In Laurence Shames’ “The More Factor,” the author explains the American mindset from different perspectives while also making a critique. First, he explains how this 'expansionism' came about by giving us a detailed insight into the American early history and the spirit of concurring new frontiers by making something out of nothing. Later that model was applied to business where every fall was actually a new opportunity. However, the modern American mindset has turned towards competition and greed, just because if you can make anything out of nothing, you should be able to make more than the other. Shames states that unrealistic hope as a product of this mindset is far from normal.