[Liu Ye as Jing Ke in Raymond Lee’s 2004 TV series, Assassinator Jing Ke] Writing for an English speaking audience, the title of this article is the opposite of a click bait, so how many readers do we have left? Three? Four? Whatever. These characters are Chinese from the 3rd century BC. All extraordinary, they’re immortalized by Sima Qian (c. 145-c. 86BC) in his
Aug 26, 2023·edited Aug 28, 2023Liked by Linh Dinh
The Warring States period in Chinese history is fascinating and complex. It is still impressive to consider that in the 3rd century BC, when most of the planet was still sleeping rough and running around in animal skins, this advanced, literate, philosophical culture that had built extensive permanent works already existed.
A great and entertaining entree into this history for those who aren't immediately inclined to find a decipherable book on the subject is to watch some of the excellent historical costume dramas that Asia has produced on these themes. These often motivate my curiosity enough that I find good books on the subject afterwards to learn more, and to see how much was actually true. Asian producers are much more faithful to history, at least in broad outline, than Hollywood. I have a real gripe with the way Hollywood often warps history to serve modern-day (often trivial) political narratives. When I read up on Asian history after watching an Asian-produced drama, I find that they don't warp history in such obvious ways, if at all.
One show I really liked on the above period is the Chinese-produced "Qin Empire" that can be found on Netflix. It is very long and detailed (and you have to read subtitles, of course), but as far as I can tell, faithful to the recorded history. The three seasons cover the century leading up to the final unification of the states under Qin. If you're still thirsting for more after 200-odd episodes when you reach the end, you can watch the earlier-produced show "King's War" that covers the period between unification and the dissolution of Qin and the passing of the baton to Han.
I have also watched numerous historical dramas produced in Korea (one of the most famous in "Jumong"), and then there is the Turkish-produced "Ertugrul". An interesting feature of all these is their effort to leave the domestic viewer with a sense of pride in his history. I am neither Chinese, Korean, or Turkish, but I can feel it. When was the last time you noticed this in Western programming, which if it evokes any feeling about our history, seems designed to make us ashamed? Propaganda and narrative are at work everywhere and always in the modern state.
But every empire can find both pride and shame in its history if it looks objectively. At the beginning, empires do what they decide they must to make life good for their own citizens. The signal that you are nearing the end of empire is when State power begins to turn itself inward against its own citizens.
Agree with much of what you say, Bill. In America, under FDR's New Deal a broad middle-class was allowed to develop here. Beginning in 1981 with Reagan's term New Deal legislation began to be repealed.
At about that time we also began to see the maturation and beginning decline of American capitalism; as growth was no longer constantly in the three percent plus range the capitalists turned their power (and their ire) against their own working class and began the process of wealth extraction from the middle and lower classes that culminated in the Financial Crises of 2008 and the subsequent Great Recession which, it might be argued we are still in. Expect more wealth extraction from the lower classes by the economic privileged class in America in the coming years. The Covid vaccine scam was just one. More to come. Hang on to your wallet.
PS I am by no means an expert on Chinese or East Asian history. But several years ago I stumbled (fortuitously) upon the writings of a Tang era poet that even in translation were mesmerizing in there austere simplicity. I wish I could recall his name. He wrote of the most quotidian topics but made them seem like one had never noticed them before. I'm just an amateur but the only poets I can compare him to in the West would be some of Geothe's short poems and Shakespeare's Sonnets. By the way and for what it's worth, this gentleman had a reputation of being a heavy drinker. I think he might have been Du Fu (?)
Yes.When I read Du Fu some years ago,I felt his presence in the room!Even made me look over my shoulder!Even remembering it now gives me slight goose bumps.I think because we are now like Tang Dynasty at the onset of destruction.
Brilliantly evocative writing and photos, Mr. Dinh. Thank's for the thought provoking images.
I find that most advertising in The States (to change the subject slightly) is aimed at nine or ten year olds (of any age). The ads feature people not just smiling but grinning from ear to ear conveying to the viewer, "you could be having the good time I'm having if you just consume the product I'm consuming." What a sad, infantile distorted view of life we are subjected to here.
