American Dreaming

American Dreaming offers commentary on political and cultural issues from a critical perspective, often challenging mainstream views on topics like social justice, cancel culture, Middle East conflicts, drug policies, and the impact of ideological movements on society. It emphasizes individual liberty, critiques authoritarian tendencies, and examines societal shifts towards or away from traditional values.

Politics Culture Social Justice Freedom of Speech Middle East Conflict Cancel Culture Liberal Values Elections and Voter Behavior Drug Policy Comedy and Social Norms Capitalism and Socialism Literary Censorship LGBTQ+ Issues Electoral Systems Religion and Morality

The hottest Substack posts of American Dreaming

And their main takeaways

Sayings That Piss Me Off

77 implied HN points • 10 Jan 25
😂 Humor Language Social Commentary Critique Cultural observations
  1. Some common phrases can be confusing or just plain wrong. For example, saying 'I could care less' means you actually care, which is the opposite of what you might want to say.
  2. Many sayings are often used without understanding their true meaning. 'It begs the question' should indicate a follow-up question, not just a topic you'd like to discuss.
  3. There's a misconception about democracy and republics. The United States is both, and the terms shouldn't be used to support undemocratic ideas.

The Free Will Debate Is Dead, but It Shambles On

123 implied HN points • 06 Jan 25
📖 Philosophy Free will Determinism Compatibilism Ethics Metaphysics
  1. The debate over free will is mostly settled among thinkers, with most agreeing it doesn't exist as we traditionally think. We're influenced by many outside factors we can't control, which affects our actions and decisions.
  2. Many people feel they have free will, but this belief doesn't necessarily reflect the reality of how our minds work. Most academics lean towards compatibilism, which tries to redefine free will to fit our experiences.
  3. Understanding that free will might not exist can actually lead to a kinder society. It helps us see people's actions in context, promoting better ways of handling crime and punishment without the harshness that comes from believing everyone is fully responsible.

2024: My Year in Books

77 implied HN points • 30 Dec 24
📚 Literature Book Reviews Fiction Nonfiction Memoirs Philosophy
  1. Reading fiction can be just as valuable as reading nonfiction. It helps you learn and understand different perspectives.
  2. The processed food industry has a significant impact on our eating habits and health choices. It's important to be aware of how these companies operate.
  3. Books can cover a wide range of topics, from personal stories to social issues. They can inspire, inform, and challenge our thinking.

Wikipedia’s Islamist Vandals

616 implied HN points • 22 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Misinformation Media influence Historical revisionism Activism
  1. A group of editors has been manipulating Wikipedia pages to make certain groups look better and downplay unpleasant truths, especially regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict.
  2. One major focus of these edits was Hajj Amin al-Husseini, a controversial figure who collaborated with Nazi Germany, with efforts made to hide his negative actions in historical records.
  3. This manipulation of information on Wikipedia shows how easily facts can be distorted online, raising concerns about the reliability of what people read about important historical events.

The US Was Right to Nuke Imperial Japan

339 implied HN points • 06 Dec 24
💾 History War Politics Atrocities Imperialism Morality
  1. The use of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki is often misunderstood. Many see Japan as a victim without considering the violence they inflicted in WWII.
  2. Japan was deeply committed to their imperial ambitions, making surrender unlikely. This created a difficult situation for the US, as any alternative to the bombings could have resulted in far greater loss of life.
  3. Many people are not aware of Japan's brutal wartime actions. Understanding this context can change perceptions about the necessity of the atomic bombings.
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Objects in the AI Mirror Are Closer Than They Appear

107 implied HN points • 18 Dec 24
🕹 Technology AI Development Automation Job Market Ethics
  1. AI is advancing very quickly, much faster than humans can keep up. This growth means it can do things we never imagined it could, which can be scary.
  2. Many jobs, especially in white-collar work, are at risk of being replaced by AI since it can do those tasks more efficiently. This change is already happening in various industries.
  3. People often underestimate what AI will be able to do in the future, thinking it can't match human creativity or decision-making. But AI is improving all the time and could eventually excel at these tasks too.

