1. As China continues its rise as a world power and global influencer, (1) what are your greatest hopes for how China can be a positive influence (culturally, materially, ethically, spiritually, scientifically, etc.? and (2) what are your greatest fears or concerns for how China’s influence in the same respects could be negative or detrimental?
2. How can America (both parties) get past their demonization of China, and view it more as a partner and friendly rival, rather than as a challenger and enemy?
3. Spiritually, how do you see China developing over time: will traditional Confucian (and other indigenous) thought exert a stronger influence? Materialistic philosophies such as socialism, communism and capitalism? How about the role of Christianity in China in the future?
1. Have you ever written a blog or similar publication in Chinese? How did you come to see your primary interest as being writing in English rather than in Chinese?
2. A bit of a devil’s advocate question: Why when I read Chinese talking about “westernisation” or “western incidences” do they focus on issues such as democracy, human rights and the spread of Christianity but I rarely if ever see them consider Marxist Leninism as a Western influence?
I always suspected you were a cat, but who knew it takes two cats.
Best wishes for many more years, my only advise is to focus on what you like. The remember even if you write on what interest you, you'll still likely to suffer burnout / writers block, if less frequently. So, two cats, well that's a genius move as both of you getting stuck at the same time is unlikely. Yeah, teamwork is a good thing.
"I almost never block or cancel views that are diabolically opposed to mine,"
Robert, you must fix this. Diametrically opposed means "exactly opposite." A diameter is a line that goes from one side of a circle to the other so if two things are diametrically opposed, they are exactly opposite each other. On the other hand, diabolically opposed means opposed in an evil, hateful manner.
What do you think China's role in the world should be? How do you think different types of people in China would answer that question? For example, would a farmer, a businessman, a student, and a governent officially have meaningfully different ideas about how China should relate to the rest of the world?
I'm specifically thinking of this in the context of America's increasingly overextended hegemony, and the way that, for so many of us, the idea of America being number one is deeply embedded in our sense of self. Even Americans who are opposed to interventionism still tend to implicitly believe that whatever America wants it should get, they just think we should put our focus on internal problems (which would, of course, have to be solved using America's central position in the world economic system, itself a product of hegemony).
There will eventually come a time when America is no longer the "essential nation," and China stands as the most obvious successor. But I don't think China would play that role the way America has. I don't know that the Chinese, on the whole, really even want that kind of thing. It seems that maybe people in different classes would have different views. I'd be curious to hear what you think.
Everything I read from younger Chinese substackers tells me that young Chinese (and younger Asians) are discovering their “voice.” As China has become less open in recent years, it has alienated a generation whose outlook on life has been moving in the opposite direction, rejecting the stilted government with its one-way dissemination approach, and discovering that unrestricted open dialogue as the only way to engage in authentic intercultural communication. The grand vision of China and the US working together towards a better world for all, is contingent on this. You have pointed out Robert that the Chinese leadership is failing to communicate effectively with the market because many of its older incumbents don’t understand how it should be done.
Thank you Robert, I appreciate the points you make about different lived experiences and how they contribute to political world views of Chinese and non-Chinese people. There are many historically based perceptions on ‘both sides’ which need to be foregrounded for inspection and revision. That is why I love your mission of explication and engagement in this interesting time of greater intercultural communication than in the past.
Congratulations on a successful first year on Substack, here's to many more in future!
Here's an interesting question: What do you see China as being like in 50 or even 100 years in terms of the relation between the state and private economy? In particular, as an entrepreneur yourself, do you ever worry that China might swing back around to being more hostile to entrepreneurs in the long-term?
* What makes you give a "Like" to a comment or NOT give it?
Rest assured that we're aware of your busy schedule, and we do have understanding if that is a factor.
In any case, the distribution of your 'Likes' often leaves me puzzled, as it appears somewhat random.
* Do you daydream of significantly contributing to the improvement of China's foreign policy?
* How do you look at the possibility of your becoming a member in a political party, if you aren't already? Is there any party that strikes you as somewhat attractive?
Some ideas:
1. As China continues its rise as a world power and global influencer, (1) what are your greatest hopes for how China can be a positive influence (culturally, materially, ethically, spiritually, scientifically, etc.? and (2) what are your greatest fears or concerns for how China’s influence in the same respects could be negative or detrimental?
