Dear Honest Men and Bonnie Lassies,
In this weeks (9m 21s) VL Mini-series Episode 09.1, we:
took the liberty to add some thoughts to the dehumanization of Russians which links with the compassionate integration program alluded to in the previous episode;
(@2min) dive into part 1 on China; and
(@5m 45s) tie this in with a wee toaty bit on freedom. (@8m 30s) Just call me Nae-Rhythm-Magoo, becasue there is an Oasis1 tune (butchered 😉) with words on freedom.
Please do enjoy!
Additional commentary on the mini-episode
(@4m 42s) As with other episode topics, there are countless resources that dives into the many related aspects, projects and complexities and we simply cannot cover all the pros, cons and angles etc. in detail, but below are some sources and citations2 as a starting point should one be interested in exploring further - these can lead to books and other sources.
(@5m 45s) I feel that it should be stressed that the statement about choosing all the West’s failings over China’s system certainly does not exempt an attempt to reform and enhance existing capitalist and socio-political systems and some may argue an overhaul is a necessity. This is out with the scope of this mini-series, although the Value Life socio-political platform concept has been mentioned previously (in episode 2.5 and episode 4.4) and could be adapted for forms of “trusted steering committee” eluded to in episode 07 too - problem solved(!?!).🕺🤔😉
(@7m 29s) Regarding nature being “unduly exploited” and the “question from an alien”, the following is a small excerpt from
’s book Sacred Economics that was mentioned in mini-episode 04.3 and newsletter 30-Sept-2022:Imagine you are the President of the World [/ Supreme Leader] and receive the following offer from aliens:
“Supreme Leader, a sustainable gross world product (GWP) is $10 trillion a year. We would like to make you an offer: $600 trillion for the entire earth. True, we plan to extract all of its resources, destroy the topsoil, poison the oceans, turn the forests into deserts, and use it as a radioactive waste dump. But think of it—$600 trillion! You’ll all be rich!”
Of course you would say no, but collectively today we are essentially saying yes to this offer… Money as universal end becomes a substitute for many other things, including those very things that the money economy has destroyed: community, connection to place, connection to nature, leisure, and more.
A few points of notes this week:
We mentioned the Cop27 and this years hosts awful human rights issues in a few of our previous newsletters. For anyone interested, here is a wee roundup of the first week (The Guardian) which, among other details, contains devastating quotes from Pakistan’s Prime Minister in the wake of cataclysmic flooding. The human rights issues (Al Jazeera) are thankfully getting some press too. To me, the response from the elite and leaders is underwhelming, but alas, not surprising. Please stay tuned for ideas to try and address these injustices.
On Sunday, 20th November it is World Children’s Day. As touched on thoughout the mini-series too, a large part of the inspiration behind it is to make the world a much better place for all children forevermore and expedite the process. I would be delighted to hear what what you would choose as paramount importance to insert into a curriculum or include as part of a universal educational message. 🤔
Apparently on the 15th November 2022, the world’s population was projected to hit 8 billion. That is 7,999,999,999 people to share our beautiful world with and that can be working to diversify and hopefully enrich our global culture. There are some varying opinions and much more to say on this interesting topic - perhaps one day we will revisit in the future. ☺️
To close, Nelson Mandela provides some apt and wise words,
For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.
Have a great weekend when it comes!
Much love and big hugs to all,
Ross
✊💙💛🇮🇷(et. al flags)💛💙✊
P.S. VL Newsletter’s header picture credit: Johannes Plenio on Pexels.com
Here is how this weeks inspirational tune is meant to sound:
Oasis - Whatever
Article on Yu the Great (The China Project); and a small excerpt from the highly-recommended History of the World by Andrew Marr BBC documentary, on Yu the Great.
Yellow River Damming (Facts and Details); and Belt and Road Initiative funding and projects reaching Austria and Spain.
China renewable and solar engergy stats (The Boss Magazine)
Free Speech as the Antidote to Ignorance and Corruption: JB Peterson at Cambridge - very much worth a watch (even a few times). Thanks to a trusted legend for sending to this to me a wee while ago. 👊🙌🙏
The Chinese being robbed of free thought article. (Freedomhouse.org / The Diplomat)
China suppression examples podcast. (The Prince series on Xi Jinping, by the Economist)