Can we, Asians, think?

On saturday, I bought many books, 16 of them altogether! Due to the Hope sale, the books are just 3 for $1. I hope to read finish all of them before my ORD haha. One of the interesting book I bought is titled "Can Asians think?" When the book caught Joy's eye, her reaction was like "ohh we are Asians, of course we can think!" Contrastingly, my reaction is like "oh I'm an Asian so I'm wondering if I can think." Haha. This contrast in response was later to be unveiled when I read the first chapter of the book. Can Asians think? The answers: Yes, no, maybe. 'Maybe' poses the strongest argument so far.

Briefly

In the past, the East has often seen the West as more superior. Their rise in economic powers and colonialism has given us that impression. Asia seems to be lagging behind. China was once a thousand year civilisation that has invented paper, gunpowder and even currencies. But after the 18th century, the West has risen. Europe and the US were the superpowers. The only more modern and perceived as a more democratic Asian nation was Japan then.

Asia has always wanted to emulate the West's success. The influence of the West also spread during the Cold War. Some Asian thinkers believed that to succeed is to follow the way of democracy, of which the West at that time, is strongly propagating.

China started to open its economy to the rest of the world and since then has seen tremendous growth in its economy. The 4 Tigers of Asia - Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Korea has also seen great rise economically. From then til now, we have seen China's success despite it still not turning to democracy. More and more people are starting to believe that democracy is not the only political ideology that can achieve success for a nation.

Even til now, China is still continuing to face problems on its home front. Although the growth of Asian nations were phenomenal, it has yet to attain to the stability and peace that Western nations has enjoyed. (this book was published in 1998) Even US today faces war on two countries, perhaps there is no Western nation that will see a civil war nor huge conflicts within (except perhaps for Ireland). The issue of Taiwan still exists, there is still Vietnam, The Philippines and a state of a certain amount of dissatisfaction with the political systems that we have.

This proves one more thing. The problems and state of Asia is so diverse and unique to each nation, we cannot merely copy Western methods to solve these problems and advance forward in the economic and political world front. In another sense, we are forced or driven to the wall to think.

In the past, Asian nations has seen the West as more superior, and would like to emulate them. But today, countries such as China have grown so much, by adopting positions and policies that is peculiar to its own culture, refusing democracy. From a probably more extreme Mao period, to present-day after the Olympics, it has now become more 'balanced' and pragmatic in the world stage. It has been adapting more and more comfortably in its niche role in the world. Because of this, many Beijing-ers agree that China will be asked to be involve more in the world such as interventions and peace making etc.

In the US, Barack Obama poses hope to the nation which has been in 8 years of war and goose-chasing in the Middle East, allowed China to run closer and closer in its tracks. He is a more popular candidate outside US perhaps of his more favourable media attention. However, his main task of proving himself is not only on its foreign relations (or impressions), but problems homefront as well. So far, none has asked the question "can the Westerners think or not?" as their intellect superiority still looms. The question "can Asians think?" is a question only Asians can answer. Longing to see how China does in the next 4-5 years will be equally anticpative to how US perform in front of many watchful eyes. Whether can Asians think is still a "maybe". We can be sure that when the answer comes to "yes" it will be a great surprise to many.


AHM
Saturday night, Karshun and I met up to go to Charlie's house to stay overnight as Charlie was fetching us to the Army Half Marathon. We are all tired at night so we slept very quickly. Charlie and I ran 10km but Karshun ran 21km. 10km was quite a breeze but I think 21km will really be challenging!

The place was quite muddy. I thought they should cover the ground with something rather than setting up barricades near the Padang for the event. The soles of my shoes came off, it was tangling 3/4 of its length and slapping mud to the person standing behind me every step I took. It was quite funny to me. It was really easy to start a mud war there, especially the area where you can collect your bananas, 100 plus and mineral waters. Met some of my secondary school friends, Sispec mates, as well as Minister Teo!

Oh, in the end, the soles went off entirely. One shoe was without a sole aka its "soul" lol. But Kar Shun refreshed us by letting us use his house bathroom, thereafter I went to meet some RP and NYP guys for a meaningful time at Kai En's house near Bt Batok and Bt Gombak. The 3 of them Charlie, Kar Shun and Kelvin went to service with a tired state of mind but it was really tiring day overall. Had headaches and fatigue after the run.. haha