He makes some good points, but does this only by using grave generalisations and simplifications. He talks more about how Europe should be than how it actually is. Because even though the youth here is the most European ever, there's barely anyone who calls themselves European first. I don't have 'friends from all over Europe', most people don't. The importance of nations is eroding, sure, but it's not gone yet. That might take some generations more. We're not always worrying / talking about America. Maybe when an American is in the conversation, sure... And the only people who are afraid to be patriotic are the Germans. We sure as hell don't shy away from some patriotism:
I find there is a difference between patriotism in europe (and Canada, where I'm from), and America (where I currently live, and where the author is from). When you go to the average Canadian suburb, and I feel like this holds true for many European countries as well, there are few overt signs of nationalism: no flags, no "God Save the Queen". In America, however, there is almost a competition for who can be the most patriotic, no matter what the person actually thinks of their country. There are american flags everywhere, Eagles and stars and strips on the back of trucks, "God Bless America" on every tanker truck. It's not enough to be patriotic, you have to prove to everyone how patriotic you are, every day. Sure, Canada Day is rowdy and nationalistic, so is Konigsdag, so is Bastille Day, but it's one or two days a year where there is an overt nationalism in the same way that America is every day. I think that's what the author is referring to when he refers to patriotism.
I mostly thought this part was bullshit: (yeah that's an image because for some reason I can't copy the text) No, most European countries don't shy away from patriotism because it reminds us of the Nazis. It's a more sensitive subject in Germany, for sure, but he makes it sound like there's 'MERICA PETRIOT HELL YEAH YALL or no patriotism at all. Some nuance is needed. The same goes for the identity. As much as Europe might want to be an identity, no population calls themselves European above all.