Chinese civilization is the representative of Eastern civilization. Historically, Eastern civilization and Western civilization have been at the forefront and have their own characteristics. In terms of material power, Asia has been the beacon of the world for most of the past two thousand years. However, due to the backwardness of modern times, the ideological foundation and objective material foundation of the Industrial Revolution were not available in Asia, while the Renaissance and Geographic Discovery directly led the rise of the West and its dominance of the world. On Quora, the American version of Zhihu, an American netizen asked: Asians, especially East Asians, are the smartest, but how do we explain that Western civilization is the most advanced? This issue has aroused heated discussions among netizens from various countries. Let’s take a look at their views.
Question
Answer by German netizen Russell Johns
There are genetic differences between them. In some other groups, Europeans have more drd47 repeat alleles than East Asians.
There are differences in genetics between the two. In some other groups, Europeans have more DRD47 repeat alleles, while East Asians have none at all.
The significance of this gene is that people with this allele are more likely to pursue adventure and have higher curiosity. This is why most of the Nobel prizes are awarded to western countries, while few other countries. To invent and discover, you need a combination of intellectual curiosity and high IQ.
The significance of this gene is that people with this allele are more likely to pursue adventure and have higher curiosity. This is why most of the Nobel Prizes for were awarded to Western countries, but almost none from other countries. In order to invent and discover, you need a combination of intellectual curiosity and a high IQ.
There are more short alleles of the serotonin transporter gene in the East Asian population, which is closely related to conformity and attention to group / collectivism rather than individualism.
Genetically, this is closely related to conformity and a focus on groups/collectivism rather than individualism.
The frequency of the long allele is only 20% in East Asians and 60% in Europeans. The Ashkenazi Jews are very lucky. Their average IQ is very high. In addition to these characteristics mentioned above, they occupy a dominant position among Nobel Prize winners and scholars.
long allele appears in only 20% of East Asians and 60% of Europeans. Ashkenazi Jews are very fortunate in that their average IQ is very high, which, combined with the characteristics mentioned above, leads to their dominance among Nobel Prize winners and scholars.
IQ itself is not enough. Although I think many East Asians are extremely smart, they are good at studying and understanding existing systems and theories, but they are not very good at discovering by themselves.
IQ itself is not enough. East Asians are extremely smart, but they are good at studying and understanding existing systems and theories, but not very good at discovering them on their own.
There are not many inventions from Asia. Among the 10 most innovative countries, seven are European countries, the United States is the eighth among western countries, and South Korea and Singapore are the remaining two. The world would not have developed if it had not been for the novelty seeking behavior of the West in the past few centuries.
There are not many inventions from Asia. Among the 10 most innovative countries, 7 are European countries, the United States is the 8th among Western countries, and South Korea and Singapore are the remaining two. The world would not have moved forward if it had not been for the novelty-seeking behavior of the West in previous centuries.
British netizen Bo Tagore's answer
Have you ever thought that it might not be wise to use your racial prejudice to understand the world and how it works?
Have you ever thought that it might not be wise to use your racial prejudice to understand the world and how it works?
Not a wise approach?
Europe has not only smart people, but also promoted the rise of Europe's small countries, dominated huge empires and conquered the world.
Europe has not only smart people, but also promoted the rise of Europe's small countries, dominated huge empires and conquered the world. A huge empire that conquered the world.
The most important point is the willingness to seek foreign knowledge, test its principles to find the basic laws of nature, and then innovate according to these findings.
The most important point is the willingness to seek foreign knowledge, test its principles to find the basic laws of nature, and then innovate according to these findings.
basic laws and then innovate based on these findings.
Europeans acquired knowledge from China, Persia, India and the Ottoman Empire, and transformed it from an isolated curiosity into a coherent understanding of natural law, which we now call science.
Europeans acquired knowledge from China, Persia, India and the Ottoman Empire took knowledge and transformed it from individual, isolated curiosity into a coherent understanding of 's natural laws, which we now call science.
