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Q: Is China just like 50's/60's America?
Government, cultural differences and technology aside....somethings are very similar.
Corruption was just as rampant in the US back then and the mob had massive power, and it wasn't until the late 60's that they began to clamp down. (Current politicians aside).
Pollution was widespread and just as bad as in China today. The environmental movement began in the late 60's and as it grew so did the pressure on the government to pass protection laws.
Women's rights were appalling and once again it was the late 60's when the women's rights movement began and brought about massive change. Do you think the Playboy clubs of the 60's are any different than the KTV palaces? Things still have a long way to go in China but it appears to be getting slowly better.
Car culture was just starting to explode in America as is happening in China now.
It was also the dawn of the consumer society, much like what is happening here.
What do you think?
Without going into too much detail, in general I will agree with you. At this moment, China is without a doubt, still a number of years behind USA, but I must also say that in my opinion, in some areas China is catching up fast.
it can't be a common measure accross the whole spectrum, in some areas they are further advanced than in others. But definitively, still behind. I also think that within the next 5 to 10 years, the gap will close a lot, and in some areas, China will surpass the USA. They do have the potential and will to do so.
I just wish and hope they do not just copy everything, and that they will be wise enough to copy only the good areas and ignore the rest.
There would be a Fongerelli then. No one that cool in China, no hotrods, no low riders, no one hops up scooter and it is not hard to do, change or mod controler, add extra battery. hub mods also When was last time you saw a scooter wheelie? My first bike at 17 was 650. First thing I did was drive it onto street and see how far I could wheelie. About 60 feet ,straight up ! I got better.
In some ways yes material things,but not rebellious streak,like rock and roll and the thought that people had hopes and beliefs that anything was at their fingertips in America plus young people protesting and stufff
judging by some of the things some of the locals say about japanese, whites, blacks (africans) indians. i say the racisim is right up their with 50s America.
Don't forget the whole going to the moon to claim it as well.
It's more like taking the country from that time and trying to catch up to the present. So even though technology is current, rights are not, there has not been enough time for them to also catch up. They're trying to run before they can walk, and it's going to come back to bite them, if it hasn't already. Some things take time, and can't be rushed.
Do women have rights in China....if so then the answer is no! Are there women's movements in China and are they fighting for equality or do they have opportunities to work anywhere a man does...I wouldnt' say it is....
If so, where is the equivalent of Martin Luther King?
I certainly get a 50s-ish vibe from China. But It'll never progress beyond that.
If there was a Chinese Rosa Parks and MLK in China, they'd be Uygars and they'd be quietly taken care of. As would a Malcolm, and a Bobby Kennedy, etc.
And a Chinese Hendrix, Janis, Lennon, Jagger? Ha. Even if I believed a mainland Chinese person could come up with something that clever, probably quietly taken care of. At least Brasil had the courtesy to deport its dissident musicians.
What you've got here is a culture of unwavering collectivists who will always value their own personal security over their prosperity or happiness, no matter how flimsy that security is. The Chinese have the country they deserve.
Shining_brow:
Just on your first note, I'd say that America had a few Malcom X's, MLK's, etc before they rose to the heady heights they did... and those ones WERE taken care of! It usually takes a while for those sorts of things to pan out... So, I think China currently is going through those things, and that MLK/Malcolm X person will show up soon enough
I'd say more like 20s and 30s. Unions and labour rights becoming an issue, corruption, yokels running around all over the place.
I woundn't say China is currently like 50-60s USA... It's like China in 2012. Sure, there are some things that seem similar, but the differences are huge. There will NOT be a free love movement here, simply because it would conflict with traditional Chinese culture. Could you imagine a Woodstock type event here? What would it be, Super Junior and S.H.E. and a bunch of people singing "Wo Aiiiiiiiiiiiii Niiiiiiiiiiiiii" ballads? I don't think there will be Uyghur Luther King having any dreams either.
Pretty much, there will be more modernization, growing greed and corruption, and... well, it will pretty much stay the same..
Most people will still be driven by the "Thick Black Theory" (basically says: be a dirty, cheating scumbag to be successful - google it to know more, it says LOADS about the current business culture in China) and when China can no longer play the BS "But we're developing!" card, it will actually get worse here as businesses that actually supply China with it's GDP leave for greener pastures.
