thoughts about session 2 on 7/23 w/Dr. Dube

[Anonymous]

In answer to your question if the aging of a society is something to worry about, we can get a preview of some possible outcomes by looking at countries now facing the first stages of having a very large aging population and a small youthful population. This is now happening in Japan, Italy, and I think most of Northern Europe. where the issue plays a role in the economic disaster there. European governments tend to care for their elderly generously, but now with diminishing funds produced by a smaller population of working young adults. Imagine the problem if there are hoards of elderly to care for, but relatively few young adults working to provide the necessary funds. Though Europe's answer was to take in more immigrants, now even formerly impoverished nations like India are wanting to keep their people home so they can better care for their elderly. Here's a brief article addressing the issue in the NY Times http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/29/world/americas/29iht-letter29.html though it doesn't address the issue of a country's loss of a creative class which consists mostly of younger adults.

[Anonymous]

Today I learned that Japan does import rice from Thailand. So what is the reason they buy from them and not California? Is it simply the lower cost or is it other factors?

[Anonymous]

During the class discussion of why Californian students need to know more about Eastern Asia, many of us brought up political and economic reasons such as rising power, staying competitive, doing business, etc. Every reason mentioned has been addressed in my classroom to help students become aware of how the focus of our nation’s political and economic has shifted from Europe to the Pacific Rim. In addition, what does this imply to them and how will they directly benefit from taking Chinese in their future careers?
In spite of such stated advantages, I want my students to understand and remember to embrace a larger scope of faith in promoting a brotherhood helping to bridge the gap between the East and the West.
We have enough competition. Globalization should not be about the strong controlling the weak, or the developed dominating the developing or undeveloped. We incorporate Eastern Asia in our curriculum, which will expose our students to learn more from the history and culture. To me, it makes more sense to collaborate and share limited resources in our planet; to understand a culture different from ours and to appreciate the differences; and, to sit down and start dialogues instead of war. Let’s start relaying the message of a brotherhood world.

[Anonymous]

Korea (South) has a population of 70 million and around the 12th largest economy in the world. So they get overshadowed by larger neigbors. If in Europe, SK would be a major player.

[Anonymous]

I am trying to find the link for the Chinese Philosophy packet that we used for the first session could you please let me know where to find it

[Rob_Hugo@PortNW]

Hi all,

Please share your thoughts about the second session on 7/23 afternoon here.

-Xin

[clay dube]

Hi Kim, It's in the thread on geography and philosophy:
http://uschinaforum.usc.edu/topic18768-east-asia-geographydemography-and-chinese-philosophy.aspx#post21970

[Author]

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