>>We work in a sort of strange field where intelligence and ability are highly prized, but some of these same qualities made some of us victims of aggression and abuse earlier in life.
Is this being "victims of aggression and abuse" due to high intelligence and ability is normal phenomena in US or just taking a potshot?
Integrity means exactly what you extrapolated. Let me rephrase your extrapolation: "Integrity matters only when no one can see". What matters when ""others one can see" is called social contract.
I don't know about insurance malpractices but how this malpractice outweigh or even relevant to this topic. And also out of of curiosity does USA hospital give guarantee of not having any problem with implants.
Most of universities now a days charge according to their brand value. The major ingredient of their brand value is the alumni network and only minor part is actual environment that they provide. If your only aim is to learn something, then spending $40,000 is atrocious.
Your problem with the culture is the problem with almost every culture of the world( including USA). The "great scientific culture" of USA is to lure the smart people all around world. "And not surprisingly almost all the students I busted for cheating were Indians"- on side note, my personal observation is Indians are extreme harsh on other Indians if the first one is part of system. I actively avoid immigration line checked by Indian looking staff whenever going to USA or UK.
Is this being "victims of aggression and abuse" due to high intelligence and ability is normal phenomena in US or just taking a potshot?