Chinese Ghost City

[Orpheus]

Just realized the news is pretty old. Yet you'd figure it would be pretty known by now if it was such a big problem.

 

Methinks that media is trying to make this into a bigger story than it is.

 

As for the topic of environmental issues, last I heard, developed modernized countries produce waste like no other. Every country has its problems, it is not the right thing to do to point fingers at each other.

 

Except this is waste for the sake of waste. Least they could do is move people into these towns.

[Hamtaro]

That's terrible...

 

But could you post the names of the cities? I didn't quite catch them when the guy said it with a British accent. :mellow:

 

Also could someone update me on Detroits situation? Last I heard the city lost almost half its inhabitants...

Well, Detroit was approaching 1M people at the turn of the century and actually tried to import people to meet that new threshold for tax benefits form the US government. 10 years of problems with the American auto industry later (basically our entire economy) and I believe they're below three-quarters of a million now. I was just in Detroit last week for the USA vs. Canada soccer game at Ford Field and off the highway, I could see a bunch of abandoned homes with broken windows, graffiti, worn down foundation, ply wood, and whatnot. There were many abandoned buildings too with the same problems. Detroit recently had a corrupt mayor (found guilty in a court of law) who really mismanaged the city at the worst possible time. We were at our worst economically in 2008 and the pain was eased a little by Bush's bailing out the auto industry and Obama's Cash for Clunkers program.

 

Detroit is a very prideful area and most of us can't stand to see Detroit or Michigan at the bottom of anything positive or the top of anything negative. Detroit's municipal government and some organizations are beginning relief efforts to "rebuild" the city so-to-speak. The largest problem with those efforts is the crime downtown away from Joe Lois Arena, Ford Field, and Comerica Park. Our new governor is also looking to fix Detroit because the last one sat on her ass for 8 years while the state went to [cabbage]. It's not so bad as you may hear on the news, but meh.

 

The main reason for the deteriorating of the city was the collapse of the auto industry. I collected and organized a lot of research on the main reasons of the collapse if you'd be interested in reading that.

[sees_all1]

Just realized the news is pretty old. Yet you'd figure it would be pretty known by now if it was such a big problem.

 

Methinks that media is trying to make this into a bigger story than it is.

 

As for the topic of environmental issues, last I heard, developed modernized countries produce waste like no other. Every country has its problems, it is not the right thing to do to point fingers at each other.

What if it isn't a big story because the media loves China? I feel like that's more likely.

[das1330]

I wonder what proportion of China's growth can be attributed to the property bubble.

[Range_This11]

I did feel bad for that toy store owner. He seemed rather disheveled.

[All_Is_Great]

Just realized the news is pretty old. Yet you'd figure it would be pretty known by now if it was such a big problem.

 

Methinks that media is trying to make this into a bigger story than it is.

 

As for the topic of environmental issues, last I heard, developed modernized countries produce waste like no other. Every country has its problems, it is not the right thing to do to point fingers at each other.

What if it isn't a big story because the media loves China? I feel like that's more likely.

 

What?

[aspeeder]

Just realized the news is pretty old. Yet you'd figure it would be pretty known by now if it was such a big problem.

 

Methinks that media is trying to make this into a bigger story than it is.

 

As for the topic of environmental issues, last I heard, developed modernized countries produce waste like no other. Every country has its problems, it is not the right thing to do to point fingers at each other.

What if it isn't a big story because the media loves China? I feel like that's more likely.

 

What?

Sarcasm I do believe, he was pointing out that China's not exactly a government known for releasing facts to the press for worldwide scrutiny.

[sees_all1]

Just realized the news is pretty old. Yet you'd figure it would be pretty known by now if it was such a big problem.

 

Methinks that media is trying to make this into a bigger story than it is.

 

As for the topic of environmental issues, last I heard, developed modernized countries produce waste like no other. Every country has its problems, it is not the right thing to do to point fingers at each other.

What if it isn't a big story because the media loves China? I feel like that's more likely.

 

What?

Sarcasm I do believe, he was pointing out that China's not exactly a government known for releasing facts to the press for worldwide scrutiny.

I'm not being sarcastic, there is a left wing bias in the media. In some people's eyes, China can do no wrong because they want socialism/communism/something other than capitalism.

And the whole Chinese censorship probably plays a role too - I'm surprised the reporter even got to interview the toy shop owner, let alone cross the borders.

[aspeeder]

 

Just realized the news is pretty old. Yet you'd figure it would be pretty known by now if it was such a big problem.

 

Methinks that media is trying to make this into a bigger story than it is.

