之所以有这么好的印象，想必是因为以往的行程，几乎都是被精心安排好的。我和同事们在顶级医院观摩学习，在名牌大学的学术报告厅交 流，或是在跨国公司可以俯瞰城市天际线的会议室里开会。交谈对象，是美国社会最顶层的一部分人，都是自信、优雅、高效的精英。就算 偶尔有闲暇自驾，也是一头扎进壮丽的国家公园，在山川湖海间感叹造物的神奇。对于真实的美国社会，我仿佛始终隔着一层无尘玻璃，看 得见，却摸不着。 以下文章来源于张琨随笔 ，作者张琨 张琨随笔 . 勤于思考，勇于实践，乐于分享 本文来自微信公众号： 张琨随笔 ，作者：张琨，题图来自：视觉中国 这应该是我第几十次踏上美国的土地了吧，单是过去这一年，便已是第四次。过往的记忆，美国在我心中是非常好的印象，"灯塔国"的代名 词，全球创新的引擎，医疗技术的麦加，精英荟萃的殿堂。 今天，我稍微击碎了这层滤镜，回到酒店，带着一身"叶子"味道，写下这篇小感。 今早，我心血来潮，在酒店附近的便利店里买了一张TAP公交卡，决定用最本土、最接地气的方式——公共交通和徒步，去探索这座"天使 之城"的心脏：洛杉矶市中心 （Downtown LA） 。 登上公交车的那一刻，另一个世界便已拉开序幕。车 ...

这应该是我第几十次踏上美国的土地了吧，单是过去这一年，便已是第四次。过往的记忆，美国在我心中是非常好的印象，"灯塔国"的代名词， 全球创新的引擎，医疗技术的麦加，精英荟萃的殿堂。 看着这些景象，我再深入设想，社会上的有钱人是否应该去救助他们？从人道主义的角度，答案是肯定的。给他们一顿饭，一个遮风避雨的住 处，是守住一个文明社会最后的体面和底线。一个强大的国家，不应该容忍她的公民像这样毫无尊严地活着。 但我的另一个念头又冒了出来。如果福利好到让人可以心安理得地不劳而获，那社会的活力和奋斗精神又从何而来？这种关于"效率"与"公平"的 争论，在美国持续了几十年，让相关的福利政策始终在慷慨与严苛之间摇摆，始终找不到那个完美的平衡点。而这种长期失衡的代价，就赤裸裸 地展现在眼前这座城市的巨大裂痕里：一边是璀璨夺目的金融区，另一边就是这片被阳光遗忘的贫民窟。 上次和耶鲁的教授交流，他说美国活得最惨的中产阶层，既没有富有到可以靠自己花钱搞定衣食住行和子女教育，也没有穷到可以躺在社保体系 上生活，一年到头扣完税，比不干活的人还穷。 之所以有这么好的印象，想必是因为以往的行程，几乎都是被精心安排好的。我和同事们在顶级医院观摩学 ...

1914年，亨利·福特将流水线引入汽车生产，其工厂所在的底特律也随之崛起。鼎盛时期，每8名底特律 工人中就有1名在汽车工厂上班。1955年，福特汽车工人的时薪达到5美元，远超同期其他行业的平均水 平，工人仅凭一个人的工资就能轻松养活一家老小。 福特、通用、克莱斯勒齐聚一堂引发集群效应。从钢铁冶炼到玻璃制造，从轮胎生产到精密仪器制造， 围绕汽车产业链的2万多家配套企业陆续扎根这里。在"车链"的带动下，底特律逐渐成为美国乃至全球 汽车工业之都，汽车产量一度占全美汽车总产量的八成。 巅峰时期，底特律的城市人口突破180万人，成为仅次于纽约、芝加哥和费城的全美第四大城市。沿着 伍德沃德大道，可以依次看到三大巨头的总部大楼，成排的工厂从城市中心一直延伸到郊区，十几万台 机床同时运转的轰隆声震得人脑袋嗡嗡响。 然而，这种盛况并没有持续多久，转折点发生在20世纪70年代。 近日，"美国底特律上空天降美钞，路人尖叫捡拾"的新闻在网络上热传。据报道，这场"现金雨"大约持 续了5分钟，数千张20美元纸币倾泻而下，总计撒下约6万美元。这件事的始作俑者名叫斯莫克，是当地 一家老牌洗车店的继承人。他声称，此举是为了完成父亲的遗愿，目的 ...

