Future Hindsight

Give Up the Bootstrapping Myth!: Alissa Quart

Jul 25, 2024

Alissa Quart challenges the self-made myth in America and emphasizes interdependence over individualism. She discusses the importance of community and solidarity in achieving democracy. The podcast explores how mutualism and cooperatives can empower communities and highlights the concept of participatory budgeting for local projects.

41:26

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Episode guests

Alissa Quart

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Success should be based on interdependence, not isolation.

Community and solidarity are more fulfilling than individualism.

Deep dives

The Evolution of the American Dream

The original American Dream was a collective vision rooted in community and constant improvement. Contrary to the modern interpretation focused on personal wealth, the historical concept aimed for communal betterment. Alyssa Court's book, 'Bootstrapped, Liberating Ourselves from the American Dream,' challenges the current narrative encouraging a shift to embracing the authentic, collective American dream.

Intro

2min

Evolving Narratives of Success and Self-Reliance in American Culture

15min

Reflections on the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic and Support Systems

4min

Challenges in Accessing Financial Aid and Social Programs

2min

Exploring Mutualism and Cooperatives in Various Industries

3min

Community Collaboration through Participatory Budgeting

15min

Alissa Quart is the executive director of the Economic Hardship Reporting Project and the author of Bootstrapped: Liberating Ourselves from the American Dream. We discuss what it really means to pull ourselves up by our own bootstraps in America, “the land of the self-made.”

Humans are biologically wired to be interdependent. In fact, achievement is often accompanied with isolation and loneliness. Alissa reminds us that “People who are fighting for democracy shouldn't be leaning into their own self made myth, but instead they should be trying to dispel the myth entirely.” The counter narrative to the self-made myth is that being in community and mutual solidarity feels better than being an individualist.

Follow Alissa on X:

https://twitter.com/lisquart

Follow Mila on X:

https://x.com/milaatmos

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https://www.instagram.com/futurehindsightpod/

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