Lisa Wade at Sociological Images posted a fascinating chart on the level of patriotism citizens of different countries exhibit – details here.  Predictably, the USA ranks #1 in thinking they are #1 (although not by much).  But what was more interesting was a passage Wade quoted from Claude Fischer:

We believe that we are #1 almost across the board, when in fact we are far below number one in many arenas – in health, K-12 education, working conditions, to mention just a few. Does our #1 pride then blind us to the possibility that we could learn a thing or two from other countries?

When does national pride become an unproductive hubris?  This isn’t a new question, but the data makes concrete a key paradox in American culture.  How can a country be both innovative, dynamic and multicultural while at the same time exhibiting a reluctance to embrace ideas from other countries?  Is it just sunny optimism to believe erroneously that your culture is better than others, or is it a lack of national and personal  maturity to cling to a myth of national superiority?  I prefer to live in a country with a relentless optimism and even maybe arrogance to a measured realism, even if a bit misguided.  There’s a certain charm in thrusting oneself headlong into an uncertain future.  However I do wonder at what point does national conceit turn into a farce?  As the US loses its share of global output and productivity, does a maturing of national character need to take place to keep us from becoming a caricature of our current selves?