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This was supposed to be a year of national celebration in China with the official opening of the Olympics scheduled for the 8th of the 8th month of 2008. Eight is by legend and myth the luckiest number in China and Chinese culture.
So it is strange indeed that political leaders in China have had to repeatedly and publicly state that no effort would be stinted in fighting the damaging force of nature by snow, earthquake and now catastrophic flooding. The NY Times reporter Barboza wrote this today:
The natural disasters have fed superstitions that this year is somehow cursed with misfortune, even though many Chinese had hoped 2008 would be a year of Olympic glory, since the number eight is considered lucky.
I guess it’s ok for some spokespeople to talk about a general curse on this year 2008 but not so ok if Sharon Stone mentions the notion of karma having something to do with natural calamities in China.
In the old biblical days it was the wrath of God visited on sinful people. There is much less mention of that notion today, especially since strident talk from religious leaders has lost its place in main stream media.
Strange times you may think, but has much really changed? I guess we must spend more time considering the Black Swan theories of Nassim Nicholas Taleb.
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