Temple of Heaven 天坛
Jingshan Park 景山公园
Views from Jingshan Park 景山公园
Do androids dream of electric sheep?
As AlphaGo demonstrates that artificial intelligence (AI) can beat human intelligence in complex situations, what does this mean for the future? Will robots be our willing servants so we can relax and take it easy while they do all the work, or will they rise up and fight against us? What about space travel, genetic modification, clean energy? What would society look like if the future could be predicted? Or if death could be reversed? Or if our own intelligence could be modified or augmented?
Science fiction stories in books and movies explore these kind of questions, and by exploring different types of society, they show us truths about own society. What insights about the world we live in can we gain by looking at alternative worlds?
Mother’s hand is waiting for yours to hold
Chinese people have a saying: “尊老爱幼,” which means, “Respect the old and cherish the young.” These traditional attitudes and priorities are part of the reason I really love Chinese culture, but many such ideas are being eroded in modern society, often by the influence of western culture.
The story below was in my reading textbook this week, and it really touched a nerve with me. I’ve included the whole story, and translated it into English as best as I’m able.
Continue reading “Mother’s hand is waiting for yours to hold”
Full moon
Beautiful full moon tonight for the Lantern Festival
Two little dinosaurs
Two little dinosaurs snuggled up on the balcony to watch the Lantern Festival fireworks before bed!
Worrying story of Chinese teenagers abroad turning to crime and violence
As I read this story, I felt very sad at the attitudes of the teenagers and their parents. These three young people are being punished for doing horrible things to another Chinese teenager, and their response is that it’s their parents’ fault for not bringing them up better. Sure, that’s probably true, and a sad reflection on the parents and the modern society that allows this to happen, but it’s like the kids are trying to absolve themselves of all responsibility: “It’s not my fault I’m a horrible person, blame my parents, blame society.” This seems all too familiar and pervades Western attitudes to crime and punishment. Surely the truth is that we all have choices to make? We are strongly influenced by so many things, true, but when push comes to shove, or to kick, then we have the choice to make in that moment. No one else makes that choice for us, and we can choose a better way.
Wrapped up
It’s a tad chilly. -15°C today with wind chill down to -30°C! We went to a shopping centre and had a nice indoorsy kind of day, but the ten minute walk home from the bus stop led to children crying with cold, even with six layers, hats, scarves, gloves and thermal underwear. Can’t imagine what it feels like further north!