Sacred Symbols+, Episode XI: The Almighty Dollar
Added 2019-10-18 16:00:03 +0000 UTCWith 1.4 billion citizens and counting, China isn't only the world's most populated country, but home to nearly one-in-five human beings anywhere on Earth. It's a political, cultural, and economic powerhouse with a rapidly-increasing standard of living, a widening middle class, and immense pull on the world stage. It also happens to be a one-party communist dictatorship, one that doggedly persecutes religious minorities, manipulates its currency to hurt its trading partners, and actively threatens its territorial neighbors. Now, this may be seem like a random episode of Plus, but it isn't, because drama in, around, and about China's neighbor Hong Kong has unfavorably positioned the gaming industry in an important political fight. Not only is China more ingrained in gaming than you probably think; it also wields more power than you can probably comprehend. (Just ask Activision-Blizzard.) How does China, Chinese money, Chinese consumers, and the Chinese government interact with the western gaming world? How can the whims of Chinese bureaucrats so deeply affect American and European businesses? Will money talk loudest of all? Join us as we do our very best to make sense of a bizarre, fluid, and complex situation that begs one question: Is capitalism truly king?
Comments
Thank you, that's awesome to hear. <3
Colin Moriarty
2019-11-08 19:35:29 +0000 UTCHey Colin, Just wanted to thank you for taking such an in depth look into the China situation, and really explaining the background around this whole Scandal. I even shared this Podcast with my Dad, who has no interest in gaming, because neither of us were really sure what was going on with the China stuff, and I felt you did a great job explaining it..
Joseph Stalin
2019-10-31 13:03:08 +0000 UTCI know this is off topic, but Joe Rogan had Edward Snowden on his podcast today, I figured you would probably be highly interested in that.
Jessica Gutiérrez
2019-10-23 16:56:56 +0000 UTCThey are most certainly trying to grow their sphere of influence! I'll add it to the bookmark list. =)
Colin Moriarty
2019-10-22 22:36:56 +0000 UTCIn football, the player who retaliates when another player did something shady is the one who is often flagged. =)
Colin Moriarty
2019-10-22 22:36:34 +0000 UTCThank you!
Colin Moriarty
2019-10-22 22:35:58 +0000 UTCMaybe! We gotta play it by ear.
Colin Moriarty
2019-10-22 22:35:53 +0000 UTCColin, I didn’t think to send this after listening to the podcast. You mentioned China’s infrastructure program in Africa. It’s called the Belt and Road initiative. And there are a lot of people(me included) that think they are trying to grow their sphere of influence. If you have time, it’s an interesting topic! https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/chinas-massive-belt-and-road-initiative
Zach Wishnuff
2019-10-22 21:57:03 +0000 UTCThis was fantastic to listen to. I'm very pro Hong Kong, I have a few friends that are currently ground zero independent reporters that have been victims of the police brutality while being members of the "press" and still being attacked for filming it etc. On your guys comparison to that Navy pilot whom I think is named David Fravor maybe? It reminds me of that quote "The greatest trick the devil ever played was convincing the world he didn't exist" -Kaizer Soze. I agree, they just let them put it out there because the more people hear it, the more silly people will think it is, and eventually believe its just a 'conspiracy', so if China were to just say "eh cool" and walk away, eventually people would just think its being blown out of proportion, but the fact that they're forcing their hand on everyone including American companies further proves how aggressive and dangerous their government is.
Jessica Gutiérrez
2019-10-22 17:57:53 +0000 UTCExcellent work guys, some really interesting and thoughtful points.
Nlindz27
2019-10-22 10:16:58 +0000 UTCHey Colin, is there any chance you'd team up with Limited Run Games to release a Physical version of your game on Vita and Ps4? I'd buy both! (I wasn't really sure where to ask this so I put it on your most recent post, Loved the episode btw!)
Jeremy Miller
2019-10-22 09:32:13 +0000 UTCThank you. <3
Colin Moriarty
2019-10-21 21:14:09 +0000 UTCI'm afraid that, these days, virtue signaling is high art.
Colin Moriarty
2019-10-21 21:14:02 +0000 UTCAwesome. Welcome!
