Interesting thoughts. I am a Norwegina but we live by much the same mentality and atitudes as Swedes. Janteloven as we call it, is a shared Nordic phenomena. It was "invented" by a Danish-Norwegian author, Axel Sandemose. It refer to a fictional Danish town called Jante, where people are pretty narrow minded and put you down.

It is worth understanding that Janteloven is not something we aspire to. Rather it is a description of the dark side of Scandinavian mentality.

We very much see not bragging, being honest and modest as virtues, but Janteloven takes it a bit further and actually demanding that you should not think anything of yourself. That is when Scandnavian mentality becomes toxic.

I can say though that as someone who has followed American society for many years and lived there. I shared your sadness. What I see happening in America brings me down.

I would not say it is all bad. The US has qualities we don't have. Americans are more positive and encouraging. We are not good at encouraging each other and complementing each other in the Nordics.

Americans are also very hospitable and quick to include your or invite you to their circle or home. We are far more insular people.

But I do very much cheerish Nordic honesty and humilty. I feel it makes it easier to trust people. In the US I found it difficult that people often put up a facade. A positive image of themselves they want everybody to see, but which isn't necessarily them. Which even extends to what they say or opinion. It is what they think people want to hear, becuse I dunno, being pleasant, nice, fun or popular is more important than honest? Obviosuly I am generalizing. My wife is American so I cannot think this of everyone ;-)