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After being criticized during the
May Fourth Movement and throughout the Maoist era, there is a revival of
interest in Confucius in the past decades in China, with Yu Dan, a
professor of communication from Beijing Normal University, as the
contemporary spokeswoman for Confucius in the modern times. Read selection of Yu Dan's bestselling Confucius From the Heart with the article "Capitalizing the Big Man" in mind.
What made Yu Dan and her Confucius "pop icons," side by side with Yao Ming and Jeremy Lin (riding the tide of the Chinese craze over the NBA), in
contemporary China? Please respond to the two readings with quotations from
both (add page numbers) to illustrate your argument. Response due April 15 by 10 pm, comments to two other responses due by 11:59 pm.
I believe the key insight from the readings is the enormous influence of multinational corporations and Chinese state owned enterprises on global culture. Both the NBA stars and Yu Dan represent cultural icons that can be marketed to a massive and relatively untapped Chinese audience. Yao Ming and Jeremy Lin provided the NBA an opportunity to cash in on the huge Chinese market, which until recently has remained closed to western companies. Yu Dan emulates the western self help genre and provides western publishers material to market to a chinese audience. As Wang states:
ReplyDelete"Yao’s rise to transnational stardom is the result not only of talent but also of a calculated
articulation of Asia, China, and Asian America as geo-cultural signifiers by transnational
corporations, whose market-driven innovations flexibly reconfigure ethnicity, region, and
nationality. Established as an emerging transnational sports celebrity whose selling power
breaks down national boundaries, Yao — with a marketable ethnicity and a remarkable athletic
body — is transacted as a commodity in explicit ways, while these distinct identities that Yao
now embodies — Asian, Chinese, and Asian American — are collapsed into a vast ‘yellow
market’ to be integrated into the system of global capitalism." (Wang P264)
Not only do western and multinational corporations benefit but the Chinese government does so as well. The individual's conquest of the American market is seized by cultural leaders in china of ethnic Chinese greatness. As Wang states:
"An intriguing aspect of the China Global is the affirmation of the American dream as its
premise. China’s global becoming depends on two self-images: the nation as a resistant force
to the US hegemony, and successful individuals whose economic and cultural achievements in
the West are symbols of the nation’s progress. The US in this sense is both an intimidating
competitor in international politics and a site where individual effort could bring not only benefit to the self but glory to the nation. The realization of the American dream is thus to be
achieved by an individualist ‘conquest’ of the American market — that is, to be accepted and
valued by the American mainstream — which in turn suggests a growing and globalizing
China. This logic explains Chinese’s enthusiasm for international competitions — be it
aerospace technology, film festivals, the Olympic Games or Yao’s career in the NBA. This desire to be recognized, rather than diminished and discriminated against, corresponds
with Asian American’s desire to break negative racial stereotypes that have dictated the
popular representation of Asian men in the media." (Wang P265)
Yu Dan's Confucious also appeals to Americans in its relation to the pursuit of happiness. Many Americans want to fulfill the American dream of being rich and happy. Yu's book is set in the style if a self help book. The Confucius Yu represents helps to break down racial stereotypes and cultural barriers
I also like the Confucius Yu Dan represents. Although her illustration was criticized by a lot of scholars by over simplifying Confucius, she makes Confucius more accessible and practical.
Deletegreat point
DeleteI agree with your point of view, Yao Ming and Jeremy Lin a chance to Oriental culture and Western culture.
Delete"Not only do western and multinational corporations benefit but the Chinese government does so as well."
DeleteIt's really interesting to consider the economic effects of these cultural exchanges.
I love how you pointed out that the definition of "American Dream" to most people is being rich and happy, while Yu wrote in the book that happiness comes from the inner self, not from the outside world.
DeleteThe biggest similarity between Confucius From the Heart and the men in Capitalizing on the Big Man is their marketability in America. While both articles are on different subject matter, each of them has found receptivity in the American market.
