So when you said "Why is cooperation and mutual aid so invisible to americans", what did you mean? I understood it to mean that you didn't think anybody was doing anything.

I think there are clearly linguistic and cultural differences between us. It's fine that you're asking. I'll explain. But first I want to tell you truly that when someone makes a generalization about a group I belong to, I don't take it personally. It's a short cut. If I had to list every single man who isn't sexist when I complained about systemic sexism I wouldn't get to say anything at all!

So for this specific comment, I didn't want to criticise the individual making the comments. My response isn't about them as an individual. So I can't say "why are they so invisible to you". I also have observed this sentiment (americans can't afford to do anything but comply because they are dependent on the state and pro-state structures) quite a bit, so I knew it wasn't just this one person's thoughts. It's a systemic problem. So I chose the generalization.

The only reason I replied to you is because you asked a question. Otherwise I would ignore it because I'm not really in the habit of telling people they are "one of the good ones". I think that concept is fundamentally dangerous. We should all be open to criticism, we just need to decide if the criticism is useful or not.

But I've literally experienced the opposite, lol. I hear from the people themselves that they've just never thought that it could happen out here until they saw it happening out here. Propaganda affects us all

Yes, I hear these things too. I spent my first 35 years in my country's biggest city. My spouse is from a rural community and he wanted to go back to that way of life. So we did. Rural people also talk a lot of trash about city folk too. Some of it deserved.

It benefits people who hold power to sow discord. I'm sure we can all think of a time we lashed out in a way we regret. So I try and save my energy for people who actually know me. Or if someone who doesn't know me at all says something and I get super defensive about it I'll try and sit with why I'm getting so mad. Maybe they are on to something. Maybe I'm just hungry lol