21th century is asian century.. do you think so?

[lastwish]

Historically, asian culture tends to be insular. And very racist. Hate to say it, but its the truth. That thing against gaijin/infidels except what one can gain from them.

The term gaijin comes from Japan. You're mixing it up with China and India. Chinese people think highly of the west.

China is an old power.They had the financial capabilities and army but their closed doors to foreign policies had them lose out in the creeping of the modern age.

China is definately an old power but Mao Zedong's policies of the 19th and 20th century screwed it up causing severe damage to the culture, society, economy, and foreign relations of China. They're making huge progress in catching up though.

[IndiReloaded]

I think you young folks dont understand the difference b/t being a world power and a strong civilization. China was not an old world power, they were not interested/effective in extending their influence beyond their border. They were a centrist civilization.

Rome was an old power. Britain, Spain, France, even America (tho American influence takes a different form). Even muslims as evidenced by their presence in countries such as Spain.

If China was an old power, then you would see evidence of this in other cultures and countries. But the world's power centres spoke Latin, and now English.

Perhaps we will all speak Mandarin next, we'll see. As I say: times change.

[IndiReloaded]

The term gaijin comes from Japan. You're mixing it up with China and India. Chinese people think highly of the west.

Thanks for the correction, Wish.

Saru mo ki kara ochiru.

I knew it was Japanese. My Mandarin just isn't as good yet.

[doppelgaenger]

Saru mo ki kara ochiru.

Tummy kangaroo, touch a rudder moustache
O-kee ho, can you have a hi day?
Cheese, I, oh, knee, hippie, heater
Two goaty organita Toby dash tin
Sheep bowl, fruity fruity cone, itchy ear
Cow-eeeh, I'm your kite on a rock
Meat Cody runner
Oh so cute, hi!
Lucky?!!?

[IndiReloaded]

It means: even monkeys fall from trees, Dopple. Its a reminder quote very dear to me, for obvious reasons.

[doppelgaenger]

I was sharing the lyrics from Lesko's revenge, which use the Japanese pokemon rap for BGM

I can only read Japanese (without understanding it) and tell people that I can't speak it, lol.

[lastwish]

I think you young folks dont understand the difference b/t being a world power and a strong civilization. China was not an old world power, they were not interested/effective in extending their influence beyond their border. They were a centrist civilization.

Actually, thats false. If you know anything about Chinese history, you'll know I was referring to the Chinese imperialism under the Qin dynasty, Han dynasty, Jin dynasty, Yuan dynasty, sui dynasty, and many other imperial power. The Qing dynasty alone extended their influence in Mongolia, Central Asia, Tibet, and Taiwan. China still holds most of these areas today. Chinese imperialism extended beyond their own border but within the Asian continent.

European power were the first ones to reach beyond their own continent, if thats what you mean.

[IndiReloaded]

Okay, lastwish. Obviously you want to be right about this.

You're right. And you are speaking English to me, yes that's what I mean.

[Junket]

Nuke china!

[Mish]

Rome was an old power. Britain, Spain, France, even America (tho American influence takes a different form).

You forgot Russia.

[IndiReloaded]

You forgot Russia.

I didn't. I just gave the primary examples. When I think Old Power, I mean things like the fundamental changing of a culture. Things like roman roads, aqueducts, medicine, new forms of government, educational infrastructure, literature.

Much as I admire Chinese culture, they did NOT bring that level of advancement to the the world. If they had, we'd be speaking Mandarin today, the way the world spoke Latin during the Roman era and English today.

[Mish]

Much as I admire Chinese culture, they did NOT bring that level of advancement to the the world. If they had, we'd be speaking Mandarin today, the way the world spoke Latin during the Roman era and English today.

Mandarin is the world's most wide spoken language. It holds the first place ahead of English. It has more than one billion speakers.

Russian comes either 5th or 8th (still ahead o French)

[url]http://www.vistawide.com/languages/top_30_languages.htm[/url]

[url]http://listverse.com/miscellaneous/top-10-most-spoken-languages-in-the-world/[/url]

[IndiReloaded]

Hindi is also widely spoken, Mish. Its not about number of speakers. Its about the language of *power*, and currently that is English.

A better measure would be to look up what language the primary texts of things like politics, science, finance are written in.

There is a reason why all the Chinese scientists I meet speak English, Mish.

[Mish]

Hindi is also widely spoken, Mish. Its not about number of speakers. Its about the language of *power*, and currently that is English.

A better measure would be to look up what language the primary texts of things like politics, science, finance are written in.

There is a reason why all the Chinese scientists I meet speak English, Mish.

Language of power eh? I don't know Indi. We live in a very multi polar power world, to call English language of most power is a pretty big statement, I don't think it's entirely accurate.

Anyway, Russia still belongs on your list.

[IndiReloaded]

Well, if you make a list of the most influential ideas of all time (to date), I'm afraid its very heavily weighted towards Western culture. That's really what I'm saying as regards Asian culture. You are right, its certainly more than English (in fact, one could also argue strongly for German as far as ideas go). But just saying that its definitely NOT been asian influence as far as shaping the world. So far.

Socratic method
Method of Government - Hobbes
Newtonian physics
Quantum physics
The Bible (what a summary in these two words!)
Descartes & the universe (mind & matter)
Democracy - Rosseau
Free market economy - Adam Smith
Thomas Jefferson - Declaration of Independence
The printing press - Gutenburg

Have I missed anything of this calibre from Asia? Note, I'm not just talking *inventions*, I'm talking about gestalt-changing concepts. Much more rare.