ReplyDeleteYao Ming and Jeremy Lin provided mutual benefits for both America and China. China finally got the opportunity to break into the NBA and prove that the Chinese could compete on the same playing field as American basketball players. The stereotypical Asian man mentality was shattered with the introduction of Yao Ming to the NBA. “For the Chinese audience, Yao is the metonymical instantiation of China’s global becoming—not only enacting an immediate accumulation of wealth, as still echoed in the Chinese immigration discourse of the Gold Mountain dream, but also igniting a strong sense of global connectedness through which China is no longer lagging behind (Wang pg. 265).” China’s desire to be recognized has been made possible through the introduction of Yao Ming and Jeremy Lin into the NBA. America received the opportunity to tap into the Chinese market, which before held much less interest in American basketball. These stars have blurred national boundaries, “for his fans in China, the real-time broadcasting of Yao’s games has symbolically brought together Houston and Shanghai, along with other Asian global cities—such as Taipei, Tokyo, and Seoul, where the market for American basketball culture looms large…(Wang pg. 265).”
Yu Dan’s Confucius From the Heart is very closely related to the American Dream—specifically the pursuit of happiness. Many Americans are sick of all of the racial stereotypes and troubles found in the nation today. Confucius has a way of making the golden rule “do on to others as you would have do unto you” more simplified and practical for everyday use. “The essence of Confucius’s teaching can be distilled into just the two words “faithfulness” and “forbearance”. Put simply, you have to be yourself, but at the same time you must think about others (Yu Dan pg. 26).” Confucius manages to break down cultural barriers by acting as help not only for China, but also for Western countries.
I liked how you connected China and America through marketability. For China, having cultural icons that embody Chinese culture become marketable in western countries symbolizes China becoming an individual in the global market.
DeleteYao Ming and Jeremy Lin, change the West for the Oriental attitude.
DeleteI like how you connected the Economic growth of China to the market success of the Chinese-American athletes that symbolizes China's growth.
DeleteI suppose that Yu Dan and her analysis of confucianism is popular because it takes ancient precepts and gives them a modern veneer, which in turn helps increase their relevance to modern Chinese audiences. This is especially so considering the growing wealth gap in China.
ReplyDelete"In modern China, our lives are visibly improving in a material sense, yet a great many people are growing more and more dissatisfied. Because we have a highly visible class of people who have suddenly become extremely wealthy, there is always something to make ordinary people feel that their lives contain unfairness."
Perhaps the teachings of confucianism are popular because they provide a solid link of continuity with the past, showing how times change, but some wisdom can still be applicable despite the passage of time.
In a similar fashion, Yao Ming and Jeremy Lin are popular in China because they too represent modern embodiments of older (though not ancient) ideals:
"An intriguing aspect of the China Global is the affirmation of the American dream as its premise. China’s global becoming depends on two self-images: the nation as a resistant force to the US hegemony, and successful individuals whose economic and cultural achievements in the West are symbols of the nation’s progress. The US in this sense is both an intimidating competitor in international politics and a site where individual effort could bring not only benefit to the self but glory to the nation"
In a way, I think that Yao Ming and Jeremy Lin are seen as symbolic, post modern "big men" in the proverbial clash of cultures which is east and west. Thus explaining the popularity of the two in China.
I really agree with your analysis of popularity of Yu Dan's Confucianism. Its real that she combine the ancient Confucius percepts with modern society problems, especially for the increasing wealth gap. For me, many viewpoint of people should pursuit spiritual enjoyment rather than material things more like brainwashing many Chinese people.
DeleteThe most fascinating part of the first article to me was the use of Yao and other Chinese players as a means of propaganda. That a Chinese player in the NBA would be significant to Chinese people is not surprising. What was interesting was the use of Yao as a pro-mainland (269). However, on the same page, the author claims " The realization of a
ReplyDeleteglobal China in cultural economy will ultimately force Taiwan off the map of a market-oriented
global society, unless it could be internationally recognized as a distinct nation-market." Well, I don't know how true that is, considering Taiwan's Quanta, alone, produces about 33% of the world's laptops. Taiwan has a fairly viable economy.
