Dear Amber - Chinatomy: Chinese Gods and 'Shanghai Diaries'

Aric - 加油

Above is the show Amber mentioned being her favorite.

About 40 more at:

http://current.com/topics/88806683_shanghai_diaries

Not sure why I can't get the 'link' option working there...

Appreciate the support.

Dear Amber is always so informative, I love hearing whats happening from people that are actually in China (that are not connected to CNN)

And I am so frustrated with people that wont take the time to get their facts straight about whats actually happening, making uneducated comments about China.

Is this meant to be (a replacement for) today's lesson?

It's Aric week! He shows up on DA and Jenny's blog. Maybe it's time for a new Aric jingle for Chinesepod. :D

Inserting links: first select the text that you want to point to the link. Then the link options become available.

well. these pic...

the first one is a buddhism godness, he was male in indian buddhism but when he came to china one thousand years ago, he bacame she gradually. she has 72 embodiments.

the others are neither taoism nor confucianism or they are both taoism and confucianism. they are deceased human beings who were offered sacrifice by the commen people then entitled by kings according to confucianism offical position or taoism gods system. so they are folk gods.

Click Here -> Shanghai Diaries <- Click Here

There you go :)

ah! you're the man - thanks!

@light

How did you post that link like that?

I posted this over in the other thread but I'll post it over here as well:

To add a link:

1. Write some text.
2. Select it.
3. Click the Insert/Edit Link button at the top of the editor.
4. Paste the link into the Link URL box.
5. To make it so it opens in a new window, set Target to "Open link in new window".
6. Click Insert.

@light

I got it! Thanks a lot : )

I'm not comfortable with the political angle of this episode. I also find it strange that Aric is enouraging us to be open minded and make our own decisions while emphatically labeling anyone who might agree or sympathize with Sharon Stone as being stupid and ignorant. I personally don't like Sharon Stone's comments but she certainly has a right to her opinion and a right not to be burned at the stake for it.

hi aric, great to hear your voice again :)

just wondering if there's an RSS feed for the Shanghai Diaries Show? (I couldn't find it at the currenttv sight or your blog)

the shows look really great, but they're downloading really slowly for me so it's making it kinda hard to watch.

@ Dave

well, if you agree to her statement that he´s refering to you probably are stupid and ignorant... but no one will burn you nor harm you or any one for having a opinion on what ever :-)

no offense...

A different show. More politically based than the rest.

You might get some flak for the comments, and even if I don't really agree with everything said, I like that the show gained somewhat of an independent flavour.

@ jeanv

it´s probabaly better to just watch them online.

It takes only seconds to load (at least for me (in Germany) using a dsl 2000 line )

it's taking me about 15min or so to download. the thing is it stops downloading when i pause the video. also if i let it all download and then rewind, it starts downloading all over again (!). so i'm watching it all choppy which is annoying because the content is obviously great.

hmmm, I had this problem with the youtube vid Jenny posted in todays lesson (nice vid, still waiting for a link to the full anime...). maybe you have to reload the page... I did it (with the you tube vid), started the vid, pressed the play/pause button after the first picture came up, waited until it was loaded and it worked....

Here's a link to the story of Zhong Kui on Wikipedia, mentioned in connection with the Xuanzong Emperor.

Here's a recap from this past week.

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Hmmmm - that embedded player worked the last time...

I fixed it for you.. I sent you a private message with the instructions on how to embed this type of video.

Two cents to buy food for thought:

China is going to host an international event, for the world, and in effort to be a part of the world.  Just look at how China was 20 years ago. In short, a communist government that blockaded the country from the world.  Despite amazing changes, changes that have a lot of postitive growth to them, forces want to tarnish China.  IMO these same forces what to tarnish America too, but thats another angle for another discussion. 

What these forces are is difficult to define and decipher, but serious consideration, and discernment needs to be applied on 'the media' that is daily consumed by the world.

An example of the discernment can be taken for this form of media outlet called DA.  Today, Aric called out Fox News.  To me this is rather particular.  Fox News is the one American TV media outlet that has a propensity to lean politically (US politics here) right. Looking at the 'friends of Cpod' CNN, MSNBC, The New York Times, etc, have, some more than others and in varying degress, a propensity to lean politically (US politics here) left.  What exactly is Aric trying to say here?

I wish I could find some moderate news reporting.

In general, when I view American news from channels, I hear residual fear about China that has roots from WW2's results and the communist take over.  As we know, a lot has changed from then, and the 'West' is just now starting preschool on getting educate about China.

To sign off, Cpod does an amazing job of educating people about China through the means of language education.  The long term and board applications of this education hopefully has immeasurable positive effects.

great lesson

Yay.. I worked out how to post a webcam reply to Aric's shanghai diaries.. :)

Nice to see Aric taking 1/2 of the magic that was the greatest Saturday Show known to man (the other half being Jenny Zhu of course... and Colleen there at the end) and making something that keeps the world somewhat connected to a perspecitive on China not often heard.  Any Chinesepod users not living in China should make a great effor to use your rapidly improving language skills to make friends with Chinese folks in your community and you might understand why Sharon Stone should be burned at the stake for making such an absurd comment. (Hopefully you already know why, but having some Chinese friends will paint a new perspective on China for any of you still thinking in terms of your 10th grade World Cultures class).

