We fear what we said online might have real life consequences — Hailey

I wish you will no have trouble.

I'd say Mao is someone special to Chinese. — Hailey

Interesting. I thought something similar regarding Mao. It is true that China has changed a lot since then, but he is the main image of the revolution in 1949 (sorry if I miss some dates). He is even regarded as one of the most important and influential individuals in the twentieth century.

One anecdote: I have Chinese neighbours in my building and one day they invited me to his home to fix something (I think a computer). I remember that when I entered his saloon, there was a big portrait of Mao. I didn't consider them "communist" back then nor now. I just thought how important is Mao in Chinese culture and citizens. He is a big part of your history.

The Tattooer, Jun'ichirō Tanizaki.

Hello Hailey! I appreciate your perspective on Xi Jinping. Welcome to the forum, I wish you the best flowing around.

Coming back to Xi. I think that every leader has his ups and downs, and governing a big nation as China would be one of the most difficult tasks for a human. If it is nearly impossible to govern Spain when it is an unknown subject on the international arena, I can't imagine China.

Just to clarify what I tended to understand when I debated with Guan yuan: I was wondering if Xi will be remembered as one of the main artificers of Chinese modern history, as well as Deng Xiaoping or Mao. Nevertheless, Guan said to me that Mao's doctrine is rarely seen in nowadays and China is completely different.

I know that there are (or were) other leaders to consider. But to be honest, most of them are unknown in the Western media. I do not know if it is because we have trouble understanding you or just because they weren't charismatic enough.
This issue also happens in other Asian countries, like Japan, for instance. Shinzō Abe was a notable leader and very charismatic, but his successors are rarely unknown unless you are interested in Japan. This is why - I guess - this is more about a cultural thing rather than a political one. I live in Spain and everything is related to the European Union. Maybe your context is related to China and East Asia.

Perhaps reality can only be accepted once one has attained sufficient enlightenments. — Kevin Tan

I mean the way that everything that exists in existence is. — Kevin Tan

Paradoxically, approaching to the truth objectively makes us gets far-away from happiness itself. This is due to the fact that happiness is subjective and could "crash" with the objective concept of reality.

Does anyone know a non-commercial listing of books? — Vera Mont

Vera, try this one: https://www.abebooks.com/canada/?cm_sp=Ftr-_-Home-_-sites7?

I wish it fits what you are looking for!

What was the key in all that: writing. By writing I was clarifying my thoughts by putting them down, in front of me, face them, evaluating them, distilling them, making them solid. — Alkis Piskas

Good point, Alkis. As always, you have nailed it. It is a pleasure to read your posts because they are clear and solid, not like mines. These are chaotic and complex to follow up!

China has not built up morality in the modern sense, but it is being built up at the moment. — guanyun

I understand. Thank you and I appreciate your answers regarding this topic. I personally think that the concept of "modernity" is open to free interpretation and it is complex to distinguish which society acts better than the other. Yet I follow what you are explaining on the path of current Chinese society.

My opinion,Mao was an emperor, not a leader, and I must make it clear that China now started with Deng Xiaoping, and while Mao did a lot, he didn't modernize China, and in a sense, China now looks like the Second French Republic. — guanyun

I understand you now. To be honest, I always thought that Deng Xiaoping was the real architect of China and I acknowledge his big effort to transform China. You even considered it as a Second French Republic, so I see it as a drastic change. Nonetheless, you said previously that despite China has been increasing the economic standards of Chinese citizens, ethics and morality have decreased in terms of culture or civism. What do you think is the main cause here? Are the modern generation of Chinese people aware of such a detriment?

I agree with you. It is true that we do not really understand how China works and most of the information that comes from your country is biased by the Western media. I always tend to understand how Asia works because countries like China or Japan seem to be very interesting to me. At least, I still defend that things work out better there than here (in the overall view). Yet, the poison of corruption is everywhere, but I see that some countries are more drastic than others.

On the other hand, it is interesting how you say that Mao's legacy is rarely seen as Chinese people nowadays. I do not understand if it is "good" or "bad" or if it is just a generational issue. But I think it is worth highlighting how impressive his revolution was. Maybe this belongs to the old days, but I think there was a "before" and an "after" in China due to Mao's doctrine.

Sometimes people need medication. We would not take this view with a diabetic who needs regular insulin medication. — Tom Storm

Exactly! :up:

Thanks for your replies.

Summarising...

Maybe I understood wrongly, but it seems that you perceive Modern China as highly-developed in economics but undeveloped in terms of ethics or morality. I wonder if you perceive that the path taken by Deng Xiaoping went off from the real Chinese socialist culture perpetuated by Mao. Yet, it is very interesting your view on corruption. You state that whenever Chinese officials or entrepreneurs work along with Western citizens they tend to disrespect the law. I also wonder if this is a cultural conflict rather than a political one. We already debated this issue in the forum and I believe (I hope I am not wrong at all) that in China, Japan, Korea, etc... unethical actions such as corruption are more punished or socially rejected than in the Western world.

