When I left Scotland as a teenager, I truly believed I was leaving behind one of the world's parochial backwaters, a place devoid of innovation with a serious excitement deficit. In other words, I was an utter numpty.
After years of evidence, I've been able to strip away the faded band posters adorning the boredom of a Coatbridge youth to reveal the foundations of our position in an international progressive movement.
Throughout my time living in the US, I spent countless conversations with flatmates, partners and bus stop randoms, arguing the case for free and universal healthcare, free university tuition, free childcare, the absurdity of nuclear weapons, [enter policy on the Scottish left's agenda ad infinitum].
I have no apologies for coming across like a raging lunatic in these debates (I mean, even 'socialist' is still a word worthy of a witch-hunt over there), but the reality of what I was tapping into was my implicit expectation for society to place human value above excessive capital profit.
My dear and nears in the US are not the confederate flag-waving, funeral-protesting, gun-toting caricatures that plague our media coverage of the US.
They're the folks that volunteer endless shifts at homeless shelters and protest at Black Lives Matter rallies. This is not about good and bad people, but about culture, and if my anthropology degree has allowed me to say anything with authority, it's that that shit runs deep.
Here in Scotland, the left have developed a political culture that values people. And it continues to win.
But now, the game's changed. The left across Europe is hoovering up dedicated followers who are sick of struggle and seek radical alternatives.
Syriza and Podemos are but the recent media darlings (or desperados depending on who's reporting) of many agitations across the continent and indeed the world, demanding big change.
And Scotland's activists, whether we believe it or not, form another key part in that international call.
No one fawned over the SNP's massive increase in female MP candidates this week because we've raised the bar in our political expectations in Scotland and nothing less than full gender equality deserves praise.
Voter registration at an all-time high, massive amounts of new party membership, the reinvigoration of the public meeting blah blah democracy blah. We are one of the vital organs pumping the lifeblood of change into Europe.
This sticks in the throats of many of us because, whether you call it a cringe/swagger or something else, Scottish culture dictates that we shouldn't get above our station.
Who, us? Progressive and forward-thinking and innovative? You must be having a laugh! We're a bit shite, naw?
Naw. Look at what we expect of our society, and then watch as those without free prescriptions and university tuition contort their faces in disbelief. Look at the innovative and DIY campaign projects popping up and flourishing around the country.
We're part of this international revamp, and we'd bloody well better stay there.
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