The second reading was very interesting as well. There was a lot of wisdom in the lessons it listed. However, a few of them seemed to give morally dubious advice. For example, when asked for one word to live your life by, Confucius says forbearance, here defined as "Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire" (25). In the west, most people know the later embodiment of this philosophy in the golden rule. Granted, I think it is a pretty good rule of thumb, but it runs into problems when you try to apply it to every situation. How then do we treat evil people, people that are a danger to others?
Chinese pro is good, however, to play in the NBA is everybody's dream who loves bbal in the world,,
DeleteSO i think this is the most important reason that Yao Ming became sooo famous in China and the world...
DeleteTaiwan does have a fairly robust economy...but I also think they're worried that culturally they will be placed in the same breath as mainland China. Jeremy Lin is paraded around as a Chinese symbol, yet he hails from Taiwan, and globally, many people don't understand the difference, though it exists.
DeleteI agree with what you were saying about the story giving weird advice. Some of it can't be applied to all parts of life.
DeleteThe truths in the Analects are easy and simple, and these simple truths always can meet the spiritual pursuit to Chinese people today. “They tell us all how we can live the kind of happy life that our spirit needs.” (Yu, p.10) Although our reading for Thursday just include “the Way of Heavens and Earth”, when I was in high school, my father asked me to read Yu Dan’s Confucius from the Heart, and I found that the Analects of Confucius teaches us a lot of approach methods and rules to human beings. “The wisdom of Confucius can help us to obtain spiritual happiness in the modern world, to get used to the daily routine of our lives, and to find the personal bearings that tell us where we are.” (Yu, p.11) In the modern society in China, interpersonal relationship is very important because almost everyone lives in the society would face the interpersonal relationship issues and problems. Another interesting part I found is that the Analects of Confucius put the material lives, spirit needs and GNH (Gross National Happiness) together. And it tells that even when a society is thriving materially, the people also need spiritual enjoyment. “On material level, a happy life is no more than a series of goals to be reached; but true peace and stability come from within, from an acceptance of those that govern us, and this comes from faith.” (Yu, p.18) For me, I think this “truth” in her book looks like brainwashing.
ReplyDeleteIn the article, “Capitalizing the Big Man”, I think American influence or American dream and American- Chinese(Asian) market are very important for Yao Ming and Jeremy Lin’s popularity. Commercial publicity and speculation contributes their popularity for both China and U.S. Their popularity also promotes the popularity of NBA and American culture to China. “Yao’s rise to transnational stardom is the result not only of talent but also of a calculated articulation of Asia, China, and Asian America as geo-cultural signifiers by transnational corporations, whose market-driven innovations flexibly reconfigure ethnicity, region, and nationality.” (Wang, p.264) But for me, I think the most important reason for their popularity in China and Chinese people is that Yao and Lin are “Chinese”. Most NBA players are white and black guys, but Yao and Lin are Asian (Chinese), and they can play basketball as well as the black and white. So their success can develop the confidence and a sense of national pride for many Chinese people, especially for young basketball fans.
I also felt like Yu Dan's writing seemed like brainwashing. It felt like she was promoting a dogma. I came to the same conclusion when I read about Yao Ming. I also felt that their success brought pride to China and a sense of nationalism.
DeleteInteresting take on Yu Dan's work. I didn't sense that feeling of brainwashing, but rather Yu Dan imploring people not to find their happiness in acquiring material goods, which I think is a decent message.
DeleteI agree with you when you said that Yao and Jeremy Lin's success is a sense of national pride for the Chinese people. Basketball has become a much more popular sport in China because of those two players
DeleteI actually did not think Yu Dan's writing was brainwashing us until I read this, that is very interesting.
DeleteBoth Yao and Confucius are used as popular icons to strengthen nationalism: Yao to embody the notion of a globalized China being successful in the western world, and the revival of Confucius to embody China’s rich history.
