Riches, success, luck, new beginnings, relaxed lifestyle, fame...all key ingredients in the recipe that makes up the California Dream. In order to define the California Dream, one must first look at the universal dream, the "American Dream". The American Dream started with the Pilgrims and Puritans, looking to escape religious prejudice and start a life free of harm and distress. With this came the first version of the "American Dream," one which took hard work and dedication in order to create a modest lifestyle, free of persecution.
However, in 1849 with the California Gold Rush, the "American Dream" was transformed dramatically. In essence, the California Dream shaped what we today call the "American Dream." A huge population boom spurred California to the front of the "population race" during this time, increasing the immigration from a mere 6,000 people to 100,000 people over the course of only a few years. This promise of gold and riches inspired a mindset of dreamers, willing to travel across the country in order to gain immediate fame and wealth.
The California Dream, according to an entry on wikipedia is defined as a "psychological motivation to gain fast wealth or fame in a new land," and is contrasted by the definition on the popular satirical website urbandictionary.com as "a state of denial." Both of these come from a desire for quick wealth and easy success, as depicted in popular movies and television shows. Today, the "American Dream" has been greatly influenced by this California Dream, transforming it into a dream of success and monetary stature, rather than modest lifestyles as a product of hard work. To me, the California dream is more than just a false reality. I believe it is misinterpreted in that success and wealth will be handed to anyone who comes to the state. But to me, the dream, if defined as a new beginning encompassing riches, a relaxed lifestyle, and a promise of a fulfilling life combined with hard work and dedication, is attainable to all.
Your contrast with Wikipedia's definition and urbandictionary.com's definition is interesting. The two definitions show the two different, ironically contrasting sides to the California Dream that is hopeful and disappointing at the same time. Which one do you think better explains your definition of the California Dream?
ReplyDeleteUrbandictionary.com - I have since discarded that website's credibility when I saw a rather disparaging entry under my name. Regardless, you seem to distinguish between the ends of the hard work for each dream. For the American Dream, efforts are centered around achieving a content life; for the California Dream, efforts are centered around achieving a comfortable, successful life. I would prefer to believe that the California Dream, as an extension of the American Dream, would be attainable as well, but, due to outside pressures and various factors of social engineering, such an ambition can not always be achieved. I do question, though, whether it is better to live a relaxed life or to live a fulfilling live. I would prefer the latter myself, but what do you believe should be the aim? Should the California Dream concentrate more on personal fulfillment?
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