Chinese government versus consumer culture

I don't typically approve of governments controlling the media and I am,  in fact, a fan of bad reality TV.   Nonetheless, I am sympathetic to concerns that modernization is a mixed bag in terms of changing culture.   The globalization of consumer culture is problematic to say the least.  Still, if people want to watch cheesey dating shows, is there really anything wrong with that?  Cultural purges, whether targeting traditional or modern cultural elements, are just scary.

China Targets Entertainment TV In Cultural Purge

Hong Qiao Pearl Market

While this place is more rationalized than it was a decade ago, it is still a wild and chaotic immersion into the emerging consumer culture in China.  In my experience, Americans are both fascinated and frightened by the need to haggle for every product.  It is quite different than the predictability of the typical American department store or shopping mall.  Tourists in Beijing frequent this market, although it is also common to see locals there also.  Make sure to check out the toy market located directly behind this building.

You can find out more about the Pearl Market here:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g294212-d321012-Reviews-Pearl_Market_Hongqiao_Market-Beijing.html

Fast food in 2011

Sure, McDonald's is now putting apples in all Happy Meals and most fast food joints have salads of one type or another. However I've always thought this was largely just window dressing and hardly indicative of true change in the industry. Check out this list of some of the most unhealthy fast food of 2011.

The Daily Meal Mobile

Climate change inaction

There are some interesting points in this article including the comment that only in the US is the existence of climate change still debated.   This debate makes political action difficult.   I think this highlights how control over science and knowledge is powerful political tool.

Ahead Of Climate Talks, U.S. Leadership In Question

Buy Nothing Day

As fascinating as I find consumer culture, it is hard to ignore the negative elements.  I show the Story of Stuff to most of my sociology classes and really like how it describes both the cultural and environmental impacts of our consumer culture.  Consumption is a necessary part of being a living organism, but the United States in particular has moved well beyond necessary consumption despite the fact that hunger and poverty remain issues throughout the world.  Even environmental issues have been reduced from collective political action to the individualistic consumption of shiny metal water bottles and fashionable reusable shopping bags.  We cannot escape this consumer culture entirely, but I think it is worth considering how deeply we participate in it and considering how to affect change in it.  So, consider celebrating Buy Nothing Day after Thanksgiving.  Hey, all you really need to do is nothing.  For more info go to  Buy Nothing Day 2011.

Shift Happens video

I saw this at a teaching workshop I attended last weekend.  Interesting stuff and, to the best of my knowledge, credible statistics.  It highlights the importance of general education (i.e. critical thinking and problem solving) as well as studying abroad (particularly in China or India!).  I think various versions of this video have circulated around.  Take a look as it is interesting and eye opening.

Panda Breeding

Wow, apparently it is extremely difficult to get pandas to breed in captivity.  Mothers are only in heat 72 hours a year.  They also have a tendency to give birth to twins, but to only take care of one.  Despite these obstacles, the Chengdu Panda Breeding Research Center is hoping to release some pandas into the wild soon.  Note that this is where students on my 2012 trip to China will have a 3 day international internship.  Read more in this BBC article:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_9225000/9225918.stm