Modern Technology and Its Impact on the American Dream

Introduction

Modern technology is cast as the perpetrator of social inequality as well as the major killer of the American Dream. However, modern technology can be termed as a neutral process where its effects are an embodiment of the people who create it, and the intentions of the creators are manifested through their implementation and design of the power of technology. Moreover, all technologies, like artificial intelligence, can create social mobility as it is always done in expanding the inequalities facing disenfranchised and underprivileged communities. Thus, the directional technology's power relies on its design. The paper, therefore, is premised on a discussion about modern technology and its impact on the American Dream.

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The emergence of modern technology, the unexpected rise, and fall of numerous housing markets, and changes in both small and large cultural diversities have morphed the understanding of many people of the American Dream. What was represented at one point by a white fence of picket suburbia and an extended family, cannot be justified as the concept of the American Dream for many people has shifted? 48% of staggering millennials believe that the American Dream is dead due to advanced technology, but it depends on how technology is helpful to them. The careers of many people change, and it is also moving promptly which makes their lives outside of work to be transformed too (Carley, & Spapens, 2017). Therefore, for the individuals who make frequent career moves, they may consider the real concept to be a faster-more paced, cosmopolitan environment.

The American Dreams of these people might differ from what their parents and grandparents idealized when technology was coined. Also, technology will at some point, have an enduring and permanent effect on the nation as well as her citizens and the poor are the people who will be the most profound on the effects. The modern technology might be either bad or good, and the revolution outcome to the American Dream will always be enforced with economics that will be controlled vastly through modern technology (Drucker, 2017).

Impacts of Modern Technology on:

• Businesses

Modern technology is a backbone in maintaining and creating relationships in today's business. People might term technology as a no-brainer as it does not require one to go to school at some point. In the current millennial period, even the underdogs can fight for a chance to have a successful business due to the introduction of the world wide web (Ehrenreich, 2016). Numerous people can start new businesses succeed and prosper with modern technology by their side. Moreover, the best section is that one is not required to be a tech-savvy to conduct it. Many people prefer Facebook in marketing their products as it will always reach a vast population in a short period.

They can also earn good incomes for themselves through direct sales from companies while they are at home (Stern, 2016). Therefore, the American Dream is always evolving as technology also advances, allowing people to explore their potentials. However, if people fail to watch out the advancing technology, they might end up being trampled by the upcoming greatest and latest machines which make them be always updated to succeed. Nevertheless, owners or many businesses who are blindsided by new programs and applications are always missing out on growing their target audiences and reaching new clients.

For instance, the social media platforms, where numerous people often flock to, and smart marketers must be there with them to generate more customers. Digital marketing has assisted in the growth of small business start-ups to the main influencers of the internet (Drucker, 2017). Social media and the internet grant a person the opportunity of comparing themselves with the great big world as well as connecting with different people from every corner of the world. Thus, it is not only the best for business, but is also good for an entrepreneur to keep his or her networks diverse.

• Education

According to modern technology, the inequality perpetuation can never stem from AI, but from an elitism that is not checked, it curbs mobility into the future careers and jobs; something which AI can help to solve. Elitism is among the few isms which are often celebrated in the current world. Many business leaders, as well as recruiters at the vast prestigious organizations, believe that they need not increase or expand their abilities beyond the elite schools as the elite candidates have already inundated them. For instance, in a school, a non-elite student can be recruited with 5000 dollars while an elite student can be recruited with 50,000-100,000 dollars. The action seems strange and unempathetic for a person who is always charged on improvement in all kinds of diversity (Carley, & Spapens, 2017). Therefore, if the elite schools are factual meritocracies, then their actions might be justified.

