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. 2-1-19 at 3:41p.m.)
posted by Greg T at Sunday, January 27, 2019
30 Comments:
"American Dream", their are many different ways to define The American Dream and everyone has a different image of what it looks like whether it's personal goals or the pressure of our modern day society. The film Hard Hands on a Hard Body demonstrate both of these ideas some of the contestants did it for a personal goal and many people did it, because they wanted to a truck to flash around. Everyone has different images of their American Dream, so shouldn't we as a society support each individuals own ideal image of an American Dream.
The document has shown peoples American dreams. The first document was all about people wanting to win a truck and what they would do for it. This shows that everyone has their own American dream. Whatever it is it is important to that people and they will do their best to achieve this dream, even if it standing holding their hand on a car. The document shows motivation to achieve their dream. Peoples American dreams are different than other peoples American dream. Everyone is different and that is okay. This document relates to other documents we have read about or seen like "The Catcher in the Rye." It relates to that because in the book the American dream is to find what you want in the world that makes you content and happy. In the movie winning this truck means the world to these people. In the book Holden just wanted to be happy and school didn't make him happy. While Holden's dream was more far fetched because he wanted nothing to change and for all kids to be happy. He was still determined like the people in the film. Everyone in America should have a dream and work towards it.
I think that the truck documentary reflects a common ideal of chasing dreams. Everyone has at least some ambitions of success, financial stability, and the opportunity to pursue passions freely, but life can easily get in the way of these things. Through their seemingly ridiculous “H.O.A.H.B.T”contest, these people are trying to challenge one of the great roadblocks preventing them from achieving their own form of the American dream. Transportation means a lot in today’s society, and for these people, trucks are not only efficient for movement or work, but also serve as a symbol of pride. While their motivations for competing vary, this symbolic view of the truck is fairly consistent; they need it for their ideal futures to become a reality. This yearning for a physical manifestation of one’s wishes makes me think back to Thoreau and his cabin in the woods, or Holden from The Catcher in the Rye, and his undecided visions of an imaginary rye field. In all of these cases and many others, the American dream is as material as it is ideal, which is likely why the concept is still as powerful and prevalent as it is.
While watching the Truck Documentary, I was able to connect it to the American Dream in many ways. On the surface, the documentary looks like a cool challenge people would participate in, to hopefully win a new car. But after finishing the movie, and thinking back, it relates to the American Dream perfectly. The definition of the American Dream is, "the ideal by which equality of opportunity is available to any American, allowing the highest aspirations and goals to be achieved." In the challenge, no matter gender, skin, where you are from, and anything else, it did not matter. Everyone had the same opportunity to succeed. No special advantages were given to anyone, as all you got were gloves to keep your hand on the car. You had to bring clothes, shoes, and food. This is a perfect example of the American Dream, because everyone gets equal opportunity to work for something they wanted.
as I'm watching the documentary as I type this, it sums up the American dream which was trying to win. the stuff they would do for that truck really showed the grind and grit throughout the film. Especially for the person who won it. they were also trying new things, like new diet, new shoes which shows the extent they went to try and win.
While watching this documentary, something that strongly pops out to me is how materialistic the people participating are. They are doing everything they can just to get a car. Obviously, it is something very expensive that a lot of people need. but to enter into a competition that tests your mental and physical stamina for a car is something that I think is absolutely crazy. I think that this connects to the American Dream because, in many ways, it shows the lengths that people will go to for the things that they want. I also think it shows where America is heading. Everyone was equal in the competition and everyone had to win off their own skills. The American Dream is very closely connected to this because it shows how far people are will to go for the things that they strongly desire.
The documentary has shown people's American Dream. It is the contestants dream to win the truck. They will stand for hours, not getting sleep, and putting their hand on the car in order to win. Everyone has goals that they want to achieve. The contestants were motivated in winning. It connects to the novel, The Catcher in the Rye, and the American Dream is about how you live your life and feeling certain emotions. Holden wanted to be happy, but there were certain things/events that was preventing him from being happy. Even though he was living without parents, he was still determined to keep moving forward in life just like the contestants that were determined in winning the contest. Is it worth it? Is it worth risking your health in order to win a truck?
The documentary has shown a different side of the American Dream during the time and the location. Their dream was an image of themselves and a truck was a big part of it. They wanted to work on a farm and a truck and only a truck would enable them to do so. It connects to previous knowledge by or ideal america speech. It was something we all wanted and had in mind to make us better and more successful. A truck gives them that chance witch is crazy but it's what they think and they will go through long lengths to reach the ideal image.
The film that we have been watching in class depicts the American Dream in many ways. For those in the film, their dream is to win the truck. In Texas, the place in which they live, this is one of the biggest contests they have. They go above and beyond to win the car, even giving up their sleep schedule to gain victory. The American Dream is basically the image that you portray and give to the world and in this documentary, the truck and this contest is their image. This connects to literature that we have read in this class in the way that they go above and beyond to conquer what seems almost impossible. They go great lengths to get what they want out of life, exactly like the texts we have been reading.