 

As for the topic of environmental issues, last I heard, developed modernized countries produce waste like no other. Every country has its problems, it is not the right thing to do to point fingers at each other.

What if it isn't a big story because the media loves China? I feel like that's more likely.

 

What?

Sarcasm I do believe, he was pointing out that China's not exactly a government known for releasing facts to the press for worldwide scrutiny.

 

I'm not being sarcastic, there is a left wing bias in the media. In some people's eyes, China can do no wrong because they want socialism/communism/something other than capitalism.

And the whole Chinese censorship probably plays a role too - I'm surprised the reporter even got to interview the toy shop owner, let alone cross the borders.

I honestly haven't heard that before, the left attacks China viciously for its human rights abuses and it's suppression/occupation of Tibet. Not to mention that the left usually wants socialism to support the lower classes, and China's command economy is largely used just to achieve growth at all costs whether or not it benefits the people.

[The Dark Lord]

I'm absolutely speechless. I'm not caring about just how much it is a false economy for Chinas construction industry. I'm much more concerned with the environmental factor. Think about how much waste is produced through the construction and upkeep of pointless cities.

Oh right. Because people in the westen world, the UK especially, are so good when it comes to waste efficiency. :rolleyes:

 

I'm not saying China's in the right here but seriously...

 

China's an inferior country.

[sees_all1]

Not to mention that the left usually wants socialism to support the lower classes,

You're pretty naive.

[Will H]

Just realized the news is pretty old. Yet you'd figure it would be pretty known by now if it was such a big problem.

 

Methinks that media is trying to make this into a bigger story than it is.

 

As for the topic of environmental issues, last I heard, developed modernized countries produce waste like no other. Every country has its problems, it is not the right thing to do to point fingers at each other.

What if it isn't a big story because the media loves China? I feel like that's more likely.

 

What?

Sarcasm I do believe, he was pointing out that China's not exactly a government known for releasing facts to the press for worldwide scrutiny.

I'm not being sarcastic, there is a left wing bias in the media. In some people's eyes, China can do no wrong because they want socialism/communism/something other than capitalism.

And the whole Chinese censorship probably plays a role too - I'm surprised the reporter even got to interview the toy shop owner, let alone cross the borders.

 

I agree that there's a general left wing bias in the media, but that's because it's much easier to write a story that appeals by talking about where social injustices and cases of inequality are occurring and minimising it, one of the foundations of left-wing politics. Contrast that with the right wing, which is very much about criticising undeserving individuals and praising the deserving individuals. It requires more commitment and effort, and the only result is getting a different but generally equally paying audience.

 

My point is, a free media in general never actually 'wants' something other than raking in as much money and audience as possible for the least effort, and that gravitates to the centre-left. That means a mistrust of capitalist values and financial authority figures like bankers and large corporations, but they aren't communists either. It's populism. You're assuming some kind of force towards the left, when it's more of a path of least resistance.

[sees_all1]

You're assuming some kind of force towards the left, when it's more of a path of least resistance.

No, because even their political commentary and coverage skews left. That is to say that given the easy opportunity to be unbiased, they won't be.

[The Dark Lord]

Honk if you don't believe the liberal media

[aspeeder]

Not to mention that the left usually wants socialism to support the lower classes,

You're pretty naive.

Ok...how? Maybe I am, but I'd consider myself pretty left. The reason I want more socialism in our country is not, "hurr durr capitalism b teh evuls, Lenin had it rite!!!" it's because it can be a cost effective method of keeping our lower class healthy and alive while stopping the powerful from taking too much advantage from their situation.

 

EDIT: I'll give you an example, one of the news sites I frequent is Alternet.org, it's very liberally biased I'll admit. A search through their China tag reveals a generally neutral to somewhat negative/skeptical view.

[sees_all1]

Not to mention that the left usually wants socialism to support the lower classes,

You're pretty naive.

Ok...how? Maybe I am, but I'd consider myself pretty left. The reason I want more socialism in our country is not, "hurr durr capitalism b teh evuls, Lenin had it rite!!!" it's because it can be a cost effective method of keeping our lower class healthy and alive while stopping the powerful from taking too much advantage from their situation.

You should try reading "The Politically Incorrect Guide to Socialism" by Kevin D Williamson.

Anyhow, people pushing socialism are usually pandering to popular appeal - "They stole your wealth, we're going to take it back!" They usually replace one system with another (usually in a brutal civil war), while putting themselves up top. And socialism's track record for keeping its lower class alive is pretty bad - almost all of the worst genocides can be linked to socialism/centrally planned economies.

