American Dream vs. North Shore Dream

In class today and in previous classes we have discussed what the American dream means to us. Responses were usually involving a white picket fence, 6 digit salaries, a wife, kids, and a garage full of expensive cars. This got me thinking. Is this really the American dream? Or is this just a North Shore dream?


There is nothing wrong with thinking that what I described before is the North Shore dream, because in all honesty, it really is. Most kids are raised in the North Shore with there parents already achieving this dream, so of course it seems normal. But when I think about it, this doesn't seem like the normal American dream. Yes almost everyone in the country wants to be as successful as they can be, but most other parts of the country are not as privileged as we are to live in a place like the North Shore. Their dream may just to be able to graduate high school or college. For some it might be to have the ability to move out of their parents house after college, where here in the North Shore that seems to be the norm.


All that I am saying is that the difference between the American dream and the North Shore dream is great, and we should all be grateful to be privileged enough to have the opportunity to live the North Shore dream.

Why Corporation's 9/11 Commercials Were Amazing and in Good Faith

In class today, we had a discussion about the commercials shown during NFL football games yesterday, September 11. These commercials were commemorating and honoring those lost on the attack on the World Trade Center 10 years ago. Personally, I found these commercials to be in good will and a really nice thing for these companies to do, but a bunch of people had a different viewpoint.


People thought that these commercials were for the companies just to make money by having the viewers believe that the company is compassionate, making the viewers purchase their products. They thought that these companies showing the commercials was disgusting and in poor taste because the goal of the commercials was to make money. It is ridiculous to think that people are belittling these commercials that are honoring the ones that were lost or affected by the attacks 10 years prior. In my opinion, the ones questioning these commercials are the horrible ones. How can you not see the good? These commercials were beautiful things, and to ridicule the companies for making them is dishonoring someone showing their respects to those affected.

Look at it this way. The NFL is a corporation. We have seen this throughout the long lockout this summer. Yesterday, before all the NFL games that I was able to watch, there was a pregame ceremony that the league held in each game where they had dozens of people hold a massive flag that spread throughout the entire field (see upper picture). There were beautiful renditions of the national anthem and other songs, and plenty of other little ceremonies that I was not aware of. Taking into account that the NFL is a corporation, would you say that the NFL is only doing this to make money? I mean, the same amount of people are watching both this ceremony and the commercials. Both are sponsored by huge companies (NFL and, for example, Verizon), so should they be treated the same? NO! This is completely wrong and I am astounded to I hear people argue for the contrary. These commercials are trying to convey the same message as the pregame ceremonies, We Will Never Forget.


Here is another example. Please watch this commercial before reading on. It is a commercial by State Farm that is made by Spike Lee and was aired throughout television yesterday.

After watching this, I hope you understand that State Farm is not trying to make money. Who would even think of buying insurance after watching a commercial like this? It is a very touching commercial that really made me appreciate the importance of September 11. These kind of commercials are just amazing, and there are many more trying to convey the same message, We Will Never Forget.

(Since writing this post I have discussed this topic with some of my friends, and I will concede a couple points. Companies like State Farm definitely realize that they can make some money off of this and have more people like them because they believe that State Farm cares. But, I also think that the main goal in mind for this commercial was to respect and honor those affected by the attacks. So, to summarize, I can see people's points about the fact that these commercials definitely have some profit for the companies, I will give you that.)

Obama Backs Off of NFL Season Opener

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers of the champion
Green Bay Packers presenting a jersey to President Obama.
(New York Times)

Barack Obama must have a lot going on in his head. The economy is going through rough times, jobs are being lost every day, and he has millions of Americans taking shots at him for not addressing these pressing issues. In an attempt to discuss these issues with the American public, Obama is slated to appear on television tomorrow at 7pm EST. Unfortunately for Obama, there is something else on his mind. The NFL season begins tomorrow after a 132 day lockout, and he knows that millions of Americans would rather tune into the Packers vs. Saints game than his speech.


How has the White House attempted to handle this issue? “I can assure all you football fans that he will be completed before kickoff,” the White House spokesman Jay Carney said. “It means he will have the opportunity to watch the game, like millions of other Americans." Thats right, instead of facing the game head on and compete for viewers, Obama made the right move and decided to start his speech an hour and a half prior to opening kickoff. Not only does the NFL have the support of our nation, but also the support of our President. What more could you ask for?

Reality Trumps Technology

Like most people, I had a Facebook profile. I used it to communicate with classmates, family, and past friends that might have moved to a different town or that I haven't seen in a long time. But something about it didn't feel right. I felt that the relationships that formed through Facebook weren't real. Like most people as well, I had a handful of friends that, when looking at conversations on Facebook, would seem as though we are very close friends. In actuality, I haven't spoken to those friends in "real life" in months. I guess the "Facebook friend"  doesn't translate to a "real friend" in the real world. Because of these "fake" relationships and the sense of me only talking to a commuter screen, I deactivated my Facebook.

Now, the notion of deactivating a Facebook in the age of social media overruling face to face conversations seems preposterous. "How can you communicate with loved ones?", one might ask. Well, I've noticed in the month that I haven't had a Facebook, that I am much more inclined to work on my "real" relationships with classmates, friends, and family. The deactivation of my Facebook has led to a major improvement in my life, so for everyone that feels that Facebook has taken over their life, I would recommend this. Try deactivating it for just a week, two weeks max, and notice the improvement in your overall life. If you like having no Facebook, keep it deactivated forever, like I plan on doing. Take a step back from technology and try to enjoy reality.