A Different America: Optimism of the Past

The speaker reflects on the optimism that characterized America in the late 1980s and early 1990s, citing a sense of hope regarding the country's future and global influence following the fall of the Berlin Wall and the collapse of the Soviet Union. The advent of the internet marked an exciting period that fostered innovation and a belief in the possibility of progress, reinforcing the idea that American values and the capitalist system were a model for the world. This vibrant atmosphere is contrasted with the current climate, where optimism has been eclipsed by fear, division, and skepticism. The meaning of a 'sense of life,' as defined by Ayn Rand, encapsulates this emotional appraisal of existence that was once prevalent in American culture but appears to be fading today.