The sentiment is understandably scary and totalitarian in nature, but the consequences of the extreme American predilection toward individual choice has indispu

The sentiment is understandably scary and totalitarian in nature, but the consequences of the extreme American predilection toward individual choice has indisputable negative consequences at the population level. Video games are a leading explanation for why American men are increasingly satisfied to not work (https://w.wiki/6Qck https://w.wiki/6Qck). Video games and TikTok aren't even the worst of it. The progressive American agenda in drugs is towards decriminalization. States like Oregon are at the vanguard of this (https://w.wiki/6Qcq https://w.wiki/6Qcq), and the impact years later is widely seen as contributing to an epidemic of crime, homelessness, and bad health outcomes. China is the leading source of the worst synthetic drugs like fentanyl and meth (https://www.brookings.edu/research/china-and-synthetic-drugs-control-fentanyl-methamphetamines-and-precursors/ https://www.brookings.edu/research/china-and-synthetic-drugs...). Of course, the correct response is to not go the totalitarian control route, but to retain the flexibility and creativity that American independence fosters, invest in positive countermeasures (CHIPs act investment in manufacturing employment, drug treatment and diversion), and heavily regulate industries prone to create negative externalities.