Mark Rice writes about historical urban and colonial photography; specifically the portrayal of American colonial acquisitions and the imperfect "American Dream" captured by the NEA Photography Surveys of the 1970's. He's also a regular contributor to Forbes magazine, constantly measuring America's policies and self-regard against that of other countries. His blog "Ranking America" portrays many of these measurements using good old-fashioned bar graphs. [more inside]
posted by obscurator on Oct 22, 2012 - 7 comments

We are the 99 percent.
posted by Windigo on Sep 30, 2011 - 494 comments

*LIVE THE DREAM* (Previously) [more inside]
posted by lemuring on Mar 12, 2011 - 17 comments

In the 1960's, 70's and 80's, urban decay and high crime rates caused retail chain supermarkets to flee New York City. (google books link) Korean immigrants filled the gap with corner grocery stores. For nearly two decades they were ubiquitous -- symbols of the group's ongoing quest to achieve the American Dream. But 30 years later, Where Did The Korean Greengrocers Go? [more inside]
posted by zarq on Jan 18, 2011 - 19 comments

At the 53rd International La Biennale di Venice (wiki) Art Exhibition, titled "Making Worlds," one particular artist's work took an unexpected turn. Mike Bouchet's installation piece titled "Watershed" was intended to be a full-scale replica of an American suburban home that would float on pontoons. Except it didn't.
posted by filthy light thief on Jun 11, 2009 - 26 comments

Freeland's We Want Your Soul video is a cynical look at the american dream and keeping up with the joneses. Whether you agree with the point of view, it's still a pretty cool and amusing use of camera effects. (note: large quicktime on that page) [via randomfoo]
posted by mathowie on Sep 28, 2003 - 14 comments

Living The American Dream
Bush gave his speech Monday at a company in Albuquerque called MCT Industries. “We’re standing in the midst of what we call the American dream,” he said. MCT is privately owned by the family of Ted Martinez, who founded it on a shoestring in 1973 and is now a wealthy VIP who hangs around with politicians. “The Martinez family is living that dream,” Bush said.

A familiar dream for Bush. Just ask the folks in Arlington, Texas about a certain stadium. Getting rich from special considerations and the taxpayer's money. And doing it during the times of those onerous tax burdens he would relieve all such dreamers of.
posted by nofundy on May 16, 2003 - 28 comments