I tried not to get too involved in any politics in general, but it looks like it is inevitable given that an article on a technology blog can grow into a heated political discussion.
I was a friend's place last Friday when I picked up a book 請用文明來說服我 which is a collection of essays by 龍應台. The essays were all based on discussions about Taiwan, China and democracy, started by an open letter published by the author directed to the leader of PRC, after the magazine 冰點 was temporarily suspended by the government. The author also published some articles which were both criticized by people in Taiwan and people in Mainland China. Those who favored Taiwan independence accused her of not considering feelings of native Taiwanese, while those in Mainland China considered her as a supported of the independence movement.
This inspired me to consider my position on this issue. Personally I oppose Taiwan independence, but I respect Taiwanese people's right on this. What is considered a nation anyways? The concept of border blurs day by day with the globalization and flattening of the world. Just take continental Europe as an example, people can travel freely and live or work anywhere. Same with the race. Cross racial marriage is more and more common, and I believe after a couple generations a lot of people will forget where their "ancestors" are originally from. This is common among the second or third generations of immigrants in US. As for language and history, it is clear that people from both regions share the same traditions and culture. So what exactly is standing in the way between Taiwan and Mainland China? I think one of the article in the book gives a very good point, "The major force against unification among Taiwanese people today is the difference in government system".
With optimism, I believe the line between the two different governments will eventually go away, with China fully embrace the democratic system. Maybe 10 years, maybe 20, maybe 50. When that day comes, people will find it absurd when they look back at the heated discussions in this era.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Religions
Inspired by the never ending news about attacks in Iraq, I decided to look up Shia and Sunni, and find out what are the differences, and what caused them.
And I read more about Islam, apparently the Muslims also believe in Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus (though they believe Jesus is a prophet, instead of God). Also I learned that 3 out of the first 4 Caliphs (head of the government in Muslim world) following Muhammad was assassinated, by fellow Muslims. Given that the Muslims, Christians, and Jews all believe in the same God, I wonder what happens when the judgment day comes and God would say about the history. All the killings between Muslims and Christians, Muslims and Muslims, Protestants and Catholics, Christians and Jews, are all done in God's name, the same God, in addition to the fact that all the teachings in Christianity and Islam condemn killing, especially killing between the "brothers" (same believers).
While I am on this topic, it reminds me of a previous episode on South Park when it mocks the Mormons by making fun of the story in which Joseph Smith, who believed to possess the golden plate from God that no one else have seen, translates it by putting it in a hat. When asked to translate it again (to verify the truthfulness), he gave a totally different "translation", claiming that God gave him another set. Yet this is something all the Mormons believe to be the root of their religion.
Obviously this story is hard to believe for the outsiders. But I think this is what "believe" or "faith" is. Maybe others will think the same of Christians? Faith is to believe in something that cannot be proved, if one believes because of the facts laid out clearly, or proved by logic, it will be "knowledge" instead of "faith". Being a Christian myself, there are a lot of scriptures in the Bible I don't fully understand, yet I believe them to be true and come from God. Afterall, to "not believe" in God is also a "belief" itself. Why do you believe in evolution instead of creation? Even if scientific evidence points to the fact that humans evolved from monkey, monkey from fish, fish from bacteria, bacteria from a single cell, it still takes a step of faith to believe whether the cell is generated randomly by nature, or by design from a higher power.
In the end, it all boils down to the matter of choice.
And I read more about Islam, apparently the Muslims also believe in Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus (though they believe Jesus is a prophet, instead of God). Also I learned that 3 out of the first 4 Caliphs (head of the government in Muslim world) following Muhammad was assassinated, by fellow Muslims. Given that the Muslims, Christians, and Jews all believe in the same God, I wonder what happens when the judgment day comes and God would say about the history. All the killings between Muslims and Christians, Muslims and Muslims, Protestants and Catholics, Christians and Jews, are all done in God's name, the same God, in addition to the fact that all the teachings in Christianity and Islam condemn killing, especially killing between the "brothers" (same believers).
While I am on this topic, it reminds me of a previous episode on South Park when it mocks the Mormons by making fun of the story in which Joseph Smith, who believed to possess the golden plate from God that no one else have seen, translates it by putting it in a hat. When asked to translate it again (to verify the truthfulness), he gave a totally different "translation", claiming that God gave him another set. Yet this is something all the Mormons believe to be the root of their religion.
Obviously this story is hard to believe for the outsiders. But I think this is what "believe" or "faith" is. Maybe others will think the same of Christians? Faith is to believe in something that cannot be proved, if one believes because of the facts laid out clearly, or proved by logic, it will be "knowledge" instead of "faith". Being a Christian myself, there are a lot of scriptures in the Bible I don't fully understand, yet I believe them to be true and come from God. Afterall, to "not believe" in God is also a "belief" itself. Why do you believe in evolution instead of creation? Even if scientific evidence points to the fact that humans evolved from monkey, monkey from fish, fish from bacteria, bacteria from a single cell, it still takes a step of faith to believe whether the cell is generated randomly by nature, or by design from a higher power.