调查数据描绘出一幅令人沮丧的社会图景：近70%的美国人不再相信通过努力工作就能实现美国梦，这 一比例达到近15年来的峰值。这种普遍存在的焦虑情绪几乎渗透到社会的每个角落，无论受访者的年 龄、性别、教育程度或收入水平如何。值得注意的是，年收入超过10万美元的家庭中，仍有65%对经济 前景持负面看法。 政治立场与经济感受之间的关联同样引人注目。调查通过六个维度综合评估发现，55%的共和党支持者 对经济感到悲观，而民主党支持者的这一比例高达90%。斯坦福大学经济学教授尼尔·马奥尼对此表示 忧虑：这确实令人沮丧。美国作为超级大国的核心优势之一，就是国民那种'不懈的乐观'精神。正是这 种精神，在过去数十年里推动着创业浪潮和技术创新。 8月28日，美国加利福尼亚州阿罕布拉市一处独栋住宅前，一块褪色的待售标牌在烈日下显得格外醒 目。这栋标价85万美元的三居室房屋已在市场上挂牌超过90天，却鲜有买家问津。这一幕生动反映了当 前美国房地产市场的持续疲软，也折射出更深层次的经济困境。 《华尔街日报》与NORC研究机构联合开展的最新民调揭示了一个令人不安的社会现实：美国民众对经 济前景的悲观情绪正达到历史高点。这项覆盖全美2000 ...

Core Insights - A recent survey indicates a significant decline in American optimism regarding economic mobility, with only 25% believing they have a good chance of improving their living standards, the lowest since 1987 [1] - Over 75% of respondents lack confidence that the next generation will have a better life, and nearly 70% feel the traditional "American Dream" of success through hard work is no longer applicable or never was, marking a 15-year high in this sentiment [1] Group 1: Public Sentiment - The survey reveals that 55% of Republicans and up to 90% of Democrats hold negative views about their and their children's future prospects, indicating widespread discontent across demographic lines [2] - Despite some individuals having stable financial situations, many express concerns about economic fragility, believing that previous generations had easier access to homeownership and entrepreneurship [2] - Only 17% of respondents view the U.S. economy as superior to other countries, with nearly 40% believing other regions are performing better, a 15% increase since 2021 [2] Group 2: Economic Indicators vs. Public Perception - Stanford University economist Neil Maoni notes a shocking divergence between economic indicators, which remain robust, and public sentiment, which has turned increasingly negative since the pandemic [3] - Historically, rising stock markets have correlated with positive consumer sentiment, but this trend has not held in the current climate, reflecting deep-seated worries about the future [3] Group 3: Housing Market Concerns - 28% of Americans report severe financial pressure from rising prices, consistent with survey results from when inflation was at 5%, despite the current rate being 2.7% [4] - Less than 25% of respondents feel "very confident" about their ability to purchase a home, while 56% express "little to no confidence" [4] - Personal anecdotes illustrate the struggles of individuals in the housing market, with many young adults moving back in with parents due to high rents and economic pressures [4] Group 4: Economic Challenges - The public's negative sentiment is attributed to a "triple whammy" of economic shocks: the 2008-2009 financial crisis, the recent pandemic, and ongoing inflation and labor market concerns [5] - The impact of economic policies on job security and wages is highlighted, with individuals expressing frustration over stagnant wages amid rising living costs [6] - Concerns about the effects of artificial intelligence on employment and the burden of student debt are also prevalent among those facing job loss [6]

Group 1 - The proportion of respondents who believe they are likely to improve their standard of living has dropped to 25%, the lowest since the survey began in 1987 [1] - Over three-quarters of respondents express a lack of confidence that the next generation will have a better life than their own [1] - Nearly 70% of participants believe that the "American Dream," defined as achieving success through hard work, is no longer attainable or never was, marking the highest percentage in 15 years [1] Group 2 - The survey indicates that Republicans are less pessimistic compared to Democrats, reflecting a long-term trend of differing economic outlooks based on the party in power [1]

Group 1 - The article discusses the concept of "era dividends" and emphasizes that it is often equated with "development opportunities" [2][4] - It highlights the importance of survival in society before discussing development opportunities, indicating that one must consider the potential downsides of not seizing these opportunities [3][4] - The article reflects on the past, noting that while many believe there was more development space in previous decades, those times also had significant challenges [5][6] Group 2 - The article draws parallels between the experiences of young people in the 1950s America and the current generation in China, particularly the 00s, highlighting the disillusionment with traditional success paths [22][40] - It points out that the 00s generation faces a significant reduction in development space compared to previous generations, making upward mobility through personal effort increasingly difficult [42][43] - The article notes that the 00s generation is burdened with high expectations from their families, which adds to their stress despite living in a materially rich environment [24][26] Group 3 - The article discusses the rise of tutoring classes for the 00s generation, indicating that they spend significantly more time in extracurricular activities compared to previous generations [28][30] - It mentions the financial burden of these tutoring classes and the pressure from both parents and societal expectations, leading to a heavy academic load [30][31] - The article highlights the disconnect between educational achievements and job market realities, with many graduates struggling to find suitable employment despite their qualifications [31][35] Group 4 - The article suggests that the 00s generation is redefining their values and priorities, moving away from traditional paths of home ownership and marriage towards more personal fulfillment [45][50] - It notes that this generation is likely to influence various industries, particularly those related to leisure and lifestyle, as they prioritize experiences over material possessions [54][57] - The article concludes that while the era presents challenges, it also offers opportunities for the 00s generation to explore non-traditional life paths [58][63]

