Anti-Authority

I rather like this quote from David Brooks in his recent article:

You also observe that America hosts the right kind of networks — ones that are flexible and intense. Study after study suggests that America is one of those societies with high social trust. Americans build large, efficient organizations that are not bound by the circles of kinship and clan. Study after study finds that Americans are not hierarchical. American children are raised to challenge their parents. American underlings are relatively free to challenge their bosses. In this country you’re less likely to have to submit to authority.

I remember Bill Gates once commenting that one of the biggest pieces of luck in life was being born in a country where young people are given a lot of respect. I doubt many countries would have allowed someone his age to take on so much responsibility simply based on his talent.