ReplyDeleteIn the rush to become globalized, China saw westernization as the path to progress and many facets of Chinese culture were seen as backward and many people were ashamed of them. Many of these figures and traditions were torn down and forgotten to make way for the construction of a new China based on the western market. Due to this, China is insecure about its own culture in the face of the global market and the achievements of individuals like Yao who make it in the western world are seen as achievements of China as a whole in the struggle to become an independent power in the globalized world. “The realization of the American dream is thus to be achieved by an individualist ‘conquest’ of the American market — that is, to be accepted and valued by the American mainstream — which in turn suggests a growing and globalizing China” (Wang). The conflict between Yao and Shaq and their differing styles of playing personifies the conflict between China and the globe and the struggle to become a powerful and individual country. Yao represents China, and every win is seen as a win for China and serves to bring pride in being Chinese.
Yu Dan’s revival of Confucius in a modern context is much like a grassroots movement, meant to revive confidence and pride in being Chinese by bringing back a very prominent figure in Chinese history. Confucius embodies pre-global and pre-western China. Reviving him and his teachings and making him a household name in the midst of western brand names and western celebrities gives China an shared cultural identity, unique to their shared ethnicity and serves to bring pride and reinforce nationalism.
I like your idea very much. It is penetrating!
Delete"Yu Dan’s revival of Confucius in a modern context is much like a grassroots movement, meant to revive confidence and pride in being Chinese by bringing back a very prominent figure in Chinese history."
DeleteThis point captures the heart of Yu Dan's piece.
i like your reply, it resonates a lot with my own thoughts on the matter.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteI like your comment about the shared social value of Confucius spreading Chinese nationalism beyond the countries' borders.
DeleteThrough the two readings “Capitalizing the Big Man” and “Confucius from the Heart”, we can see how popular icons are used as a symbol of the American Dream or the Chinese entering the American market.
ReplyDeleteIn “Capitalizing the Big Man”, it explores the popular basketball star Yao Ming and his entrance into the NBA. Yao Ming is seen as an example of foreigners attaining the American Dream, in the sense of an “individual whose economic and cultural achievements in the West are symbols of the nation’s progress” (264). The American Dream that Yao achieved is not primarily focused on making money but rather “we made it here”. The saying “we made it here” is referring to making it into the American market and making yourself known. Through basketball, Yao was able to make it into the American market and make himself known in the U.S. He has starred in many commercials that show a multicultural mix, such as the Apple commercial advertising the Macintosh laptop in which Yao watches basketball on a 14-ich laptop and Mini Me from Austin Powers is watching Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, a Chinese film, on a 17-inch laptop. He has also starred in a visa commercial with Jackie Chan.
In “Confucius from the Heart”, Yu Dan’s analysis of Confucianism reveals a similar connection between what Confucius has to say about Confucianism and its relation to the American Dream. This relation is different than the relation of Yao and the American Dream in that it takes more of a moral stance of the American Dream. It focuses on the equality and search for happiness part of the American Dream than the economic and material prosperity part. Confucius offers us simple truths that will help us develop our inner hearts and souls and allows us to make the right choices as we go through life’s journey” (32). Through these truths that we learn from Confucius, we are able to make the right choices in our life which will lead to our happiness.
I like your comparison between Yu Dan's Confucianism and American Dream, and it is interesting " It focuses on the equality and search for happiness part of the American Dream than the economic and material prosperity part. "
DeleteI like your comparison of Confucius' teachings and the American Dream. It is almost a Paradox how many non-mainland Americans wish to have the American Dream, but many Americans look to the diversity of other nations to better their growth as well. It is a forever existing paradox that we need each other's differences and beliefs to be more successfully globalized.
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ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, social Icons are things that when people talk about it, they know where do they belong, and they represent their cultures and countries.
ReplyDeleteSo the first people that can be considered as a social icon in my mind is Yao Ming, he was born in the mainland China, and he was raised in the mainland CHina, and he was the first pick of the NBA draft in 2002, and he became better and better in the world top basketball league, he had been through a lot of troubles and difficulties that all of us international students have been through, or is going through. for example, he couldnt speak any english when he came to the US, and he had problem living in a lot of ways besides the language. however, he had overcame the problems and became known worldwide.
