It all starts with an article describing how thieves were stealing power lines, one end got caught in a truck, 8 or so towers were pulled down, and tens of thousands lost power. It was in China, and apparently it is fairly common. But, the real gold was when the article said "missing manhole covers are a common hazard in Beijing." People can get a couple of bucks for the scrap steal, so they steal manhole covers. They steal the cover to manholes and leave holes in the road or sidewalk, not clear which, or if both, for people to fall into. What a country. Did I mention about the manhole covers?
The main surprise revolves around Beijing hosting the Olympics in 2008, of which you may know I am not a fan of. In Greece they wasted billions, I do mean wasted, on security. I can't imagine the bill in China for security and replacing and guarding the manhole covers. Just think about the risk to athletes and tourists who are not used to such hazards. It could be a tragedy on the scale of the Hindenberg or something. Luckily China is already a police state and they have gotten those crazy Falun Gong practitioners under control.
It is not that I don't believe that poor ass Americans wouldn't steal manhole covers if they had the chance. It is just harder here to find a place to sell the cover where someone down the line won't eventually be like "that is just wrong." Of course, it is sometimes hard to conceive of the sheer scale of the urbanity of Eastern China, where a million people in a city means nothing. The anonmynity that is creeping over the country could lead to even worse lawlessness. The more the central government weakens, the more people can move around and get lost in the system, in which a criminal class would/will thrive. China is too large to modernize fully.
Try to think about people stealing manhole covers in as many countries as possible and try to think where it is a feasible pursuit.
Tuesday, June 21, 2005
Friday, June 17, 2005
Bicycle days
I wanted to say something about China, but will get to it later, because this morning something happened that I had to tell the world.
I was riding to work around 8:45am on my bike down the sidewalk. In the street cars dislike me and in the sidewalk I don't have the visibility that is desired, but what can I do.? So, I was riding, trying not to killed as usual, and a car pulls out from the 7-11 parking lot. I have a split second to decide if I think they see me and I should go in front of them or they don't see me and I more more fucked than I thought. I decide to hit the brakes, already having been run over a little once when I thought the driver clearly saw me. The driver was oblivious to my presence and I increase the pressure on the brakes. Be it my over use of the front brakes, or their inherent better stopping ability, or my sheer needing to stop before hitting the car; My back tired lifted up and I flipped over my handlebars onto the hood of the now stopped car (If I had swerved in front, there would have been major trouble). I rolled to my right off the hood (it came from my left) and signalled "safe", meaning I was okay, I don't want to deal with this. I rode around the back of the car, there being no damage to me, my bike, or the car. The driver opened her door and insisted on apologizing and making sure everything was okay. The driver and the fact everything was okay made it a fun experience, though possibly ominous.
On 'beholden to nothing' I commented on how older people will not give up their cars and ride the train and shit. I would say I may be one of those people. Lately I have been thinking that I will not ride my bike, in Honolulu, past the age of thirty, I will have too much to lose. Everywhere I go it is fairly stressful, and there are close calls, some averted because I am extra vigilant. But, when I get older it will not be worth it. I won't be as resilant and will have something to lose. Though, I would ride the train/bus. Honolulu is not a bike friendly city...because the drivers are horrible. If the light turns red, DO NOT ENTER THE CROSSWALK because just turning red means one or two more cars will continue going. IT is hard to describe how dangerously some of these drivers drive. Oahu is number one in the probablility of there being a death in a car/pedestrian accident.
out
I was riding to work around 8:45am on my bike down the sidewalk. In the street cars dislike me and in the sidewalk I don't have the visibility that is desired, but what can I do.? So, I was riding, trying not to killed as usual, and a car pulls out from the 7-11 parking lot. I have a split second to decide if I think they see me and I should go in front of them or they don't see me and I more more fucked than I thought. I decide to hit the brakes, already having been run over a little once when I thought the driver clearly saw me. The driver was oblivious to my presence and I increase the pressure on the brakes. Be it my over use of the front brakes, or their inherent better stopping ability, or my sheer needing to stop before hitting the car; My back tired lifted up and I flipped over my handlebars onto the hood of the now stopped car (If I had swerved in front, there would have been major trouble). I rolled to my right off the hood (it came from my left) and signalled "safe", meaning I was okay, I don't want to deal with this. I rode around the back of the car, there being no damage to me, my bike, or the car. The driver opened her door and insisted on apologizing and making sure everything was okay. The driver and the fact everything was okay made it a fun experience, though possibly ominous.
On 'beholden to nothing' I commented on how older people will not give up their cars and ride the train and shit. I would say I may be one of those people. Lately I have been thinking that I will not ride my bike, in Honolulu, past the age of thirty, I will have too much to lose. Everywhere I go it is fairly stressful, and there are close calls, some averted because I am extra vigilant. But, when I get older it will not be worth it. I won't be as resilant and will have something to lose. Though, I would ride the train/bus. Honolulu is not a bike friendly city...because the drivers are horrible. If the light turns red, DO NOT ENTER THE CROSSWALK because just turning red means one or two more cars will continue going. IT is hard to describe how dangerously some of these drivers drive. Oahu is number one in the probablility of there being a death in a car/pedestrian accident.
out
Saturday, June 11, 2005
Africa pt. 2
The last comment (though it may not remain the last) by Av brings up a point that I was hoping to discuss when I got around to writing this post. Yes, most of Africa's conflicts are created by the colonial legacy. Lines were drawn and divisions were created that made, and make, no sense. Also, the West has never allowed the lines to be redrawn. Either because of language, or stubborness on the part of the West, Africa will remain non-functional.
