Apr 21, 2006

Google in China: The Big Disconnect

Google in China: The Big Disconnect: "While Baidu appealed to young MP3 hunters, Google became popular with a different set: white-collar urban professionals in the major Chinese cities, aspirational types who follow Western styles and sprinkle English words into conversation, a class that prides itself on being cosmopolitan rather than nationalistic."

By contrasting with "cosmopolitan", the author probably uses the negative meaning of the word nationalism --"The belief that nations will benefit from acting independently rather than collectively, emphasizing national rather than international goals" (From American Heritage Dictionary). I wonder, however, whether it is possible for one to be cosmopolitan and nationalistic at the same time. The neutral meaning of nationalism-- "Devotion to the interests or culture of a particular nation--provides such a possibility. So if one who has a global view devotes to the interests or culture of a particular nation, one is possible to achieve a balance between being cosmopolitan and nationalistic.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

u may refer to this link:
http://www.mindmeters.com/showlog.asp?log_id=2361

Wendong said...

I've read it, and it's a very insightful essay. I put 《吾国吴民》on my reading plan. Thank you very much, and glad to hear from you, Alf.
By the way, I also read your recent post in your blog. It's nice one. But I enjoy comedies more, even though tragedy can strike the cord of hearts stronger. Could you write some comedies?

Anonymous said...

Tragedy is like a mirror, while comedy is like a prism.