Colin Moriarty
2019-10-21 21:13:38 +0000 UTCBrilliant episode 👌
Hozi
2019-10-21 20:49:19 +0000 UTCThought-provoking episode. You touched on so many nuances. And your bit about pandering REALLY spoke to me. I think that people should just DO the right thing, not SAY the right thing. So much pandering and posturing from people about so many issues, but all it does it set up identity politics for social currency. Good people just DO the right thing without needing to shout it from the rooftops. People should live values, not talk about them constantly. What I DETEST is so many 'influencers' these days are all preachy ideologues that spend all their time talking down to people, and I don't find them inspiring at all. Thank you SO MUCH for not treating me, and people like me, like I'm exotic. In my opinion, the true racists are the one who talk about race all the fucking time, and make it the only thing that matters. Regarding the China stuff, it is such a complex issue. I personally think that this whole thing blew out of proportion cause Blizzard took some absurd decisions. I do think it is against their policy for people to get political during tournament streams, but as you said; how often have people done that for other topics (which Blizzard agreed with) and they did nothing? Crazy times we're in, indeed.
JusticeSoulTuna
2019-10-21 19:14:22 +0000 UTCThis is the episode that made me subscribe to CLS.
Zibi Majewski
2019-10-21 19:07:05 +0000 UTCHe's gone 3-6 in 9 trips to the NBA finals. He had one of the greatest superstar meltdowns in the 2011 NBA Finals against the Mavericks. He also missed the playoffs his first season in the Western Conference, which is much tougher than the East. Imo Michael Jeffrey Jordan is the greatest basketball player of all time!
Anthony J Sanchez
2019-10-21 19:04:13 +0000 UTCThank you!
Colin Moriarty
2019-10-21 17:56:17 +0000 UTCThank you! It's a sticky situation, but we aren't afraid to talk about controversial issues.
Colin Moriarty
2019-10-21 17:56:12 +0000 UTCWell, I felt it was necessary to provide "the other side," as it were. Glad you enjoyed!
Colin Moriarty
2019-10-21 17:55:55 +0000 UTCReally? I've heard him called that many times.
Colin Moriarty
2019-10-21 17:55:37 +0000 UTCThank you. <3
Colin Moriarty
2019-10-21 17:55:31 +0000 UTCThank you! A Part II may indeed be necessary. We shall see.
Colin Moriarty
2019-10-21 17:55:26 +0000 UTCFantastic episode folks. Really interesting to hear your takes on this issue. Keep it up :)
Jordan Costa
2019-10-21 16:25:13 +0000 UTCGreat episode! Appreciate the two of you stepping into murky waters here to offer some thoughts on a complicated geopolitical situation. I would disagree that we should automatically do business with China since that attitude is what allowed them to grow so strong, but I realize that may not be a realistic possibility. anyway, good stuff.
sean McGuire
2019-10-21 13:54:41 +0000 UTCThis was an awesome episode. It reminded me of the table talk after Trump won, where you brought up a difficult topic, and read the letter written in the opposing perspective of everyone else at the table. It's a big reason why I followed Colin here, and why I'm a patron. Reading the letter from the other owner was enlightening and educational, even if I didn't agree with it.
Isaac Cynova
2019-10-20 10:41:33 +0000 UTCLebron James is by far not the best basketball ball player ever. I'm a huge NBA fan!
Anthony J Sanchez
2019-10-20 03:03:32 +0000 UTCVery interesting topic and very well handled podcast. Greatly enjoyed it and feel I was made a little wiser from it :)
Cameron Sanderson
2019-10-19 23:48:12 +0000 UTCGreat episode, I feel this was expertly discussed and interested to see if a pt. 2 would be needed.
Marcus Brown
2019-10-19 23:33:30 +0000 UTCThere are lots of good ones to choose from!
Colin Moriarty
2019-10-19 23:20:11 +0000 UTCWe'll see how seriously its fanbase takes this at BlizzCon!
Colin Moriarty
2019-10-19 23:20:00 +0000 UTCWherefore art thou.
Colin Moriarty
2019-10-19 23:19:38 +0000 UTCThank you. I did my best to have my facts straight, and also provide "the other side", as it were.
Colin Moriarty
2019-10-19 23:19:30 +0000 UTCWow this episode of SS+ really give me an interest for a Podcast on politics🙌🏿
Boris
2019-10-19 17:42:06 +0000 UTCI really liked this episode. I find the actions of Blizzard disgusting here. I am as capitalist as they come, money is a good thing and making money is a good thing. But I would never put that above principles. I would rather be the poorest man in a free society than the richest man in a gulag. Governments that maintain themselves by force and not the consent of the governed are illegitimate and should be called out as such. Support Hong Kong!
Matthew Cooper
2019-10-19 17:12:45 +0000 UTCI feel so noticed <3
Romeo
2019-10-19 16:17:20 +0000 UTCMan, after just finishing this episode, I really miss Colin talking history and politics. I kinda hope that all the (obvious) research that he put into getting all of his facts right for this episode awakens something inside that might get the ball rolling on another political/history podcast. Great work as always guys, this episode makes me damn glad I’m a patron.
