William Peek from Bloomberg.com says enough with all the hype about the 2008 Olympics. Basically I think he is saying it's really not as big of a deal as it is being made out to be. I can sort of see where he is coming from. We're a year away from the Olympics in Beijing and the web is full of countdowns and hype and even ad campaigns from sponsors. Even so, there is no doubt this will be the most widely covered and highly publicized Olympics in history, and I don't think the hype is gonna die down anytime soon.
Here's a bit of the article and a link to the full story:
Aug. 17 (Bloomberg) -- Here's a contrarian question concerning the 2008 Beijing Olympics: Who cares?
Sure, it's a big deal -- the media are telling us so. One year out, we're being bombarded by countdown articles about how grand and historic the event will be: massive construction projects, an army of foreign journalists, Steven Spielberg- directed pageantry and, oh yeah, some sporting events.
China sees the games as a coming-out party, a showcase for its rising stature as a world power. Critics see them as a perfect opportunity to push China for greater openness, more tolerance for dissent and to become a better global citizen.
All parties may have to get used to disappointment. The Beijing Olympics could result in none of the above.
First, barring anyone who has been living in a cave the past 10 years, who really thinks China needs a coming-out party? The place is, well, out. Really out. From television news items to magazine covers to Zhang Ziyi movies to tour companies, one can't escape Asia's No. 2 economy.
For businesspeople and investors, China is becoming the center of their world. A truck driver in Waco, Texas, or a factory worker in Krakow, Poland, would be just as hard-pressed to live a China-free life. Just ask Baton Rouge, Louisiana-based journalist Sara Bongiorni, whose recent book ``A Year Without `Made in China''' demonstrates the futility of existing without Chinese products.
Enough Hype...
Full Story Here
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