Both Spain and Britain independently invented the steam engine to pump water in the 17th century, and sowed the seeds of turning from biological power to mechanical drive.
Both Spain and Britain independently invented the steam engine to pump water in the 17th century, and sowed the seeds of turning from biological power to mechanical drive. The seeds of a shift from biodynamic to mechanically driven work.
The economic benefits are almost incalculable.
The economic benefits are almost incalculable.
Thomas Newcomen's steam engine in 1712 was the first commercially successful steam engine. Please note that this is the starting point of the Industrial Science explosion.
Thomas Newcomen's steam engine in 1712 was the first commercially successful steam engine. Note that this was the starting point for the explosion of industrial science.
All non industrial societies can only make this number linearly proportional to their population, and science and technology is a force multiplier that can transform it into geometric growth.
All non industrial societies can only make this number linearly proportional to their population, and science and technology is a force multiplier that can transform it into geometric growth. is a force multiplier that translates into geometric growth.
Applying this new force to the manufacture of previously expensive and advanced weapons, such as firepower, and using the spare time obtained by machines rather than manpower to train professional troops will greatly improve efficiency and save costs.
Applying this new force to Manufacturing previously expensive and advanced weapons, such as firearms, and using the free time gained by machines rather than manpower to train professional armies would greatly increase efficiency and save costs.
Why don't East Asian countries do this? This is not complicated. Because they value tradition, stability, obedience to authority and respect for superiors. Of course, it also gives countries in the region a different type of power.
Why don't East Asian countries do this? Not doing this? It's not complicated. Because they value tradition, stability, obedience to authority, and respect for superiors. Of course, it also gives countries in the region a different kind of power.
Most of Europe's greatest innovators are young people. They know how to prove their teachers wrong, and then publicly prove it, and compete with their peers and superiors for recognition.
Most of Europe's greatest innovators are young people. One's own teacher is wrong, then proves it publicly and competes with peers and superiors for approval.
In a society where respect for age and seniority is more important than correctness, this is not a good way to succeed.
In a society where respect for age and seniority is more important than correctness, this is not a good way to succeed.
That is to say, the East Asian countries are much more advanced than any other countries in such a long time. They are proud to comment on those small countries outside the region, but they do not know that they have quietly surpassed themselves. This is not much different from the way Europe and the United States view themselves.
In other words, the countries in East Asia have been much more advanced than any other countries for such a long time. They are so proud that they comment on the small countries outside the region, but they do not know that they have quietly surpassed themselves. This is not too different from the way Europe and the United States currently view themselves.
Foreign political economy expert Omar's answer
This is the so-called "high level balance trap".
This is the so-called "high level balance trap".
中国/China
Ancient China had everything it needed for its empire. Wealth, manpower and resources. They do not need anything from the outside world, which is why the Ming Dynasty only sent Zheng He to travel around the world to show China's strength and progress , not to colonize the less developed countries. This level of comfort makes people lazy, doesn't it?
Ancient China had everything it needed for its own empire. Wealth, people and resources. They don't need anything from the outside world, which is why Ming Dynasty only sent Zheng He to travel around the world, the purpose was to show China's strength and progress, not to colonize less developed countries. This level of comfort makes one lazy, doesn’t it?
In addition, in the Qing Dynasty at the end of the 19th century, China's strength declined seriously, and they did not see the need for progress. Needless to say, the court was so corrupt that the gunpowder and sand used in the war during the first Sino Japanese war were mixed together, which led to one of the most humiliating failures in Chinese history.
Furthermore, in the Qing Dynasty at the end of the 19th century, China's strength declined severely and they did not see the need for progress. Not to mention, the imperial court was so corrupt that the gunpowder used in the war during the First Sino-Japanese War was mixed with sand, which instead led to one of the most humiliating defeats in Chinese history.
日本/Japan
Japan also initially resisted Westernization. In fact, they practiced for nearly 230 years until an American named Matthew Perry of the US Navy arrived in Japan with four warships and asked Japan to open up the country.
