I find the point about inequality in both countries stemming from their current economic models to resonate with my own experiences traveling in them. Additionally, Adam Tooze's observation that the children of the elite in places like Shanghai and New San Francisco have more in common with each other than with youth in other countries (he uses German youth as an example) struck me. These elite youth seem to share a much more intense, competitive mindset, whereas others seem more carefree.
Maybe I’m being naive, but I believe there’s a case to be made that, in general—and especially in politics—the current system doesn’t reflect what the majority of people would actually choose. So, let’s seek change. Ultimately, I think there's a problem in both countries where people feel they must surpass their friends or peers to improve their lives, as though there’s no other way. This mindset of fatalism is not only flawed in its logic—since in a world where rewards are disproportionately given to the few, most people are more likely to fail—but it’s also disproven by real-world examples. Countries with more equality, like those in the Nordic region, actually tend to perform better.
I know this may seem obvious to many, but I feel it's worth saying because so much of the conversation, especially around topics like AI, electric vehicles, and the broader economy, revolves around competition, often at the expense of more equitable alternatives.
Instead of just using the Substack comment section as my soapbox, I want to be productive and ask anyone who has knowledge of a comparative study on inequality in China and the U.S. to share it with me. Thanks!
I find the point about inequality in both countries stemming from their current economic models to resonate with my own experiences traveling in them. Additionally, Adam Tooze's observation that the children of the elite in places like Shanghai and New San Francisco have more in common with each other than with youth in other countries (he uses German youth as an example) struck me. These elite youth seem to share a much more intense, competitive mindset, whereas others seem more carefree.
Maybe I’m being naive, but I believe there’s a case to be made that, in general—and especially in politics—the current system doesn’t reflect what the majority of people would actually choose. So, let’s seek change. Ultimately, I think there's a problem in both countries where people feel they must surpass their friends or peers to improve their lives, as though there’s no other way. This mindset of fatalism is not only flawed in its logic—since in a world where rewards are disproportionately given to the few, most people are more likely to fail—but it’s also disproven by real-world examples. Countries with more equality, like those in the Nordic region, actually tend to perform better.
I know this may seem obvious to many, but I feel it's worth saying because so much of the conversation, especially around topics like AI, electric vehicles, and the broader economy, revolves around competition, often at the expense of more equitable alternatives.
Instead of just using the Substack comment section as my soapbox, I want to be productive and ask anyone who has knowledge of a comparative study on inequality in China and the U.S. to share it with me. Thanks!