Kevin Thornton
2019-10-19 01:52:51 +0000 UTCThank you. <3
Colin Moriarty
2019-10-19 00:27:07 +0000 UTCI don't know, I really need to sit and think about how to retaliate.
Colin Moriarty
2019-10-19 00:27:02 +0000 UTCThank you! It's a complicated issue, but we did our best with it.
Colin Moriarty
2019-10-19 00:26:47 +0000 UTCYeah, it seems like metropolitan real estate all over the US is suffering from similar issues.
Colin Moriarty
2019-10-19 00:26:30 +0000 UTCThank you!
Colin Moriarty
2019-10-19 00:26:03 +0000 UTCDitto
Caleb Greer
2019-10-19 00:18:32 +0000 UTCI love your passion for history and politics! I miss it, but I'm just as happy with your games coverage.
Forrest Hunter
2019-10-18 23:34:52 +0000 UTCNo Chris and patreon questioner, if you fry a burrito it becomes a chimichanga! Edit: just heard Chris give another slight to Chick-fil-A. Colin, how many times are you going to let this go unpunished?
Kyle Goodrich
2019-10-18 23:15:16 +0000 UTCFantastic episode!!!!
Richard Jyles
2019-10-18 21:50:03 +0000 UTCGreat episode. The media screams for unionization and protecting staff and eliminating crunch. Which looks at value of the human being. If Blizzard didn't cower they would jeapordize major incoming funds, which in turn would effect hundreds of employees possible losing there jobs. Businesses need that bottom line to keep things running. I suppose that's what happens when playing in foreign markets. Super conflicting issue and great analysis of it guys.
kiNeMs
2019-10-18 21:49:00 +0000 UTCHey Colin great episode as always. I wanted to mention, NYC apartments are expensive for partially for the same reason. A lot of foreign investment in these luxury buildings where no one lives in it. It is simply a way for them to put their money in goods here that their government cannot take from them.
Kenneth Oms
2019-10-18 21:18:52 +0000 UTCReally enjoyed this episode guys keep it up
Joshua LaGrew
2019-10-18 20:31:46 +0000 UTCI'm sorry to hear that. Can you elaborate and tell us why? We're always looking to improve our shows.
Colin Moriarty
2019-10-18 19:56:12 +0000 UTCThank you!
Colin Moriarty
2019-10-18 19:55:59 +0000 UTCThank you. I find the hypocrisy crippling as well. We're all kind of a part of it.
Colin Moriarty
2019-10-18 19:55:54 +0000 UTCThank you. I did my best.
Colin Moriarty
2019-10-18 19:55:14 +0000 UTCWe hope you enjoy!
Colin Moriarty
2019-10-18 19:55:08 +0000 UTCUnintentional, but awesomely so.
Colin Moriarty
2019-10-18 19:55:01 +0000 UTC*nods*
Colin Moriarty
2019-10-18 19:54:52 +0000 UTCGlad someone set the record straight!
Kyler Shotts
2019-10-18 19:48:10 +0000 UTCMy least favorite episode of SS+.
Johnny Rosado
2019-10-18 19:20:23 +0000 UTCCan't wait to listen to this. Loving the ecclectic format these episodes are taking 👍👊😬
Alan
2019-10-18 19:04:47 +0000 UTCWell done on this. I personally can't get past the hypocrisy of the league, as others other listeners you have read have noted. The players and league were seemingly happy to be branded as the first "Woke League" but when it comes to truly standing for human rights they say nothing. I don't care for Trump, no judgement to those that like him, but he has at least allowed us to look at the asymmetrical ways we do business with China, and the NBA is a good symbol of this. I'm tired of celebrities / sports players / large companies dividing our country further, which I still believe is quite damaging even if the boycotts are often silly, with shallow arguments because they do not bear any of the cost (at least not yet). It all just reeks.
CTE
2019-10-18 18:50:40 +0000 UTCA Fried burrito is a chimichanga goddamn it
Jose Horrach
2019-10-18 18:21:34 +0000 UTCWow excellent over view of this situation Colin. A true showcase of your research and talent. Great job.
OrochiNewsTeam
2019-10-18 17:00:51 +0000 UTCYes finally been waiting for this episode thanks guys!
michael cuellar
2019-10-18 16:12:54 +0000 UTC“First,” as they say
GameSimp
2019-10-18 16:00:47 +0000 UTC