Oh, However Will We "Survive" the Holidays?

169 implied HN points • 27 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Holidays Family Tradition Mental health Consumerism
  1. Many people think the holidays are really stressful and they often talk about needing to 'survive' them. But this view is exaggerated and doesn’t reflect how many people actually feel.
  2. Shopping and preparing for the holidays is easier than ever with modern technology and conveniences. We should appreciate this instead of stressing about it.
  3. Instead of dreading time with family, we should adopt a better perspective. Our complaints about family gatherings are minor compared to real struggles others have faced throughout history.

Idiocracy and the Electrolytes of the Masses

169 implied HN points • 15 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Political parties Public Opinion Government Policy International relations
  1. Donald Trump's re-election could cause big changes in Europe, especially with NATO and relationships with Russia. Countries may need to boost their defenses if they can't rely on the US.
  2. There are worries Trump might change laws about presidential terms, which could allow him to hold on to power longer. This would be a big move away from democratic traditions.
  3. Many American voters seem more focused on cheap prices than moral issues, which might explain why they support Trump despite his past actions. It shows a disconnect between civic responsibility and consumer desires.

Breaking the Democratic Double Standard

169 implied HN points • 08 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Political parties Campaign strategies Voter Behavior Political Ethics
  1. The Democratic Party faces a tough challenge because they are seen as less trustworthy than Republicans. This double standard means that any mistake by Democrats is heavily criticized, while Republicans get a pass for bigger wrongdoings.
  2. Democrats have a harder time selling their ideas because they tend to be more complex and unfamiliar. This makes it difficult to convince voters, especially as people often prefer sticking with what they know.
  3. The structure of the Electoral College favors Republicans, allowing them to win without the popular vote, while Democrats struggle to do the opposite. This system is unlikely to change, which adds to the challenges for the Democratic Party.

They’re Coming for Your Porn

61 implied HN points • 04 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy Legislation Civil Rights Social Issues Political Movements
  1. There's a growing movement in some states to criminalize pornography, and this could affect many people, including teachers and libraries. The laws are being pushed mainly by conservative groups who believe it harms society.
  2. Many states now require people to prove their age to access adult content, which raises concerns about online privacy and data security. This could lead to personal information being exposed or abused.
  3. Instead of banning porn, better sex education is needed to help young people understand relationships and sexual health. Open conversations about sex can help prepare kids for the realities of adulthood.

The Terminator at 40: How Arnold Schwarzenegger Became an Icon

61 implied HN points • 29 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Film History Entertainment Media
  1. James Cameron had a tough start in filmmaking but turned a fever dream into one of the most iconic sci-fi movies ever, 'The Terminator.'
  2. Arnold Schwarzenegger faced doubters in Hollywood but proved his talent by bringing a unique charm and presence to the role of the Terminator.
  3. Despite initial fears from producers, 'The Terminator' became a huge success, showing that sometimes great ideas can break through the noise.

Israel and Genocide, Revisited: A Response to Critics

431 implied HN points • 04 Mar 24
🌍 World Politics Genocide Warfare Geopolitics Ethics Human Rights
  1. Genocide is being redefined to include a wide range of actions such as civilian deaths, dropping bombs, and even destroying cultural sites, creating confusion and making the term lose its significance.
  2. Linguistic hyperinflation is blurring the meaning of words like 'genocide' and 'war crimes', causing a dangerous trend where serious distinctions are being erased for political convenience.
  3. The lack of reliable information and the bias in reporting on conflicts, like the Israel-Palestine situation, highlights the importance of verifying sources and considering agendas in understanding complex geopolitical issues.

No, Winning a War Isn't "Genocide"

323 implied HN points • 26 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Conflict Genocide International relations Middle East
  1. Many young people hold misconceptions about Israel and the Holocaust, with a significant percentage believing in false narratives.
  2. There is a growing disconnect between the perception of 'genocide' and the reality of Israel's actions in the war with Hamas.
  3. Israel's military actions, while criticized as disproportionate by some, are viewed by many as necessary for self-defense and preserving their nation.

