Open Thread Friday 5-1-2020

A Look at China Part Two

"What essences of "cultivation" can we absorb from traditional Chinese culture?"
Professor Lou Yulie, Peking University replied
Studying Confucianism, he learned the courage to do things,
Studying Buddhism, he learned to let it go
Studying Daoism, he learned he learned how to view the world.

My mind is refusing to compose words into thoughts today. I am simply going to direct you to a series of documentaries that changed how I looked at China and resource material. New Frontier Chinese Civilization
uses archeology and Chinese professors to explore different aspect of Chinese development. 20 programs between 25 and 27 minutes, no sensationalism.

A Look at China Part One

________

Open thread all discussions are welcome.

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Lookout's picture

Seems we're stirring up trouble in the S. China Sea.

Chinese military is monitoring a U.S. warship, which entered Chinese territorial waters off the Xisha Islands in the South China Sea without permission, and has warned it to leave, a spokesman said on Tuesday.

On Tuesday, a U.S. warship entered the territorial waters off the Xisha Islands in the South China Sea without China's permission. The Southern Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army deployed air and navy forces to monitor and verify the ship, and warned it to leave, according to Senior Colonel Li Huamin, a spokesperson of the command.

The U.S. move has severely violated the relevant international law and was a serious infringement of China's sovereignty, said Li.

China urges the U.S. to pay more attentions on the domestic COVID-19 prevention and control work and stop military operations that are not conducive to regional security and peace and stability, he added.

https://news.cgtn.com/news/2020-04-28/Chinese-military-warns-U-S-warship...

Why?

The U.S. Energy Information Agency estimates that the South China Sea holds about 190 trillion cubic feet of natural gas and 11 billion barrels of oil in proved and probable reserves, most of which lie along the margins of the South China Sea rather than under disputed islets and reefs. The U.S. Geological Survey in 2012 estimated that there could be another 160 trillion cubic feet of natural gas and 12 billion barrels of oil undiscovered in the South China Sea.

https://amti.csis.org/south-china-sea-energy-exploration-and-development/

When will we ever learn?
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bI3QVsW30j0]

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“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”

studentofearth's picture

@Lookout police actions or war.

Why does the United States want disruption in the Uyghur area of China? Oil and Gas. Must control supply to keep price propped up for Petrodollar.

from 2017

A new oil deposit holding more than a billion tons of crude has been found in China, reports the official Xinhua News agency. The discovery was made by the Chinese National Petroleum Corp (CNPC) in the Juggar Basin in the Xinjiang region.

from 2019

The Tarim oilfield branch of PetroChina, China's largest oil and gas producer, announced Thursday the discovery a huge gas field with an estimated reserve of 115.3 billion cubic meters in Xinjiang's Tarim Basin, northwest China

Good health for you and your tractor.

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Still yourself, deep water can absorb many disturbances with minimal reaction.
--When the opening appears release yourself.

Pluto's Republic's picture

 

 

The political compass of acceptable discourse, according to #BlueMAGA

Saw it at 'Way of the Bern' at Reddit: A persistently sharp and sensitive forum.

https://www.reddit.com/r/WayOfTheBern/comments/gb3s1s/the_political_comp...

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____________________

The political system is what it is because the People are who they are. — Plato
lotlizard's picture

@Pluto's Republic  
Stalwarts there whose comments are almost always on point and who contribute much to a high quality of discussion despite repeated outside efforts to troll or gaslight forum participants:
cloudy_skies547, articulate and unflappable even in the face of provocations; and moderators martini-meow and FThumb.

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Pluto's Republic's picture

...of documentaries. They are so beautifully made.

As a lifelong sinophile, the astonishing history of China comes to life for me in a way it hasn't before. So I am hooked. The Chinese are naturally communal and so exceedingly intelligent. The oldest continuous civilization on earth, China's technology and science ran about 1500 years ahead of Europe, for Millenia. But China periodically closed their doors on the rest of the world for centuries at a time, finding the outside world too harsh and barbaric . So, they evolved largely in isolation. China built a vast navy while the rest of the world was struggling with canoes. But they threw their navy away because they had no desire to mingle with outsiders. They never developed an interest in adventurism and conquering foreign lands. Everything they wanted was already in their home lands, which they referred to as the Middle Kingdom.

I find it alarming how much hostility the West has toward China, projecting their own savagery and ulterior motives of destruction and theft onto the Chinese. Americans consistently denigrate and insult the Chinese people, their ancient living culture, and their governing choices. The West sees China as something sinister that must be overthrown, conquered, and punished. I hope the Chinese find a way to close their doors on the world again — after they build a modern infrastructure that might provide some enlightenment to the hostile outsiders. With an infrastructure for trading and travel for all, perhaps the West will develop more communal lives, which could civilize them and tame their violent greed.

I had assumed that the Chinese would solve the hot earth problem, but I've notice they have expanded their space program with a focus on building a moon base, from which they can launch themselves off the planet.

