[Billie Johnson]

Reading the breakdown of household expenses between the US and China made it clear to me why the trade war hurt farmers. The bulk of expenses for a household in China is spent on food and when you think of 1.3 billion people who need to eat, this is a huge sum of money lost to our farmers. I did not know that before and was shocked to see it.  I did not know that we spent less in terms of food per household, but for sure figured that our cost per dwelling would be substantially more expensive. I live in a crakerjack box and don't even want to think about what my mortgage is.

[Billie Johnson]

Hi Aleida,
I was also surprised about the similarities between the USA and China in regard to educational issues and deficit in skill sets. I wonder if universities need to be more regulated with what they teach. Perhaps share with the nation what we need, the kind of skills we need for the future, and this will better help guide people into one educational sector or another. We need to be more deliberate in what we offer in universities to actually prepare a better skilled workforce of the future.

[Billie Johnson]

For answering my question about how opening up China opened them up to technology as well. I was thinking about what I hear in the news reports and in terms of how Trump is dealing with China and how he speaks in terms of the need for fair trade, manipulation of currency, and the theft of technology. Question: Is birth tourism funded or partially funded by the Chinese government?  This gives citizenship and the potential to move people easily to America for whatever reason.  

[Billie Johnson]

First of all, great pic in the first video!

What stuck out to me the most is how China is looking to create a consumer economy, one that mirrors ours and essentially model after the American business model as a nation. As I was reading it struck me that you the US and China were interchangeable. With the need for education reform (preparing youth and young adults for the jobs of the future), relevant job training, and the ghosting of new workers who are going through the interview process or newly hired.  I do wonder though, with China looking to enhance its manufacturing and creating quality products, how with this impact South Korea and Japan who are known for producing superior products? Also, I read a while ago that China is seeking more investments in Africa. If Africa's economic development continues on the upward trajectory it is expecting to, this could mean huge capital gains for China. With all the talks of social and economic reforms, do you think the Hukou system will be eliminated? 

I am supposing this is why we are hearing about China so much on the political front: "Many U.S. firms find it difficult to do business in China because rules and regulations are generally not consistent or transparent, contracts are not easily enforced, and intellectual property rights are not protected (due to the lack of an independent judicial system)." The Belt and Road Initiative also reminds me of when Trump spoke at the SOTU Address in regard to infrastructure, high speed internet, and many other proposed intiatives.

It is intriguing to me that although China is going through these major economic, education, and population changes there's so much room for growth. The really neat thing is that we will see this in real time certainly within the next few years. Do you think that growth will take off once the focus is back on the people and not the power structure in place? Perhaps something similar to Japan as a whole. I think ideologically the US believes in this philosophy, but when you break this down into many differernt corporations or public institutions the vision and how the power structure treats its people vary of course.

It does feel like things are a bit backwards. We know what happens in societies that are undereducated with little skills and yet it feels like we are not doing enough to reverse course. We already know what this looks like. While other countries are realizing like Lorenzo De Medici did in the1400's that a prosperous society has educated people who are skilled and a strong innovative sector...one that is rich in culture and arts...Seems like the struggle is between retaining power versus sharing that power with one's citizenry.

[Billie Johnson]

Hi Clay,

I have of course heard the media reports come in and know how media can sensationalize information for a host of reasons.  With the low death toll (with all due respect) in comparison to the population, do you think this is heavily in the media because of the hit economies are taking because of the quarantines and halt to traveling freely? Do you think the death toll is higher than what is being reported? Every time I turn on my computer I see so many hyper fear inducing articles about the virus when the flu has killed up to 25,000 people according to WHO. I am glad that the US has offered help. 

[Billie Johnson]

Hi Aleida,

What stands out the most to me about the apps and other agencies who agree to assist in suppressing equitable access is wondering if it makes them complicit on any level.  Do you think so? I just heard this evening that media has been ordered to suppress reporting on the Coronavirus. It is strange what power will drive some people to do. 

