Just in my own experience [1] this is not a U.S vs the rest of the world thing: It's literally Silicon Valley vs the rest of the world. I've seen a lot of "steady niceness" outside of the Valley.

[1] I've lived in London, and on both coasts of the U.S, each for several years. YMMV of course.

... or perhaps the advantage is in the ability of people to communicate.

I've lived in a few countries and the significant difference between them is how well people communicates (i.e.: to write, to talk, to imagine and put that imagination in writing).

US is on top in terms of magnifying something that might be otherwise boring/regular story to a fairy tale.

I don't know Jessica or her company that well but I've read many articles that glorify something that may not be true. To put things into perspective: Jessica Mah is bigger than her company or her product. She is the product. I saw many of her coverages focusing mostly on her life story.

On the other hand, low energy dull people might finish longer (in life) than most of these short-burst high energy people. Have you thought about that? Most people only see what happen now (aren't we all anyway? the current instant generation). Not too many people care/think/analyze those long-term stretch.

Not the energy level but US has great advantage at giving second chances. The press who put out these glory pieces will not think twice about writing flame articles if the company/person is down and out.

However, there are many businesses, VCs and co-founders who are willing to respect and hire you for the experience of trying and failing.

Not so in most countries I have experience in.

Her being the sole brilliant young face of the company is a brilliant PR move. She shouldn't feel bad about that, it benefits her co-founders more this way.