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____________________

The political system is what it is because the People are who they are. — Plato
studentofearth's picture

@Pluto's Republic and experience the various viewpoints of different civilizations. Much better than hopping from one Hilton or Marriott around the world and enjoying sunbathing by the pool.

Appreciate your insights into China. My path has been self directed and I am never sure how far I am off the regular road.

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Still yourself, deep water can absorb many disturbances with minimal reaction.
--When the opening appears release yourself.

friends wishing be a "Happy Birthday". So far, songs by The Beatles and Elvis Presley.
I got a call from my hottie guy last night, and at the stroke of midnight, he sang "Happy Birthday" to me, then proceeded to make delightful suggestions as to various ways to properly celebrate the occasion.
For just this one day, I am going to let world hunger, world war, and the world's ecological destruction leave my conscious thought, and I will focus instead on how to appreciate that I have not only avoided that coffin, but have done it with friends, and much love.
Anyone on this site has a better idea about how to solve world problems and achieve world peace than TPTB. If I mattered, you would be in charge.

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"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981

Raggedy Ann's picture

@on the cusp !
Have a beautiful day! Drinks

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"The “jumpers” reminded us that one day we will all face only one choice and that is how we will die, not how we will live." Chris Hedges on 9/11

@Raggedy Ann You have become the Wise Philosopher, and am letting my freak fly!
ALL GOOD.

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"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981

Raggedy Ann's picture

@on the cusp
for the shift! Rise up to the new consciousness! I don’t want my buddies left behind!

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"The “jumpers” reminded us that one day we will all face only one choice and that is how we will die, not how we will live." Chris Hedges on 9/11

CB's picture

@on the cusp
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfy18ynhWNU]

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@CB So far, I have a very positive impression about being 1,000 years old in dog years!
Cool friends, cool music, cold beer!
My weird limpy and numb hand is slowly returning to normal,and has become the focus of speculation. Did Sissie do something particularly athletic that she chooses not to reveal? I have the county judge to thank for that.
He has already texted me this morning to try to get a confession out of me!
I hope to get through my list of calls and emails, close up shop, spend the day being a goofball.

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"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981

enhydra lutris's picture

@on the cusp

Birfday

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That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --

@enhydra lutris Frakin' Birthday is the way to go!

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"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981

studentofearth's picture

@on the cusp Taking time to notice and celebrate the love and people in your life is a worthwhile adventure.

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Still yourself, deep water can absorb many disturbances with minimal reaction.
--When the opening appears release yourself.

@studentofearth When I went to China, my group consisted of people from the US, Scotland, Canada, Chile,
and England.
Years later, a few of us still keep in touch.
A fascinating country with an incredible history.
Thanks for all your information about it.
Meanwhile, my phone is still blowing up with texts and calls.
Life wouldn't be worthwhile without these friends and loved ones.

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"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981

Raggedy Ann's picture

The Chinese are a remarkable people. I have long admired them. Imagine, they lived under Mao and survived. It should be a lesson for us under Herr Drumpf. At one time or another, we all have to survive under the rule of despots (which I consider Herr Drumpf to be and has surrounded himself with many of the despots - those lovely oligarchs - crushing us in America). It's our turn!

A Richard Wolfe interview on Status Coup well worth watching. Wolfe's portion runs from time stamp 34:40 - 1:10:58. I actually listened to it twice!

During this time at home, questions to ponder in order to get in tune with, and take seriously, the lessons being transmitted - remember that not one of us is untouched by this experience which will bring forth the opportunity for rebirth and a transformation, not only in ourselves, but in our world. What do you need? Have you been wasteful? What can you allow to dissolve? What can you let go of? What have you overdone? What have we been overdoing? Overeating? Over-dramatizing? Where have we been over-confident and not looking out for the collective?

Be prepared to do your due diligence as to what is true. If you believe something, you don't necessarily KNOW it, so it's important to do what you have to do to really KNOW for sure. It will be easy to be gaslit (new word), so make sure you have good data and that you are basing your actions on good data. The more you can be flexible in your physical body, in your mind, the more you can allow for different perspectives and the easier time you will have during this shift.

Live in the present moment and live in love.

Have a lovely Friday, dear ones! Pleasantry

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"The “jumpers” reminded us that one day we will all face only one choice and that is how we will die, not how we will live." Chris Hedges on 9/11

studentofearth's picture

@Raggedy Ann will try and watch this evening.

I hope our turn is not as difficult and disruptive as the ones the Chinese faced through during the times from the Opium Wars and Mao's leadership.

Have a good week.

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Still yourself, deep water can absorb many disturbances with minimal reaction.
--When the opening appears release yourself.

mimi's picture

to have found her kicking and fighting.
[video:https://youtu.be/4YNbn59IZn4]
I don't understand why it took so many days to find this through you tube. She can not remain silent she said and that is what I really hope she will never do.

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@mimi
Anyone who endorses Biden is dead to me.

