Lots of bikes

I'm working on some clarifications for my earlier posts on Google in China.  More soon.  In the meantime, I'd just like to follow up with my earlier post on transportation in China with a photo from a college in Tianjin.

As you can see, bikes are rather popular at this university as they are a great way to get around.  However, for other universities I've visited they aren't as commonly used.  Why?  Because many universities in China, especially newer ones, are built in the very distant suburbs of cities and often quite  isolated.  Students would most likely need to take a bus to get to the locations of most interest (such as shopping, parks, etc.).  The university above, though, is located in a relatively central part of Tianjin.

Another interesting thing about bikes is that while some students may desire a fashionable or high tech mobile phone, they may not be as keen to have the best, shiniest bike.  Why not?  Because they don't want it stolen.

Another win for pragmatism.

China Scenes: Wuzhou, Guangxi - Part 2

The second installment of photos from Wuzhou, Guangxi (Part 1 is here):

View of a section of the city from a hill

More arcade style buildings

Poster advertisement.  The NBA is very popular in China.

Street market

Soccer field in the middle of the city

Alley

I think I know what these are but...  what do you think?

China Scenes: Wuzhou, Guangxi

Today I'll post the first half of some photos I've selected from Wuzhou, Guangxi.  Wuzhou is the city that sets the scene for the post Two Wonderful Invitations I did at James Fallows' blog.

At a pit stop on the way to Wuzhou with a semi-familiar restaurant

A real McDonald's (I assume)

Cat at a temple

Arcade style building

A pedestrian street

There are many shipping boats in Wuzhou

It's common to see clothes being hung out to dry wherever practical

Last post for this past week at Fallows' blog

My last post at James Fallows' blog is here:  Thanks and Some More Scenes from Yulin.

It was a fantastic experience to guest blog there.  It really kept me on my toes to know that what I posted would be seen by a very sophisticated and international audience.

I should note that Jim made it clear to all of us guest bloggers that we were free to post on whatever we wanted.  He had no idea what I would post about, although given our prior discussions I'm sure he assumed much of it would be about China and technology.  In fact, I later discovered even I didn't know what I would post about.  Prior to the week I had a set of ideas, but as time went on new experiences or thoughts caused a few unexpected posts to appear.  For example, the post on "Tiger Mother" methods came to me as I was walking through a park and saw the scenes depicted in the post.

I found it interesting that in thanking my week's guest bloggers and introducing the next he singled out my post Fugues.  It was probably one of the more personal posts I had written, and I was happy to get the extra attention for my friend James, a very unique and talented musician, who had unwittingly made the perfect video to highlight my point.

Anyways, I deeply appreciate the opportunity Jim provided me.  I learned a lot.

Clarification on Google, China, and Chinese College Students

My series of posts "Google, China, and Chinese College Students" (Part I, Part II, Part III), which in part describes the impact of a speech by Hillary Clinton on many Chinese college students' impression of Google, needs a clarification.  A representative for Google wrote in to say:

"I'm with the Google Communications team, and I wanted to reach out regarding your recent post, "Google, China, and Chinese College Students - Part III."

 Specifically, I'd like to address a factual point about Google's servers and our business in Hong Kong. Your post includes the phrase, "when Google chose to move its servers to Hong Kong." This characterization is not quite accurate because there was no transfer of servers. It would be more accurate to say, "when Google chose to direct some of its services to its servers in Hong Kong.""

What Google describes above is what I intended to communicate and the post was updated accordingly.  It's a good lesson in the challenges of writing about a complex matter that spans politics, technology, culture, etc.

This brings to mind some issues I didn't get into (there is so much I could have discussed) such as Chinese college students' perception of any changes in Google's services and how they're delivered.  For example, many students were not aware of any changes, even if they were aware of the dispute.  On the whole this may be a very good thing for Google.

Anyways, always glad to make sure I have things as right as possible.

[Added note: See here for further thoughts and clarifications]

More on "Google, China, and Chinese College Students.

PC Screen of College Student in Harbin, Heilongjiang

Here is my series of posts at James Fallows' blog: "Google, China, and Chinese College Students"  Part I, Part II, Part III

As I wrote on Fallows' blog, I think it is an intriguing topic which crosses Chinese culture, politics, and technology.  The situation is certainly broader than what I covered and there is much more to say (for example, additional reasons Google may have lost ground to Baidu), but I think what I shared helps provide a further understanding of the situation.

I'll probably say more on the topic later as I receive comments on the piece.  It's a story with many threads and, like many issues in China, I look forward to evolving my understanding of the situation.

[Added note:  Clarifications and additional thoughts for the above series of posts can be found here and here.  A condensed version of the above focusing on the impact of Hillary Clinton's speech can be found here.]

More on "Fugues"

Recently, I posted "Fugues" on James Fallows blog.  I particularly recommend checking it out as not only does it provide some of the reason for my blog name, but it also communicates a part of how I see the world.

Plus, it has a great video!!!  Check it out.

More on "China Scenes: Dunhua, Jilin

Here are a few more photos to follow up my post on James Fallows blog:  China Scenes: Dunhua, Jilin

Market

Countryside

Tricycle-cart Taxi

Village Road

Latest Posts

Here are my latest posts on James Fallows' blog:

China Scenes: Yulin, Guangxi

Did China Attack My Blog?

China Scenes: Xiapu, Fujian

China Scenes: Yulin, Guangxi - Part 2

The "China Scenes" series include a variety of pictures that I think can play an important role in understanding China.

I've been hard at work on a post about Google & China that incorporates some of my own independent research.  I hope to throw some more light on how a segment of people I often research, college students in China, interpreted and reacted to events as they unfolded last year.

In the meantime...  Here's another photo from Yulin - evidently indicating that the fresh sugar can juice business is going strong there.

More on "Ride Like You Want To In China"

Another post on James Fallows' blog: Ride Like You Want To In China

And a few more photos of transportation in Xiapu, Fujian:

Xiapu local bus

Several forms of transportation

Long distance bus station

My motorcycle taxi for a day

More on "Will Amy Chua's 'Tiger Mother' Methods Create a New World Order?"

Recently, my tongue-in-cheek post "Will Amy Chua's 'Tiger Mother' Methods Create a New World Order?" appeared on James Fallows' blog.  Some more pictures of truly harmless children doing what they do best.

The dragon/octopus/fish(?) machine.

More tanks.

Even SpongeBob SquarePants is there.

 

That's all for now.  I'll update on James Fallows blog as needed this week.

The Guest Blogging Begins

The introduction to my guest blogging on James Fallows' blog at The Atlantic.

And my first post there: Two Wonderful Invitations.