Exactly!
*Modern* Americans are the ultimate herd animals.
They make noise about individuality, but the vast majority can never break free of the herd. They constantly seek validation from and acceptance of the herd.
Many find their herd somewhat early in life and stick with it. Be it a political party, religion, military branch or racial identity.
Some will change herds during their lifetimes, but still identify with a herd of their choosing.
A few will break from a herd and strike out on their own.
They may wander near a particular herd without joining it. But they still value the nearness of a herd.
The smallest minority never identify with a herd and will keep the farthest possible distance from all herds.
I look at myself and those I know. Everyone values the sense of belonging, the sense of community.
The “rugged individualism” that Americans love to talk about is, for the most part, long dead.
Once the west was tamed and railroads made travel easy, the individualisn that conquered a continent wasn’t needed. It in fact became a liability to society.
Individuals scatter, herds build large cities.
You mention the west being tamed. Daniel Boone said in later life he realized he had a lot more in common with all the Indians he killed than he did with white men.