Chapter 7/8- Horatio Alger Myth

The Horatio Alger Myth is based on the belief that limitless possibilities are given to everybody. The positive side of this belief is that it encourages everybody to compete for higher positions and reach for the best ‘them’ they can be.  The negative side of this belief is that it places blame for failure directly on the individual. This picture is of the song “Started From The Bottom”, because it is exactly what the Horatio Alger Myth is referring to. In the song Drake is saying he started from the bottom, now he’s here and that his whole crew is with him. He is just demonstrating how he went through struggles that shot him up the social class ladder. This song was playing during a conference I went to for my old job. It played as one of the platinum members walked out and they proceeded to talk about how they were “just a normal, poor person who worked really hard to get where they are now.” I think the accuracy of the Horatio Alger Myth is not really there, but I see how it is a good idea to motivate people to work harder.