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by matthieubrg
2639 days ago
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It all comes from the individualism and egocentrism and bullying of US culture. "It is made up of littler myths about greed being good, the weak deserving nothing, society being an arena, not a lever, for the survival of the fittest".
You've been raised and thought to only think and work for yourself and consider your interests first...Until someone gets cancer and you have to launch a GoFundMe campaign and hope it'll not ruin your entire family.
We sure have a lot of issues in Europe and by no mean are perfect societies or have the greatest companies. But at least we help each other, we support the less fortunate, we protect the weakest. And that's how you improve quality of life, life expectancy, a build a better society overall.
I'm happy to give a significant part of my income to the government if it helps people survive and live better. And what you don't actually realize is that people are doing the same for you, because you might one day need it.
Now why don't we have as many unicorns as you do in the U.S.? Because we're a bit more precautious and risk-averse, it's true.We don't go as fast and as strong as you. We first think 'Is this possible? safe? legal? right?' and then go on making the thing. While you just go, build it and ask questions later... which is an amazing fearless mindset which allowed you to accomplish incredible thing but which also leads to Facebook fucking up all over the world, Amazon treating their employees like slaves, or Boeing killing 350+ people because a 2nd safety system is too expensive. |
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As an "American" with a British father, and having lived overseas for much of my life, I still value European social mores and overall cultural far more than my American side. If I could only convince my wife to move to somewhere besides Texas. Vermont is first on the list, followed by anywhere in south rural England or Spain.
Europeans tend to not get starry-eyed like Americans. I don't need or want a sports car and big-assed house. It does nothing for me other than put me behind the power curve financially. I'd rather have universal healthcare, 6 weeks paid holiday and the ability to travel cheaply in the EU bloc.