The new American Dream | Courtney Martin

For the first time in history, the majority of American parents don't think their kids will be better off than they were. This shouldn't be a cause for alarm, says journalist Courtney Martin. Rather, it's an opportunity to define a new approach to work and family that emphasizes community and creativity. "The biggest danger is not failing to achieve the American Dream," she says in a talk that will resonate far beyond the US. "The biggest danger is achieving a dream that you don't actually believe in."

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[AlwaysHereAndNow]

I think she was articulate. She's making a simple point : the american dream is shifting from "get as much money as you can and be the perfect isolated family" to "live as an integrated part of your community and value things like time and relationships". Of course in between those two stereotypes are a lot of variables and options. She doesn't say you can't work and make as much money as you want, she's saying it might not be the most fulfilling thing in life and the work place is changing. Therefore a lot of people are choosing other values than have a secure job forever, get a big house and make a lot of money which IS the american dream of the past generations. Everyone is still free to do whatever they want with their lives.

[skripnigor]

This 'New American dream' sounds like an old Soviet nightmare to me.

[IrieGriffin]

I strongly agree with this. I'm a 20 year old living in dorms/suites in campus and I love this life. In my suite I've gained 3 new friends that I consider family. I would love to live in a communal living acre like the one the speaker talked about. I didn't grow up with a big family and the ability to create your own family and community seems amazing

[MercuryCater]

How is any of this related to American Dream

[giantneuralnetwork]

There's a lot of hate here, and I'm trying to understand where it's coming from.

She's not saying you're a failure if you're poor, or that you don't have to work hard to earn a living. The message I got was to question what you're working for and try and make it something you believe in. I can't claim to understand the hurt people must feel hearing that, when they haven't had the opportunity to work on something believe in, since I've had many privileges in my life. If that's where the disagreement is coming from I understand. She is definitely coming from a position in life not many get to have.

I will try and step back from her positive message and see the hurt that many of you are feeling. I hope you can step back and see the positivity and good that this woman's message can bring as well: Help for those who can't work for what they believe. Communities helping communities instead of everyone isolating themselves. The rebirth of more communal living, with extended families and financial/emotional support from friends.

There's a lot of good in the message. I understand the dislikes as well though.

[krixig]

Im not sure why its rarely addressed, but our culture should discuss the option of not having kids. Personally, I always believed it was a compulsory accolade of adulthood until I mentioned it to my father. He nonchalantly said that it wasnt a big deal to skip them and it was an epiphany for me. Ive also heard the opposite from others. That not having kids is selfish. Isnt it the most selfish act of all? To acknowledge that the earth is going through critical shortages, and reproducing for your own interest despite that? I think a great many people have them because they, likewise, think its something theyre just expected to do when in reality its the last thing we or they really need.

[graysonjones]

Great speech even if I don't fully agree

[NHJDT]

My brother in, law, his 2 kids, and my sister in law all live with my mother/father in law. They are at each others throats. I pray to God that my children can grow up to be independent and only live with me by choice if it's good for all of us

[xenotone]

As a Briton I don't relate to the white picket fence thing at all. Over here we laugh with our neighbours about how poor we are.

[SinskariBoithree]

"The American dream is not home ownership. The American dream is freedom."

[emmacat]

My American dream is to live in a beautiful RV school bus for ten years, then buy a small 3 bedroom bungalow with a porch and a yard big enough to grow food. I want space to have an in-law suite for my parents.

[notsquirrel]

What was the point of this TED talk? Money doesn't buy happiness? This was very all-over-the-place. There were alot of words but not much was really being said....

[srimansrini]

Persuasively argued, evocatively presented, Courtney Martin gives a profoundly meaningful talk about the new American Dream. By doing so, she redefines the very idea of 'American Dream.' I think everyone (not necessarily American) should watch this captivating talk. Highly recommended.

[joanaknezevic]

Thank you so much for this beautiful and honest speech. Hugs from Serbia

[Miketar]

8:34 "We should live like our immigrant ancestors." As a Gen-X er who has paid off his loan debt, and owns a house, I will fight tooth and nail against going back in time to the squalor and poverty my 4 Italian grandparents endured when they walked off the boat to Ellis Island. Bernie Sanders support aside, this mindset is why the Millenials are get so royally screwed when it comes to political rights and economic mobility in America.
You folks enjoy the fun of debt and poverty, I will stick to debt free living and home ownership.

[anaovejero]

"knowing the human condition" is essential!!!

[imrannazir]

Visit 3rd world countries, you see a lot of happiness with so little and people really depend in their communities.

[Dead_pixelz_]

The first three minutes really seemed like a play on words to explain unemployment, homelessness, and a transition to a 3rd world country. Btw I'm not a alt-right crazy, I'm moderate, but something about the underlying message seemed sinister. The rest of the video was ok, but overall I don't think the message is a positive one. I don't think there is anything wrong with stronger communities, in fact it is better for our health and our wallets. Something about that seems like struggle. Maybe there is too much old American dream in me.

[jerrylittlemars]

10:54 wait, I want $5/month power bill

[sidremus]

She literally says, that if you're poor because the system we're living in is rigged against you, you should be happy that you get the chance to learn how great it is to be poor!
This talk is insulting for every Millenial who actually has been struggling for all his life actually does have a bad outlook.
I've grown up in the 90s, I was always poor. The outlook for my generation compared to the previous one is bad. Less median income, less jobs, less job security. Then along comes this lovely lady and says, if you've failed at finding a job, maybe your true talents are in being unemployed and poor...
Good job. A rich white lady telling poor people how great being poor really is.