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I've seen lots of changes. What doesn't change is people. Same old hairless apes.

mimi's picture

@The Voice In the Wilderness
and lots of other confused minds. Nobody is dead to me, when they are still alive. Wink

As long as I don"t know for sure why she and Sanders had no independent backbones against the DNC and Democratic Party elites, I just watch and wait and hope one day I will know and understand. There are too many criminal crooks and gangsters among the politicians and media and deep state folks, to not imagine how they crushed both their bones and minds. Cruelly and loving it. Trumpelstiltzken style.

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@mimi
a clearly unacceptable candidate with a nasty track record. Applies to both HRC and Biden.

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I've seen lots of changes. What doesn't change is people. Same old hairless apes.

mimi's picture

@The Voice In the Wilderness
what is there you can trust to be truthful?
[video:https://youtu.be/JUm8VRa1IhQ]
Sigh, no fun at all.

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studentofearth's picture

@mimi function. A number of videos from different authors do not show-up up unless the exact name is used in the search. Also notice significant variations between computers the search originates.

Thanks for sharing.

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5 users have voted.

Still yourself, deep water can absorb many disturbances with minimal reaction.
--When the opening appears release yourself.

Wing-tsit Chan was famous for various translations of Chinese texts into English. He started his lecture by saying that the Chinese drank on average more than Americans. No way man. USA! USA!

He said that by drinking in moderation, the Chinese effectively drank more than Americans. Made sense as Americans are definitely binge drinkers. It was his way introducing how Conficius was still very much an influcence in communist China.

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studentofearth's picture

@MrWebster life can be found at this link.

Wing-tsit Chan, for all of those who were privileged to work with him, and especially for those of us who recognize ourselves as direct disciples, was not only the consummate scholar, teacher, mentor, and friend, but, in addition, a living exemplar of the Chinese philosophical tradition.

What a fortunate experience. Thank you for sharing, I now have him on my reading list. (Archive.org)

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4 users have voted.

Still yourself, deep water can absorb many disturbances with minimal reaction.
--When the opening appears release yourself.

enhydra lutris's picture

I hope to create time to get to it.

be well and have a good one.

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That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --

studentofearth's picture

@enhydra lutris Weather was beautiful. Spent more time outside than planned. Have to enjoy spring as it happens.

Have a good weekend.

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3 users have voted.

Still yourself, deep water can absorb many disturbances with minimal reaction.
--When the opening appears release yourself.

magiamma's picture

Thanks for the ot and the vids. Will watch on my breaks.

Wanted to post this covid link again as I thought it has some good information in it.

https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/04/how-does-coronavirus-kill-clinic...

Happy Birthday OTC and many more !!! Lol

Take good care everyone and have a good one

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Stop Climate Change Silence - Start the Conversation

Hot Air Website, Twitter, Facebook

@magiamma nowadays. Lol!
Hope you and yours are well.

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"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981

studentofearth's picture

@magiamma missed it the first time. Very good article.

“Taking a systems approach may be beneficial as we start thinking about therapies,” says Nilam Mangalmurti, a pulmonary intensivist at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP).

Did watch the World of Human from yesterday's Open Thread. It seems we are back to the basics of reducing need for energy. Improve energy efficiency, looking a life cycle of a product (including raw material) and changes in daily habits. Been enjoying the cleaner skies and less noise from the road and air traffic.

up
2 users have voted.

Still yourself, deep water can absorb many disturbances with minimal reaction.
--When the opening appears release yourself.

CB's picture

dysfunction worsened outcome of COVID19 response in the US.

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cI2hjyutcs]

Domestic tourism is now on the rise as China relaxes restrictions on free movement. They are developing a national color coded system on cell phones that only quarantines those that have been in regions where there are coronavirus outbreaks and possible infection. China has also got a head-start on restarting the economy which should be good for other countries. China is an extremely important factor in the supply line. (and more...)

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiC6JKrSwLQ]

29:42 Jeffrey Sachs
29:43 a professor of economics and director of
29:45 the Center for sustainable development
29:47 from Columbia University he said he's
29:50 unsatisfied with the u.s.
29:51 administration's response to the
29:53 pandemic
29:54 because it didn't act quickly enough and
29:57 then shift the blame on other countries
30:00 and even international organizations he
30:03 also called for stepping up global
30:05 efforts to contain the coronavirus take
30:08 a listen
30:10 of course what Trump is trying to do is
30:14 to shift the blame for the United States
30:18 failure to control the epidemic to
30:22 Wuhan or to China or to anyone that he
30:26 can do so because he does not think
30:31 properly he does not think honestly he
30:35 is just desperately trying to shift
30:39 responsibility for the terrible epidemic
30:42 that is raging in the United States out
30:44 of control

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studentofearth's picture

@CB current videos from China's press. Enjoyed the segment with Yao Yang Professor National School of Development Peking University (11 min to 23 min) in the second video.

up
3 users have voted.

Still yourself, deep water can absorb many disturbances with minimal reaction.
--When the opening appears release yourself.