[aspeeder]

Not to mention that the left usually wants socialism to support the lower classes,

You're pretty naive.

Ok...how? Maybe I am, but I'd consider myself pretty left. The reason I want more socialism in our country is not, "hurr durr capitalism b teh evuls, Lenin had it rite!!!" it's because it can be a cost effective method of keeping our lower class healthy and alive while stopping the powerful from taking too much advantage from their situation.

You should try reading "The Politically Incorrect Guide to Socialism" by Kevin D Williamson.

Anyhow, people pushing socialism are usually pandering to popular appeal - "They stole your wealth, we're going to take it back!" They usually replace one system with another (usually in a brutal civil war), while putting themselves up top. And socialism's track record for keeping its lower class alive is pretty bad - almost all of the worst genocides can be linked to socialism/centrally planned economies.

...I really wish to respond but I feel like we're going to derail this thread.

[Atom Smash40]

^ Your Lion King sig is...suggestive.

 

Just thought I'd point that out.

[aspeeder]

^ Your Lion King sig is...suggestive.

 

Just thought I'd point that out.

Never heard that before haha, here's the original image; it was intended to be mournful not suggestive. Now if you want suggestive ;)

[fakeitormakeit2]

The video was extremely interesting in my opinion, well worth the 14minutes. The least to be said is that the construction of impending ghost cities are an interesting alternative solution to how to prevent boom and bust. Not very intelligent really, but I guess C+ for effort.

[Schutzengel]

That video was interesting. I didn't know that these empty cities existed.

[sees_all1]

I agree that there's a general left wing bias in the media

 

Fox News

 

Yeaaa... no.

 

"Fox News is clearly more conservative than ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC and National Public Radio. Some will conclude that 'therefore, this means that Fox News has a conservative bias,'" he writes in an advance copy provided to Washington Whispers. "Instead, maybe it is centrist, and possibly even left-leaning, while all the others are far left. It's like concluding that six-three is short just because it is short compared to professional basketball players."

 

http://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/washington-whispers/2011/06/16/book-liberal-media-distorts-news-bias

[aspeeder]

"Fox News is clearly more conservative than ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC and National Public Radio. Some will conclude that 'therefore, this means that Fox News has a conservative bias,'" he writes in an advance copy provided to Washington Whispers. "Instead, maybe it is centrist, and possibly even left-leaning, while all the others are far left. It's like concluding that six-three is short just because it is short compared to professional basketball players."

 

http://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/washington-whispers/2011/06/16/book-liberal-media-distorts-news-bias

You know who's centrist? Barack Obama. You know what party is center-right at the moment? The Democratic Party. ABC, CBS, CNN, and NBC are so far from extreme left it's ridiculous. You want an example of a far-leftist media entity? STFU-Conservatives would be a taste. And no, a news station that endorses people that say:

 

"Why isn’t Iraq paying us back with oil' date=' and paying every American family and their soldiers that lost loved ones or have injured soldiers—and why didn’t they pay for their own liberation? For the Kuwait oil minister—how short his memory is. You know we have every right to go in there and frankly take all their oil and make them pay for the liberation."[/quote']

 

"So what’s with all the hoods in the Hizzy?" - Referring to a meeting of black presidents in the White House

is not liberal.

[sees_all1]

I agree that there's a general left wing bias in the media

 

Fox News

 

Yeaaa... no.

 

"Fox News is clearly more conservative than ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC and National Public Radio. Some will conclude that 'therefore, this means that Fox News has a conservative bias,'" he writes in an advance copy provided to Washington Whispers. "Instead, maybe it is centrist, and possibly even left-leaning, while all the others are far left. It's like concluding that six-three is short just because it is short compared to professional basketball players."

 

http://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/washington-whispers/2011/06/16/book-liberal-media-distorts-news-bias

 

Being someone who is extremely skeptical of government programs and spending and someone who is very far to the right on economic issues (really most issues, besides abortion and a few other social issues). Being someone who is anti state unions, anti government handouts, basically your typical republican on a lot of issues. I still see a major right leaning bias on fox news, despite agreeing with a lot of what they say.

 

Not going to deny that other news stations arent left leaning because most of them are, but fox news is as far to the right as MSNBC is to the left. CNN is a little bit better but you would be right to say it is moderately leftist.

 

I didnt check your source, because I dont know how reputable some little news site is, and I havent looked at enough of their articles to know if they have a bias one way or the other.

U.S. News and World Report is included in the article, and is cited as being left of center.

[jasignhagj]

Americans don't even know what left is. Democrats are centre-right, while republicans are hard right to extreme right. Come to Canada, and you'd go insane.