Good job y'all.

light487 - you're a star; and thanks for the vid response on current, I'll get back to you as soon as I land.

(Clay/Amber - sorry about the mess I made here with my embedded attempts)

Thanks to all for the support - as constantly mentioned, this is *my* take on life here and simply another way to get an addittional side of the story out.

Don't get me started on the 'fair and balanced' network.

amber 我爱你！那时很好！

Rash, I live in Taiwan, have had a Taiwanese girlfriend for over 2 years, and I feel I'm pretty familiar with Chinese culture. My point about Sharon Stone is that it has nothing to do with 'understanding china.' She put her foot in her mouth, let her emotions do the talking and said something stupid. I get the outrage but I am seriously disappointed by the lack of sympathy she has received. Mankind is far too quick in pointing fingers. Let us not forget that authoritarian crackdowns by a government that has massive popular support is the reason she made the statements. However,  she was clearly blaming the wrong people and the whole karma thing is absurd. Being someone who has said a stupid thing or two in my life, I am not going to throw fireballs at a voodoo doll made in her likeness.  

I have to agree with Dave here that the Aric film made me uncomfortable, and of course I dont agree with Sharon Stones statement. A horrible thing to say in my opinion. An incredibly ignorant thing to say as well. Dave, I dont agree that we should have any sympathy for her unless she has apologized at the very least, and I dont believe she has. (correct me if I am wrong). Truthfully I dont know and Im not sure it would help. Its not the same as the dumb things you say (sorry couldnt resist :-) )because she sits at a pulpit of celebrity. The last stunt she pulled while sitting there didnt involve words. I didnt realize she was so ignorant.

RJ

You make a good point RJ. I'm pretty sure she did  apologize many times and is trying her best to do damage control. She is a celebrity and it's understandable that she's going to be held to a higher standar (although I think that's a bit silly since she's just an actor). That being said, she's still a regular human being just like the rest of us lowly common folk.

for the record, Stone's official apology through Dior:

"Due to my inappropriate words and acts during the interview, I feel deeply sorry and sad about hurting Chinese people," she said.

"I am willing to take part in the relief work of China's earthquake and wholly devote myself to helping affected Chinese people."

was actually:

Ms. Stone said that she told Mr. Toledano of Dior that since she didn’t believe she had done anything wrong, why didn’t Dior let her clarify her remarks with a statement? That statement, which Cindi Berger, a publicist for Ms. Stone, sent to The New York Times in an e-mail message, said, in part: “I am deeply saddened that a 10-second poorly edited film clip has besmirched my reputation of over 20 years of charitable services on behalf of international charities. My intention is to be of service to the Chinese people.” She expressed sympathy for the earthquake victims and said she regretted if her comments in Cannes were misunderstood.

Yet the apology released in Ms. Stone’s name by Dior’s office in Shanghai bears little resemblance to the original, and the difference seemed to irritate the star. To many bloggers, the apology made Ms. Stone seem at once groveling and insincere — another actress doing what she has to save a movie career.

“It makes it appear that I’m in agreement that I did a bad thing,” Ms. Stone said, adding that she believes the statement was not a poor translation but rather rewritten. It is unclear who at Dior provided the statement to the Chinese news media.

Sharon Stone, Richard Gere... they're actors.  I take comments in their fields of specialty, acting, seriously.  Insofar as the rest, who cares... unless you live in China, of course.

Given my age, the point Aric made about growing up after the cultural revolution resonated with me.  Some of the anger you sense (from Chinese bloggers) is of not being given credit for huge, wrenching, largely beneficial changes made since Mao.

On biased reporting, sure CNN, Fox, etc. have all their problems.  But, as I pointed out in a Chinese blog, for the real McCoy, go to 新华.

The increased scrutiny over China will not go away.  This is the price you pay for being globally recognized.  Other countries deal with operating under a microscope, now China needs to get used to it as well.  Sure there will always be unfair criticism but it's important to not let it consume you and recognize that not all foreign news on China is negative or unfair.

My anecdotal evidence: Since the earthquake, there have been many front page articles about China in my local newspaper (The Philadelphia Inquirer).  Some stories are factual of the who, what, where, when variety; some discuss "negative" aspects (parents protesting over the condition of school houses that collapsed); and some discuss "positive" aspects (tales of heroism and resiliency, relief worker efforts etc.).  I have not noticed any biased efforts in reporting.  Sure, if you only cherry-pick the negative stories or emphasize comments made by a few individuals you may believe there's bias but it's important to look at a variety of reports and not give any credence to what some insignificant yahoo (i.e. Sharon Stone) might say.  

