Ruminate: H.O.A.H.B.T. And The "American Dream?"
With regard to the H.O.A.H.B.T Truck documentary, react to the
commentary that it makes about the "American Dream", mentality, and
lifestyle. Furthermore, how does it connect or relate to our studied
literature so far this semester? Please respond thoughtfully. In your
response, please wonder, relate, question, think, etc... (Response Due Fri. 1-31-14 at 2:30p.m.)
posted by Greg T at Wednesday, January 15, 2014
27 Comments:
The truck documentary connects to the American Dream mentality in a very direct way. The whole documentary relates to the ability that everyone has the equal chance to succeed. It also represents the idea that you can do what ever you put your mind to. This connects to the literature we have read in class in many ways. One of the stories we read was by Willa Cather. She was invited to the concert on the east coast and she experienced what her life used to be and how the different areas of the US have different cultures. The other story about the woman who found $15 really speaks that everyone has that chance to happiness. The American Dream is in a sense the ability to achieve what ever you want to achieve. This movie is almost a direct representation of the American Dream. The truck could be viewed as the American Dream and the hard work pays off when it comes to winning the truck.
The H.O.A.H.B.T. documentary connects to the American Dream mentality in a very obvious manner, although not everyone may relate to it. Throughout the whole documentary it shows the determination, reasoning, and the thought process of each individual that was chosen to compete. The American Dream idea comes into the picture because though it may be the same competition that everyone is competing in, it means something different to each person. I think the main concept behind the American Dream is that people may not understand your individual dream, or your drive to chase it, but that's why every single person has their own perception and idea of what the true American Dream would be for them specifically. It offers limitless possibilities, and it's shown in the documentary very clearly. Every competitor has the raw drive to go through mental and physical pain to win that truck. This documentary also relates to several pieces of literature we've analyzed and studied in class, such as the story about the woman who finds $15 dollars, and has the chance to live the life that she hadn't been able to in awhile. Or the other story by Willa Cather about the girl who was invited to the concert on the east coast and got to relive a bit of her old life once again. I think all these pieces have the American Dream in common. They're not similar at all according to the plot line, but by the concept that if you want something in life, you should go for it. As well as taking the chances at happiness and reaching and growing towards your goals every single day. Because at the end of the day everybody has their own idea of what the ideal American Dream would be, and these pieces all show people going after them, and I think that's the true message.
The H.O.A.H.B.T documentary connects to the American Dream very directly. It represents that no matter your past/background, you have the chance to make what you want out of yourself. It doesn't mean the road is always easy, however. It is demonstrated how people make sacrifices and have to sustain mental and even physical strength to achieve what they want. Sometimes, the failure of others is what drives/motivates people to succeed. The American Dream comes in many different shapes and sizes for each person. That's what makes it so desirable, and that's what allows people to do everything in their power to reach it. As it is shown in the documentary, it doesn't always work out. A lot of people couldn't continue to persevere, and ended up dropping out. This doesn't mean they have failed, or will never attain their goal, it just means it wasn't right for them. This idea relates to to Willa Cather story. It felt as if she had thrown away her dream. However, the concert allowed her to reconnect with what was once so special to her. Although it didn't work out for her, she still got to enjoy the ride it took her on. Her life took her down a different road, but that's how it was meant to be. Overall all of the stories and documentaries we have analyzed represent the common goal everyone chases after. The American Dream isn't just about finding success. It is about making meaning of your life and finding happiness. These all represent that if you never give up and if you want it enough, you can achieve what one would call the American Dream.
The H.O.A.H.B.T documentary connects to the American Dream very directly. It represents that no matter your past/background, you have the chance to make what you want out of yourself. It doesn't mean the road is always easy, however. It is demonstrated how people make sacrifices and have to sustain mental and even physical strength to achieve what they want. Sometimes, the failure of others is what drives/motivates people to succeed. The American Dream comes in many different shapes and sizes for each person. That's what makes it so desirable, and that's what allows people to do everything in their power to reach it. As it is shown in the documentary, it doesn't always work out. A lot of people couldn't continue to persevere, and ended up dropping out. This doesn't mean they have failed, or will never attain their goal, it just means it wasn't right for them. This idea relates to to Willa Cather story. It felt as if she had thrown away her dream. However, the concert allowed her to reconnect with what was once so special to her. Although it didn't work out for her, she still got to enjoy the ride it took her on. Her life took her down a different road, but that's how it was meant to be. Overall all of the stories and documentaries we have analyzed represent the common goal everyone chases after. The American Dream isn't just about finding success. It is about making meaning of your life and finding happiness. These all represent that if you never give up and if you want it enough, you can achieve what one would call the American Dream.