There exists a "country" called the "Republic of Somaliland" in northern Somalia. It is a fully functioning state that is free from the chaos that has plague the more southern areas (Black hawk down and such). I believe it has even petitioned to become an independent state. But, that will never be allowed. I think the only real change in the make-up of countries in Africa has been Eritrea and Ethiopia splitting. If any countries were allowed to split and accepting by the United Nations, there would be a chain reaction of ethnic/rebel movements aiming to form their own countries in Africa. That may lead to more death and misery than the current system. It is interesting to think how the UN is causing a lot of misery in Africa.
An interesting article from the Financial Times (I should really link some of this, will in the future) describes how Africa simply lacks enough synergistic investment in small businesses. Companies can profit if given a chance at fair rates. But, what sub-tropical/non-temperate country has a successful manufacturing base. There are hints of it in Southeast Asia, but Africa, much of it, lacks the infrastructure or cheap labor force to be a manufacturing force. In short, a new dynamic needs to be created that is formed by an African for Africa. Why should African countries try to integrate into the "global" economy if they can stabilize without "us".
I don't know, maybe it could work.
next: the humanitarian failure aspect.
There exists a "country" called the "Republic of Somaliland" in northern Somalia. It is a fully functioning state that is free from the chaos that has plague the more southern areas (Black hawk down and such). I believe it has even petitioned to become an independent state. But, that will never be allowed. I think the only real change in the make-up of countries in Africa has been Eritrea and Ethiopia splitting. If any countries were allowed to split and accepting by the United Nations, there would be a chain reaction of ethnic/rebel movements aiming to form their own countries in Africa. That may lead to more death and misery than the current system. It is interesting to think how the UN is causing a lot of misery in Africa.
An interesting article from the Financial Times (I should really link some of this, will in the future) describes how Africa simply lacks enough synergistic investment in small businesses. Companies can profit if given a chance at fair rates. But, what sub-tropical/non-temperate country has a successful manufacturing base. There are hints of it in Southeast Asia, but Africa, much of it, lacks the infrastructure or cheap labor force to be a manufacturing force. In short, a new dynamic needs to be created that is formed by an African for Africa. Why should African countries try to integrate into the "global" economy if they can stabilize without "us".
I don't know, maybe it could work.
next: the humanitarian failure aspect.
Saturday, June 04, 2005
Africa overview
This is the first part of a yet to be determined number of introductory posts on my view of Africa. I am not sure how much I will cover/be willing to write, so I don't yet know the number of posts it will take. This first one has a harsh stance and it not my totally final conclusion on Africa. It is just a starting point/introspection.
What purpose is there in Africa existing? If it was not there, what would the world have lost? Maybe there would be less diamonds and golds, but rap will survive, it is already almost done with gold. Any agricultural goods can be made up by other countries, and possibly even enrich their economies. There is absolutely no industry to speak of that can't be replaced by China. It is a "lost continent". (my quotation) The easiest thing would be simply to never deal with Africa again, simply act like it didn't exist and not let anyone leave.
From an odd efficiency stance, is this not the best course of action? Have any resources ever been effectively/efficiently invested in Africa? It has always been a case of people, yes mainly white, taking/buying resources on the cheap and creating horrible conditions. I am not a student of modern african history, but the majority of countries have not been well led. Some have, but usually they are eventually brought down by conflicts in neighboring countries, or their development is limited because of the unstable nature of the continent.
The divisions within countries in africa is also horrible, be it tribal, religious, political, or racial. People die for all those reasons in areas all over Africa. In America there are deep divisions, but we keep the killing to much lower levels, preferring to slowly poison ourselves with chemicals and over-consumption. How can you save a people when prejudice is so prevalent?
Bono thinks eliminated coountries' debt burden will allow them to rise up and finally development. That is a nice idea....
That was a pretty much rough and tumble overview of the basic problem/idea I would like to put forth. I am aware I ignore the humanitarian aspects involved in abandoning a contintent, that will be discussed in the next post that deals with the failures of the West/how they caused the problems. Right now I would like to stimulate discussion on how I may be wrong about Africa.
What purpose is there in Africa existing? If it was not there, what would the world have lost? Maybe there would be less diamonds and golds, but rap will survive, it is already almost done with gold. Any agricultural goods can be made up by other countries, and possibly even enrich their economies. There is absolutely no industry to speak of that can't be replaced by China. It is a "lost continent". (my quotation) The easiest thing would be simply to never deal with Africa again, simply act like it didn't exist and not let anyone leave.
From an odd efficiency stance, is this not the best course of action? Have any resources ever been effectively/efficiently invested in Africa? It has always been a case of people, yes mainly white, taking/buying resources on the cheap and creating horrible conditions. I am not a student of modern african history, but the majority of countries have not been well led. Some have, but usually they are eventually brought down by conflicts in neighboring countries, or their development is limited because of the unstable nature of the continent.
The divisions within countries in africa is also horrible, be it tribal, religious, political, or racial. People die for all those reasons in areas all over Africa. In America there are deep divisions, but we keep the killing to much lower levels, preferring to slowly poison ourselves with chemicals and over-consumption. How can you save a people when prejudice is so prevalent?
Bono thinks eliminated coountries' debt burden will allow them to rise up and finally development. That is a nice idea....
That was a pretty much rough and tumble overview of the basic problem/idea I would like to put forth. I am aware I ignore the humanitarian aspects involved in abandoning a contintent, that will be discussed in the next post that deals with the failures of the West/how they caused the problems. Right now I would like to stimulate discussion on how I may be wrong about Africa.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)