There is another NBA player that I need to talk about as well, Jeremy LIn, he has something n common with Yao, and he also has a lot of differences with Yao. first of all, Lin is Asian, he was originally from Taiwan, but he was born in the US. so he doesnt have trouble communicating. However, he is a guard, everybody knows that NBA is full of wonderful guards in the world, so it was a lot harder for Lin to survive in this league. however, after Carmelo Anthony got hurt, NY Knicks had to sign a contract with Lin for 10 days, and Lin proved himself to the world. and the word "Linsanity" came out.There is a funny thing about Jeremy LIn, the first time he ever went to the Knicks's home game, the security at the player entrence told him that it is the entrace for the players,,,,
They were not the only players who had ever played in the NBA, but they are the most popular ones,because Yao Ming is tall and Jeremy Lin is a guard.
After reading “Confucius from the Heart” I began to think how we the majority, look to the minority of celebrities such as Jeremy Lin and Yao Ming for happiness and a guidance to a better life. The article states, “That is why in China we call Confucius a sage. The sages are those people who in their time on this earth are the most practical and capable, and possess the most personal magnetism. They bring us conviction and a kind of faith.” (Page 13) This quote is quite relatable to how we view celebrities in Modern Culture today. They are the forefront of how many people emulate to be greater. There is something Confucian-like that draws us to their characteristics and achievements and the boundaries they have overcome. Later the article discusses how many Chinese are becoming wealthy materialistically, yet large majorities are still poor. People like Jeremy Lin and Yao Ming who are viewed as the minorities, the weaker link, “the joke,” have raised the bar and continue to walk through adversity with their heads held high. It tells many people that “If Jeremy Lin can do it, I can do it too.” As China evolved, the majority lost a Confucian-like person with the qualities to show others the right way to do things. When Shaq made the “Qing Chong” remarks, a time at which social media was not nearly as powerful as it is today, Yao Ming did not allow these remarks to distract him from the real reason he was here: to play ball. Today, Confucian might refer to people as “haters,” or those who try to take the happiness and achievement that others have earned through their hard work.
ReplyDeleteI feel the explanation of Confucius is brought to a present day model by the depiction of Asian American athletes. One quote says,"...Yao — with a marketable ethnicity and a remarkable athletic body — is transacted as a commodity in explicit ways, while these distinct identities that Yao now embodies — Asian, Chinese, and Asian American — are collapsed into a vast ‘yellow market’ to be integrated into the system of global capitalism." (Wang P264) This brings together the idea of ONE man having the power and influence to inspire others to realize their potential as well. This is relevant today because China is winning on so many levels and are transitioning from a collective group to individual thinking that they can make a difference in their lives. Yao Ming not only represents the dreams of multiple ethnicity, but also embodies the economic growth and influence that China has on the market in other nations. An icon is someone you can look up to; emulate their characteristics to reflect better future accomplishments and dreams; the voice of the unheard; and a force that is unmoved no matter what others may say. They use negativity as fuel and not to change their character; they let who they are decide the path they walk and do not allow others to change how they should be perceived. This is what makes this so relevant because we are seeing a social change in China that is fueling the growth of individual happiness.
I have to say I find it sort of sad that we look to athletes for happiness and not something like internal peace the way that Confucianism would want us to. I think that that might have more to do with with our professor had us compare these two and read them in the first place.
DeleteIn fact, after reading this article, we can know that Yao Ming and Jeremy Lin are from different aspects on behalf of the China culture. At the same time, we also know that Yao Ming and Jeremy Lin represent different Chinese culture. We know that Yao Ming was born in China, is an authentic Chinese, while Jeremy Lin is a Chinese American born in American. From this we see that, they are different. They are basketball player, and they are a very good proof of Chinese which can enter the NBA basketball, and they also proved that Chinese culture could be into western culture.
ReplyDeleteAt page 264, it shows that “As a ‘Chinese’ player, Yao stands for China, Asian Americans, and the Chinese market simultaneously. He is a symbol of the China Global coming into being.” From this point, we know that Yao Ming is the Chinese icon in American.
Yu Dan said, Yao Ming is Chinese pride is a giant of the East, and Jeremy Lin represent Chinese does not give up the spirit.
I like how you stated the differences between the two players but how regardless of them that they still make a big difference in Chinese culture.
DeleteI agree with how you compared Jeremy Lin and Yao Ming to one another. Like Angel said above, they do contribute a lot to representing China in their own way.
