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naraburns  nihil supernum  2yr ago (text post)   34841 thread views

Culture War Roundup for the week of February 20, 2023

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This would fail spectacularly and I can't imagine the CCP big shots ever being high enough on their own supply to attempt it. "force people at gunpoint to have kids" is such an obviously bad idea that there is a reason it has not been tried already.

Yea. See how the Party quickly backtracked over COVID lockdowns in the face of very mild protests and disturbances.

Maybe China is really the country where the government fears the people? (insert your favorite Guy Fawkes meme)

It would be wise attitude - one brief look at Chinese history demolishes all racist canards about "oriental slavish nature". How many peasant revolts in Europe came ever close to succeeding?

It would be wise attitude - one brief look at Chinese history demolishes all racist canards about "oriental slavish nature". How many peasant revolts in Europe came ever close to succeeding?

As an outsider currently in East Asia, it seems like EA cultures operate efficiently when the underclass are happy with the people ruling them. The structure of society is extremely hierarchical, I think the "slavish nature" you refer to basically reveals itself in the underclass's willingness to appease the powers above. East Asians also seem less inclined to desire power compared with other populations but rather seek status instead of power. It's extremely degrading for anyone to serve a master they despise which is why Chinese history is full of revolutions: these are the times when the underclass felt so degraded by the rulers that they overthrew them.

Conversely in the west, our entire culture is built around the message that we're all equal and that we all have an equal say in democracy and so on. East Asian culture doesn't seem to care about everyone having the illusion of equality, in fact they're fine with their place in society as long as the rulers are competent and protective and provide comforts and necessities, whereas the (post-?) Christian egalitarian west hates to imagine that we have any rulers other than ourselves.

Conversely in the west, our entire culture is built around the message that we're all equal and that we all have an equal say in democracy and so on.

This whole thread is about deep, millenia long history or different civilizations, not skin deep modern fashions century old at best.

And Chinese culture was always based on principle of meritocracy and unlimited opportunity. Every Chinese boy knew he could have great career if he studies and works hard, and could even become a emperor if he finds few friends to help him. Predictably, revolts and revolutions were neverending.

While European culture was for millenia based on principle of feudal hierarchy, divine right and noble blood. If you were born a peasant, you are going to be a peasant, as God ordered. To rebel against your betters was to rebel against God himself. Predictably, peasant revolts were rare and ended very badly.

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