“Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.”
Pablo Picasso

Today is an odd collection of bits of information crossing my path this week. May not completely agree with every viewpoint of the authors, but did create deeper understanding of the subjects.

“Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.”
Pablo Picasso

There are questions which run through my mind without satisfactory answers. One is - what is the benefit for the leaders of Taiwan to initiate a conflict with China? Taiwan is an island and does not share any land borders to cross for people to escape a war zone. Taiwanese Expats living in most other countries would be able to avoid direct consequences, but relatives and friends on the island would be in physical danger. Economic consequences would be severe.

“Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.”
Pablo Picasso

Morning folks. Thought I would spend a little more time focusing on using ships to keep tensions high between nations. First a little background.

The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, (UNCLOS) (Wikipedia)

UNCLOS replaces the older 'freedom of the seas' concept, dating from the 17th century. According to this concept, national rights were limited to a specified belt of water extending from a nation's coastlines, usually 3 nautical miles (5.6 km; 3.5 mi) (three-mile limit), according to the 'cannon shot' rule developed by the Dutch jurist Cornelius van Bynkershoek.[4] All waters beyond national boundaries were considered international waters: free to all nations, but belonging to none of them (the mare liberum principle promulgated by Hugo Grotius).[5]

In the early 20th century, some nations expressed their desire to extend national claims: to include mineral resources, to protect fish stocks, and to provide the means to enforce pollution controls.

“Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.”
Pablo Picasso

Not sure if proper to laugh or cry.

Instructions on How to Be a Rebel by wikiHow.

“Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.”
Pablo Picasso

Reading biographies is one of my methods for getting a feel of a culture or time period. It helps create a deeper understanding of historical events and common cultural assumptions. In 2002 in the Beijing hotel gift shop bought The Life of Mencius by Qu Chunli written in a historical novel format. The book changed the way I perceived China. Followed up later by reading the author's book The Life of Confucius.

The American idea of China's need to "save face" to avoid conflict and maintain honor had always been presented as a weakness. The two books presented the idea, by treating an opponent with honor and respect future cooperation is possible and conflicts might be resolved peacefully. Saving face was a diplomatic tool to avoid hardening a position leading to a violent conflict. It appears China may no longer be concerning itself with the honor of United States elite.

Wang Wenbin - spokesperson of Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2:18 min)
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1mFZc6zBsU]

Transcript

“Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.”
Pablo Picasso

The data centers run 24 hours a day, humming along with power from Bonneville Dam. The systems are kept cool using outdoor air on cold days and nights, when insufficient there is water.

People and communities need to communicate with each other. Large data centers assist in the broad goals of efficiency and monitoring.

“Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.”
Pablo Picasso

As we watch avenues for social commentary and protest opportunities become more restricted are there other possibilities if these disappear. Fiction has been used successfully in the past, often the stories end up as traditional childhood tales. Not sure if an attempt to teach future generations or to trivialize the message.

Last week we looked at The Wizard of Oz as an allegory for the financial system. Mother Goose rhymes became popular in the 17th century as alternative commentary for English government and Royalty. The 1800's was Charles Dickens writings on plight of the poor. The tipping point was in 1843 the publication of The Christmas Carol.

Watching so many variation in film has made it part of the invisible background of our culture. It become simply another version of be nice at Christmas. Never actually read the original. After watching this Townsends video on the changes in English and American society after its publication it is one the reading list. Along with American Notes for General Circulation by Dickens. The book was a little too critical of America and sales of his books plummeted after its publication.

“Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.”
Pablo Picasso

Life sometimes feels as if one is living in a fairy tale or other work of fiction. Maybe because some of our favorite stories growing up were actually more complex than simply skipping down the yellow brick road.

“Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.”
Pablo Picasso

In the midst of the potential dramatic changes in the worlds financial order decided to revisit a three part series on the history of China's interaction with the world since Europeans taking to the oceans for conquest. The saga covers ups and downs of 2 dynasties and modern Chinese governments.