What makes Telefunken tubes sound better?

I suspect that most things GErmany does is done well, especially when it comes to applications of technology and engineering.

But there are many other things not done in Germany at all.

The US has always been more about opportunity and teh "frontier mentality" that has not existed in Europe for many many years. Lets not get into frontier mentality at whose expense...that's a whole other can or worms.

But with that mentality comes a certain acclimation towards taking risks. That's what drives innovation. US has and remains pretty good at that. But for every innovator, there will also be many slackers. That's just the way it is.

@Geoffkait- It's interesting how broadly a topic can get
off course. Back to your conversation: My comments were
restricted to small signal, nine pin miniatures. All my
favorite octals originate from the 40's and are military
designated, especially the Sylvania 6SN7W(JAN-CHS,
metalbase/tall) and Tung-Sol 6SN7GT(JAN-CTL, round plate).
I'm currently using those as phase splitters and
drivers(respectively), in my monoblock amps. I cherish
them, as the best of the best octals, followed by the
Syvania VT-231 & Ken-Rad 6SN7GT(JAN-CRC), both bottom
gettered. BTW: I love chopped liver, especially on a good
crusty rye.

The USA is a culture of mediocrity. because that is what those who control it want it to be.
As a brilliant Puerto-Rican engineer friend of mine says, " The US in not a country ,its a place where people happen to live in proximity"
The German elites run their country on a lets all pull together basis, American elites on the ancient but ever effective divide and conquer basis.Which is why income inequality is 10X as high in the USA.
In the last month World Bank run a BIG survey whether folks thought their country was on the right path, Germany led the WORLD with 85% saying yes. USA was in the 30's.
F-ing simple as that.

Fan, try a slender volume in the" Problems in European Civilization " series published by D.C Heath and Company
Library of Congress64-21697
" The Thirty years War" Problems of Motive,Extent and Effect
Short essays by about 20 scholars so you get the gamut of views.
IMHO as in 90% of "Religious" wars it was about money and power by those running the show.

Mapman , thats what they tell you in HS, average college for that matter.
Total pack of lies.

There are VERY few humans born as "slackers" they become so by the alienation caused by lack of jobs often leading TO drug and alcohol abuse .
The last stage in the " divide and conquer" war of all against all is when those who have lost destroy themselves.

Take a tour of an Indian reservation or your local ghetto.

Brownsfan, if only there were some good jobs by which the poor could rise into the middle class. After our recent financial collapse (due to criminal activities of the 1%), millions of young people with four-year degrees are living back at home. All is not well because of many variables, but in our system, there will always be winners and losers, there will always be, has always been, that bell curve, with at least 20% on the near slope--and rising. That's why our safety nets were created in the first place--there was a need at that time to keep the elderly out of poverty. We can all knock welfare for the undeserving poor, but don't go after SS. I've worked hard and have been proud to take care of those who took care of me. That's what makes a great society.