Beau+M’s+Final+AmEx+Speech+2016


 * Frontier Exceptionalism **



The stale air does nothing but crack lips as your covered wagon moves across the barren fields of western Kansas. Buffalo can be seen carpeting the landscape as you make your way west to a new life.

The American love affair with the frontier is something that eclipses generations throughout United states history. The American frontier has never been stagnant, or inert. Even today it continues to evolve and display the capacity to enthrall, coupled with the ability to inspire the imagination. I want to live in an America in which we never run out of frontiers to pursue.

I believe our exceptionalism as a nation, and as a people is predominantly due to the borderland spirit generated by the Western Frontier. Borrowing from Frederick Jackson Turner's thesis on western expansion, I'm convinced that “ Western expansion account[s] for Americans' optimism, [our] rugged independence, and [our] stress on adaptability, ingenuity, and self reliance”(Frederick Turner). Americans have always been fascinated with new frontiers, because it represents the possibility of something better. Something more. This ideology is what brought the first British settlers to found Jamestown and Plymouth. Settlers who pushed west needed adaptability, self reliance, hope and imagination in order to forge their own path. The do’ers of America have passed on these traits to form a truly American identity that has not only shaped the United States but the world. The frontier, and the want to expand, has brought about inventions such as the steamboat, locomotive, and telegraph. Furthermore it has brought about classic western icons like Paul Bunyan, and Davy Crocket and has inspired films such as //The Cowboys// and //The Good the Bad and the Ugly//. The west has ingrained itself in what it means to be an American. It's the epitome of the “American Dream”, and it shapes the way we think about the world, as well as molds our appearance to our allies and enemies.

None of what i've said however, really explains why i'd like to live in a world in which we all chase our own frontiers. A world with endless frontiers would be a world in which we all can cut away our own small slice of the American Dream. A world with endless frontiers would be a world in which we could each expand our horizons, becoming more advanced intellectually, while also exploring ideas and careers we are truly passionate about. A world with endless frontiers would be a world in which we could invent things not only to improve home life for the sake of leisure, but also come up with creative solutions to help those less fortunate than us.

Let me explain. The United States is already a place where social mobility is relatively attainable and you are pretty much free to do anything you please. It's a place where homeowners have pasta cookers built right into the counter top just because they can. Its also a place where a “regular sized” meal means an extra large anywhere else in the world. In short it's a place of many possibilities. So much more could be possible however if we were each to pursue a frontier of our choosing. Currently the frontiers of robotics and medical technology have allowed us to discover breakthroughs, improving the care we are given, as well as opening new areas to be explored. Rather than simply growing up to work a boring job you hate, Id like to see a world in which we all contribute to work on the cutting edge of all fields, ranging from defence, to agriculture, to space exploration. Personally i'd love to know what it's like to live on a moon colony or have a robotic servant. Whatever you are passionate about you should have the freedom to pursue that passion and be at the forefront of discovery in that field. Not only would everyone be more content with themselves, but we could create a better national community in which we all contribute towards one another.

What's beautiful about the frontier is that it ignores creed, religion, status, and ethnicity. We are all simply pioneers striving to create something better. The frontier has shaped our national identity, and in a perfect America it will continue to push us to continue to be do’ers, authors, designers, and architects of the America we want to live in. The frontier has the ability to define who we are because it has the ability to make, or break. As a country of mixed people the opportunity to work towards a shared goal together would break down tensions and bring us closer rather than divide us.

Now we may not live in a perfect fantasy society where everyone can work on whatever they want, but, there are all steps we can take to help discover the next big thing. If we continue to push ourselves, stay curious, and stay driven we may be the generation that solves hunger by implementing a new method of growing crops, or puts a man on mars. No Matter the outcome chasing the next frontier certainly is an adventure.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frontier_Thesis
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