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Techno optimism, and optimism in general, is alive and well in America. I'm always struck by how optimistic Americans are compared to Europeans. Chinese are als

Techno optimism, and optimism in general, is alive and well in America. I'm always struck by how optimistic Americans are compared to Europeans. Chinese are also very optimistic. I think it largely comes down to the trajectory of the economy.

boringg 3y ago
True.
cactusplant7374 3y ago
https://www.lemonde.fr/en/opinion/article/2023/09/04/the-gdp-gap-between-europe-and-the-united-states-is-now-80_6123491_23.html https://www.lemonde.fr/en/opinion/article/2023/09/04/the-gdp... > The GDP gap between Europe and the United States is now 80% Lots to worry about in Europe. Since dang is rate limiting me, I'm going to add my response to this comment: Cutting edge treatments for cancer usually arrive in the US first. Also, I believe the US had access to mRNA vaccines for Covid before Europe. Also, the US has more access to mental health treatments. Is ketamine for TRD available anywhere in the EU? If so, it’s a minority. A lot of drugs used in the US for ADHD and depression aren’t available in Europe.
- hotpotamus 3y ago
  Personally, I wouldn't worry about living a longer and less depressed life.
- tim333 3y ago
  Although at purchasing power parity things are much closer.
kredd 3y ago
I keep hearing this, but I don’t really understand what it means when you put it on the ground. Like people think tech will solve their problems or people actually use tech to improve their QOL? If it’s the former, then I guess. If it’s the latter, in the past 10 years, it’s hard for me to imagine what tech made improvements to people’s lives in NA, meanwhile Europe and Asia has been chugging along. From simpler things like never needing cash when you’re in the country (I know, HN hates it), to building massive infrastructure in the cities which requires new tech. Disclosure: I live in Canada, so can be completely wrong. I have family both in US and Europe, so I visit both very often. You can see gradual change in both, but it’s different.

boringg 3y ago

True.

cactusplant7374 3y ago

https://www.lemonde.fr/en/opinion/article/2023/09/04/the-gdp-gap-between-europe-and-the-united-states-is-now-80_6123491_23.html https://www.lemonde.fr/en/opinion/article/2023/09/04/the-gdp... > The GDP gap between Europe and the United States is now 80% Lots to worry about in Europe. Since dang is rate limiting me, I'm going to add my response to this comment: Cutting edge treatments for cancer usually arrive in the US first. Also, I believe the US had access to mRNA vaccines for Covid before Europe. Also, the US has more access to mental health treatments. Is ketamine for TRD available anywhere in the EU? If so, it’s a minority. A lot of drugs used in the US for ADHD and depression aren’t available in Europe.

hotpotamus 3y ago
Personally, I wouldn't worry about living a longer and less depressed life.
tim333 3y ago
Although at purchasing power parity things are much closer.

kredd 3y ago

I keep hearing this, but I don’t really understand what it means when you put it on the ground. Like people think tech will solve their problems or people actually use tech to improve their QOL? If it’s the former, then I guess. If it’s the latter, in the past 10 years, it’s hard for me to imagine what tech made improvements to people’s lives in NA, meanwhile Europe and Asia has been chugging along. From simpler things like never needing cash when you’re in the country (I know, HN hates it), to building massive infrastructure in the cities which requires new tech. Disclosure: I live in Canada, so can be completely wrong. I have family both in US and Europe, so I visit both very often. You can see gradual change in both, but it’s different.