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Comment by scylla | Hacker News Reader

I'm an American who works quite a bit with companies in Germany.

The number of opportunities in tech and the speed with which new ones arise can't be compared.

Look at the latest trend - AI. Not only did the initial boost come from openAI (US) its adoption by the biggest tech companies like Google, Microsoft, Nvidia, Apple etc - all American and all investing Billions.

But that's not even the most 'special' aspect of the US ( I'm sure SAP will jump in big into AI ) It's the hundreds of startups that are either starting or pivoting into the trend.

Now, this doesn't mean that this latest iteration of AI will be world-changing, it could turn out to be a complete bust. But it's this constant churn, the striving to be on the cutting edge, the rise and fall of dreams that makes the US 'special'.

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Thank you for your answer but none of these is very US. There are only a small parts of US which are deeply invested into AI, not all Americans striving for excellence and US is not excellent in all. Even your description I can argue also happening in China.

OK, we'll have to agree to disagree. The context here is Tech and why the US is 'special' for people who want to get ahead. You asked how it's different from Germany. My answer is that the US encourages creative destruction, and generates far more opportunities for trying new things.

I would never make the claim that the US is excellent in all. :)

Whether the same holds true for China is an interesting question. I've never worked with or visited China but I think there are differences. China certainly seems more 'innovative' when it comes to hardware, both physical infrastructure as well as manufacturing in general. Not so sure about software.

I don't think the context is tech, it was economical growth, but giving the all topic discussion, special has very broad meaning here and I like to know which one.

What you describe it is SV tech culture or start up culture in the US, which is focused on few spots. And not even all people there (e. g. Homeless people). This culture might be special but this isn't defitenly US because it is obviously not across this country.

Also I can tell you that in other countries and field of economics there is a certain sense of perfectionism or excellence e. G. In Germany or Japan or even Italy.

I guess why the Americans emphasise they are special because of economic growth is very clear: besides military there aren't many important areas where the US is good. This helps to feel "to be the best Country in the world", which is obviously wrong.

Don't forget entertainment, I always seem to hear mostly american songs being played in stores, or see American movies played in theaters when I travel to Europe.

Also food: While other countries can compete on one of their native cuisines or many a few more, the US is pumping out top tier chefs in multiple areas.

Also universities: The massive amount of investment and R&D that comes out of these schools allows them to remain top of the pack.

"t forget entertainment, I always seem to hear mostly american songs being played "

Nope. You don't get the reason why these songs are played. It's more jazz in a lift, not good music. Let me introduce into techno culture.

"Also food: While other countries can compete on one of their native cuisines or many a few more, the US is pumping out top tier chefs in multiple areas." yThats sad about your lack of knowledge. May I introduce to this https://nerdyfoodies.com/countries-with-the-most-michelin-st... Germany alone has more stars than the whole US

AI will be politically challenging in China beyond any application outside of strengthening the police state.

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