We are going through the initial growing pains of China stepping up to the word stage so those of us outside of China are still trying to understand and form our opinions on it.  Therefore, some awkward moments are bound to happen. 

And just for the record so folks not think I'm picking on China: other countries stumble through this scrutiny as well ("freedom fries" anyone?).

I assume that we send the answer to the riddle to dearamber@praxislanguage.com. Good lesson

been out of town for a few days - here's 90 seconds of why even people like 'FOX' shouldn't be counted on for 'fair' and 'balanced'.

Ah.. Aric..  Too bad we all don't have the power to manipulate elections and public opinion via a network of media outlets.

stones comments were not only insensitive, they were stupid.  As if thousands of people could be responsible for someone elses deal.  Another easily brainless comment from a limo liberal.  Hollywood loves watered down buddhism and the likes, because it can make them seem spiritual, while living a materialistic livelihood.

Does Amber know English? I'm like, you know, sort of, which is why, she spoke funny, and then she says something, sort of.

aric, who is "fair and balanced"?  Besides myself of course... 

What foreign news networks are broadcast to the general public in China?  I've always watched CNN but, of course, that is in a hotel.

I went back and listened to a number of Aric's vlogs as far back as April as well as all of the recent ones.

    I had heard as far back as February that F-Visa's were not going to be honored during the period of the Olympics ... it appears that Aric has been caught up in this fray. Today, Aric appears to be having problems of his with his visa which was not an F Visa. I wonder if there are people at CPod who will also have problems and we will lose them from Cpod. I sincerely hope not.

It is clear to me after reading and watching vlogs from the CBL that Aric's vlog was pretty tame stuff. However, it also appears that he has rubbed the nationalism of some Chinese people the wrong way. I could understand this based on his comments following the interview with Hong Huang as well as his comments regarding the Olympics in his June 5th vlog. I applaud Aric for his honesty and his willingness to comment but I also think he was ill advised to do so, particularly at this time. I agree with Aric: this is a time to be scared.

There are sensitivities in any country that can not be violated without repercussions. We have them in the US and it does not take much imagination to figure out what those are. China as well has certain sensitivities that may not be logical but certainly do exist. We as foreigners need to understand and avoid rubbing these while in their country. We may not agree with them. We may be even strongly abhorrent of the sensitivities. But while we have the privilege of being in a foreign country as a guest, as our passport and visa allows us to be guests, we must try to observe at least neutrality on certain issues. Once we leave their country, them I feel we can be a strident as necessary to comment on those sensitivities consistent with our ideals.

It is my hope that Aric’s successfully retains his Z visa and stays in China. I enjoy his reports but I do wish that he not cross the fine line of insult that will force him to leave China.

nehi, I wonder how to translate: "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all".

I'm having a weird problem with this lesson.  Podcasting, right?  So, it's an automated feed to my MP3 player.  Well, I now have a list of 3 traditional pdf files that are "not found".  One of them appears (from the name) to come from this lesson, but this lesson doesn't appear to have a pdf linked to it at all.  What's up with that?

The other 2 are CA0040 and N0014, and I'll go search for those lessons and leave a similar comment there.

I probably don't agree with Aric on everything, but I liked his interview of the deported american expat. Quite an interesting topic.

Oh, and you should hire Aric to do more CPod jingles, they were pretty good ;-)

-Erik

agh! tried the exact thing you told me light487 - now it's saying something about needing another plugin?

hmmmmm.

here's the link: http://current.com/items/89024842_shanghai_diaries_week_7_recap

If you're not going to the Olympics, visas seem to be a real pain this summer. A friend of my wife's is going to China this summer with her daughter's school, which is a Mandarin immersion high school here in the States.  The kids got through no problem, but the chaperones are having problems. 

Also, as an aside, my wife's friend is a Canadian citizen (from Hong Kong) and her daughter is a U.S citizen.  She said that the American visa ran $100 more than the Canadian one.  Seems random.

I also ran into some hassles getting a Visa for a vacation to visit in-laws (Guangxi) from the Chinese consulate.  However, their other consulate (the Taiwan one) was very accommodating and polite.  Nolo contendre.

tvan, when I last went to get a Chinese visa from the embassy in Vancouver, there were signs mentioning the higher fees for Americans, "due to reciprocity." So I suppose it's more expensive for Chinese to go to the US than to Canada, and they're just doing unto others as has been done to them.

Just watched Aric's last episode and I'm sad to see the show ended so quickly. Enjoyed it though so I figure I'll go back and watch the rest.

As for this DA episode...

I find it somewhat disturbing how much the Chinese have perverted the concept of Buddhism. The very idea of praying to Buddhist figures, or having idols and expensive ornate temples, or even just calling it a "religion" demonstrate a flagrant ignorance of the philosophy's original intent.

Oh and Amber, if you post images like that which are hosted on Flickr you're actually obliged to provide a link back to the original. In this case they're Guan Yin, god of wealth, door gods, and kitchen god.