Article: It has been observed by those both inside and outside of the country that Americans have a penchant for self-education and self-improvement. No one is born knowing how to do everything he needs to know how to do to succeed. To achieve the sort of strong, rugged individualism that is central to the American Dream, it's essential to be willing to better yourself wherever and whenever you get the opportunity. Whether it's learning a new skill, practicing a second language, or studying strategies for business success, almost any avenue of self-improvement can help you become a stronger, more versatile, or more productive person. Below are just a few more ideas for self-improvement: Physical conditioning (running, weightlifting, etc.) Learning sales techniques Studying modern history or current events Learning a martial art Mastering a hobby or activity Creating art or music Proud, individualistic Americans shouldn't shy away from confronting the world's problems head-on. Doing this often means becoming a leader, taking charge of others while accepting the responsibility that comes with leadership. Having the courage to volunteer for tasks that involve leadership, whether they're big or small, can help you make a difference in the world while earning recognition for yourself. One great way to become a leader is to run for public office. Doing this gives you a platform to make your views known and, if you win, to fight for the changes you want to see. Even if you don't win, if your campaign attracts enough attention, it can re-frame the public debate or persuade lawmakers to consider your views. You don't have to be a member of government to be a leader in your community. Volunteering for certain types of charitable work or even simply doing community-oriented work on your own can give you an opportunity to become a leader for others. The United States was founded on the principles of representative democracy. The more people who participate in the process of government by voting, the more truly representative the nation's government is of its citizens. Because of this, all Americans who can vote should make sure to do so. However, this is far from the only way actively participate in the civic life of the country. For instance, citizens can join a political party whose beliefs are close to their own and work or volunteer to spread its message. If they feel especially strongly about certain civic issues, they can even start their own political associations. Below are just few more ways you may want to consider becoming an active participant in American democracy: Participating in a political round table or forum Joining or organizing a protest Volunteering to get signatures for a political candidate or cause Donating to your favorite political cause Nothing is more quintessentially American than the rags-to-riches story of someone who's able to build a life of influence and importance from almost nothing. Whether you're a poor, unknown immigrant or an established citizen, everyone has the chance to make a name for himself in America as long as you're willing to work hard, be creative, and have the strength to stick to your personal values. While, for obvious reasons, it's impossible for everyone to become fabulously rich and famous, it is possible in America to retire in a higher position than you started your career in and to make a name for yourself as an important member of your local community in the process. As you climb the social ladder, never feel intimidated by the prospect of having to deal with people from higher social strata than you. In America, more so than in certain other countries, a person's destiny is determined by her willpower and ability, rather than the privilege of her birth. While some people are born into wealth and privilege, if you're able to climb into a certain social class from a lower one, you have every right to view yourself as an equal to members. It's not easy pursuing the American dream. As described above, building a great life for yourself while living as a free, independent individual can require lots of work and personal responsibility. If you're having a hard time motivating yourself to keep chasing the dream, consider turning to one of the many iconic American success stories to fuel your drive. Many of these real-life individuals were able to build a life of importance from nothing or successfully fought against prevailing societal forces of the time to make a better country (or even a better world). Below are just a few all-American examples: Andrew Carnegie: A poor Scottish immigrant, Carnegie began his career as a "bobbin boy" in a factory and ended it as one of the most powerful, important industrialists ever. Susan B. Anthony: By spearheading the women's suffrage movement with her tireless efforts, which included being arrested, Anthony was instrumental in winning the right to vote for women. Jawed Karim: This immigrant, best known for co-founding YouTube, also helped design the commerce service PayPal. Jay-Z: Born Shawn Corey Carter, this American music icon rose from a life of crime and poverty to become one of the wealthiest and most influential figures in the music industry.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Strive for self-improvement. Be a leader. Have an active civic life. Climb the social ladder. Look to stories of American success for inspiration.
Article: Don't repeatedly send them unwanted gifts, follow them, stand outside their home, or generally do anything to make them feel uncomfortable. If you want to be friends with the celeb, you won't want to make them feel unsafe. Keep a safe distance and don't overdo it with the attention. Cyber stalking is also an issue. Don't post anything negative the defame their character, spread rumors, or generally harass them online. If you want to make friends with famous people just to use them, keep in mind that they will probably see right through you. Famous people deal with strangers who just want to use them for their money or connections all the time, and they will be able to tell if that's the case with you. Make sure you are trying to establish a friendship for the right reasons. For example, if you do make friends with someone famous, pay your own way. If they offer to pay for things, that's fine, but never expect or ask them to. Treat them like you would any other normal person. Famous people deal with obsessive fans all the time. They probably keep most people at a bit of a distance for a while until they're sure that person genuinely wants to be their friend and isn't just a crazy fan. Many famous people don't communicate directly with fans online, or answer private messages. It might be very difficult to become friends with famous people at all. Give it time if you have started communicating with someone famous. Don't expect a relationship to happen overnight. They will probably need some time to trust you and decide they want to meet you or hang out with you. Once you have made friends with someone famous, be a good person and a good friend to them. If you use them or act like someone you're not just to keep their attention, they will more than likely notice and be turned off by it. Treat them like any other friend, and they will probably appreciate it. Famous people don't usually want to be treated like they're more important than anyone else, especially by people they consider friends. They would probably appreciate you treating them like a normal person, and like someone they can be themselves around.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Make sure you aren't stalking the celebrity. Avoid using famous people for their connections. Remember that it might be impossible to become their friend. Be a good friend if you do establish a relationship.