Contrast of life

North America feels like it is in a lull. The pace is so slow (particularily in Canada). People seem somewhat too comfortable in their established ways. Prolonged establishment will eventually lead to change (for instance the current state of France). Walking through the cities in North America, buildings look dated, cold/dirty and bland. Half of the storefronts are vacant and entire buildings remain abandoned. Subway systems rattle and screech with rust. The place feels hollow. Random pedestrians wander the streets. There is no bustle of life - just routine.

In major cities in Asia, the rumble of the city can be heard from space. People flood the streets from dawn and movement does not stop until late in evening. Market places bicker noisily, information travels, money is exchanged and deals are made. The movement is something that can be felt and it resonates. Just being in Asia there is a feeling that things are happening - information flowing, and capital flowing - People making it rich and crashing to the floor. Buildings torn down, massive sky scrappers popping up, new highways built… it is constant.

CHINA RISES

There is a really great 4 part documentary put out by the CBC called China Rises. It covers issues of rapid modernization, advancing technology, loss of tradition/food/culture, pollution, production (counterfeit), the youth culture and the new generation attitudes and politics.



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