Blog #2: First Impressions of a Chomsky's Dystopian Dream

The American Dream: Lots of stuff. Happy family. Fun times. That's definitely not what Requiem for the American Dream is about. Yeah. Pretty much the opposite. Chomsky lays out a really depressing view of the prospect of rewards for working hard in the U.S.

And I'm just going to say I hesitated before assigning you this book. 

First of all, it's Chomsky. He's a genius, and his ideas are complex and hard to sort out. He is also very controversial. Some people have labeled him anti-American. (I don't think so, but you can decide that.)

Unlike some of Chomsky's other works, this one is fairly accessible. He's got a conversational tone. He addresses complex ideas in ways that are easy-ish to understand. He uses tons of examples and evidence. So I set aside my first concern.

As for my second concern, this book is definitely controversial. Chomsky takes everything you thought you knew about American history and says, "America: A nation of equality? Government by the people? Yeah. Not so much. Not now. Not ever." And I wondered whether or not I wanted to introduce you to such a dystopian view of the American Dream or America. After all, you are young and impressionable. (Apparently I decided it was okay.) 

So here we are. The book in your hands. You're about to write your first blog on this book. What stands out to you in the parts we have read this far--or in the film? What is interesting? Problematic? Challenging? Why? How does Chomsky contradict or affirm what you learned in your American history or government classes? What is YOUR first impression? (In other words, don't just summarize. Respond.)

Btw, remember, argument deals with contested issues, complex issues. There is no right/wrong binary here. You can agree with PART of what he says and disagree with part of what he says.

As always, make sure to include at least one RELEVANT quotation to support your discussion. That means it illustrates something you are discussing or it sets up something you want to discuss. Set up the quoestion with context from the text, introduce it, analyze it. And be sure to respond to at least two other blogs.