Is Finding your identity the American Dream?
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In this TED Talk, speaker Julian Baggini explored the concept of self identity. He explained that a person's identity is shaped by memories, desires, beliefs, and experiences that are personal to a specific person. Baggini explains that you are not essentially you without these ideas. He cites the water molecule as an example. Without two parts hydrogen and one part oxygen, water would not be water. The molecule is built by these three underlying features which control the way it acts and functions. Baggini also states that memories ,desires, beliefs, and experiences are all interconnected in shaping one's personal identity. For example, your beliefs are shaped by your experiences. Similarly, your memories are shaped by your desires you have acted upon and done something about.
In "The Values Americans Live By" by L.Robert Kohls, individualism is seen as something unique to each specific person. However, Americans are not as individualistic in their thoughts and ideas as they think they are. This is due to the fact that many Americans subconsciously base their opinions off the groups they unknowingly join. These groups can range from political parties to social circles. The one thing that makes America different however, is that all individual opinions are heard, deliberated, and considered valid unless proved otherwise. |