I think this American exceptionalism is getting old. The country is a lot more capitalist and that stimulates certain industries, especially venture capitalism which is basically gambling with investor money.

But a lot of the companies that came out of this like Google, Meta, Microsoft are also a big net negative in the world and causing societal decay with their attention-driving algorithms and hard business practices used to establish their monopolies.

It's not surprising the more ethical business models come from the EU like GOG without its DRM. And valve isn't really one of the worst companies out there, but gog is a lot better and I always buy there if a game is available.

Europe has its issues but look at the state America is in right now. A lot of all that hate is fuelled by people who have been drawing the short end of the capitalism stick for decades. And are now mobilised by the people making things worse for them.