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The American dream was always unsustainable. It relied (and still does) on exponential growth, the idea of unlimited free land, and the exploitation of other na
by pastor_elm 8y ago
The American dream was always unsustainable. It relied (and still does) on exponential growth, the idea of unlimited free land, and the exploitation of other nations.
- JoeAltmaier 8y agoWow what a depressing idea! Of course with advancing technology we get more and more for less and less. The American Dream is very achievable. Not some imaginary infinite-resource world, but a society where everybody can work reasonable hours and have their own place. It doesn't rely on any exponential growth ideas at all. There are only so many Americans, and only so many needs. And America was built on our own industry - the rest of the world had marginal input. Sure greed ran over our borders, but that was a sad side effect and not necessary for America's amazing growth.
- pastor_elm 8y agoWe have different definitions of the American dream. Just the idea of 'your kids should have a better life than you had," which I think has been fundamental to the dream seems unsustainable.
- JoeAltmaier 8y agoOur infrastructure grows and technology makes things cheaper. Why not a steady state where everyone has enough? With growing automation, fewer have to work and then not as hard. That could be a better life for everyone if we could make it equitable.