> Most free, advanced countries say more. I'm not so sure. Europe is pretty conservative, and people tend to play it safe. Japan is obviously even more so. US

> Most free, advanced countries say more. I'm not so sure. Europe is pretty conservative, and people tend to play it safe. Japan is obviously even more so. US is probably unique in its pushing the young to follow their dreams. This probably comes from its singular history - not so long ago, millions of regular American were starting successful ventures from scratch - whether it were farms in the wilderness of the West, or small businesses in towns. That was quite unique time and place in world's history, when the common man had actualy some agency and could conceivably start something from scratch with a good change of success. Meanwhile, Europe and the rest of the world was already mature, overcrowded and calcified, with little room for organic growth. Now, in XXI century, America in terms of opportunities is becoming more similar to rest of the world than to XIX century's past self - but the values and attitudes have not caught up to that yet.