? Well not our money going to some King overseas but hey we can govern ourselves and collect taxes from all the workers to pay us for the great job we're doing. I do love my country but like a sibling who is often clueless but righteous. ....annoying but will always be a part of you. Speaking of annoying  (or clueless ) I tried to attach the  link but phone is not cooperating. If you Google it YouTube has it as well. It's about 4 years old but seems more revelant than ever.
  • PJ_Soul
    PJ_Soul Vancouver, BC Posts: 50,889
    HughFreakingDillon said:
    as a canadian, my perspective is that americans see the american way of life as freedom to succeed and prosper. they also see it as the best way of life. which is odd to me. I never have, nor will I ever, understood patriotism in that sense. how is the american way of life, really, honestly any different from any other first world country's way of life? I think the only main difference is other countries don't tend to brag about it. 

    in my mind, the whole idea of the american dream started out as a way to attract european immigrants so they could stack the labour force and help the economy. and over time, people bought into it, and it became a national source of pride. 
    I agree with that... If anything, many other first world nations offer more freedom than America does in a lot of ways, not less. I am not sure why Americans seem to think their country is the end all and be all of freedom. It's not. It's a hell of a lot better in that context than many other nations on Earth, they American is far from cornering the market on it, especially these days, when the right to choose is under such attack, when the federal government still wants to wage a war on weed, when many states are still restricting rights in the LGBTQ. Also, "the right to prosper" is a confusing term when looking at the USA. I am really not clear on what that is supposed to mean, exactly, given the current reality (same with many other developed nations).
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
  • brianlux
    brianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 43,761
    PJ_Soul said:
    HughFreakingDillon said:
    as a canadian, my perspective is that americans see the american way of life as freedom to succeed and prosper. they also see it as the best way of life. which is odd to me. I never have, nor will I ever, understood patriotism in that sense. how is the american way of life, really, honestly any different from any other first world country's way of life? I think the only main difference is other countries don't tend to brag about it. 

    in my mind, the whole idea of the american dream started out as a way to attract european immigrants so they could stack the labour force and help the economy. and over time, people bought into it, and it became a national source of pride. 
    I agree with that... If anything, many other first world nations offer more freedom than America does in a lot of ways, not less. I am not sure why Americans seem to think their country is the end all and be all of freedom. It's not. It's a hell of a lot better in that context than many other nations on Earth, they American is far from cornering the market on it, especially these days, when the right to choose is under such attack, when the federal government still wants to wage a war on weed, when many states are still restricting rights in the LGBTQ. Also, "the right to prosper" is a confusing term when looking at the USA. I am really not clear on what that is supposed to mean, exactly, given the current reality (same with many other developed nations).
    "America, land of the free" is becoming a myth.  We have to have "proof of citizenship" to day just about anything and it gets worse all the time.
    "It's a sad and beautiful world"
    -Roberto Benigni

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