Hello All, As some of you know I am living and working in China at present, as an educational development worker in the education sector.
I have always been intrigued by Pirsig's argument that, according to the MoQ, an intellectually guided society is a higher form of evolution. 'From a static point of view socialism is more moral than capitalism. It's a higher form of evolution. It is an intellectually guided society, not just a society guided by mindless traditions. That's what gives socialism its drive'. I read this as capitalism being guided by mindless traditions. Before all yous Plattonians resuscitate the commies under the bed and DQ not being part of this system let me continue please ( there are soooooo many fucking pre-conceived ideas and prejudices to be overcome here). The Chinese socialist ideology stems from a combination of Marx, Lenin, Mao and Peng. This is their path to Quality, i.e. the Good. Because the idea of the good is, as such, entrenched within their ideology and given practical expression at the social/biological level let me share with you what happens. (in the classroom) I walk around in the classrooms, I observe teaching methods. Primary School level. Age 6-12. Children come into the classroom and told to sit at their desks (up to 80-100 students in one classroom. They are told to be quiet while the teacher tells them what they 'need to know'. Middle School level. Age 12-18. Children come into the classroom and told to sit at their desks (up to 60-70 students in one classroom... remember I am working in underdeveloped,deprived, needy areas) They are told to be quiet while the teacher tells them what they 'need to know'. The teacher may ask questions of the student but these questions are given from the textbook. When the student answers, it is supposed to be the correct answer. Highschool/College level. Age 18-22/3. Students come into the classroom and sit at their desks ( they are not really 'their' desks. It is a row of 4 seats and desks bolted to the floor, row after row...this has been the same since Primary School). The teacher asks questions based on the topic given in the textbook... you'd better know the answer. After graduation the student hopes to get a job as a teacher, or a businessman/woman. They want a nice partner, nice house, nice car, nice bank account and a nice life. The socialist system is trying to get everyone's noses pointing the same way. After all, it is working towards the Good. Their 'good' is a socialist harmonious society. The capitalist says: but you are not free! The capitalist system is trying to get everyone's noses pointing the same way. After all, it is working towards the Good. It's good is a capitalist dis-harmonious society.... whatever your answers are. After graduation the student hopes to get a job as anything they like. They want a nice partner, nice car, nice bank account and a nice life. The capitalist says: you are free! The Chinese says nothing...just smiles. What exactly is the difference between the experience of 'the Good' of a young Chinese person and a young 'Western' person? Is one 'better' than the other? Is the Western individualistic, instant gratification better than the Chinese 'delayed communal' gratification? Guess I'll follow my dharma...as the Chinese do. Andre Moq_Discuss mailing list Listinfo, Unsubscribing etc. http://lists.moqtalk.org/listinfo.cgi/moq_discuss-moqtalk.org Archives: http://lists.moqtalk.org/pipermail/moq_discuss-moqtalk.org/ http://moq.org.uk/pipermail/moq_discuss_archive/
