Collectivism and individualism determine what you see and hear in Lin Miaoke and Yang Peiyi, as well as the entire Olympics opening ceremony.

From Foolsmountain:

Chen Qigang (the music director of the opening ceremony): We have a responsibility to explain this to the Chinese viewers. I think the viewers should be able to understand that, in the national interest, for the perception of the country, it was an extremely important and serious matter to present the flag [in the best possible manner]. We made a decision, which I think was fair to both Lin and Yang. We felt the coupling of a perfect voice with the best appearance produced the most optimal result….

Mr. Chen’s Chinese mind naturally combines Miaoke’s best appearance and Peiyi’s perfect voice in a coherent picture, along with the marching in of the other 56 children in minority costumes representing China’s 56 ethnic groups, carrying the Chinese flag, the context of the National Stadium and its ninety thousand strong audience.

Thoughts on the Beijing Olympics III: Lipsynching, Collectivism and Individualism

If the Chinese had wanted to draw attention to themselves with the Olympics, they have got it. From the child singers and torch lighter in the opening ceremony, to the elegant girls’ gymnasts, to the useless soccer dudes, their representatives and collective images are scrutinized intensively in the West. What have they seen in the Chinese through the lens of the Olympics?

Thoughts on the Beijing Olympics II: What’s next?

August 15 is coming up. This will be the 63rd anniversary of Japan’s ending of World War II.

Thoughts on the Olympics I: the Opening Ceremony Marks a Closure

Based on the Opening Ceremony, and its impact on people in China and beyond, have the Chinese got what they wanted from the Olympics?