In terms of innovation it's hard to not notice what they're doing. Just look at smartphones, all of the best flagship phones right now are almost exclusively Chinese. Again, from just a technological standpoint- it feels like we've fallen behind. American car manufacturers are fighting so hard to keep Chinese EVs out of America by labelling them a security threat, but given how feature rich and cheap they are it just feels like they know they can't compete.

China has presented itself and its leadership well over the past few decades. Upward-rocketing standard of living. Brand-new gleaming cities. Bullet trains everywhere. Incredible EVs so advanced and affordable that every other nation's auto industry is crashing out about it. They've done so well that young people in the US view socialism more positively than young people in China.

Meanwhile here in the US we're now known for: bombing schoolchildren for some reason (but refusing to admit it and apologize). Killing millions of children via a massive rug-pull on global aid programs. Being absolutely brainrotted at the highest levels of leadership off our own toxic social media. Being a global bully and a backer of genocide.

Naturally.

Just heartbreaking to see the US in decline across so many key areas including income inequality, social mobility, healthcare affordability, education, infrastructure, public safety, political stability, institutional trust, and basic quality of life.

And yet, the US is the key dream destination where the streets are paved with gold, for lots of immigrants escaping poverty/strive from the 3rd world.