Very interesting article. I am a student of my family history and my sister is a “progressive” social worker; we have had discussions about what role genetics actually has in the American being. She of course, is much oriented in behavioralism and the role of environment.
However, when I trace the family tree back hundreds of years and see we were always adventurous, independent thinkers involved in the military and religion, with a strong intellectual bent; well, I’ve formed my own opinions.
My mother left her dustbowl KS farm at 17 to work in NYC, very analagous to my pilgrim and puritan forbears. We have always been responsible risktakers - is that a conundrum? Yet I see it in the American psyche.
I thought it was a great article. Glad you liked it. I never thought the American spirit in that light, but it sure seems to fit.