H.O.A.H.B.T is very relative to the American Dream in the way that it is a competition. It tests your strength, vigor, mental endurance, discipline. Which are all attributes that Americans like to test everyday. People are always trying to one-up each other and compete, in the workplace or when your just out with your friends. There is a competitor that has already won the truck last year, but he has returned to see if he is still the best. A lot of the competitors are there because they need to money that they will get from selling the truck. Which also relates to the American Dream in the way that we dream about being well of financially. Being able to put food on the table, and care for yourself and/or family. H.O.A.H.B.T is an opportunity to attain what is needed to become financially sound, or the ability to say that you won a popular competition, that is the American Dream to me. Being able to say and prove that you are the best.
The H.O.A.H.B.T contest symbolized the determination and insanity that is the American dream. While watching the video I thought to myself, "What's the point? It's just a truck." I thought that the contestants were being stupid. However, I started to think about what matters to me, and that even though it doesn't matter to everyone I try so hard to accomplish my own goals. That's what the American dream is, working to get what YOU want. Not someone else. That's what's great about the United States, the insanity of some of us to reach our goals. I've seen grown men cry when they fail to achieve something that they really wanted. That's the mentality that defines us, and I think it's wonderful. America gives us the chance to find happiness, that's what the
H.O.A.H.B.T stood for, and that's what the story about the girl who finds the $15 stands for. Anyone in America can find happiness, whatever it may be for them.
The H.O.A H.B.T documentary shows an exact correlation with the idea of the American dream. In the documentary, the contestants have their minds set on the idea that truck, which represents their “American dream.” It shows how we all fight for our dreams and are willing to go the distance. It shows how you can do whatever you want to if you just put your mind to it. We had a story in class about a women who had found $15 and was overwhelmed with joy. The other story, by Willa Cather has a lady who enjoys music but gives it up, only to be brought back to it when her nephew brings her to a play and she is just so overwhelmed with happiness that she doesn't want to leave, which shows that no matter what obstacles get in our way, we never internally give up our hopes of achieving our American dream.
The H.O.A.H.B.T. documentary connects to the American Dream in many different way. It shows that if you want something, go out and get it. It may not be the easiest thing in the world but it can happen. The document demonstrates the physical, mental and emotional aspects of what it takes to get what you want. The American dream is different for everyone. You can go out and do what ever you desire. As it was shown in the document, sometimes not everything goes your way. There were people who dropped out and this doesn't mean they failed, it just means it wasn't there thing. This document relates to the Willa Cather story. When we thought she threw away her dream, she went to a concert which allowed her to reconnect with what she loved. Even though it didn't workout for her, she still enjoyed it.
The H.O.A.H.B.T documentary in some ways connects to the American dream. It shows how people from very different backgrounds can attempt to achieve the same thing. It also shows that people are able to work hard and overcome adversity. These people sacrifice a lot of their time in order to win a truck that for them is a huge part of life. But also I believe that when people think of the American dream, they shouldn’t think of people standing around a truck. There is a lot more to the American dream then that. The American dream is working hard and changing your life into what ever you want it to be, through your own blood, sweat and tears not by winning a contest.
In H.O.A.H.B.T is all about the free truck! To everybody in the contest a truck is everything, and that this one can be free is a dream, it is the American dream. Your hard work that is a little crazy, its hard work physically and mentally, this is a very american thing. It is the willingness to do this. You hear them ask if its worth it too them and what there willing to do for it. If all the work is put in and you don't win it is the loss of the American dream.
The truck documentary connects to the American Dream in a direct way. It shows the need and determination for something that they really want. This documentary shows that if you put your mind to something, you can do anything. The American Dream is displayed in the H.O.A.H.B.T. truck documentary, because they all are fighting for one thing that would improve all of their lives. They are willing to risk their sleep, and strength just to get this truck.