America is a nation now based on images and slogans. The superficial image; the trite sound-bite. It seems to me that a lot of our fellow citizens are discontent if they aren't constantly having the carefully crafted faux good-time they see in advertisements.
So thanks for seeking the truth and avoiding the trite. There's more to life than "have a nice day!" Or is it just me?
I guess the last poster is an "Engrish" mistake, but it is actually very accurate. Are lockdowns coming back? I didn't think so, but there are some indications that they are preparing something.
Prigozhin -- is he really dead? His death, like Epstein's, seems very suspicious and convenient at this point. So I am not sure if it's not one huge fake.
Great writing. Thinking patterns and ideas of honor alter over centuries, it is clear. Personally, I would think it absurd and entirely dishonorable to take Tian Guang's route and end the life that my parents gave me. And for what? To fulfill/aid the ambitions of a King/Prince/Politician? No. Never. Since the War on Terrorism and Covid scams, I have become even more aware of how easily people can be brainwashed/hoodwinked/manipulated into sacrificing themselves for notions/concerns that might not have even affected them on a personal level if only they had left things well alone. Do it for the people/nation/greater good. I think the world would be a lot better off without these types of motivators/doers/change-bringers. The masses would probably still be asses, but at least they wouldn't get driven off the cliffs. I took a hint from Voltaire and am busy cultivating a garden.
Putin's nemesis, Igor Girkin, alias Strelkov, who, alas, has been thrown into prison for "having crossed all redlines" insulting Putin, once described Putin as a self-styled patriot who is really a closet Atlanticist. He castigated Putin for wishing to have the best of both worlds, but predicted, quite correctly as it turned out, that Putin, in trying to fit one arse on two stools, would fall in between.
Paul Craig Roberts agrees, suggesting that Putin is trying to please, on the one hand, the treasonous Russian Intelligentsia (Middle Class), and on the other, Russian patriots, but finds himself pleasing neither.
Ever since the start of the so-called SMO, P.C. Roberts has never stopped marvelling at the degree of obtuseness in Putin, in forcing the world's mightiest military force to fight like a third world army.
The Warring States period in Chinese history is fascinating and complex. It is still impressive to consider that in the 3rd century BC, when most of the planet was still sleeping rough and running around in animal skins, this advanced, literate, philosophical culture that had built extensive permanent works already existed.
A great and entertaining entree into this history for those who aren't immediately inclined to find a decipherable book on the subject is to watch some of the excellent historical costume dramas that Asia has produced on these themes. These often motivate my curiosity enough that I find good books on the subject afterwards to learn more, and to see how much was actually true. Asian producers are much more faithful to history, at least in broad outline, than Hollywood. I have a real gripe with the way Hollywood often warps history to serve modern-day (often trivial) political narratives. When I read up on Asian history after watching an Asian-produced drama, I find that they don't warp history in such obvious ways, if at all.
One show I really liked on the above period is the Chinese-produced "Qin Empire" that can be found on Netflix. It is very long and detailed (and you have to read subtitles, of course), but as far as I can tell, faithful to the recorded history. The three seasons cover the century leading up to the final unification of the states under Qin. If you're still thirsting for more after 200-odd episodes when you reach the end, you can watch the earlier-produced show "King's War" that covers the period between unification and the dissolution of Qin and the passing of the baton to Han.
I have also watched numerous historical dramas produced in Korea (one of the most famous in "Jumong"), and then there is the Turkish-produced "Ertugrul". An interesting feature of all these is their effort to leave the domestic viewer with a sense of pride in his history. I am neither Chinese, Korean, or Turkish, but I can feel it. When was the last time you noticed this in Western programming, which if it evokes any feeling about our history, seems designed to make us ashamed? Propaganda and narrative are at work everywhere and always in the modern state.
But every empire can find both pride and shame in its history if it looks objectively. At the beginning, empires do what they decide they must to make life good for their own citizens. The signal that you are nearing the end of empire is when State power begins to turn itself inward against its own citizens.
"The signal that you are nearing the end of empire is when State power begins to turn itself inward against its own citizens."
