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This is not by any means the most enjoyable Olympics I've watched, that honor stays with the LA Olympics that I spent a summer glued to and was less techie and more down to earth.
That said, this Olympics has been eye-opening in ways that I never expected. Feel a bit like Alice walking through the looking glass watching them at times, with all the odd undercurrents.
I thought I knew what China was about - I've had friends from China, worked with people from different regions of China, I dated a doctor from Shang-hai, and my sister-inlaw's little adoptive half-sis (who is Chinese) lives in Shang-hai with her adoptive semi-famous literary Mom, who I've met exactly twice. Also I've read all the reports regarding Tibet and the stuff about China's support of Dafur (which is eerily reminiscent of the US's support of similar African regimes). And I knew that in China you were only permitted to have one child (makes sense when you consider there are 1.3 billion people in China and barely enough resources to feed them all). What I did not realize is how truly frightening a country China truly is - in how it regards women, people, and what it deems important.
Last night they told us about the Chinese female gymnasts - that these girls were taken from their homes at the age of 3, not permitted to see their parents but once a year, and when one begged to go home - her parents ordered her to stay because their livilhood depended on her success. In the paper this morning, it was reported that the little girl (5 or 6 years of age) who sang for the opening ceremonies was replaced because she wasn't pretty enough - her voice remained, but was lip-synched by a prettier and older girl, without crooked teeth or gaps in her teeth.
Meanwhile, we have these amazing swimming races - Michael Phelps is to swimming what Tiger Woods is to golf. If you are or were a swimmer, like I was, you can appreciate what that means. He excels at all the strokes. And has obtained more gold medals than anyone else. Yet, the fact that we care how many golds or trophies people get...makes me edgy.
During the spectacle - which we later learned was enhanced by technology - the fireworks were computer generated due to the smog and other issues - it was clear how bad the air quality of Beijing is. They've tried to make it better, but it is almost impossible. But - they have amazing technology.
The Chinese people are a beautiful people, with amazing skills - the drumming during the spectacle, the calm almost tranguil painting dance, and the grace of the gestures - yet the government is so oppressive. But one can't help but wonder what would happen if it weren't? 1.3 billion people. Half of which are barely getting by as it is. The US in contrast has 303.8 million.
I love the Chinese culture, the people, but at the same time see things in their culture and I guess in my own that scares me. The almost oppressive disregard for individuality and diversity. The insane value placed on "image", specifically superficial images. How beauty is perceived as being thin, perfect, tiny, with no perceptible flaws. Like a doll.
The girl who had been replaced - looked prettier and more interesting to me than her replacement. But beauty to me, is in the eye of the beholder. Often what themob majority deems beautiful does nothing for me. I'm not a Patrick Dempsey fan for example nor do I consider Katherine Heigle all that pretty. Sandra Oh and Kevin McKidd (Journeyman)on the other hand....
The stories the news media is reporting are at times disturbing. There's one about video dating for Pandas who aren't interested in mating. They need to push them to mate to ensure they don't die out.
Never has watching the Olympics felt so disturbingly surreal and educational. And busy. Very busy. Too many interviews. Too much commentary. Was it always like this? At times I miss the days when we had less information...and the world was much much smaller.
That said, this Olympics has been eye-opening in ways that I never expected. Feel a bit like Alice walking through the looking glass watching them at times, with all the odd undercurrents.
I thought I knew what China was about - I've had friends from China, worked with people from different regions of China, I dated a doctor from Shang-hai, and my sister-inlaw's little adoptive half-sis (who is Chinese) lives in Shang-hai with her adoptive semi-famous literary Mom, who I've met exactly twice. Also I've read all the reports regarding Tibet and the stuff about China's support of Dafur (which is eerily reminiscent of the US's support of similar African regimes). And I knew that in China you were only permitted to have one child (makes sense when you consider there are 1.3 billion people in China and barely enough resources to feed them all). What I did not realize is how truly frightening a country China truly is - in how it regards women, people, and what it deems important.
Last night they told us about the Chinese female gymnasts - that these girls were taken from their homes at the age of 3, not permitted to see their parents but once a year, and when one begged to go home - her parents ordered her to stay because their livilhood depended on her success. In the paper this morning, it was reported that the little girl (5 or 6 years of age) who sang for the opening ceremonies was replaced because she wasn't pretty enough - her voice remained, but was lip-synched by a prettier and older girl, without crooked teeth or gaps in her teeth.
Meanwhile, we have these amazing swimming races - Michael Phelps is to swimming what Tiger Woods is to golf. If you are or were a swimmer, like I was, you can appreciate what that means. He excels at all the strokes. And has obtained more gold medals than anyone else. Yet, the fact that we care how many golds or trophies people get...makes me edgy.
During the spectacle - which we later learned was enhanced by technology - the fireworks were computer generated due to the smog and other issues - it was clear how bad the air quality of Beijing is. They've tried to make it better, but it is almost impossible. But - they have amazing technology.
The Chinese people are a beautiful people, with amazing skills - the drumming during the spectacle, the calm almost tranguil painting dance, and the grace of the gestures - yet the government is so oppressive. But one can't help but wonder what would happen if it weren't? 1.3 billion people. Half of which are barely getting by as it is. The US in contrast has 303.8 million.
I love the Chinese culture, the people, but at the same time see things in their culture and I guess in my own that scares me. The almost oppressive disregard for individuality and diversity. The insane value placed on "image", specifically superficial images. How beauty is perceived as being thin, perfect, tiny, with no perceptible flaws. Like a doll.
The girl who had been replaced - looked prettier and more interesting to me than her replacement. But beauty to me, is in the eye of the beholder. Often what the
The stories the news media is reporting are at times disturbing. There's one about video dating for Pandas who aren't interested in mating. They need to push them to mate to ensure they don't die out.
Never has watching the Olympics felt so disturbingly surreal and educational. And busy. Very busy. Too many interviews. Too much commentary. Was it always like this? At times I miss the days when we had less information...and the world was much much smaller.
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