Japan also initially resisted Westernization. . In fact, they practiced for nearly 230 years until an American named Matthew Perry of the U.S. Navy arrived in Japan with 4 warships and asked Japan to open the country.
He issued a one-year ultimatum to Japan and threatened to wage war if Japan did not sign the agreement. Japan had no choice but to agree to the terms of the United States. Therefore, the shogunate general signed the Kanagawa convention, establishing diplomatic formal relations between Japan and the United States, thus opening the era of Westernization in Japan.
He issued a one-year ultimatum to Japan and threatened war if Japan did not sign the agreement.Japan had no choice but to agree to the terms of the United States, so Shogun signed the Kanagawa Convention, establishing formal diplomatic relations between Japan and the United States, thus beginning Japan's era of Westernization.
Korean Peninsula/Korea
In the middle and late period of the Korean era, the DPRK also implemented the policy of closing the country to the outside world until the "Sherman incident". Five years later, in another incident, the DPRK was forced to sign a trade treaty with Japan, and finally signed a treaty with the United States in 1882, promising to abide by international norms relating to the treatment of prisoners. These treaties ended centuries of isolationism, whose military power was so weak that Japan could "enter" and colonize the entire Korean Peninsula without any major resistance.
North Korea also implemented a policy of isolation in the middle and late Joseon era until the "General Sherman Incident". Five years later, North Korea was forced to sign a trade treaty with Japan in another incident, and finally signed a treaty with the United States in 1882 pledging to abide by international norms regarding the treatment of prisoners. These treaties ended centuries of isolationism, and its military was so weak at the time that Japan could "walk in" and colonize the entire Korean Peninsula without any significant resistance.
欧/Europe
All East Asian countries have enjoyed centuries of relative peace without any major war. On the other hand, Europe is constantly involved in war. When needed, the first thing people do is to create solutions. As the saying goes, "need is the mother of invention".
All East Asian countries enjoyed hundreds of years of relative peace without any major wars, while Europe on the other hand was constantly involved in wars and when needed, the first thing people did was create solutions. As the saying goes: "Necessity is the mother of invention."
Finally, East Asia (including Singapore with 75% of East Asian ancestry) is indeed recorded as having the highest IQ level in the world.
Finally, East Asia (including Singapore with 75% of East Asian ancestry) is indeed recorded as having the highest IQ level in the world. IQ level.
We can see today's progress level, because many of the world's top companies are dominated by East Asian companies.
We can see today's progress level, because many of the world's top companies are dominated by East Asian companies.
The United States is also doing its utmost to block the "made in China 2025" plan, because American think tanks believe that this is "a real threat to the US technological leadership". Therefore, the United States launched a trade war in an attempt to undermine the plan. However, this has also successfully strengthened the Chinese people's belief that "made in China 2025" is a necessary plan.
The United States is also doing its best to prevent the "Made in China 2025" plan, because The American think tank believes that this is "a real existential threat to U.S. technological leadership." Therefore, the United States launched a trade war to try to derail this plan. But it also succeeded in reinforcing the Chinese belief that "Made in China 2025" is a must-go program.
Swedish netizen Jason’s answer
From the long-term history of 3000 years, the most advanced and richest region at that time has always been China. Other regions have rivaled or surpassed it in a short time (the Mongolian Empire, the British Empire , India and the United States), but in the end, China's huge population enables it to create wealth and innovation, thus maintaining this historical trend.
Looking at the long-term history of 3,000 years, the most advanced and wealthy region at that time has always been China.Other regions matched or surpassed it for a short period of time ( the Mongol Empire, , the British Empire, and India, the United States), but ultimately China's large population allowed it to create wealth and innovation, thus maintaining this historical trend.
Until 1600, China was the most popular country in the world, with more than 100 million people. There are also times when China's technology is used by other countries for destructive purposes. There are also times when China has experienced periods of instability and stagnation, but generally speaking, these periods are temporary.