In the end, it all boils down to the matter of choice.
Sunday, January 14, 2007
TV Day
I rarely watch TV, but occasionally it's not bad spending a day in front of it, and surprisingly I can learn a lot. This weekend I was resting at home because of a soar throat, and here are some programs I watched:
- 2 NFL playoff games. Usually I only watch one football game a year, the Super Bowl. This gives me more incentive since I can pick a team and follow it through. I also learned that the largest comeback in NFL history is the 32-point made by Buffalo vs Houston in 1993.
- How a Japanese scientist made the first ever successful attempt to photograph a giant squid, on Discovery Channel. Apparently these monsters can grow up to 40 feet long, and live 3000ft down the sea, and none have ever being caught.
- Giant panda's trip to DC on Animal Planet.
- The 10 must see sceneries in Egypt, the tombs and the pyramids, on the Travel Channel.
- World Series of Poker. There is this guy Johny Chan who broke the record by winning 10 championships in 20 years. Also the first time I watched this with Gloria.
- The movie Truman Show. One of my favorite movies. Too bad I missed the first half. Um, should find a DVD.
- And finally the Walking the Bible DVD we bought. It is a bit lower than expectation so far, but the filming was great. I didn't expect the Middle East to be so pretty.
- 2 NFL playoff games. Usually I only watch one football game a year, the Super Bowl. This gives me more incentive since I can pick a team and follow it through. I also learned that the largest comeback in NFL history is the 32-point made by Buffalo vs Houston in 1993.
- How a Japanese scientist made the first ever successful attempt to photograph a giant squid, on Discovery Channel. Apparently these monsters can grow up to 40 feet long, and live 3000ft down the sea, and none have ever being caught.
- Giant panda's trip to DC on Animal Planet.
- The 10 must see sceneries in Egypt, the tombs and the pyramids, on the Travel Channel.
- World Series of Poker. There is this guy Johny Chan who broke the record by winning 10 championships in 20 years. Also the first time I watched this with Gloria.
- The movie Truman Show. One of my favorite movies. Too bad I missed the first half. Um, should find a DVD.
- And finally the Walking the Bible DVD we bought. It is a bit lower than expectation so far, but the filming was great. I didn't expect the Middle East to be so pretty.
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Gift Cards, Wedding GIfts
Freakonomics column in NY Times has an article about efficiency of gift cards . Basically the author argues that a large percentage of gift cards are never redeemed. In fact, Best Buy pocketed 16M last year on gift cards, all cash with zero cost!
Personally, I also received a lot of gift cards for my wedding, partly due to I specifically ask for "cash gifts" in the invitation. Nevertheless, a majority of them is still sitting in my drawer. But I cannot imagine if I receive gifts instead of gift cards, multiple sets of frames, wine glasses, etc. sitting in my storage room. Probably the best way is to always give pure cash, or, I propose, changing the tradition to have no gift at all. Think about this: you invite N guests to your wedding, and on average you will attend N/2 weddings in your life. The amount you give should equal the amount you receive. There is also the extra trouble of calculating how much you should give, not too much, not too little, and remembering how much you received from X so that you can give him/her back the same amount in return on his/her wedding. All these troubles and inefficiencies can be saved with NO GIFT AT ALL. I am referring to the gift you give for the sake of giving, not small gifts which has sentimental values. Those are the ones I would love to get from my close friends.
Of course, there are people who would argue that more gifts means boost to our economy. But that's a separate story.
Personally, I also received a lot of gift cards for my wedding, partly due to I specifically ask for "cash gifts" in the invitation. Nevertheless, a majority of them is still sitting in my drawer. But I cannot imagine if I receive gifts instead of gift cards, multiple sets of frames, wine glasses, etc. sitting in my storage room. Probably the best way is to always give pure cash, or, I propose, changing the tradition to have no gift at all. Think about this: you invite N guests to your wedding, and on average you will attend N/2 weddings in your life. The amount you give should equal the amount you receive. There is also the extra trouble of calculating how much you should give, not too much, not too little, and remembering how much you received from X so that you can give him/her back the same amount in return on his/her wedding. All these troubles and inefficiencies can be saved with NO GIFT AT ALL. I am referring to the gift you give for the sake of giving, not small gifts which has sentimental values. Those are the ones I would love to get from my close friends.
Of course, there are people who would argue that more gifts means boost to our economy. But that's a separate story.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)