On the other hand, we tend to see China as a rigid state where the law is effective. I do not pretend to say that it is perfect, but it at least works as it should be. I am from Spain and here the establishment and public institutions work badly. They are corrupt and incompetent and even the law tends to be "soft" on corrupt politicians. This is why I miss Asian and Chinese culture more on my system. Here we lack rigid norms and attitudes. I do not want to sound so ignorant and say "China is a dictatorship" because we in the Western world are also blurred in terms of real representativeness...

I wasn't referring to prescribed medication under treatment. I was thinking about self-medicating indiscriminately with booze and other substances. — Tom Storm

Interesting. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and knowledge on this matter, Tom. Believe it or not, I see that treatment medication is under a big social taboo. Whenever I tell someone that I take those, I perceive that they think I take them for pleasure, that it is a terrible mistake to think so... I am even grateful to those chemists and psychiatrists who work on the research of mood meds. They helped me a lot.

Hello mates,

I have a query. Do your posts go to the "drafts" even after posting them? I mean, when I post a comment in a discussion, it is also being kept in the drafts. I answered to Tom Storm in a discussion and curiously such reply went to the draft too. Like if I never posted it when I actually did. :chin:

What I am trying to explain is that there are two comments: the "original" that is kept in the draft and the copy that is posted.

Or maybe it is just my cellphone that is acting weirdly...

People have all sorts of ways to manage unhappiness; substance use, consumerism, hobbies, travel and other distractions, not philosophy so much. For some, religion may play a role. — Tom Storm

Good point, Tom.
But I wonder if one of the ways of facing unhappiness is to accept it. I mean, the act of comprehending and accepting that life has more negative/'sad' days than happy ones, and life tends to be more mediocre than we ever thought.
It is true that this way of thought goes to nihilism usually. I disagree because giving up with life doesn't necessarily mean being a nihilistic.

On the other hand, the line of taking drugs for facing whatever problem is blurred, don't you think? I take everyday Bromazepam and CBD to calm my anxiety down. Maybe it is not the best way to do so, but I don't know other. Even, if I got removed from those meds I would end up in a very pessimistic mood.

What question you want ask about socialism in China? — guanyun

Hello guanyun,

I have three questions regarding Chinese socialism.

How deep was the transition of Deng Xiaoping into the rule of market, or said it in other words, the "Modern China"?

What is the impact of Xi Jinping on 21th century China? Is it true that he owns more leadership and charisma than Mao's socialism?

How does it work real state agencies in China regarding that this is one of the main markets of capitalism? I know that one of the top agencies in Shanghai went into bankruptcy. Do you know why?

More tax pressure on Japanese workers. The government of Kishida expects to collect 110 trillion yen ($753 billion). The draft needs the approval of the House of Representatives in December. I will post the final decision here, in this thread, if someone would be interested regarding this topic.

It's a mystery to me why this country, which is both developed and industrialized, is facing a significant amount of inflation and a government that is heavily indebted.

Japan budget requests likely to top 110 trln yen as rates rise.

The annual budget requests, to be submitted to the finance ministry by the end of August, highlight the difficulty of streamlining spending for the industrial world's most heavily-indebted government.
Under persistent pressure to reflate the world's third-largest economy, the finance ministry will scrutinise the budget requests before it compiles the draft annual state budget in December. This fiscal year's budget stood at 114 trillion yen.
Debt-servicing costs and defence spending will increase 10% each from this year's initial budget, while social security outlay, estimated at 33.7 trillion yen, will rise due to the snowballing costs of supporting Japan's fast-ageing society.

Hello again, friend. I have some interesting news which I recently read. Have you ever taken CBD after eating? I decided to start taking CBD after lunch because the following scientific paper motivated me to do so. Here is the main web page: CBD Blog

Should You Take CBD Oil Before or After Meals? There is research that found taking CBD oil with high-fat foods can increase CBD bioavailability. One study reported that bioavailability can be increased four-fold by taking CBD with a high-fat and high-calorie meal compared to taking CBD on an empty stomach.
The reason is that cannabis cannabinoids are lipid-soluble, so taking the CBD oil with or in foods with dietary lipids like butter, whole milk or vegetable oil increases bioavailability. You can also take CBD oil mixed with oil like sesame oil to increase bioavailability. Researchers found the primary mechanism for the increased bioavailability is due to the transport of the CBD via the intestinal lymphatic system rather than the liver.