DeleteYu Dan's portrait of Confucius has become popular in recent years because it offers clarity to the poor and destitute citizen than what truly counts is inward peace rather than external possessions. "Everybody hopes to live a happy life, but happiness is only a feeling, which has nothing to do with wealth, but with the inner heart (Dan, 43)."
ReplyDeleteAs China's economic rise continues, the failings of a state-owned capitalistic system have become more pronounced. When such a system places the control and flow of business in the hands of a centralized, politicized group, corruption will ensue. This corruption ensures that wealth is transferred often times to the few, rather than the many. This creates a situation where the country rises in wealth, yet it only lands in the hands of a few well-connected citizens, making upward mobility increasingly difficult. However, we see from recent news articles that this corruption and desire for wealth can ultimately lead to one's downfall, as has been the case with top party officials. This harks back to Yu Dan's insistence that the values of Confucius and simplicity are the true key to happiness, not the vain pursuit of money and power.
This pursuit tends to manifest itself in the consumer goods market. Goods must be sold, and they must have a market to sell them to. Luckily for apparel companies such as Nike, and Adidas, basketball's popularity in China has increased exponentially in recent years. That's not to say basketball doesn't have a long history in China, because it most certainly does (the Chinese sent their first basketball team to the summer Olympics in 1935).
Yao Ming, perhaps the best known Chinese player of all time, is at the forefront of this basketball-globalization. American companies froth at the mouth when such a transnational figure arises, especially when it gives them access to a nearly untapped market of 300 million basketball-mad consumers. In describing Yao, Wang writes, "This description unmistakably speaks a language of commodities, a language that refashions Yao into a sports celebrity, a public figure who lives for, and off of, the audience via image transmission (Wang, 271)."
Is happiness achievable through the collection of material goods? According to Yu Dan and Confucius, it isn't, but the major corporations behind the material goods would rather you think otherwise.
I agree with your statement when you said "This harks back to Yu Dan's insistence that the values of Confucius and simplicity are the true key to happiness, not the vain pursuit of money and power." I believe that this is what Confucius was trying to prove.
DeleteI agree that money is not the only important thing in life, as your comment implied, but in a society where the gap between rich and poor is very wide, it's very unfavorable to be poor. Chasing money is simply inherent in the society they live in.
DeleteYao’s rise to transnational stardom is the result not only of talent but also of a calculated articulation of Asia, China, and Asian American as geo-cultural signifiers by translational corporations, whose market-driven innovations flexibly reconfigure ethnicity, region, and nationality. (p. 264 Wang) In Chinese audience understanding, Yao stands for China rather than Huston Rocket. In this aspect, basketball is not only a sport for entertaining any more; it also carries the pride and the will of people in a country. As a “Chinese” player, Yao stands for China, Asian Americans, and the Chinese market simultaneously. He is a symbol of the China Global coming into being. That is one of the reasons why Yao Ming, Li Na and Liu Xiang, the same talented as some word champion Ping-pang players and diving athletes, are much more popular than the other athletes.
ReplyDeleteYu Dan became a cultural icon after the exposure in CCTV Lecture Room. Then she published the book Confucius from the Heart which soon became a best seller. In my opinion, her success is a product of the social need. What’s in her book is not new idea for Chinese people. Instead, these are social norms that Chinese people are following for thousands of years and will continue to follow. Confucius has a strong influence on the ideology and mental statement of Chinese people implicitly. Although if being asked, the majority of Chinese people probably cannot tell what Confucius really is. But everyone is living under the influence of it. Nowadays, with the development of economy and globalization, Chinese culture seems losing gradually and not being valued. While criticizing young generation becoming more and more materialistic, we desperately need a reason and a solid base of the ideology we valued. It seems to be the same as in western countries, scholars seek evidence from the Bible to prove their point of view. Yu Dan’s interpretation of Confucius meets the need of the society.
I found your point of view of the two articles very interesting. I do agree with your point of Yao Ming, being that he is shown as a transnational person, that represents a lot of China's society.
