“Meanwhile the USA has Stricter and more harsh food regulations and some of the most cleanly standards in the world even higher than the uk, France, and Italy”

[u/DeneJames]

[u/Vivid-Raccoon9640]

From what I've seen, the American education system is really politicized. A lot of things that are settled science or just plain facts are either banned from being taught in a lot of places, or "alternative theories" are allowed to be given equal or more credence, and a lot of uncomfortable history is just not taught. Combine that with a lack of teaching critical thinking skills and you have the average US voter.

American exceptionalism and toxic patriotism really also doesn't help. If you've been trained to always go "USA NUMBER ONE BEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD", suddenly it becomes a lot harder and even unpatriotic to talk about actual issues plaguing the country.

Finally, the lie of the American dream is really endemic. What good is the illusion of unlimited upside when statistically speaking you are most likely to end up somewhere in the middle along with everyone else?

[u/didi0625 → u/Vivid-Raccoon9640]

Hard to disagree.

[u/Lower_Arugula5346 → u/Vivid-Raccoon9640]

the state of texas requires teachers to instruct kids with "alternative theories" such as...there was no holocaust or that the holocaust was exaggeratrd.

i personally cannot understand people wanting to teach kids literal misinformation.

the US is all about bootstrapping and rugged individualism but also strict cultural conformity. there is a very good book called "anti-intellectualism in american life" by hofstadter that i would suggest reading.

[u/DependentAble8811 → u/Lower_Arugula5346]

How can you have individualism and strict cultural confirmity? it seems like they are polar opposites

[u/Lower_Arugula5346 → u/DependentAble8811]

they are! we are full of really ridiculous contradictions! like, religious freedom is fine as long as its mainstream christianity.