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Opensewer 9: The American Dream

Once again, this Opensewer Gathering took place in three cities: Columbus, Ithaca, and Cleveland. The topic proved to be quite interesting to everyone, resulting in some great discussion even in the midst of all of summer's distractions.

The Charge

What is the true nature of our collective aspirations? Do we have collective aspirations at all? What is the perception…what is the reality? Does the American Dream have different flavors? Does it, today, exist in any sort of identifiable form? Is there one dream that dominates the rest?

Is the American Dream…

… a house in the suburbs?
… wealth?
… the perfect job?
… a spouse and 2.3 kids?
… legal same-sex marriages?
… racially integrated cities?
… racially integrated suburbs?
… tolerance?
… an endless frontier?
… wide open spaces?
… freedom of thought, belief and speech?
… the good life?
… the easy life?
… the balanced life?
… to find something you like to do and butcher it until it is no longer enjoyable?
… opportunity?
… the ability to do and be whatever you want?
… taken for granted by those who live in America?
… treasured by those who do not live in America?
… happiness and security?
… worth thinking about at all?

If everyone in America were surveyed, what would they say their dreams are? What would be the most common answer? Once people say what they want, how does one figure out what they truly want, deep down inside? What are the seen and unseen forces driving most people? How have these forces changed over time?

Is there an American Dream any longer? If so, how are the deep-rooted forces that underlie this contemporary American Dream shaping the world?

Reading Material

Reading is provided to deepen the understanding of the subject at hand. This usually helps the discussion. It is not required, and there are no quizzes.

Portrait of America did a survey to learn peoples' concept of the American Dream back in January of this year. Read the summary, and also be sure to browse through the additional comments that readers made.

Here is an interesting article in the New York Times about Brian Wilson and the utopian vision of the American Dream as manifested in the Beach Boys' music.

Richard Morin in the Washington Post reports on America's view of how a college degree fits into the dream.

Junior Achievement reports on high school students' perception of the American Dream.

Here and here are a couple of relevant (but dated) articles, and here is even more stuff to ponder courtesy of Wes Lindamood.

Select a gathering: Columbus, Ithaca or Cleveland.

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Opensewer 9 happened in three cities. Click the links below to see the photographs and summary from each gathering.

Columbus, Ohio
Date: Thurs., July 26, 2001
Venue: ACME Art Co.
Contact: Joshua Kaufman

Ithaca, New York
Date: Sat., July 28, 2001
Venue: Collegetown Bagels
Contact: Rose Merendino

Cleveland, Ohio
Date: Wed., Aug. 1, 2001
Venue: The Lava Lounge
Contact: Chris Oldham

New York, New York
Cancelled due to death in family.
Venue: Scharmann's
Contact: Tiona Martin