Americans are fond of referring to their country as "the greatest nation on earth". Until recently, I didn't believe any country deserved that description. But today I think there is a strong contender for the title.

China is the world's oldest living civilisation. It has recovered from over a century of colonial oppression and lifted its citizens out of poverty. As its growth continues, China is poised to become the world's largest economy and a technology leader that is second to none. By 2030, I believe it will be an indisputable fact that China is the greatest nation on earth.

I need to understand China, from a Chinese perspective. This is my journey.

Wednesday 4 August 2021

An Auspicious Portent From My Electric Guru

Ever since I learnt about the Chinese naming of technologies by prefixing them with 电 diàn ("electric"), I have been thinking of Duolingo as my 电老师 diàn lǎoshī ("electric teacher", or "electric guru").

Witness

电脑 diànnǎo ("computer", literally, "electric brain")

电话 diànhuà ("telephone", literally, "electric voice")

电影 diànyǐng ("movie", literally, "electric picture")

电视 diànshì ("TV", literally, "electric see")

电梯 diàntī ("elevator", literally, "electric ladder")

Today, my electric guru prompted me to say something that I've been telling myself as a form of self-hypnosis to make my journey easier.

I feel like I just got blessed with a "विजयी भव!" vijayi bhava! (Sanskrit for "May you be victorious!")

Although I'm not superstitious, I'll take every bit of positive reinforcement I can get.

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