Right, but the US is happier than most European countries by the last measure I saw https://worldhappiness.report/ed/2022/happiness-benevolence-... (comparable to Germany, better than France) and when you take a state like mine (California) it beats all but the Scandinavians, which, sure I grant you they seem to have a good and happy society.

So, if you take Germany, Californians are:

- happier

- more wealthy

- more innovative

- have fewer mums die

Now, either this means this better critical thinking described isn't manifesting into any life outcomes, or (and perhaps this is a question worth asking), it isn't better after all.

I think another key factor to happiness in California is the weather. It's hard to find a place in Europe that is top-tier economically and has nice weather year-round.

No matter how good life is in other respects, it's tough for some people (myself included) to feel good when the weather is cold, gray, rainy, and dreary for months on end.

Perhaps Europeans need to study the stats.