Random

There's so much to write about these days that it takes far greater effort for me to think about everything and process it to a good post. So I am taking the lazy/abbreviated way out by writing a few random things that have been on my mind recently.

1. Xinjiang. This situation makes me sad. Xinjiang is a beautiful place with beautiful people. Beijing is doing what it feels it needs to do to maintain stability, but the power they have and their lack of sympathy in exerting this power is evident. I hope someday they will learn to listen. But I'm not Chinese and I can't possibly imagine their situation, which leads me to the next 2 points.

2. Ethnic Minorities. I work in a primarily Korean minority village. Most of the Koreans are not there throughout the year because they have opportunities in S. Korea or in China's larger cities working for Korean companies. Of the 55 recognized minorities in China, the Koreans are often lauded as the 'model' minority because they help bring foreign money to China, their children are well-educated, etc. Compared with the Xinjiang Uighurs and Tibetans, the Koreans are left alone.

3. Chinese society. The more I talk to people, the more I realize how many problems there are in Chinese society which don't necessarily get addressed. People tend to want to talk about all the great things China is doing, economically, while ignoring many of the social problems. One of the most frustrating parts about doing research in China because I don't feel there is space, in a broader sense, for policy advice. Or any advice, really. Maybe once I write my dissertation things will become more clear, but at this point I feel I am studying Chinese society and food/agriculture and really just learning (which is what I am supposed to be doing, I guess). I see limited channels or opportunities for practical, hands-on projects stemming from my research. In contrast, each time I read about agricultural policy in the US, I want to jump right in with my opinions. If I were an agricultural economist or scientist here in China, people would ask for my advice a lot. But as a social scientist, they want to teach me, not listen to me. And I'm fine with that, but sometimes I wonder what practical, non-theoretical results will come of all this work. Maybe its just getting people to think more about food...

4. Weather is a defining factor in what makes a good research day. Its true. The last month or so has seen a lot of rain. In the countryside, rain means everyone is inside. That means it is more difficult for me to wonder around the dirt roads and fields looking for people to talk with me. Even on non-rainy days that are really hot and sunny, people like to be inside a lot. Inside is pretty much consists of homes. When I am invited, I go into people's homes, but I prefer to approach people outside.

5. Marathon training in China rocks. Most people think I am crazy for voluntarily running a marathon here because of the air quality. But I have some American friends and we are going to run it together. So I've been training here and did the distance of a half marathon this morning). Harbin air in the summer is OK, especially after a good rain (of which we've had plenty). The best part is that massages here are done by doctors and cost about $3 for an hour massage. And if I have extra sore joints, they add some acupuncture in there.