[newfriend]

That's great for them. Is there something wrong with trying to be the best person you can be? Is a life of leisure and hedonism something to be celebrated, while a life of striving to achieve is looked down upon?

I think this is part of the reason the US has been so successful and innovative. Hard work and improvement are seen as virtues here. A life of sloth and mediocrity, avoiding work and relying on the government to provide for you was not seen as something good until recently. I hope the essence of America isn't lost forever: industry, innovation, and individualism.

[jbrun]

America is built mostly on immigrant work ethic, vast amount of arable land, no bordering enemies and the collapse of the european powers. Not sure america is that special, just lucky - right place, right time.

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-under-pressu...

[newfriend]

Forgive me if I don't care about an opinion piece by someone who hates America.

> America is built mostly on immigrant work ethic

Isn't it interesting how many believe the US was solely built by immigrants, slaves, and natives. I wonder what American citizens did during this time?

> the collapse of the european powers

The US was already inventing and building in the 1800s, no collapse needed.

> Not sure america is that special, just lucky - right place, right time.

It's easy to ascribe luck to anything successful. You could say Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, Google, Facebook, etc were nothing special, just lucky - right place, right time, but I don't think that's true.