Steve Kelman on Politics, Culture, and Life, 7.7.2022
Steve Kelman, Harvard Kennedy School prof, moderate Dem, pro free speech/anti cancel culture, pro tax rich, pro-Israel. Research improving gov performance, China interest. Blog reprints Facebook posts
Astrology and crypto “investors”
An article on crypto in The Times today discusses an "investor" in crypto who "uses astrology to guide her investing decisions." Sounds about normal for this group.
Dressing like a government official in China
The South China Morning Post reports that dressing in the style of a government official has become popular among students in China. This "style" features white open collar shirts and blue windbreakers (note how often pictures of Xi show him dressed this way). A question online about this style received 7 million clicks. The proportion of students preferring jobs in state-owned enterprises or government has doubled from pre-pandemic to about two-thirds. The article quoted a computer science major who was taking courses such as "socialism with Chinese characteristics" to help an application to be a party member.
Children’s book authors on trial in Hong Kong
Five people are being tried for sedition in Hong-Kong for publishing children's books with sheeps that are said to represent Hong-Kong people and wolves said to represent China.
Swedish woman killed in knife attack was targeted
The woman who was knife murdered on the Swedish vacation island of Gotland during an annual political conference was targeted by the killer. She was in charge of mental health issues for the local government association.
Watches a status symbol for young gang members in Sweden
In discussions in the book I'm reading on Swedish immigrants of of the kinds of status objects these young kids seek, they mention right along with branded clothing and cars -- watches! It is interesting to me that some some young kids today still like the symbol. I associated more with Asian societies where these are really valued.
Kimchi in Korea
Business week reports that the price of kimchi in Korea has hit an all time high.
“Go Hong Kong” attacks
When a high profile Hong Kong pop singer issued a message on the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to China that finished with the words, "Go Hong Kong," he was criticized online in China because his statement "didn't mention the motherland" and denounced as "unpatriotic."