Core Argument - The article discusses the limitations of the theory of equality, suggesting that equality is more of a "luxury" in wealthy and secure societies rather than a universally applicable policy goal [2] Group 1: Historical Context - The United States, despite being the wealthiest and most secure country, is the most unequal among OECD countries, raising questions about the "American exception" [2] - Historical examples of countries that tolerated inequality for wealth include Britain during the Industrial Revolution, China post-reform, and the Roman Empire [3][4] Group 2: Cultural and Structural Factors - The American social contract is based on the promise of future wealth rather than equality, supporting the "American Dream" [5] - Cultural roots in the U.S. hinder the establishment of a redistributive social contract, making it difficult to adopt a Nordic model of equality [6][12] Group 3: Unique American Model - The U.S. model of inequality is sustainable only as long as it maintains its global leadership; other countries cannot easily replicate this model without facing strategic competition [7][8][11] - The U.S. can tolerate inequality due to its technological leadership and global dominance, which provides legitimacy to its system [9][13] Group 4: Lessons for Other Countries - Other nations should not mimic the U.S. model of inequality; instead, they should seek a balance between growth, innovation, and manageable inequality to ensure social stability [10][15]

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the alarming reality of homelessness in the U.S., particularly in California, where many individuals who once owned homes have found themselves living on the streets due to the burdens of property taxes and other financial pressures [3][9]. Group 1: Homelessness Statistics - Over 650,000 people are homeless in the U.S., with nearly 180,000 in California, accounting for about one-third of the national total [3][5]. - In Los Angeles, 23% of the homeless population lost stable housing within a year despite previously having stable jobs and homes [9]. Group 2: Property Tax Burden - Property taxes in the U.S. range from 1% to 1.5% annually, which can become a significant financial burden as property values increase [3][5]. - In 2023, the average home price in San Francisco was $1.44 million, leading to an annual property tax of approximately $18,000 at a 1.25% tax rate [5]. Group 3: Financial Pressures Beyond Property Taxes - Homeowners also face additional costs such as homeowners association fees, maintenance expenses, and high medical costs, with average annual medical spending exceeding $20,000 for American families [7]. - Rising mortgage interest rates, which reached over 7% for 30-year loans, further exacerbate financial strain on homeowners [7]. Group 4: Systemic Issues - The U.S. property tax system effectively transforms homeownership into a continuous financial obligation, where individuals must constantly pay to maintain their housing status [9][13]. - Many individuals, including those who once had stable lives, find themselves unable to cope with the cumulative financial pressures, leading to a cycle of debt and eventual homelessness [7][11].

Group 1: Immigrant Billionaires in the U.S. - The number of immigrant billionaires in the U.S. has increased from 92 in 2022 to 125 in 2025, representing a growth of over one-third [2] - Immigrant billionaires account for 14% of nearly 900 billionaires in the U.S., with a total wealth of $1.3 trillion, which is 18% of the total wealth of $7.2 trillion held by all U.S. billionaires [2] - Among the top ten billionaires globally, three are immigrants, including Elon Musk, who is the richest with a net worth of $393.1 billion [3][4] Group 2: Notable Immigrant Billionaires - Elon Musk, born in South Africa, has a net worth of $393.1 billion, having increased by $17 billion since 2022 [4][15] - Sergey Brin, co-founder of Google, is the second richest immigrant with a net worth of $139.7 billion [4][15] - Jensen Huang, co-founder and CEO of Nvidia, ranks third among immigrant billionaires with a net worth of $137.9 billion [5][15] Group 3: Contributions and Perspectives of Immigrant Billionaires - Maky Zanganeh, an immigrant from Iran, emphasizes the importance of seeking opportunities while maintaining core values, which she believes is crucial for success in business [7][8] - Oren Zeev, an Israeli venture capitalist, attributes his success to his unique background, allowing him to think differently from his peers [10] - Noubar Afeyan, co-founder of Moderna, highlights the "immigrant mindset" as essential for achieving success in America, advocating for resilience and hard work [13][14]