Deletei agree, in this age of rapid globalization, it is important to look back to the past to rediscover where we come from, so that we can see where we are going.
DeleteI liked what you said about Yao representing his country. That adds even more pressure to his job.
DeleteIn Chih-ming Wang's article, the idea of Chinese transnationality was very interesting to me. "China Global is the discursive construct of a transnational China — in which China and Chinese are not defined by national space and political identity, but rather understood as the production and representation of a contested China — as notably articulated in recent studies of Chinese transnationality” (Wang, p.264). This quote touches on the fact that China has people that come to the US to take part in the “American dream”, and excel just as well. Yao Ming was the main person that was discussed in this article as a representation of a Chinese person, coming to America to play an American sport. His success proves that not only Americans dominate in basketball, but international players do just as well.
ReplyDelete"People who have only ambition and no realism are dreamers, not idealists; those who have only earth and no sky are plodders, not realists"(Yu, p.14). This is quote is closely related to the idea of the pursuit of the "American dream", which is what most people coming to America aspire to obtain. The Confucius view is based on the pursuit of happiness, or this case the "American Dream". The other article is similar because of Yao Ming. Ming was someone who accomplished this dream, and fulfilled the hope of international stardom.
I agree and really liked how you related the articles together and the quotes you used. I think Yao Ming did achieve his ambition and his own 'American Dream'.
DeleteI also really liked how you portrayed Yao Ming as a Chinese man achieving the American Dream. I didn't make that connection at first so I find your point of view very interesting.
DeleteDiscussing Yao Ming's global popularity and the people's "Linsanity" does not seem to share focus with Yu Dan's "Confucius from the heart". But Wang Chiming's idea of the China Global connects very well. He says “The realization of the American dream is thus to be achieved by an individualist ‘conquest’ of the American market — that is, to be accepted and valued by the American mainstream — which in turn suggests a growing and globalizing China. This logic explains Chinese’s enthusiasm for international competitions — be it aerospace technology, film festivals, the Olympic Games or Yao’s career in the NBA.” It seems that Chiming's goal is to share with readers practical, ancient wisdom; but his interpretations also serve as a force of reclamation for what can be said to be culturally Chinese.
ReplyDeleteChiming says, "The reason why these simple truths have survived down the millennia is that they have helped generation after generation of Chinese stay grounded, to understand the nation and the culture that formed them, and not to lose their heads, even when confronted by immense social change and almost overwhelming choice." (pg 4). In this way he defines Confucianism as of and for Chineseness. He distinctively presents the Analects to us as a capable and fulfilling philosophy even comparing it to an endless spring of water. "You should not think that the wisdom of Confucius is lofty and out of reach, or something that people today can only look up to with reverence," (pg 11). In this way Confucianism is presented to the world in particularly the same fashion as Chinese man, Yao Ming.
I also had a significant difficulty in comparing these two. I guess when I think of Confucianism, I do not think of basketball or fame but of humility. So that was difficult for me as well but you displayed quotes that helped consolidate the two.
DeleteI share your opinion that the only true connection between the two readings was the idea of the China Global. I really like how you compared Confucianism with Yao Ming.
DeleteAs someone who has studied philosophy extensively, it is hard to imagine comparing Confucius to a popular sports person. I am not a sports person or watcher of sports or fan in any way, so comparing these two has been difficult for me at best. While I can understand the propaganda of sports compared to a philosophy or religion fan base, it is still quite difficult to compare. I believe that popularizing religion or philosophies is key to "getting the word out" like with how Christians all over like to "spread the word of god", it is understandable in this vein that they are compared because what are sports if not something to idolize and cherish?
