It's weird thinking about Americans' philosophical poverty compared to Europe, when Americans have been so advanced in other ways. Could it be because a lot of the first settlers here from Europe came here because they were anti-cultural (religious, anti-social, greedy, etc) in one way or another?

There are certainly many Americans who believe in lives of philosophical and intellectual pursuits. But maybe there are not enough for critical mass. No doubt there are plenty of people who, when they try to start a thoughtful conversation, run into a wall with other people. Getting blank stares or worse teaches one to be cautious about trying to get past small talk.