Check out Mother Jones‘ two-page spread on the upsizing of the American Dream (text here or in two PDFs). Here’s how it starts:

  • Since 1950, the average new house has increased by 1,247 sq. ft. Meanwhile, the average household has shrunk by 1 person.
  • The National Association of Home Builders’ "showcase home" for 2005 is 5,950 sq. ft. That’s 15% bigger than last year’s model.
  • The Unabomber’s legal defense team cited the size of his shack — 10′ x 12′ — to buttress his insanity plea.

Read the whole thing.

Reader support helps sustain our work. Donate today to keep our climate news free. All donations DOUBLED!

(Via Alan)

Grist thanks its sponsors. Become one.