Why China Will Never Rule the World, a new book

[finley]

Ed: Since the subject of "death vans" seems to be a recurring theme, I thought you might be interested in this:

http://www.weeklystandard.com/articles/ ... ?nopager=1

Articles written by thinktanks should usually be taken with a pinch of salt, especially when they mention "anonymous sources". Even so, I doubt it's a complete fabrication.

[headhonchoII]

I saw the death vans a few weeks back. Actually they are just your typical crowd control vehicles but they are not a comfortable sight. Having been there recently I can't think of many more creepy or dull places to visit than Tiananmen square. What an overrated place.

I actually believe the story posted about executions and preparing inmates for transplantation prior to execution. The Chinese state is a dangerous animal and none more so than to it's own citizens. This is what makes books like Ed's important.

[bismarck]

The Chinese state is a dangerous animal and none more so than to it's own citizens. This is what makes books like Ed's important.

+1

Just a pity the rabid Sinophiles don't see things the same way.

[GuyInTaiwan]

The Chinese state is a dangerous animal and none more so than to it's own citizens. This is what makes books like Ed's important.

+1

Just a pity the rabid Sinophiles don't see things the same way.

Lung cancer, despite never having smoked a single cigarette in their lives, at the age of 42 will be justice enough for the Sinophiles. I might complain about Taiwan a lot, but it's actually not too bad. Wild horses couldn't drag me to live in China if only for the worry that I'd buy a snack at a night market and wake up the next day with an ear growing out of my foot.

[Ed Lakewood]

How dare you say anything bad about death vans!?



Yes, the pollution in China is frightening, and it's incredible that Beijingers have to rely on readings from the US embassy for veracity, but the pollution in Taiwan isn't great, either. I like the argument that China's pollution is reversable or that it's like the pollution that occured during the Industrial Revolution or during, say, the '60s and '70s in America. That seems to be a hallmark denial argument. When there's an overwhelming problem facing Chinese society, draw up a comparison with a trend or phenonenon that happens or happened in the West. Then add a guarantee it's just a phase. China will change. It can do it, yes it can. I know. I live here. I've seen the spirit of the people. Yada, yada, yada.

Here's a clip about pollution I recorded for YouTube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QyrIY4W3oJM

And here's a link to my blog. http://www.troyparfitt.com/blog

Not much new with the book. Things are winding down.

Ed

[bismarck]

Not much new with the book. Things are winding down.

Hmmmm. Time to create some controversy then?

[Baas Babelaas]

Hmmmm. Time to create some controversy then?

Bo Xi Lai.

Chen Guangcheng.

There's enough to keep you busy for a while..

[Ed Lakewood]

That's true. No shortage of news pegs from which to pen op-ed pieces. Ai Weiwei is another one. I rather admire him.

My book was mentioned and I was quoted in this article by China Daily, Europe Edition.

I also had a related article run in the Daily Maverick. http://www2.dailymaverick.co.za/opinion ... sitivities

I'm happy someone ran it because it's a little unconventional.

Ed

[Ed Lakewood]

There's been a development re Why China Will Never Rule the World. The book got noticed at the London Book Fair by a distibuting and marketing company from the UK. They are in the process of obtaining the rights to promote and sell the book outside of North America. They want to push it into bookstores and believe it has a chance of catching on. So far, sales have been steady but rather low. The obtaining coompany deals with the UK and other English speaking regions, worldwide, in effect. That means there's a chance you could see the book in CAVES or Eslite, though it could take some time. In any event, it's a very positive development. The co. handles the marketing and representation - taking that out of my hands. (It's a scary thing to write a book and then realize that you are its marketing machine.) Hopefully, something good will come out of the deal.

There's your update.

Never dip your binglang in your Whisbey.

Ed

[finley]

Well done, old chap. Best of luck with the new distributor - really sounds like a result.

Never dip your binglang in your Whisbey.

Why not? Does it cause a rift in the space-time continuum?