[Billie Johnson]

I don't teach geography explicitly, but the way Clay teaches is a perfect example of pedagogical best practices. I am always impressed by his knowledge and delivery.  If I move back up to 8th grade I think I will have more of an opportunity to do this. Also, your response to the readings and videos were insightful and thought provoking. Thank you!

[Billie Johnson]

After watching the two videos and reading, these are my thoughts and questions:

• In terms of demography and demographics - I never thought about the significance of the relationship between the economy and electricity when you mentioned North Korea.
• Also, looking at the size of China and its habitable space, it is astounding that there are 1.3 billion people living in China which makes me think about architecture, city planning, and design.
• Do you think that eliminating the hokou system would have a positive effect in terms of increasing birth rates...or is this similar to a caste system?
• Reading the economy and how Xi Jinping, at least it's my interpreation, how he has taken a China first policy and seems to be an isolationist of sorts. Looking at the potential implications of his decisions reminds me of Mao's Great Famine. I know that we are looking at the same toll on human lives, but what is going to happen long-term with not being open and realizing that there is more to gain when working with the rest of the world.
• I was surprised to read about the advocacy of the Trump administration confronting China on their policies...usually these days everything is so negative. I do see from the graphic you shared about the Chinese and US household costs and where the bulk of the money is spent. The market in China is huge for farmers so Xi Jinping is leveraging his capital in people against the US, whereas they need us to for their economic prosperity in terms of our political influence over other countries as a consumer powerhouse. 

All of this was incredibly intriguing and I look forward to our call this evening!

[Billie Johnson]

Hello!  The question I raised was a general question 'Why does China matter?' I like being a source of information for my students and enlightening them where I can. Thank you!

[Billie Johnson]

Hello, my name is Billie! I teach 6th grade History/ELA at McKinley School of Arts in Pasadena, CA. I am looking forward to building my scope of knowledge about China and am able to articulate the information obtained from this course accurately to my students. This is my second year teaching and often times my students bring up random topics which is always fun and challenging. This course will only increase my scope and add to my teaching toolkit and I am excited for this opportunity.

[Billie Johnson]

for sharing your thoughts and reflection with me. It seems like, depending on whose perspective you get the information from, that North Korea has had a stronghold on the narrative to its people, but there appears to be some cracks starting to surface. Technology has had profound effects on how information is shared and how communities and countries have been transformed because of the ability for people to connect who may not have been able to otherwise.  I think advancements in technology and people's natural curiosity is going to get the best of North Korea. It looks like the world is closing in on them and there will be no choice but to soon open up. What will opening up North Korea look like? I wish I knew, but it will be interesting to witness a transformative period in history. Hopefully this transformation won't have adverse effects on the citizens on North Korea. It's past time that people are given a choice in how they want to live their lives.

[Billie Johnson]

A 3rd K-pop star has abruptly died within 2 months, showing the squeaky-clean industry isn't as wholesome as it seems

https://www.yahoo.com/news/3rd-k-pop-star-abruptly-111034424.html

Any other time I would have read the headline, silently gave condolences, and moved on. However, since taking this class I am starting to notice all things Korea.  It is so sad that the pressures of celebrity and the infiltration of their lives are having these awful consequences.  Let's hope that this is the last loss.

 

 

 

[Billie Johnson]

Thank you! This class definitely opened my mind and challenged me to rethink some of my own perceptions. What a great opportunity this was for all of us.

[Billie Johnson]

I noticed over the past couple days that K-Pop has been in the news and not for good reasons.  Of course salaciousness sells so I am not surprised that these articles are getting a lot of recognition. However, this does say plenty about the pressures placed on both men and women in this industry. The article below says a lot about how the #Metoo movement is affecting change in how the laws are applied to men in a male dominated society.

Two high profile K-pop stars found guilty of sexually assaulting women incapable of resisting: https://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/ny-two-kpop-guilty-sexually-assaulting-women-incapable-resisting-20191129-vwjhlk7jkza6vh35xo3ybqq7fa-story.html

I found it interesting especially with how closely this information was released in proximity to our conversations on this forum. 

[Billie Johnson]

Wow. With just a glance over this document it's very informative.  I look forward to a deeper dive. Thank you!

[Author]

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