The H.O.A.H.B.T documentary in some ways connects to the American dream. It shows how people from very different backgrounds can attempt to achieve the same thing. It also shows that people are able to work hard and overcome adversity. These people sacrifice a lot of their time in order to win a truck that for them is a huge part of life. But also I believe that when people think of the American dream, they shouldn’t think of people standing around a truck. There is a lot more to the American dream then that. The American dream is working hard and changing your life into what ever you want it to be, through your own blood, sweat and tears not by winning a contest.
I think that the truck documentary doesn't totally represent the American dream because these people are doing something for a truck that no one else would do. To me that is not the American dream. The America dream is being able to do something no matter where you come from. Not really doing what no one else would do to get something. The movie is I think more about showing how you can beat other people at something. Its more of a competition to see who can do it.
The film Hands on the Hard Body can be interpreted in many different ways in regards to the American dream. It can interpreted as a testament of the American spirit, dream and willingness to do anything for something desirable. It can also be seen as the opposite. I believe that this film shows how clouded the American dream has become. It almost seems ridiculous to me that a group of people literally doing nothing but standing for multiple days at a time can be seen as pursuit of American dream.
I think that the Hands on a Hard Body contest represents not only how greedy we’ve become as a society, but at the same time, how we’ve managed to twist the concept of the American Dream from something that was originally achieved by hard work and skill to something that has become about greed and laziness. These people were completely willing to literally stand with their hands on a truck for 80 hours straight without sleeping, all for a stupid truck. I don’t think I could relate it to the literature we’ve already read because the literature we read was about hard-working Americans trying their hardest to achieve something they earned. This movie was about people who want a truck, but don’t want to work hard enough to earn the money to pay for it, and want to win it by literally just standing there. I wonder how many people entered the contest, because only a few people were selected out of a bunch of applicants. It just shows how many people want this truck, but aren’t willing to work for it.
The american dream is all about taking risks. Some people don’t find the worth in taking risks because of course there could be a potential downside to an attempt but the reward can be greater than any failure. The people who stood for hours with hands on a car with hopes to win but slim chances. They risked their sanity and overall well being and comfortability for a small opportunity to win. In the end, most walked away but the few who made it proved that the great risk can come with rewards.
The H.O.H.B.T documentary relates and expresses the American Dream very clearly. Throughout the documentary the viewer is able to learn about and connect to each of the contestants as you hear their stories. I was able to see what fueled each of the contestants to win the truck. Each had their own reasons for doing so, some made you laugh, others made you cheer in their corner for them. But regardless of the why, each and every one of them demonstrated the American Dream. Despite their different backgrounds, race, ideas, and religion they all had the chance and were going for their dream. The American Dream is limitless and different for everyone. It offers them the ability to chance whatever it is they want to and do so in whatever way they want to. And that's what happens in the documentary each of the contestants have to overcome their own physical and mental obstacles to get the truck. The idea of the American Dream is also evident in other pieces of literature that we've read in class like Willa Cathers story about the old lady that goes to the concert with her nephew. At the concert her dream of music and the passion she moved had for it is re kindled and she loves it again. Both these pieces of literature I feel convey the same message and that message is to chase your American Dream. It's different for everyone so there's no set path but with determination and perseverance it can be obtained.
The H.O.H.B.T documentary relates and expresses the American Dream very clearly. Throughout the documentary the viewer is able to learn about and connect to each of the contestants as you hear their stories. I was able to see what fueled each of the contestants to win the truck. Each had their own reasons for doing so, some made you laugh, others made you cheer in their corner for them. But regardless of the why, each and every one of them demonstrated the American Dream. Despite their different backgrounds, race, ideas, and religion they all had the chance and were going for their dream. The American Dream is limitless and different for everyone. It offers them the ability to chance whatever it is they want to and do so in whatever way they want to. And that's what happens in the documentary each of the contestants have to overcome their own physical and mental obstacles to get the truck. The idea of the American Dream is also evident in other pieces of literature that we've read in class like Willa Cathers story about the old lady that goes to the concert with her nephew. At the concert her dream of music and the passion she moved had for it is re kindled and she loves it again. Both these pieces of literature I feel convey the same message and that message is to chase your American Dream. It's different for everyone so there's no set path but with determination and perseverance it can be obtained.
