Every bad thing the US does now, barring some previous technological restrictions, has been endemic since at least the 70s - and often not only that, but since the forming of the original federal republic.
There is no call to say "this isn't America." It's all exactly that.
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Still, you know, there is no grounds for comparison with schizophrenia - even though it can and does induce delusions - or any other mental illness.
This stuff is heavily culturally determined. It's basic social contagion stuff, growing up in a profoundly violent society, etc.
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For all that people in most Western cultures - *particularly* Americans - purportedly value their independence of thought, we're just social apes.
It takes a lot of different things going right to not just ape along to whatever surrounds you.
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And for the US specifically, that means being surrounded by heavily embedded racism, various fascist "ideals" and a whole lot of other garbage.
Garbage in, garbage out - mostly.
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Even the notion that our thoughts are particularly independent of our environment is itself just a culturally transmitted idea.
Ever noticed how it's not a very popular concept in China? Do you have an explanation for that other than culture (without resorting to racism)?
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Yeah, the entire politically situation is so deeply weird and toxic, it doesn't bring out the best in anyone.
Mostly, though, I was dead serious when I opened the thread: seeing any debate, any interview from the US, is like stepping into some alternate reality. It's wild.
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Funnily enough, I started that thread thinking it was a fun way to meme a bit.
Then what I wrote made me angry. Then the anger made me irresponsible.
I usually manage to stay out of the politics, but it's not a foolproof strategy.