The bit at the end is a bit extreme as a statement. But I would agree that westerners do occasionally have a hard time wrapping their heads around all the nuances and differences between lives lived in various totalitarian and communist regimes. Some things, like resource scarcity, or paranoia, or vigilance - they're just inconceivable. Like explaining air to a fish.

That being said, as someone who has experienced both, I would like to point out that something similar holds true in the opposite direction as well. People who originate from communist or fascist regimes have difficulty understanding all the ways in which the West really is free. Especially when consequences of the freedom don't look so nice. Like when people are allowed to destroy their own lives, or law enforcement is reluctant to intervene in any way. They see conspiracy at work. But most of the time there is none, just plain old indifference, absence of control, petty greed, responsibility and self-reliance.

The real common denominator between both worlds is stupidity. Free markets are stupid and reactive. Totalitarian systems of power are stupid and passive. This is why I would say the bit about "looking at the mirror" is extreme.

Your current reply has a certain taste to it…

It's the sweetness of truth, I apologise. Some people like their coffee without sugar.

Would recommend you a book Mr G. Saad wrote, but I’m not sure you are open to it tbh. I never put sugar in my coffee either.