Would it be too reductive to say that China simply has mastered what James Scott calls “legibility”? It has deployed systems to radically reduce the complexity of its economy reducing the information density by forcing homogeneity. If you make society into a game with strict rules, then it becomes far easier to manage.
The downside is that it is fiendishly anti-human.
I don’t think it is shocking that its birthrate is so low.
This is such a good read! I intend to read the preceding essays over the past 6 months but after searching your archive, I can’t find “Eyes Wide Shut”. It seems to be the only missing piece after cataloging in my note. Any pointers?
Really appreciate the body of your work. I have similarly inquired into civilization as a history of coordination elites and systems, though I give slightly more credit to civil society movements and social innovation I think, cfr https://wiki.p2pfoundation.net/Category:Mutual_Coordination#The_Chinese_Hybrid_Model
This is incredibly comprehensive!
Would it be too reductive to say that China simply has mastered what James Scott calls “legibility”? It has deployed systems to radically reduce the complexity of its economy reducing the information density by forcing homogeneity. If you make society into a game with strict rules, then it becomes far easier to manage.
The downside is that it is fiendishly anti-human.
I don’t think it is shocking that its birthrate is so low.
佩服！
I think China has a very simple problem with one recent long term solution - and one way to postpone.
The simple problem is - who after Xi? And the way to postpone is - a low cost power struggle with a clear, powerful, enlightened despot.
And the recent long term solution is - immortality for Xi.
Regarding the new o/s are you following the summer of protocols thinking?
Also regarding China's cultural capital what about the lebubus? ;)
This is such a good read! I intend to read the preceding essays over the past 6 months but after searching your archive, I can’t find “Eyes Wide Shut”. It seems to be the only missing piece after cataloging in my note. Any pointers?
oh ... you're right, it vanished! odd! I might have an old backup.