Agree with much of what you say, Bill. In America, under FDR's New Deal a broad middle-class was allowed to develop here. Beginning in 1981 with Reagan's term New Deal legislation began to be repealed.
At about that time we also began to see the maturation and beginning decline of American capitalism; as growth was no longer constantly in the three percent plus range the capitalists turned their power (and their ire) against their own working class and began the process of wealth extraction from the middle and lower classes that culminated in the Financial Crises of 2008 and the subsequent Great Recession which, it might be argued we are still in. Expect more wealth extraction from the lower classes by the economic privileged class in America in the coming years. The Covid vaccine scam was just one. More to come. Hang on to your wallet.
PS I am by no means an expert on Chinese or East Asian history. But several years ago I stumbled (fortuitously) upon the writings of a Tang era poet that even in translation were mesmerizing in there austere simplicity. I wish I could recall his name. He wrote of the most quotidian topics but made them seem like one had never noticed them before. I'm just an amateur but the only poets I can compare him to in the West would be some of Geothe's short poems and Shakespeare's Sonnets. By the way and for what it's worth, this gentleman had a reputation of being a heavy drinker. I think he might have been Du Fu (?)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chunwang_(poem)#:~:text=%22Chunwang%22%20(Chinese%3A%20%E6%98%A5,best%20and%20best%2Dknown%20works.
https://mypoeticside.com/show-classic-poem-10779
Yes.When I read Du Fu some years ago,I felt his presence in the room!Even made me look over my shoulder!Even remembering it now gives me slight goose bumps.I think because we are now like Tang Dynasty at the onset of destruction.
Brilliantly evocative writing and photos, Mr. Dinh. Thank's for the thought provoking images.
I find that most advertising in The States (to change the subject slightly) is aimed at nine or ten year olds (of any age). The ads feature people not just smiling but grinning from ear to ear conveying to the viewer, "you could be having the good time I'm having if you just consume the product I'm consuming." What a sad, infantile distorted view of life we are subjected to here.
America is a nation now based on images and slogans. The superficial image; the trite sound-bite. It seems to me that a lot of our fellow citizens are discontent if they aren't constantly having the carefully crafted faux good-time they see in advertisements.
So thanks for seeking the truth and avoiding the trite. There's more to life than "have a nice day!" Or is it just me?
I guess the last poster is an "Engrish" mistake, but it is actually very accurate. Are lockdowns coming back? I didn't think so, but there are some indications that they are preparing something.
Prigozhin -- is he really dead? His death, like Epstein's, seems very suspicious and convenient at this point. So I am not sure if it's not one huge fake.
Great writing. Thinking patterns and ideas of honor alter over centuries, it is clear. Personally, I would think it absurd and entirely dishonorable to take Tian Guang's route and end the life that my parents gave me. And for what? To fulfill/aid the ambitions of a King/Prince/Politician? No. Never. Since the War on Terrorism and Covid scams, I have become even more aware of how easily people can be brainwashed/hoodwinked/manipulated into sacrificing themselves for notions/concerns that might not have even affected them on a personal level if only they had left things well alone. Do it for the people/nation/greater good. I think the world would be a lot better off without these types of motivators/doers/change-bringers. The masses would probably still be asses, but at least they wouldn't get driven off the cliffs. I took a hint from Voltaire and am busy cultivating a garden.
You sure are a man of learning.
Brilliant.
Putin's nemesis, Igor Girkin, alias Strelkov, who, alas, has been thrown into prison for "having crossed all redlines" insulting Putin, once described Putin as a self-styled patriot who is really a closet Atlanticist. He castigated Putin for wishing to have the best of both worlds, but predicted, quite correctly as it turned out, that Putin, in trying to fit one arse on two stools, would fall in between.
Paul Craig Roberts agrees, suggesting that Putin is trying to please, on the one hand, the treasonous Russian Intelligentsia (Middle Class), and on the other, Russian patriots, but finds himself pleasing neither.
Ever since the start of the so-called SMO, P.C. Roberts has never stopped marvelling at the degree of obtuseness in Putin, in forcing the world's mightiest military force to fight like a third world army.
Linh, you are suffering from depression. You can't write if you're not here, and your writing has value. Tomorrow will be better. Honest.