mankun

Yes, my friend, Everything is distorted in this modern world. The Chinese, Persians and Arabs can never forget that they were once superior to the West in everything. Never forget. Never. As for Asia, yes Western influence is increasing. But about the economy, etc., of today's Asia having Western roots is only a half-truth. One of the reasons Asian nations have been able to lift themselves out of colonialism more quickly, etc., is because many of the so-called "Western cultural institutions" had historical Asian analogs (e.g. banks, futures market, paper money, etc.,) The traditions in Asia are so-embedded in Asian culture that even if they want to excise all Asian-ness from their daily lives, Asians in Asia will never succeed for the simple fact that the language is permeated with Asian culture. I disagree with the basic premise that somehow Asian nations were unable to achieve "greatness." The fact of the matter is that Asian countries were more advanced than other nations up until the 1600s in certain areas and economically until the early 1800s. By the early 1800s, the West was more advanced than Asia but let me remind you that Westerners never felt inferior of their capabilities even though they were in fact culturally, scientifically, economically, etc., "inferior" for almost 2000 years. Despite the tragedies of the 1800s in Asia, Asians today do not feel inferior nor do they feel it is necessary to "ape" every Western idea or notion. In fact I would have to say it is the "thinking in a box" or "blind faith" or "non-critical thinking" which causes any culture to regress or stop progressing. The "apeing" of every Western idea, notion, tradition, etc., is equivalent to "thinking in a NEW box", "a NEW blind faith", and "a new type of non-critical thinking" and will produce the same results in the end. In the end American culture will be influenced by other cultures to a greater degree than in the past and likewise for Asian cultures. This is not a bad thing but let's not kid ourselves into thinking that somehow only American or Western culture holds all the keys to the future.

Even at the major technology producing centers of the USA (ie Silicone Valley), the place is largely staffed with East Asians, Middle Easterners and Indo-Pakistanis. Every invention(s) they make day after day is labeled a "Western" invention. Why? There are apparent reasons why the West is so much hated by Islamic nations and China. It is the sheer arrogance on the part of Eurocentrism and its hypocritical racism. If the West lets go of this evil (of racism), only then will others see its true legitimacy and legacy.

To everyone who thinks the West is the source of everything, If in the future, an Asian country makes a major innovation that revolutionizes the world, would you consider it a "Western" innovation or an "Eastern" innovation? Also the Asian contribution to the world of modern science is continuously being underestimated. This is the result of ethnocentrism. With regard to language being a barrier to the exchange of ideas, let's remind ourselves that although most Europeans did not know Chinese, etc., the Arabs and Persians did and they acted as the middleman in the exchange of ideas between East and West in the past. Every people on this planet needs to have confidence in their own abilities and that includes their own cultures. The suggestion by bs. academia in fields such as Intellectual History, etc., seems to imply that certain cultures have a superior ability vis a vis other people. This is a little short of Social Darwinism which is a little short of Facism and Nazism. What everyone seems to forget is that it is the hard work and confidence of people in every culture that determines success. and money is the lubricant for this progression. I am quite certain that self-laudatory articles about Western "creative" superiority will face a cold shower in the near future because it is based on subjective analysis which seeks to comfort us that we are "superior" at the same time trying to "con" others into thinking that there is only one way to solving a problem. I am reminded by the success of Indian Pharmaceutical companies in the manufacture of Ciproflaxin, an antibiotic needed for the fight against Anthrax. These companies have come up with a different way of making the antibiotic; different from western companies which have patent rights. They were forced to do this because they had the know-how and because patent rights made the drugs beyond the monetary reach of consumers in India. So what should we call this example of "Asian" innovation? Should we credit it to Western culture or Indian culture? What if Korea made a major breakthrough in nanotechological innovation via new theory? Is it "Asian" or "Western"? I think by now most of us get the point. What the West has to contribute to Asia has already been done. The seeds have been planted but they have also been planted throughout the world. The difference between Asia and say Africa is that Asians have the confidence to apply right effort and that's why things are happening in Asia that are not happening yet in other places. I think most scientists in the West already know the truth that the West is not the sole "well of knowledge" but rather it is the social-science academics and the masses (ie common people) that need to comfort and "con" themselves into thinking that somehow we are just better because our culture is better. While we (the hare) sleep, the "inferior" (tortise) is marching forward and will shock us when we finally wake up.

Khodja, Even among Europeans, you readily see the apparent physical differences as well. Only the Scandinavians and northern Germans are the least mixed and that is also changing with worldwide contact and immigration. I think the West has duped us for a long time with these race theories and thinking. Remember, we were all one during Adam and Eve. And, all peoples must have come from Armenia (in Mt. Ararat) after Noah and the Arc.

another problem with Qur'an is that it must only be truly comprehended in its original Arabic. This leaves out the hundreds of millions of non-Arabs (most of them are illiterate too). I have heard many interpretations of "jihad." Of course, you hear its sanitized version among modern educated Islamic scholars in the West.

