April 6
China and the No-Alphabet Hypothesis:
How China Stagnated and Lost the Race to Modernity
Meetings # 3,215 - Bill Fong says: "In a quick nutshell, China and the No-Alphabet Hypothesis makes a sweeping claim that China stagnated for 850 years, and lost the race to modernity, because China didn’t have an alphabet. The gist of the No-Alphabet Hypothesis presents a surprising view of Chinese (and Western) cultural history. The reasoning is as follows:
* No alphabet means no mathematics. * No mathematics means no science. * No science means no technology. * No technology means no progress. * No progress means stagnation * China stagnates for 850-plus years. * While the West catches up. * So . . . China stagnated and lost the race to modernity (to Europe) – * Because China didn’t have an alphabet! This then is the fast, oversimplified essence of the hypothesis - that basically, the lack of an alphabet made it simply impossible for China to invent modernity, to achieve it first on history’s first go-around. So lacking an alphabet, China failed to become the modern world’s first superpower. This then is the startling story of China and the No-Alphabet Hypothesis. This then is a linguistic interpretation of history, literally.
And then we move on to the next immediate follow-up story: How Modern China Finally Caught Up.
I will explain.
April 27
198 Methods of Protest and Persuasion
How to Engage in Conflict by Doing - or Refusing to Do -
Certain Things Without Using Physical Violence
Meeting # 3,218 - Tim Bolger et al speak on ideas advanced by Gene Sharp, who says that: and "Nonviolent action empowers population groups by giving them the means to resist oppression and injustice. While nonviolent forms of struggle do not kill, injure, or destroy, they undermine an opponent’s social, economic, political, and military power by withholding and withdrawing the pillars of support required by an adversary to maintain its position and to achieve its goals. Rejection of a regime’s legitimacy may weaken and destroy the loyalty and obedience of the population. Economic boycotts and strikes can disrupt a regime’s economic power. Political noncooperation may nullify oppressive government policies. Disaffection and mutiny of troops facing nonviolent resisters can limit a regime’s military might."
Program will include a short video.
April 13
Report on My Trip to North Korea
Meetings # 3,216 - activist Stanfield Smith
CHINA and
The No-Alphabet Hypothesis
Why China Stagnated
and Lost
the Race to Modernity
by William Y. Fong
China's Modern
Resurgence -
How China Caught Up
-plus-
Insights for International Trade, Diplomacy, Communication and Negotiation
= Chicago
by William Y. Fong
April 20
Special Earth Day Program
Meetings # 3,217 - environmentalist Dennis Nelson of the Nuclear Energy Information Service will discuss:
Rejecting the Keystone XL Tar Sands Pipeline because it is a "climate catastrophe." Additional energy and climate policy recommendations for the Obama-Biden Administration's 2nd term.Saying "NO" to all natural gas 'fracking' here in Illinois. Radioactive metal mixing is always a bad idea whose time has permanently passed. Bottled water should be banned in my favorite national park (Everglades NP in South Florida). My commemoration for the 50th anniversary of Rachel Carson's SILENT SPRING. Joining actress Jessica Alba in calling for stronger protections from toxic chemicals. (A human rights question is being included: Should the Boy Scouts of America include gay kids?) 
