Culture Matters: but the pattern is the same

[keirsey]

I am in the process of reading The Man Who Changed China: The Life and Legacy of Jiang Zemin.

Culture Matters and Temperament Matters. In understanding an individual and his effect on his/her society it is important to know both his history and culture.

The specifics are different in each culture but the pattern is the same.

[christina]

It's wonderful and wonderfully simple to make a positive impact by "putting it out there". For it to be a positive impact, I would conjecture it must be positive....that is, enjoyable/wholesome.


That implies a few things, one of which, being a good loser.

what temperament do you think he is? I'll admit that he sounded very similar to me-A careful introvert.

[christina]

.....I was thinking that a friend of mine is also say something like this to me (regarding me and her).....that we should be aware of our personal histories and how that flavors our perception of the world, opinions, actions, etc.


She's a bit more "self-correcting" than me in this regard, although I see it as a very good thing (being aware of personal histories, your own and/or of other peoples) I haven't bought into it completely.......

Cry the Beloved Country. Yes, temperament matters, history matters, culture matters, but it also comes down to personal choices.

[Goodrum]

what temperament do you think he is?

....I am sussing him out------->

[keirsey]

I am still reading on Zemin, and my current guess is Mastermind Rational, but with "Chinese characteristics" -- in other words, if you don't know much about China in the last 100 years, you won't know what I am talking about.

I now have another book I am reading .. On my Kindle2 (So many books, soo... little time).

The Startup Nation: The Story of Israel's Economic Miracle

This book reminds me of one of my favorite books: How We Got Here: A Slightly Irreverent History of Technology and Markets, by Andy Kessler. Understanding Technology, Finance, and Culture (and ah yes Temperament) are important in understanding how the world is going to evolve (envolute and involute).

When the Pattern is not exactly the same, it is important to note the essential difference and the commonality.

[shytiger]

I am still reading on Zemin, and my current guess is Mastermind Rational, but with "Chinese characteristics" -- in other words, if you don't know much about China in the last 100 years, you won't know what I am talking about.

Can you give us an overview of these "Chinese characteristics"? Why do you say the last 100 years? I would think that they must go back to Confucius. By purely random chance, I'm more familiar with Koreans.

[christina]

I like your question, Shy


My husband was briefly interested in stand up comedy....but he is not Chinese ......

EDIT (In):

He(Robert Lawrence Kuhn) recites a month-by-month summary of Jiang's years in power, often including details about the leader's taste for reciting poetry or the Gettysburg address, and singing songs. Jiang loved to perform, and to show off.

Aaaah, yes....this would say Mastermind to me......

Jiang was an intelligent but cautious administrator. He had no special charisma. As Kuhn reports, he was frequently underestimated. Meaning, he often came across as a lightweight.

But over time he would prosper, primarily by diligent work and an ability to offend no one.

Well, I know at least one Mastermind that can/has offend people.


Hmmmm, yes, very strategic.....(Artisan may have stumbled, that is, had a 'slip-up')

He survived the Cultural Revolution and other political campaigns by keeping his head down.

I'm starting to see it now

[Goodrum]

Actually Shytiger you might be interested in:

http://www.chinahistoryforum.com/

The China History Forum is an online chinese history forum, discussion board or community for all who are interested in learning and discussing chinese history from prehistoric till modern times, including chinese art of war, chinese culture topics.

A wonderful resource and community, great info shared, if there is something you have specific you cannot find through search they are helpful, (note: but requires forum join up).

[christina]

Actually.....I just had a thought......

maybe this idea of "offending no one" could be a "Chinese Characteristic". To be honest, I have no clue though.......my Dad is Taiwanese, but I lost him when I was young (hardly remember him) and my mom didn't stay in touch with his relatives....so I have no clue about the Chinese culture....even having lived in southern Cali for awhile (no,not "Chinese" in its 'purest' form...but still).

[keirsey]

I am still reading on Zemin, and my current guess is Mastermind Rational, but with "Chinese characteristics" -- in other words, if you don't know much about China in the last 100 years, you won't know what I am talking about.

Can you give us an overview of these "Chinese characteristics"? Why do you say the last 100 years? I would think that they must go back to Confucius. By purely random chance, I'm more familiar with Koreans.

This overview would be would be much like trying to explain Americans (US) to Russians. Our histories and cultures are very different. That being said, if I say to you (Shy) the phrase "The Hermit Kingdom" -- you hopefully should immediately, as not a Korean, -- say "Ah yes." Now "The Chinese" have longer cultural history than any other "culture" in history, including the Koreans and the "Rus". So yes, going back to Confucius would be good (along with Sun Tzu.) But the reason I mentioned 100 years (at least), because in 1908 was first year of the Last Emperor of China, Puyi, becoming emperor. Mao would have been 15 years old. Jiang Zemin was a teenager in Manchukuo, when Puyi was "Emperor" under the Japanese.

I don't have the time, at this time, to give a good overview of "Chinese characteristics" -- as you can imagine it's complicated. Something an Architect Rational can't rattle off without a couple more decades for a response.