At the beginning of the HOAHB video the American Dream for all of the contestants is to win the truck. Each and every one of them believe that it is almost fate for them to win. The one line that I remember that shows this is when Benny the previous winner says that being one of the fist to put your raffle ticket in gives you a better chance at being drawn. This contest to many is an opportunity to enhance their life in so many ways from helping out their family, selling it for money, and in so many ways will make their life better. As the contest goes on from 1 day to 2 and so on these contestants must make sacrifices in order to continue on similarly to the characters we have read about so far this year. The sacrifices to them are worth the end result but for a majority of the contestants will be made for nothing. It is alive until it is over and for many a small part of their American dream is lost when they are eliminated.Similar to many of the very descriptive stories we have read. HOAHB film crew do a very good job at getting the finest details out of the contestants when questioning them about their physical and mental health. Which gives the audience a greater understanding of the completion and obstacles they must overcome. Those who may think that some of their American dream is over or has ended when they are eliminated explain to the crew that they are proud of what they have done and if they had the chance they would do it again. Therefor I believe that the American dream can constantly change and is always being achieved weather known or not.
The people participating in the contest and also their loved ones believe that their lives are going to change so much if they win this truck. They think that just because they have a car, their lives will turn around and become amazing, just because of a truck. They think the American Dream is do be richer or more successful and they will be either of those if they have a truck. I only heard one very reasonable reason for winning the truck, one young woman wanted to win the truck, sell it, and put herself back into school to get a degree. She is actually trying to set a foundation for herself that will give her a window of possibilities, which don't require her owning a truck.
In H.O.A.H.B.T, geography had a major impact on the American dream in that small town of Texas. Just looking at that well though out documentary it was obvious it wasn’t an overall rich community, but a mediocre at best. For the chance to win a FREE truck was at stake in was a dream for all those Texas to go and and compromise the health of their body by staying up for countless hours and putting strain on the body in pursuit of their dreams of winning that truck
In the documentary Hands on a hard body truck, it demonstrates how real the american dream is, being able to earn wealth from hard work. In this case, from perseverance, keeping their hands on the truck for hours upon end. This goes to show that if you work hard, then you can achieve any goal, all thanks to the american dream
The truck documentary connects to the American Dream in a very direct way. It relates because of the idea that materialistic things will change everyday life in such a drastic way. Some wanted the truck to work, others wanted it to fit in, one woman wanted the truck so she could sell it and go to college and get a degree. Everyone wanted this truck in the simplest way, without working for it. Some could argue that standing and competing for the truck IS working for it but others would work for years to get this truck instead of standing for 3 or 4 days at the most. The American Dream is that possessions make everything better, but once most get these things their life is still the same; not suddenly made to be astonishingly amazing.
I feelthat the HOAHBT is a perfectexample of how everyone will tryto achieve the american dream of “owning a truck” or even getting rich and how so many people will faill because all they have is a dream. They don’t have a plan or anything else to guide them. Also, they need to be mentally strong becuaseif it was easy then everyone would reach the american dream and that cant happen. This relates the rest of the literature that we have read fir this semster because in allof the literature the people are “living the dream” or they are pretending to live the dream.
The H.O.A.H.B.T Truck documentary does connect to the American Dream mentality. Winning the truck was a dream for everyone who participated in the contest. They believed the truck would make their lives better. Most of them had to give up an old car or truck for money. The American Dream changes depending on the person. I know I would never join the competition for the free truck.
In one of the stories we read by Willa Cather, a woman gave up music to live in Nebraska on a farm. In another story, a woman gave up a wealthy life to raise her children.
Although I didn't see the end of the H.O.A.H.B.T Truck documentary I did realize something about the American Dream. The American Dream is different everyone and the way you achieve it is completely different. The contest was hard even though it seems so simple just like our goals. I can relate to how hard such simple tasks can be for instance this blog post seems like it would be very simple but in reality it has taken me ten minutes to write. With the Documentary I question was the competition worth it? The hours without sleep, the sore feet, the sun and rain? Perhaps its not the car that makes it worth it. Maybe it is actually the feeling of being accomplished.
IN the H.O.A.H.B.T the American dream was to show that hard work, determination, and desire is what it takes to get what you want. People were competing to win a truck a truck that many people wanted but only one could have.Even though to us this could seem like a silly thing to compete for but for the contestants it wasn't silly they were all very passionate about the contest and didn't see it as a joke. It shows how diverse places can be and how something that seems pointless to some it isn't to others a vise verse. The american dream is truly different for everyone but in ways it can be the same.
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