You are absolutly right that commerce is at the root of our recent success (and that of China’s). The main problem with this, and which can be readily observed in Beijing, is the excessive waste that consumption produces. Unless we adress the inneficcient cycle of consumption and production, the social model based on increased commerce will falter. I we must put sustainability at the forefront of our minds.

This must be done with economics in mind. Interestingly, more and more pure economists with no history of environmentalism have come out to support sustainability. Even from an economic point of view it is logical, it is cheaper to manufacture things that can be upgraded and re-used than to simply replace them. The increasing prices of raw materials will inevitable push us in that direction.

I plan to add some more entries to the blog after I finish my current schooling at McGill.

From what you have mentioned about poverty, I could just add a perspective…about India. As Michael rightly pointed out, you cannot compartmentalize poverty into villages and cities. It is interspersed and has become part of their lives for generations. From my point of view, it is not poverty which needs to be eradicated, but information which needs to be percolated.

There are thousands of Indians today who continue to live in huts and villages. However their Information levels have grown much more than what it was, say, 5 years before. You would find many people who would rather invest in some Rural Banks for getting interest than invest in assets like Flats or vehicles. Simple and smart awareness, I guess!

I disagree with you, though, about how to solve the world’s problems. The problems in China and India are created by their governments and not by Westerners or the people living there. Societies thrive through commerce–providing something of value and getting something of value in return. It’s the government’s responsibility to provide a legal framework for investment to occur (can you tell I’m more of an economist?).

As you mentioned in another post, the Chinese girl was ‘interested in the size of your apartment’. She’s offering her companionship and loyalty in return for a brighter future for her own family (perhaps including your children). Our Western sensibilities are offended by such behavior, but if you think about it we all make those same decisions…the Chinese just don’t have any sublety when it comes to money/income. It’s one of those cultural differences that you’ll have to accept if you are going to date while you’re there.