According to what I know, he went in disguised as a Muslim believer.

Uygurs, Uzbeks, Tajikis---to me they are all mixtures of Iranian Aryans with East Asian races. A beautiful mix if you agree with me? Besides, all ethnicities living on the old silk routes (Chinese, Central Asians, Persians, Indo-Pakistanis, Caucasus peoples, Anatolians, etc.) are not clearly defined races. It is not very conventional to just list these groups as Mongoloid or Caucasoid races as it is nebulus at best. Genetic distances, mtDNA, nuclear (Y) chromosome testing have consistently proven that people living on these old silk routes have mixed frequently via migrations, trade and warfare. They are the most mixed folks on this earth.

I have much respect for Islam as I have read Qur'an over 3 times. I am able to comprehend it subjectively. There dual nature and spirit in Qur'an. Some of it is peaceful and righteous, while the other verses have fiery descriptions of war, slave taking, etc. This is dilemma for the modern Muslim clerics. Verses are open to interpretation depending on individual's state of mind. Imams and mullahs only give guidance, but the Muslim believer is free to interpret Qur'an as he reads it. Why is it that even the most fanatical Muslim can visit the Vatican or Jerusalem, but a non-Muslim can never step into the city of Mecca without the loss of one's head?

The girl looks very beautiful. She can pass for Chinese in our northwestern regions, where this phenotype is not uncommon. More so if she was living in the Xinjiang Uygur region. She looks Uygur, Uzbek and Tajiki. I have seen one other girl in Belgrade who looks like her. Her father is a Chinese professor and the mother is a Yugoslavian blonde woman.

There are pros and cons. If you look at USA and Western Europe, there are often racial and ethnicity problems. People fight for jobs, women, and culture. Even in China, where all ethnic groups look the same (except for some Muslims in northwestern parts), there are problems of full assimilation. When people are different, it is hard to be as one. I live as a minority in a Western nation. It feels different when you are in a society with people exactly like you. To be truthful, homogenous societies offer more security and a stable sense of identity.

I have a former high school buddy who couple years ago relocated back to Armenia. He had last month gave me his home number and his business number. Both had the area code (374-1). But, when I used my calling card to call him, the thing said it was invalid. I am lost?

great! I always knew that ethnic forums on the Internet are not representative of an entire people's viewpoint. Just like I see at various Chinese forums, it is the same here. The members who post tend to be enlightened, open-minded and in tune with the times. Very rarely do you find ignorant bigots who post their venom on the Internet. How would the biracial kid be directed if he were to seek his "other (Armenian) side of his heritage one day?" If he were to someday knock real hard at the doors, will he be truly allowed to see your home? marrying out is an inevitable reality one should come to terms with, especially if the decision was made to emigrate to a nation like the USA where there is always a "melting pot" mentality. It is really hard for ensuing generations.

this is from real personal observance and please do not take it serious or personal: 8 years ago, my best buddy (an ethnic Thai-Chinese) had gotten involved with an Armenian girl from Armenia. They lived in the Hollywood area of Los Angeles. The girl seemed to have issues with her parents and never seemed to smile. Their relation was extremely secretive. Eventually she got pregnant. Her family and the other Armenian neighbors got ballistic about it. It seemed like a semi lynch mob was about to form. They were totally 100% against and made it real hard for the girl and my friend. The thing that bothers me was that this friend of mines wasn't poor. In fact the girl's family were tenants living on the apartment owned by the boy's family. Soon, they did get married. Their beautiful boy was born. It was very uncomfortable for them to be seen together as a family in public in that Hollywood area. They would be stared at and I assumed taunted (because I don't understand Armenian). Sometimes, they would be harrassed by gangmembers. The girl's family have yet to this day see or touch the baby. Her parents soon moved out to Burbank and broke of contact with her since. It was hard for all of them. Soon, the boy's family sold the apartment and they too moved to Irvine in Orange County. This was the last I have heard from all of them. I really think it could have been avoided. I only feel for the kid. The friend of mine had really like Armenians and their history. But, I guess it was not enough?

it is a precious virtue to be able to say that descent to a group is based on feelings and mindset, and not just bloodlines passed down patrilineally. it is not Armenians only with this problem. we all have it!

Thorny Rose, Yes those Monkey King adventure stories are based on the real travel experiences of a 6th century AD Chinese Buddhist pilgrim who traveled west in today's Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan. enjoy