2. How can America (both parties) get past their demonization of China, and view it more as a partner and friendly rival, rather than as a challenger and enemy?
3. Spiritually, how do you see China developing over time: will traditional Confucian (and other indigenous) thought exert a stronger influence? Materialistic philosophies such as socialism, communism and capitalism? How about the role of Christianity in China in the future?
1. Have you ever written a blog or similar publication in Chinese? How did you come to see your primary interest as being writing in English rather than in Chinese?
2. A bit of a devil’s advocate question: Why when I read Chinese talking about “westernisation” or “western incidences” do they focus on issues such as democracy, human rights and the spread of Christianity but I rarely if ever see them consider Marxist Leninism as a Western influence?
I always suspected you were a cat, but who knew it takes two cats.
Best wishes for many more years, my only advise is to focus on what you like. The remember even if you write on what interest you, you'll still likely to suffer burnout / writers block, if less frequently. So, two cats, well that's a genius move as both of you getting stuck at the same time is unlikely. Yeah, teamwork is a good thing.
LOL
Those cats do look very fierce!
"I almost never block or cancel views that are diabolically opposed to mine,"
Robert, you must fix this. Diametrically opposed means "exactly opposite." A diameter is a line that goes from one side of a circle to the other so if two things are diametrically opposed, they are exactly opposite each other. On the other hand, diabolically opposed means opposed in an evil, hateful manner.
fixed and thanks! I always get confused with these two :(
Try this: Noah is diabolically opposed, but he can't be diametrically opposed, except for a few moments of shear luck as he's all over the place.
What do you think China's role in the world should be? How do you think different types of people in China would answer that question? For example, would a farmer, a businessman, a student, and a governent officially have meaningfully different ideas about how China should relate to the rest of the world?
I'm specifically thinking of this in the context of America's increasingly overextended hegemony, and the way that, for so many of us, the idea of America being number one is deeply embedded in our sense of self. Even Americans who are opposed to interventionism still tend to implicitly believe that whatever America wants it should get, they just think we should put our focus on internal problems (which would, of course, have to be solved using America's central position in the world economic system, itself a product of hegemony).
There will eventually come a time when America is no longer the "essential nation," and China stands as the most obvious successor. But I don't think China would play that role the way America has. I don't know that the Chinese, on the whole, really even want that kind of thing. It seems that maybe people in different classes would have different views. I'd be curious to hear what you think.
1. What are concessions you believe China AND the US should make for each other in order to foster a more cooperative relationship?
2. What are your views on nationalism?
3. What are the most important issues China and the US should cooperate on?
Everything I read from younger Chinese substackers tells me that young Chinese (and younger Asians) are discovering their “voice.” As China has become less open in recent years, it has alienated a generation whose outlook on life has been moving in the opposite direction, rejecting the stilted government with its one-way dissemination approach, and discovering that unrestricted open dialogue as the only way to engage in authentic intercultural communication. The grand vision of China and the US working together towards a better world for all, is contingent on this. You have pointed out Robert that the Chinese leadership is failing to communicate effectively with the market because many of its older incumbents don’t understand how it should be done.
Thank you Robert, I appreciate the points you make about different lived experiences and how they contribute to political world views of Chinese and non-Chinese people. There are many historically based perceptions on ‘both sides’ which need to be foregrounded for inspection and revision. That is why I love your mission of explication and engagement in this interesting time of greater intercultural communication than in the past.
Who is your favorite Marxist revolutionary?
How would you describe your company's organizational culture to professional managers in the USA?
And how would you describe it to professional managers in China?
Congratulations on a successful first year on Substack, here's to many more in future!
Here's an interesting question: What do you see China as being like in 50 or even 100 years in terms of the relation between the state and private economy? In particular, as an entrepreneur yourself, do you ever worry that China might swing back around to being more hostile to entrepreneurs in the long-term?
Do you use VPN to write and publish behind a firewall?
* What makes you give a "Like" to a comment or NOT give it?
Rest assured that we're aware of your busy schedule, and we do have understanding if that is a factor.
In any case, the distribution of your 'Likes' often leaves me puzzled, as it appears somewhat random.
* Do you daydream of significantly contributing to the improvement of China's foreign policy?
* How do you look at the possibility of your becoming a member in a political party, if you aren't already? Is there any party that strikes you as somewhat attractive?
Shout out to the haters ✌️ (of which I am not one, obviously)