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While I think most people have a fantasy of being in the 1% or 0.1%, that's not really the "American Dream." The American dream is roughly a decent suburban ho

While I think most people have a fantasy of being in the 1% or 0.1%, that's not really the "American Dream." The American dream is roughly a decent suburban home in a safe neighborhood. This fixation/hatred towards the 1% or 0.1% is really not something most people I know care about, at all. They may not articulate it this way, but they don't see the economy as a zero sum game. They don't see Steve Jobs making billions as something that keeps them from making tens or hundreds of thousands, or even millions if they were fortunate.

mrguyorama 9y ago
The problem is not that Steve Jobs made a billion dollars. The problem is that Steve Jobs pushes for all sorts of negative things that screw over "the little guy" so that he can make another $100.
- Consultant32452 9y ago
  Again, most people I know do not feel that Steve Jobs owes them anything to begin with. They are not fixated on the 0.1% in that way.
ryandrake 9y ago
> The American dream is roughly a decent suburban home in a safe neighborhood. I dunno, that's pretty sad. Maybe I'm showing my age, but that used to be the expectation, not the dream. The American Dream is (or used to be) extraordinary economic mobility--making it big. How far we've slid where now the American Dream is merely "a decent life".
- Consultant32452 9y ago
  Upward mobility has surely been an part of it, and yes there was some hint of "making it big" but it has always been more humble than you suggest. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Dream https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Dream >For many in both the working class and the middle class, upward mobility has served as the heart and soul of the American Dream, the prospect of "betterment" and to "improve one's lot" for oneself and one's children much of what this country is all about. "Work hard, save a little, send the kids to college so they can do better than you did, and retire happily to a warmer climate" has been the script we have all been handed. Essentially, the American Dream is the idea that hard work and dedication will result in a better life for yourself and your children. It has nothing really to do with "making it big."

mrguyorama 9y ago

The problem is not that Steve Jobs made a billion dollars. The problem is that Steve Jobs pushes for all sorts of negative things that screw over "the little guy" so that he can make another $100.

Consultant32452 9y ago
Again, most people I know do not feel that Steve Jobs owes them anything to begin with. They are not fixated on the 0.1% in that way.

ryandrake 9y ago

> The American dream is roughly a decent suburban home in a safe neighborhood. I dunno, that's pretty sad. Maybe I'm showing my age, but that used to be the expectation, not the dream. The American Dream is (or used to be) extraordinary economic mobility--making it big. How far we've slid where now the American Dream is merely "a decent life".

Consultant32452 9y ago
Upward mobility has surely been an part of it, and yes there was some hint of "making it big" but it has always been more humble than you suggest. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Dream https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Dream >For many in both the working class and the middle class, upward mobility has served as the heart and soul of the American Dream, the prospect of "betterment" and to "improve one's lot" for oneself and one's children much of what this country is all about. "Work hard, save a little, send the kids to college so they can do better than you did, and retire happily to a warmer climate" has been the script we have all been handed. Essentially, the American Dream is the idea that hard work and dedication will result in a better life for yourself and your children. It has nothing really to do with "making it big."