ReplyDeleteYao Ming and Jeremy Lin are idols in a sense that they are respected by their peers, flaunted at audiences and garner pretty steep deals to support wares from selected companies and sponsorships. Being able to play a sport has broadcasted their fame all over the world and has helped China become less of a stereotype for "short" people. In the article written by Wang, I noticed that he spoke a lot about the stereotypes of being short, yellow and not having many Chinese basketball players. I think that capitalizing on these stereotypes is sort of cheap and is disregarded mostly by the author but to me is not as relevant to the information provided. I think that by stating these stereotypes you are still perpetuating the stereotype faces by Chinese people. As he states: "As Yao occasions it, the China Global is perceived as a spectacle of ‘bigness’ that meets the demands of global capitalism and fulfils China’s nationalist desire. ‘China’ is a formidable force on and above the borders of the US’s corporate empire; the drama of national or racial confrontation will only facilitate the expansion of the transpacific marketplace" (Page 2) So it sort of solidifies that fact that though the stereotypes exist, it is possible to over come them.
With the article on Confucius, the pop icons are not much different than people who play sports. They have a specific audience that they want to reach, a specific demographic, and are able to do so successfully because of our internet crazed world. This ends up making sense that the two can be compared because of this premise. Like the article says, "on a material level, a happy life is no more than a series of goals to be reached" (page 11) In that same vein, happiness from watching sports and two national and international stars have made that happiness and also bring happiness to the people of the world through their sport.
Your opinion of the two articles is extremely interesting to me, especially because I am a huge sports fan. It is also interesting how you talked about the stereotype of the "normal Chinese man." Meanwhile, Yao Ming broke this widely spoken stereotype.
DeleteConfucius From the Heart and men in Capitalizing on the Big Man, while are both very different on the content and focus, do relate to each other very well. “The wisdom of Confucius can help us to obtain spiritual happiness in the modern world.” (Yu, pg.11) I think the most important word in that quote is ‘modern’, Confucius wisdom has been around for a very long time and it is something that is popular in the Chinese culture. And for me this is saying that while Confucius’ wisdom hasn’t very much changed, that it is still able to adapt to each individual and the time that they are in. This relates to the story of Yao Ming and Jeremy Lin because of the same influence that it has on the people of China. All the presentations on Tuesday about the topic made the point that these two NBA players were very well known, but most importantly very well known by the people in China and Taiwan. They are icons for the people and perhaps even a bridge between America and China. When asking random students what they think the ‘China Dream’ is the most frequent response was technology, science, medical, and big focus on academics and knowledge. When asked about the ‘American Dream’ frequent responses about NBA, NFL, major leagues, hockey, pop stars, actress, etc. Jeremy Lin and Yao Ming open the doors to so many more possibilities and break the sterotype to what everyone expects.
ReplyDeleteA pop icon is a celebrity, character, or object whose exposure in pop culture constitutes a defining characteristic of a given society or era. In other words, both Yao Ming and Jeremy Lin fit in the category of pop icons. When people think of Chinese, the first word that comes up in their minds is probably not "athletic", but both of them broke this stereotype. They represent the Chinese community in NBA and have done a really good job doing so. They are both very hardworking and overcame a lot of difficulties. They have been through a lot before they reached where they are right now, which is why both of them are very well-respected by their peers, fans, and the fact that they represent Chinese sport players made them more special than any other basketball players in NBA. Being a Chinese in America isn't easy, because we often get overlooked, let alone being a Chinese player in the NBA.
ReplyDeleteYu Dan wrote that "people who have only ambition and no realism are dreamers, not idealists; those who have only earth and no sky are plodders, not realists" (Yu, p.14) which can be related to both of these basketball players. Their dreams are to be a successful player, but they have more than just a dream, they work hard and plan for it. That's why they're so successful now and became "pop icons".
The article on Jeremy Lin and Yao Ming was an interesting read. I enjoyed reading about how these two people are considered to be "social icons" and they way that the media uses them to gain popularity. I remember this particular quote from the article of "Capitalizing the Big Man". "The places where Yao appears in the commercials and the product- the aeroplane, souvenir store, and cell phone- are cosmopolitan chronotopes, where actual time/ space carry less meaning than a sense of global connectedness in the form of tourism and cutting- edge technology to suggest simultaneously Yao's foreignness and an intimately, yet subtely articulated connection between Asian and technology." It stuck out to me because it sums up the way that they view these "social icons" in a complex, but effective way. An example of this was the video we watched in class where Yao Ming's foreignness was constantly being thrown at the audience. I did think that this was a strange tactic to use, but it seems to be very effective.
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