nice reflections. having moved to europe for three years now, the best way I've found to describe the contrast with the US is simply that society still exists here
loved this. esoteric takes. totally agree europeans are more 'base human' (natural) and this forms a positive feedback loop with how they care for and treat nature. i also think america is now beginning to develop that historical consciousness and the conservatism that comes with it. MAGA, "founding stock" white nationalists like nick fuentes, twitter posts of construction dudes sitting on steel beams or hands black from working on an oil rig. the aesthetic is very different than europe though since its past is so recent.
>It’s impossible to forget that something came before.
one thing I've thought about for awhile - if you were a kid living in much of Europe post WW1 (and especially post WW2), there are two relevant things:
1) - you can see the scars of those wars literally everywhere, especially the second one.
2) - in much of europe, your parents would've warned you not to interact with unexploded ordnance/etc while out playing with your friends. you literally can't forget about the thing that came before, or you might get blown up.
One of the most American things is also something the founders took inspiration from the Swiss cantonments on: the right to bear arms. Seems very un-european but the Swiss have a lot of privately owned guns too. Check out Johnny Harris's Switzerland series -- I'm hoping to visit again sooner rather than later
nice reflections. having moved to europe for three years now, the best way I've found to describe the contrast with the US is simply that society still exists here
loved this. esoteric takes. totally agree europeans are more 'base human' (natural) and this forms a positive feedback loop with how they care for and treat nature. i also think america is now beginning to develop that historical consciousness and the conservatism that comes with it. MAGA, "founding stock" white nationalists like nick fuentes, twitter posts of construction dudes sitting on steel beams or hands black from working on an oil rig. the aesthetic is very different than europe though since its past is so recent.
Thanks man! And yeah I hadn’t thought of it like this, but does seem true
>It’s impossible to forget that something came before.
one thing I've thought about for awhile - if you were a kid living in much of Europe post WW1 (and especially post WW2), there are two relevant things:
1) - you can see the scars of those wars literally everywhere, especially the second one.
2) - in much of europe, your parents would've warned you not to interact with unexploded ordnance/etc while out playing with your friends. you literally can't forget about the thing that came before, or you might get blown up.
EDIT: great post btw
Haha man yeah, I guess history is sometimes so in your face that it’s dangerous. And thanks dude!
Phenomenal writing, I found myself engrossed
Thanks man!
Loved all these reflections! Fun fact - the capital of California was formerly called “New Switzerland” (New Helvetia).
We here, too, like the Swiss, have had a cultural sauce simmering for centuries, before Europeans layered on.
Wow, kinda hilarious they managed to find the only place in Northern California that looks nothing like Switzerland, and called it New Switzerland
Very cool though, bring back the old name!
One of the most American things is also something the founders took inspiration from the Swiss cantonments on: the right to bear arms. Seems very un-european but the Swiss have a lot of privately owned guns too. Check out Johnny Harris's Switzerland series -- I'm hoping to visit again sooner rather than later
Did not know about this! Love Johnny Harris, I’ll have to give this a watch