I have put in practice the scientific research, and I can say that it is better for me to take CBD after lunch rather than in the night just before to go to sleep. It is difficult to explain, but it is true that the biodiversity kicks in harder. I mean, it feels more active in my nervous system and the relax comes quickly and efficiently. :up:

Six years have passed since this thread. The last time you were only was a year ago. Yet, I think you need more clarification of ideas because I guess you are brainwashed and maybe you still have the same wrong perspective on Spain and Catalonia.

Facts:

Puigdemont and Junqueras committed a Coup d' Etat. They decided to not respect the Spanish constitution and courts. Furthermore, they tended to even "kick" out those Catalonians who want to be part of Spain (because hey! Do not forget they are Spaniards too!).
But the tables had turned in the worst way possible. Pedro Sánchez (aka our naughty socialist PM) decided to let them free to become President. This dude even says now on: WhAt Do yOu prEefeR a 2017 CaTaaLoniA or 2023 Catalonia? Pathetic!!!!!!!!

Surprise! The intentional vote for independence has been decreasing since then. Barcelona (because let's be honest, nobody cares about the other three regions) is ruled now by Socialists who wants to be part of Spain in a federal way, as well as USA or Germany. A few years ago they even pretended to share the capital city with Madrid. Holly molly! How these folks change when their asses see money and power on the table.

Ding Ding! The bell of European court has rung in favour of Spain's state and constitution. They declare that Puigdemont and Junqueras were clearly surpassing the rule of law, they were forcing people to vote for an independence and guess what? The origin of the money collected for the 2017 horrendous campaign is opaque and there is evidence of washing money or tax avoidance. Didn't you say, as well as separatists, that our law was medieval? What about European Union law then? I wish you had the chance to see their faces after years and years refusing Spanish courts when the European sentence was published. Yikes!

After these years of cringe and international circus, separatists have given up on independence (and Catalonia particularly) because they ended up at the conclusion that it is impossible to live independently and it is better to suck up the resources of the State. One of the members of congress of the Catalonian political separatist parties said in the Congress: I will only stay 15 months in the Congress of the fascist state bla bla, because that's the time we need to get independence. He has been a representative for six years in a row and remains because there were national elections and he will still be in Congress. Is this a circus or am I losing something? Why don't we have correct politicians? Jesus Christ...

Maybe you will no longer care about this little Mediterranean Kosovo. But it is funny how the tables have turned. From wishing the independence of an evil state to see the Spanish National Team at the Camp Nou.

The Trump campaign is already selling merch of his mugshot. It will go down as one of the most famous shots in American history. I’m buying for posterity. — NOS4A2

$25 for just a coffee mug. Jesus Christ...
The price of the t-shirt is $34, holy molly!

I haven't exchanged words and arguments with you yet, but I appreciate your kindness. I think appreciation is one of the key features of each person.

Finished Don Quixote a few weeks back. — Maw

I always wondered how would be to read Don Quixote in other languages. If it is complex in Spanish, I cannot imagine in English or Japanese. It may be the same thought when Ulysses is read in a foreign language, as well as Genji Monogatari, and so on.

Translators have made it possible for us to read novels from all over the world.

Are you sure? Isn't that just as much about confidence? — Amity

I think more than confidence, it is finishing what it has started.

A way of carrying out the task. — Amity

I agree, and I couldn't have said it better. This is what is expected from a qualified person. Don't you think?

Well, I think perseverance is a method. It is about of maintaining the pace every day constantly. It doesn't depend on positive attitude because even in "bad days" those writers still have the attitude to keep writing because they developed such method. At least it is just the way I see it but, if I say I want to write a 1,000 page novel, I will do it for sure. That's what perseverance is about, the technique comes later on.

Aren't you considering perseverance as a method? :chin:

Exactly. Sooner or later, we urgently need help to face our mood. I discover this issue when I became mature and I started to accept that I need medication to help me out. To be honest, I do not like therapy, so that's why always tried to find another solution or option.

On the other hand, addiction to sugar is an important issue too, and I am worried about kids as much as you do. Well, it is another action by the hypocrisy of the state and corporations. I have already pointed out the big problem of alcohol and tobacco, but sugar is another one. While some get notoriously mad for consuming CBD, they allow children to become obese and letting their childish brain on the dependence of that trash... I cannot even understand this situation. Why it is allowed to eat food processing it is something that cannot behold with arguments. I wish some would have more responsibility for their decisions, but it seems that most do not care because money is more important anyway...

To be honest, when I was a teenager (around 12 or 15 years old), I thought that the people who were consumers were taking drugs out of self pleasure. I was totally wrong. I discovered with the passing of the years that it is acceptable to face life struggles, and I wish that the state would be responsible on this matter rather than just criminalize both producers and consumers.(Act with less hypocrisy, while it is permitted to consume alcohol and tobacco.)

