The first time I took a train down from Beijing to Shanghai, one particular spot triggered a strong emotional reaction. It's a range of mid-sized mountains, dragged at the top, some white stone exposed, dark pine or cypress trees dotting the flanks, among lower, yellower, shorter bushes. I have since gone through this pass a number of times.
Read MoreAlternatives are limited. My multicultural friends in Melbourne often resent 'anglos' and their sense of self-evident linguistic and cultural centrality. But forces of resistance are dispersed.I like lists. One of my favourites is the yearly list of 'Global Cities', major nodes in the world system, ranked in order of importance.
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