Episode #4
The Exceptionalism Mindset
Power to the people: America is the first country that built a government based on all the power belonging to the people and the people granting a limited amount of authority to their government.
Unprecedented success: The personal success of individual Americans on such a wide scale with such a huge population is unprecedented. This refers to self-generated wealth in terms of the United States and the quality of life that the country has produced.
Raised the standard: The U.S. has set a model where it's raised the whole standard of living for the entire planet.
No value outside: The direct opposition to a transformative attitude toward exceptionalism is that no one has any value outside of the collective's ideals.
Can lose the mindset: You can lose the American mindset. You have to be active in developing these qualities of individualism and ingenuity. If you rest on your laurels, you're much more likely going to go to the left with those who are collectivist and conforming.
No gratitude: Silicon Valley, Hollywood, and Wall Street could exist nowhere except in the U.S. There are a lot of examples where people benefit from the vast investment that's gone in over decades and the very culture itself actually created that. The biggest thing I notice about the collectivist and conforming side is that there's no gratitude for what actually put them in the position to succeed.
Your best interest: It's not the American way to be selfish. It's the American way to make decisions that are in your own best interest.
Differentiate yourself: When you're transformative, you're always differentiating yourself as uniquely better.