I will need to read something by him, since my story received several comparisons. Never heard of him before then! — hypericin

I will always recommend his works. I understand that he is not everyone's cup of tea, but even those accept that he is an exceptional novelist.

For examples of someone trying to unsuccessfully ‘escape medication addiction’, I wonder if public violent meltdowns (and shootings) qualify? (Tangential but important question). — 0 thru 9

Good question.

I think it could be a causal factor. Given its complexity, we can never know about the meltdowns of a person who is struggling to get rid of psychiatric pills. We just briefly understand that they end up in "Drug withdrawal syndrome" and depending on each patient one could act violently.

I am not a doctor nor a psychologist, but I personally believe that those need like a "placebo" using plants or oil, for example.

Thanks for that valuable data friend. I already discussed with you the counter effects of mixing them up, but after such tragic experience :lol: I learned something important: Cannabidiol (aka CBD) is much better than mood medications. I did the clinical trial of not taking pills of bromazepam and only taking CBD. The results were fascinating. I feel better with myself and I do not have that grapefruit interaction nor Rebound effect.
I agree with you. Cannabis could be very helpful to face anxiety or mood disorders. It could be interesting to mix it with other plants like Valerian or Lavender. All of this natural... I ain't a doctor either but Jeez I guess natural gummies are better than chemical stuff...

My writing process is based on perseverance. I am not a professional writer or novelist, but I fully recommend a lecture on "novelist as vocation" by Murakami. He expressed his ups and downs during the process of his novels. It inspired me the fact that he he puts the effort of writing everyday, and he doesn't leave his desktop until he reaches five or more pages (written in Japanese characters)

As time goes by, and you get older, and you notice that was not true. Truth is that, everyone dies eventually, and they never come back forever. — Corvus

Exactly. This can be one of the universal affirmative premises.

The fact that everyone will die one day. — Corvus

I thought the same, but I supposed that was obvious.

By the way, glad to see you around again, Corvus.

Joji :flower: I think I already posted something about him here.

1. Read a philosophy text and attempt to understand it.
2. Read a different philosophy text, even by the same author, and attempt to understand it.
3. Compare and contrast the two texts. If able write some things down to attempt to solidify your thoughts. Share it with anyone interested!
4. Repeat, if desired, or add a rule. (Purposefully ambiguous) — Moliere

5. Try to search for a definition of a concept if it is not understood. :smile:

Javi is Spanish
But his soul is Japanese
He is passionate — T Clark

You know I love when you say my soul is Japanese. I have not visited Japan yet. What will happen when I would do so? A criss-crossed between my mind and soul?

Those three examples are not haiku. They are zappai (or even senryū, the last one) because there is not a kigo (a reference to summer, autumn, spring or winter) and they just reflect ideas, not feelings nor amazement.
It is not necessary to express a lot words in a haiku. It is about to be precise and specific. For example, this one by Bashoō is more philosophical than the rest:

Oh, tranquility!

Penetrating the very rock,

A cicada’s voice.

... What an excellent haiku for summertime, right? :smile:

Haiku is not a Zen souvenir. It is Japanese art and literature. To compose a haiku, you need to work out on Japanese aesthetics previously.

Underground, Haruki Murakami.

@Tom Storm Tom, you asked me a few months ago what were the best Murakami's books. I replied with a two novels and one essay, but now I must update it because the essay that I am currently reading is a masterpiece.

The book is about the 1995 Tokyo subway sarin attack. Between February and December 1996, Murakami works as a journalist and asks a few questions to the victims. He even went to the trial of the terrorists too. He did this with the aim to help the victims and their families to get more respect and recognition, because the press was treating them badly...

The testimonial of the victims and the talent of Murakami to transcribe it all, makes this essay very worthy to read. :up:

Why is the body so complicated lol. Jerry Seinfeld said if our car needed as much maintenance as our body, we’d get rid of it because of the hassle! — 0 thru 9

LMAO he nailed it! :lol:

I slept better this night. I found a trick: Drinking Valerian tea previously to take the dose of CBD. I think it helped me because when I took it I was like... Drowsy.

Yes, I still consume melatonin but even these were not so effective due to the heat wave of the week before! Crazy.

I am happy to know that the problem was not the Cannabis oil but this hateful summer time.

Here’s an article about how CBD might affect metabolism of medications. — 0 thru 9

Interesting. I think I could have one of the factors because I take one pill mood medications, such as to treat anxiety. Maybe this is why - sometimes, it doesn't happen always - I wake up with fatigue or I feel dizzy during the first hours of the morning. :chin:

Good morning :flower: