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.

(Via Alan)

Grist thanks its sponsors. Become one.