Comments on: Ha ha ha America

By: Sderew

Sderew — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 11:01:21 +0000

Hello, and thanks for the link. I essentially agree with Sonny’s comment. I think that the use of “Chinglish” is meant to demonstrate the U.S. stereotype of the funny little Chinaman, while the *content* of the subtitles makes an argument that China is en route to “conquering” the U.S. economically. I also figured immediately that it was made by an American. To me, what was compelling is that its not a simple message to easily figure out. It covers a complex range of topics and the audience is left to “figure it out” with our own knowledge of history and current events. Anyway, nice blog you’ve got here. Cheers.

By: Planck's Constant

Planck's Constant — Wed, 31 May 2006 20:09:48 +0000

In China we eat America for lunch – hahaha

Here’s a film that should be required viewing for all students entering high school. If this doesn’t shame one into studying, I don’t know what else will. To see the trailer for this 2006 Sundance Film Festival Documentary click…

By: Vlad

Vlad — Thu, 06 Apr 2006 18:23:27 +0000

Hey,

Very interesting movie and some good humor as well. I’m really not sure if you were serious about the point, but I could understand the fact that some of the points is very true such as China surpassing the USA in the near/far future. One thing though, just curious about the techno song in the background – what is it? Thanks.

By: John

John — Sun, 26 Mar 2006 17:37:44 +0000

America needs to wake up. This film is satire but it is lampooning some very disturbing trends and facts. It might be a good time to learn some Chinese.

By: Ethan

Ethan — Tue, 14 Mar 2006 16:36:51 +0000

Ntwiga – I remember the Economist essay from when it came out a few weeks back – it’s a very solid piece. Lots of smart economists believe that the US is making some tragic missteps in letting our savings rate fall below zero and becoming increasingly dependent on consumer credit – my guess is that you’ll find Dick’s paper largely in agreement with the Economist essay… and you’ll also find some worries about what this situation implies for aid to the developing world…

By: Ntwiga

Ntwiga — Tue, 14 Mar 2006 03:29:06 +0000

Thanks for the link to Dick Sabot’s paper Ethan, I plan to spend some time reading it tonight. Pity I never bothered to finish up that PhD (or Bachelors for that matter) in Economics.

In the meantime, do not consider it too bold of me to direct your attention to a shorter commentary in the Economist about economy that Alan Greenspan handed over at the end of his service as the Chairman of the Federal Reserve.

While is not as analytical and comprehensive as Mr. Sabot’s work and I think the phrase “burning the furniture” might be abit much but, it is, I think, as honest an attempt as you will get out of a European writer to reflect on the facts as are.

By: Ethan

Ethan — Mon, 13 Mar 2006 17:49:43 +0000

Thanks for the comments, folks – apologies for mischaracterizing folks who “got it” as folks who didn’t. Ntwiga, you’re absolutely right that there’s an interesting argument inside the film. I tend to feel like it’s a complex enough argument that I’d have preferred it presented “straight”, not in “Chinglish”… but the fact that we’re having this conversation suggests that the film is at least somewhat compelling…

If you’re interested in a more serious take on the dangers of an increasing US/China trade gap, let me recommend a paper by my mentor, Dick Sabot. He was editing it when he passed away last summer, but it’s an excellent overview of some of the macroeconomic stuff going on behind the scenes of this conversation – http://www.cgdev.org/content/publications/detail/3409/

By: Shane Richmond » Ha Ha Ha America

Shane Richmond » Ha Ha Ha America — Sun, 12 Mar 2006 17:58:52 +0000

[...] Ethan Zuckerman has more on the background of the filmmaker – an American – and some reaction from the blogosphere. Also worth a look, though admittedly I’m biased, are the thoughts of Richard Spencer, the Telegraph’s China correspondent, and his colleague in the States, Alec Russell. [...]

By: Steve Ntwiga Mugiri » Blog Archive » Ha ha ha America

Steve Ntwiga Mugiri » Blog Archive » Ha ha ha America — Sun, 12 Mar 2006 06:05:45 +0000

[...] Via my heart’s in Accra [...]

By: Ntwiga

Ntwiga — Sun, 12 Mar 2006 03:41:07 +0000

I wish that blogs had a comment preview funciton so that my comments do not turn out looking like the incoherent ramblings of a maniac. Some missing stuff from my post: I meant to say that The Japanese have a saying that "Business is War" and that the trade deficit numbers given at $210bn vs. $34.7bn (I think). I also meant to try and point out a casual relationship between the manufacturing capacity of a nation and its global competitiveness but the comment monster swallowed that section of my comment whole. Fianlly, this is the missing link to the post in my blog where I talk about the state of the economy