Why, God? Why?
What prompts someone to write a 95,000+ word essay series and distribute it freely? By definition, a freely distributed essay offers little means for remuneration. And the odds of being recognized for this effort are likely between those of being struck by lightning while exploring a deep mine and those of being beaten to death with a bowling pin.
Here is my answer:
I wrote this essay series because I believe that both the United States and China suffer from serious misunderstandings of each other’s cultures, traditions, and values. From these misunderstandings may arise more serious communications failures and dangerous misinterpretations on the part of each nation of her counterpart’s goals, actions, and strategies. It is to the benefit of almost all people everywhere that such confusion and sources of contention be minimized or eliminated. Someone should work towards this end, and while I am far from the best-qualified person, I consider myself to be someone, making me preferable to no one.
I do not desire to see China become a clone of the United States or for the United States to become one of China, nor do I long for a synthetic world-is-flat unified culture to emerge. Anyone reading the third essay in this series should ascertain that my vision for each nation is different, and I urge those interested in the wellbeing of either country to review that document with some care. Even those concerned exclusively with the survival of one nation would do well to consider the options and potential outcomes facing the other, if only for perspective.
Different People, Different Challenges, Different Spheres
If the United States can manage her internal stresses and her omnipredatorial impulses with a modest level of competence, she can long remain a global player in the realms of science, technology, and media. If China can resist her impulse to isolate herself and her people, she can expand her influence and grow more prosperous without betraying her culture or her traditions. But the conditional—the if—matters.
These countries need not interfere in each other’s affairs. They can have their separate spheres, close but rarely touching.
And those spheres can spin and whir along and sing their subtle praises of the roundness of the world.
The Rules
The Rules is a philosophy and self-inquiry text designed to help readers develop mental discipline and set life goals. It does this by way of guided readings and open-ended questions that facilitate the rational and systematic application of each Rule.
Put another way: The Rules is a book designed to help men survive and thrive in the West.
Foresight (And Other Stories)
Four tales across time and distance. Always satirical and frequently dark, this collection considers the breadth of isolation and the depth of connection.
Brant von Goble is a writer, editor, publisher, researcher, teacher, musician, juggler, and amateur radio operator.
He is the author of several books and articles of both the academic and non-academic variety. He owns and operates the book publishing company Loosey Goosey Press.
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