The highly anticipated 3G iPhone arrives tomorrow. Along with its 8:00 am launch comes the further domination of American life by Steve Jobs and his Cupertino crew. Have you ever wondered where the iPhone came from? What was its little life like before you force-fed it your favorite tunes and enslaved it in service of your every communication-oriented whim?
Maybe you remember that fateful day last year. Perhaps you sat in a lawn chair for 10 hours to be one of the first to experience the incarnation of the “Jesus Phone”. You thought about your little, lonely friend sitting on the stockroom shelf, just yards away from your heart and life. Or, maybe that was just us.
The iPhone can certainly trace its origins to the magical mind of Steve Jobs. Ultimately, though, it was brought to life half-a-world away in a much-discussed, little-understood nation called China.
China is the most populated nation on Earth. With 1.3 billion inhabitants, it boasts 20% of the world’s population (compared to America’s 4.5%). It also has an annual growth rate of 10%, making it the world’s fasting growing large economy. Most experts agree that in coming years, communist China will emerge as a world superpower (and it’s not just because they’re good at making Apple products).
In many ways, the upcoming Beijing Olympics and the convergence of concerns of every kind are drawing attention to the nation that is exploding in the world’s back yard. From trade to the environment, human rights to communism and the situations in Tibet and Darfur, China is all over the news.
The Relevant Elephant is going to be looking at China and related issues through the lens of conservatism. Check back for an in-depth look at specific issues that will increasingly affect your life—not the least of which is the affordability of your new 3G iPhone.
Great introduction to the complex topic of China. I look forward to hearing what RE has to say on it.
Globalism is really interesting. I’m looking forward to hearing more about our changing world through the lens of conservatism.
Which China, the Republic of, or the Peoples Republic of? The democracy that has a per capita GNP of $13,000 and a 97% cellphone penetration or the communist China that had per capita GNP of $800 and an 11% cellphone penetration rate. What better comparison of capitalism vs socialism could you find. And what do the socialists want, to consume the capitalists of course.
The ROC has less than 2% of the population of PRC yet does half as much foreign trade. The ROC has filed nearly 30 times as many patents as the PRC. Imagine what kind of a powerhouse China would be if it were allowed the freedom we are so eager to throw away. Capitalism will always produce a better society than socialism can imagine.
China is very interesting. The developments of late due to the Olympic spotlight have others and myself worried. Although we may look at China as being almost “third-world” in our eyes, there ability to create chaos and hide their criminal tracks makes me think otherwise. We definitely need to keep an eye on China as we move closer to the Olympics.
Of course, who cares that we’re already Socialists? Who cares that we complain that our ‘right’ to a Federally operated retirement plan is going bankrupt? Who cares that we have Capitalized our economy overseas because we have priced our labor beyond the means of the manufacturers to support it?
What is Conservatism today, anyway? If this is it, I don’t like it. I see no conservation of the old American way of life. It’s dead and gone. We either need to wake up and find a way to restore our Country, or become just like China and the old Soviet Union.
I’m really interested to see where the TRE discussion on China goes. Because of their current and emerging status on the world stage, China is a topic we must not only discuss, but also grasp well.
Wow, and I thought this blog was actually going to have some content, like an exposé of what it’s actually like inside the iPod/iPhone factory in Shenzen, China, which visiting Apple engineers have nicknamed “Mordor”.
True investigative reporting would go there and peel away the mystery, and put a human face on their economy. I do know you can find photos and descriptions of what life is like for average factory workers in mainland China elsewhere on the web, and it’s not too pretty.
Ben, you bring up what sounds like a disturbing story about factories in China… could you find some of those photos and articles you were talking about & link them here?
Hmm, well about the highlighted part in the text…
India also holds some 20% of population, the economic and human growth rates are similar. And if you meant about population density, then it’s completely wrong, because Luxemburgh has the biggest population density [im terribly sorry if i’m wrong but it’s one of the small countries in Europe]
and about the rumors that China is gonna get super-powerful, well in the late 80’s americans wrote books with titles like ‘It’s not the question is Japan gonna overtake, the US, the question is When?’. So the impressive growth rates shouldn’t be overvalued.