Exactly what I'm talking about when I say "you just can't conceive of how so". They're not even in the same category.
If 50-60% of murders in the US are committed by 13%, and approximately the same percentage (and probably much higher, as they do not even officially track it) is committed by Muslims - how is that different?
Ironically, because of the same problem that drags all our aggregates down: our doctors and hospitals have to deal with so much crazy shit you'd scarcely believe that the institutions and people end up being superior just by trial by fire, and capacity to deal with it.
I like that argument. I will point out though that some places in Europe have to tell, let's say "teens", "do not assault the medical staff".
It's the same reason why Americans have never really gotten soft like Europeans have, not as extremely anyway, because we've always had this burden keeping us from pretending that utopia and harmony are possible.
Believe me when I tell you that there are very few people in Europe, outside ruling classes, who believe in 'utopia or harmony'. Pessimism about the present and the future is extreme, and probably a good deal greater than there is in the US.
I do not contest though that Europe is beset with softness, ennui, fatalism and decadence. I'm not sure why it's so much worse here. Perhaps because as much as I don't like Americans dedicating their lives to materialism, that is at least something to aim for - while the average European just wants a comfortable life with no disturbance (same for me!), so basically extreme decadence.
If 50-60% of murders in the US are committed by 13%, and approximately the same percentage (and probably much higher, as they do not even officially track it) is committed by Muslims - how is that different?
I like that argument. I will point out though that some places in Europe have to tell, let's say "teens", "do not assault the medical staff".
Believe me when I tell you that there are very few people in Europe, outside ruling classes, who believe in 'utopia or harmony'. Pessimism about the present and the future is extreme, and probably a good deal greater than there is in the US.
I do not contest though that Europe is beset with softness, ennui, fatalism and decadence. I'm not sure why it's so much worse here. Perhaps because as much as I don't like Americans dedicating their lives to materialism, that is at least something to aim for - while the average European just wants a comfortable life with no disturbance (same for me!), so basically extreme decadence.