If they grant all students the opportunity regardless of their socioeconomic background, gender, or race, then the action can be understood. However, these organizations and institutions have altered their strides and made vast changes regarding ethnic and gender inequality; they have greatly ignored the socioeconomic inequality due to the modern technology (Carley, & Spapens, 2017). In most countries, if a child grows up in a working-class or low-income family, he or she will always have standardized test scores and the same grades as a child who was born into affluence. The action leads to an inequality that is elitism-driven where students who are from poor backgrounds and achieve highly cannot apply for the selective colleges, and if they do, they have no chance of being absorbed (Stern, 2016). Therefore, elite schools are often focused on by different organizations when promoting or hiring the social mobility of a certain group and their access to opportunities. It can thus, be noted that many people who can benefit from social movement often have the least access to it, leaving the United States with an increasing opportunity and economic gap. However, with modern technology, the perceptions of people can change (Ehrenreich, 2016).

Digital recruiting platforms such as Handshake, The Muse, WayUp et cetera, can be leveraged for people to gain access to a vast population as opposed to the analog on-campus recruitment. Also, online educational platforms such as General Assembly, Coursera, EdX, to mention but a few can be used to find trained students in highly relevant skills not concentrating on their formal education. People must also stop depending on resumes that might lead them to over-index on elite education. Thus, due to modern technology, the hiring platforms can be leveraged as they will always depend on a bias-free AI as well as the best quality of data in identifying potential talents regardless of the socioeconomic background of a person (Drucker, 2017). It can be noted that modern technology has, therefore, changed the American Dream with the depicted strategy.

• Financial Security

There is also financial security due to modern technology, which always plays a primary role in making big decisions such as buying a home and raising a family. The two were at one point the definition of the American Dream or what it entailed. Currently, the perception has been altered for every person. Some people might think of renting a house in a city they love where they will always have their peace of mind while others, their perception of the American Dream is a traditional house while a two-car garage and a lawn (Stern, 2016). In short, in the current world, no dream is the same due to advancement in technology. Moreover, daily, stereotypes are being challenged and at some point, what was once a successful home life prototype, now seems different to every person. The action makes some people say that the American Dream is dead, but in a real sense, it is always a sign of an evolving world or period which people should adapt with.

• Personal Income and Survival

However, the main American Dream criticizers might say that modern technology has contributed to its downfall as inequality is also increasing, and there is no more stay at home parent days. Therefore, in spite of many imbalances in the outside world, one should think of thriving and starting their businesses regardless of their social class, sex, gender, or skin color. Moreover, for the parents who often stay at home, it might be due to the kid's realization that they can pursue their dreams and build a career out of what they like (Stern, 2016). Also, these parents can now work at home and earn their income while in their homes which depicts an epitome of the American Dream.

The America Dream once meant that one could attend college, learn and graduate with some debt, acquiring a better position with their little opportunities in retiring and advancing with their substantial savings to last them for the rest of the lives. But the perception has changed in the current world as no one is allowed to graduate with debts. One only needs to explore their potential to survive in the harsh world with the advancing technology for them to control their future. Therefore, the American Dream is not dead due to modern technology, it has only evolved, and things are changing as time progresses, which every person must adapt to (Carley, & Spapens, 2017).

Conclusion

In conclusion, modern technology has changed the perception of many people regarding the American Dream. People are moving from the industrial revolution era to an entirely different and new period that is termed as a technological revolution. The action is represented solidly through the numerous dazzling array of jobs, services, goods, as well as other economic factors of modern technology. Nevertheless, some think that the American Dream is dead while others think that it has only evolved depending on how technology impacts their lives. There are numerous positive impacts of modern technology on the American Dream from education, businesses, job opportunities, careers, financial security to mention but a few as it has always assisted many people regardless of their socioeconomic background, race, gender, or skin color. Modern technology has also made people be at the same level due to their explored abilities and skills without discrimination. Therefore, people only need to embrace the advancing technology and adapt with it to fit in the current world.

References

Carley, M., & Spapens, P. (2017). Sharing the world: sustainable living and global equity in the 21st century. Routledge. Doi: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315087993

Drucker, P. (2017). The ecological vision: Reflections on the American condition. Routledge. Doi: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781351294560

Ehrenreich, J. (2016). Third wave capitalism: How money, power, and the pursuit of self-interest have imperiled the American dream. Cornell University Press.

Stern, A. (2016). Raising the Floor: how a universal basic income can renew our economy and rebuild the American dream. Public Affairs.