Hands on a Hard Body Truck is about a contest of mental and physical endurance. To win you have to keep your hand on the truck longer than any of your other competitors whilst facing the mental challenges that play along with it. It plays to the lifestyle of the people down south because having a truck is almost a right of passage in the area they reside. To have a great truck and to win it for free is a once in a lifetime opportunity. This plays to the "American Dream" because it shows the determination and grit of our society. The people willing to go through the pain often receive the reward. It shows survival of the fittest. The most determined often come out on top.
While watching the H.O.A.H.B.T documentary I noticed the commentary it makes about the American dream. In Texas, it is very important for people to own a truck. Everyone who participated in the truck contest was participating because it was their American dream to have a truck. In their minds, it was necessary to have a truck in order to be seen as worthy and to make life more efficient. This relates to the literature we have read this semester such as the A Pair Of Silk Stocking's story. Both pieces convey the idea of materialism and how it creates validation in society. Also, the people in the documentary and Ms.Sommers in the story all do not desire the items themselves, but they desire the feelings that come with it. They all want validation. I think everyone wants validation because it is the American dream to be treated equally.
The documentary is a demonstration of the American Dream and an experiment showing how alive and well the American Dream actually is today. In the documentary, the car symbolizes the dream, and the contestants symbolize American citizens -with the same chances of achieving their dream (they were randomly selected, so it was fair). Every contestant in the documentary all come from different backgrounds and all have an equal chance of winning the truck, this shows how anyone can achieve the American Dream, no matter whom you are. Like the documentary, if you work hard enough and have determination, you can "win" (the American dream).
The American Dream is often defined as having the freedom and opportunity to succeed at whatever you want to do with your life, H.O.A.H.B.T does a great job of demonstrating this. All of the contestants have the opportunity to achieve their goal in getting the truck all they have to is work hard and show more determination than the others around them. The same can be said for the everyone in the US, we all have the opportunity to obtain our dream life, job, etc. all we have to do is be willing to work harder than everyone else around us for it. This also shows how Mrs Sommers in the Pair of Silk Stockings didn't work for the money she acquired so she didn't appreciate it as much and went out to spend all of it right away. That's why working hard for what you want like the people in this contest is so much more rewarding because if what you want is just given to you and not worked for then you won't appreciate it as much.
This film in my opinion shows the american lifestyle perfectly. Only in America would a competition be held to win a car in this manner. I think this movie shows a lot about our society and how fortunate we are. People all around the world are struggling to eat nevertheless have an opportunity to win a car. This movie also relates largely to dreams. Even though in some eyes this dream might seem unrealistic and insignificant but for these individuals this was their dream. Motivation plays a key component in dreams and that is related directly to this. These people all have different stories and backgrounds yet are all still motivated by something inside of them. Motivation is a very powerful thing that signifies us as Americans. Most Americans are extremely motivated and want to accomplish their goals. This movie portrays and displays the typical American life as well as how powerful motivation is.
The documentary we watched in class is a good demonstration of the American dream because people are going after their dreams no matter what it takes to get there. All of the contestants have the opportunity to achieve their dreams, which is exactly what the American Dream is. The closer you get to your dream, the more work you have to put in. Which is exactly what these contestants have done and are doing. This relates to realism like some of the other literature we have studied so far. This documentary shows the struggles and challenges these people have faced. A novel which also shows realism is The Catcher and the Rye it doesn't try to hide any of the struggles these people have gone through just like this documentary has done.
The American dream is about succeeding at anything that you want. The H.O.A.H.B.T contest shows the aspect of succeeding at what you want because the contest is how long one can hold there hand on the truck, but the contest takes a toll on the mind and physically. That's the part of the American dream that is never told, that you have to make sacrifices with getting the dream you want.
Everyone has heard of the American Dream, everyone has had a part of the American dream, and these people are living a part of it. H.O.A.H.B.A.T has done an amazing job demonstrating this. Showing the dedication and how strong you can be if you have a goal in mind. Norma is a good example, she has a goal and even when she is going crazy she has a goal. If everyone had an attitude that is as excited as hers then you can do just about anything. It just shows how strong someone's desires could be and what they could accomplish with it.
This documentary shows how far americans will go to achieve their dreams, this is what the country we live in was built on. Passion and desire are 2 attributes the ideal american has, and I think this documentary really showed that. Now with that desire and passion, consequences may come, in this show the contestants push themselves way to for for a simple pleasure which americans often do. Overall the documentary sums up what most americans are like
After watching the documentary I can connect a lot of different things to the american dream. For example all of the contestants have their mind set on winning the truck, but only one can take it. The good thing is the competition gave everyone a chance to show their strength and determination. Some people were stronger than others which made it difficult for some people to keep their cool.
