"The American Dream" is just a myth we tell ourselves

[tackattack]

I think we should better meter our goals and aim the American Dream at something more truely beneficial and long term and attainable. Any suggestions?

Living within our environmental limits would be nice.  However, I still like the ideals of equality under the law and equal opportunities.

I agree equal opportunity is better than tyranny. I would prefer equality of outcome to equality of opportunity. That hydra seems too messy to tackle one head at a time so I guess equality of opportunity steps closer to that direction.

If the "American dream" is to be part of the 1% it doesn't statistically make you happier. If the "American Dream" is equality of opportunity that's shit too, not as bad shit, but still not great.  "The pursuit of Happiness"  really isn't about chasing the next quick fix or high.

I wondered about this too. 

From the responses here, people seem to associate the American dream with making money. If that's what it's always referred to, then I think it already shows why it's doomed. 

Any suggestions?

Moral, rather than economic, progress. To be the wisest, kindest, most compassionate, most open-minded person one can be. 

One thing I've noticed about science fiction is that progress seems usually to be associated with detaching oneself from the earth. Going far into space or some cyber world is deemed an advance. This is the opposite of a happy goal, in my opinion. Better to be able to sit still in one's garden for a long time, enthralled by the colors and smells and changing light and busy life all around. 

To be increasingly joyful in the world; to find greater pleasure.

That's a deeper happiness than surface, but it still individual happiness. I like the idea of moral progress, but that can't be had without equally progressing responsibility, IMO. Maybe something like the ethical burden of respecting others for their individuality and seeking to help raise their level of true contentment and happiness to a higher level. idk, something like that.