Young Voters Are Furious at Biden. That’s Nice.

215 implied HN points • 10 Nov 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Election Polls Voting Youth Foreign Policy
  1. Critics argue that young voters are angry at Biden due to his support for Israel, but data shows this may not be impacting his re-election chances.
  2. Despite concerns about young progressive voters turning away from Biden, the data indicates that they are not a significant voting bloc and may not sway elections.
  3. Changing his stance on Israel/Palestine would not benefit Biden politically, as it could alienate reliable voters to cater to a smaller, less reliable group.

The Coming Anti-Drug Backlash

169 implied HN points • 11 Dec 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Drug policy Law enforcement
  1. Marijuana decriminalization and legalization in the US have been positive for freedom, but public consumption may trigger a backlash.
  2. Recent focus on public drug use threatens the progress made in drug reform policies, sparking concerns and potential reversal of gains.
  3. Efforts are needed to balance drug legalization with regulations on public drug use to avoid a resurgence of anti-drug sentiments and policies.

LGBT Social Contagion: A Failed Hypothesis

107 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics LGBT Generation Z Sexuality Culture
  1. LGBT identification rates have significantly increased among Gen Z, sparking skepticism and ridicule.
  2. Bisexuality is a major component of the LGBT community, often overlooked or misunderstood.
  3. The rise in LGBT identification is not solely attributed to social contagion, as historical data and research show higher rates of same-sex attraction and behavior.

Stealth Editing a Culture

138 implied HN points • 09 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Literature Censorship Art Editing Society
  1. Literature is being sensitivity edited to conform to political correctness, even posthumously, which is seen as cultural whitewashing.
  2. Sensitivity editing of literary works without author consent or after their death is considered morally wrong and limits cultural history.
  3. Normalizing sensitivity editing in literature sets a troubling precedent for other mediums like film and music, potentially rewriting past art to suit current sensitivities.

The True Darkness of Cancel Culture

123 implied HN points • 28 Apr 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Cancel Culture Political violence Authoritarianism
  1. Cancel culture is more than just public figures losing jobs, it's a mentality that can lead to extreme consequences.
  2. Turning disagreements into attacks on a person rather than their arguments can lead down a dark path.
  3. The cancel culture mentality is part of a broader authoritarian mindset, and can ultimately result in violence and even assassination attempts.

Why Interventionism Isn’t a Dirty Word

3 HN points • 11 Mar 24
🌍 World Politics Interventionism Foreign Policy Military Democracy Geopolitics
  1. Interventionism, once a common practice for the US, has fallen out of favor with the public over the years due to costly wars, military failures, and lack of success in conflicts.
  2. Public opinion in the US has shifted towards anti-interventionism, with many Americans opposing military interventions to stabilize conflicts, promote democracy, or protect business interests abroad.
  3. While some interventions have been catastrophic failures, not all military actions should be dismissed, as there have been instances like World War II and Kosovo where intervention led to positive outcomes.

When More Democracy Is Less: The Paradox Of Primaries

3 HN points • 12 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Democracy Partisanship Reform Voter Turnout
  1. Primaries were meant to bring more democracy by letting voters help choose candidates, but the system often leads to unsatisfying choices due to low voter turnout.
  2. The primary system replaced party bosses with a more democratic candidate selection process, but voter participation remains low, favoring extremists and special interests.
  3. Abolishing primaries in favor of ranked-choice voting could lead to better candidate selection and reduce the influence of partisanship, extremism, and special interests in elections.

Smiting the Pooch

1 HN point • 16 Feb 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Religion God Morality Beliefs Ancient Texts
  1. The author discusses the idea that the God of the Bible kills dogs, presenting examples from biblical stories where dogs were harmed or killed.
  2. The post challenges readers to reconcile the portrayal of God in religious texts with concepts of morality and personal beliefs.
  3. It highlights the theme of divine actions in various religions that might conflict with modern ethical standards, prompting reflection on personal values and interpretation of ancient texts.