The American Dream is working for what you want and to take you to the next level. In H.O.A.H.B.T the truck to me is a representation of the American dream. Everyone in the contest thought that winning the tuck would bring them to the next level. Also, all the contestants were given an even chance to win the truck. Equal opportunity is a huge part of the American dream. Also, the fact that all the contestants were so different but they all got the same chance to win shows the American dream in this contest.
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The American Dream is often a term used to define things you want in life and the hope and freedom that America has to offer. H.O.A.H.B.T demonstrates this idea through a very unusual and odd contest. Watching this documentary I felt that the contest and the documentary was rather unnecessary and very weird. But, by the end of the film, I found that this contest means much more than just winning a truck. It demonstrates the American Dream by showing people of all different colours, personalities, and morals competing against each other to reach a dream for one reason or another. I find that this is the true American Dream because it shows that anybody can succeed and has the chance to succeed. There is also something to be said about the unlikely connection that these people now share, and I think basic human relationships and bonding with people over experiences is the true American Dream because relationships with others is what makes people human and it is what makes America such a diverse place, and to me that is the real American Dream.
In the H.O.A.H.B.T. Film, it evaluates how far people are willing to go to to achieve their dream and to achieve the American Dream. I think this film is very representative of almost all Americans in regards to how they fight to make their personal version of the American Dream come true. THe truck meant something different and special to every person who was there, and for them, was a piece on their way to achieving their American dream. Every person had a different, methodical approach to getting the truck, just like every person does in real life. This meant everyone had a different, but still real, reaction to losing the truck or losing friends. Even though this film is very commercialized and a silly version of achieving your dreams, I think it really represents achieving a personal American Dream.
The H.O.A.H.B.T. film shows how far an individual is willing to go to achieve a goal or dream. The American Dream is portrayed differently through each person in the film. Everyone had a different tactic or idea on how to win the car. People were going all out just to win a car when they could just be happy with what they have. But that is why the American Dream is so important because if there was no dream, No one would want to do better or be better.
In the H.O.A.H.B.T film, these people from Texas competing for this car really want to win. The thought of winning a car for free by holding on to it long enough is exhilarating. The American dream is portrayed in this movie not just because its about a group of people competing to win a free car, but because of the people themselves. All these people saw the ad about that contest and really thought they could do it. They strategized, they all did their own tactics to try and win. Not all of them were the best ideas, but they still tried. Americans will always try to get something they really want. Especially when the dream is to win a free car.
the H.O.A.H.B.T film shows the "American dream" in many ways. From an outsiders view, watching this film could be considered absurd and very random. However, the American dream is shown through the people, the competition, and reward. The people in this competition are being driven by a common dream they have, winning the car. Being able to have this common dream is the freedom of AMerica and the American dream just interpreted in all sorts of different ways. The competition and the want to win is the drive we all have in america. Finally the reward is simply completing and overcoming your own American dream which is the whole point of this film.
the H.O.A.H.B.T film shows the "American dream" in many ways. From an outsiders view, watching this film could be considered absurd and very random. However, the American dream is shown through the people, the competition, and reward. The people in this competition are being driven by a common dream they have, winning the car. Being able to have this common dream is the freedom of AMerica and the American dream just interpreted in all sorts of different ways. The competition and the want to win is the drive we all have in america. Finally the reward is simply completing and overcoming your own American dream which is the whole point of this film.
There are many different ¨American Dreams¨. Many see it differently than others. Do what you like to do, and work your way to the top. Whether it´s winning a free truck, or buying it yourself. It's what you want, so youre gonna try your best to get it done. It's all about the effort that you put in, many have different strategies to get things done. It's about your preparation and commitment. The main message that this film delivered to me is that everyone has a chance, and it's in your hands to fulfill what you truly want. Everyone always talks about ¨equality¨ but in reality, the person that works the hardest will be better off than some others, because it's what they wanted to do and they put in the work to make it to their position.
The H.O.A.H.B.T documentary exhibits a sense of how many people are willingly to jump quickly into achieving a goal, however, most people back away from the goal and give up when it starts getting hard. The people who stay, however, will only leave and give up if they absolutely have to. I think this relates to our study of the American dream, as the American dream describes that everyone has an opportunity, and, as seen in the video, everyone had an opportunity to win the competition, but some people gave that up.
It is impossible to understand the "American Dream" completely as it changes from person to person. The H.O.A.H.B.T. competition gives an interesting interpretation of the dream. It correlates with the hope that in America if you try hard and have true will power you will succeed. I think while aspects of this are true since most people if they apply themselves and work hard they can succeed but that is not true for everyone in America do to what life you were born into and certain biases that still exist. This relates to the competition because all of them gave there all but certain people were unable to succeed because of there staring point. An example of this is people that did not sleep much before the competition had worse odds then those who did.
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