The Rise of the Dragon

When I was living in Taiwan I heard countless times two very different, yet eerily tied, statements about modern society:

“我們生在這個年代是幸福的”

and

“世界很亂”

The first basically means that “modern life is better than life the past.” The second means that “the world is a mess!”

Why is life better now than in the past? Well if you ask the average Chinese citizen their answers would most definitely include cell phones, the internet, technology, pop culture, Hollywood, fashion and money.” If you were to ask the average Chinese person why the world is a mess they would most likely say the worlds obsession with all of the things listed above has led to a screwed-up sense of morality.

Where do you think all the things listed above came from? No need to guess, I will tell you, the United States. The whole point of this article is that much of what has made the world better has come from the US. In the US there is a freedom of time and beliefs and a focus on innovation and development that has led to the creation of great things. BUT, at the same time a lot of the “mess” has been created as an side-effect of these same developments.

China has done a great job of developing and taking what other countries have done well and making it their own. But I would say, beware when playing follow the leader.

As an ending note:  Every time I am asked if I watch the “OC” or “Laguna Beach” when I am in China I want to say (other than puke)  AMERICA HAS MORE TO OFFER THAN ORANGE COUNTY HOLLYWOOD CRAP!