Until 1600, China was the most populous country in the world, with more than 100 million people. There have been times when Chinese technology has been used by other countries for destructive purposes, and there have been times when China has experienced periods of alternating instability and stagnation, but by and large, these periods have been temporary.
In fact, the richest region in the past 3000 years has been India. Unfortunately, before the independence movement from the British Empire, India was never unified as a whole.
In fact, the richest region in the past 3000 years has been India. Unfortunately, before the independence movement from the British Empire, India was never unified as a whole.
What is unique is that India was never unified as a whole before the independence movement from the British Empire.
In addition, the current situation is that after the Ottoman Empire conquered the more favorable Byzantine Empire, it controlled part of the Silk Road, so it was desperately seeking alternative trade routes to China and India. Colonialism is destructive in nature and will not work in the long run. It is a mechanism to reduce the distance and cost of trade with China and India. Various "innovations" and "borrowed technologies have also promoted trade with India and China.
Furthermore, the current situation is because the Ottoman Empire controlled part of the Silk Road after conquering the more advantageous Byzantine Empire and therefore was destitute in seeking alternative trade routes to China and India. This was essentially colonialism. is destructive and unworkable in the long run, it is a mechanism to reduce the distance and cost of trade with China and India. Various "innovations" and "borrowed technologies" also facilitate trade with India and China.
The three most valuable commodities in history are silk, tea and black pepper. With the exception of American software, no other goods originating from outside China and India are more valuable than these three kinds of goods. In fact, the recorded world history revolves around the profitable trade of these three products.
The three most valuable commodities in history are silk, tea and black pepper. With the exception of U.S. software, no other commodity originating outside China and India is more valuable than these three commodities. In fact, recorded world history revolves around the profitable trade of these three products.
Once China completes the Modern Silk Road on a global scale, modernizes Africa through trade and infrastructure improvement, and becomes a major player in 5g and other fields, it will reach its peak again. It is expected that China will become the world's largest economy within 20 years. It may dominate for 300-650 years as usual.
It will reach its peak again once China completes the modern Silk Road globally, modernizes Africa through trade and infrastructure improvements, and becomes a major player in areas such as 5G. China is expected to become the world's largest economy within 20 years. It will probably dominate as usual for 300-650 years.
American netizen Jafar’s answer
It depends on where you are.
It depends on where you are.
If you live in a non Asian country, such as the United States, most of the people you see are new immigrants. In the United States, until 1965, we prohibited Asian immigrants. From hundreds of thousands of people at that time, there are now more than 20 million Asian Americans in the United States. This growth is mainly due to immigrants, not births. Most Asian adults in the United States today were born outside the United States.
If you live in a non-Asian country, such as the United States, most of the people you see are recent immigrants. In the United States, we had a ban on Asian immigration until 1965. Starting from a few hundred thousand people then, there are now more than 20 million Asians in the United States. This growth has been primarily due to immigration rather than birth, and most Asian adults in the United States today were born outside the United States.
Important facts about immigration:
Important facts about immigration:
1. American immigrants are filtered, and the best is the best. Why should a country allow stupid or lazy people to emigrate?
1.American immigrants are filtered, and the best is the best. Excellent, why would a country let stupid or lazy people immigrate?
2. They work much harder than naturally born Americans: they leave behind everything they are born with and try to make full use of their opportunities, which they do not take for granted. Lazy people do not emigrate at first unless they are dragged down by family members.
2. They work much harder than natural-born Americans: they leave behind everything they were born with and try to make the most of their opportunities, which they don't take for granted. Lazy people will not immigrate in the first place unless they are dragged down by family members.
Answer this question: on average, Asian Americans are smarter and work harder because we try not to let middle or bottom Asian Americans become Americans. There are also many hard-working and talented non Asian Americans, but their average level has been lowered by other non Asian Americans.
Answer this question: On average, Asian Americans are smarter and work harder because we try not to make middle or bottom Asians Americans. There are many hard-working and talented non-Asian Americans, but their averages are held down by other non-Asian Americans.
One statistic shows this tendency: about 75% of Indian adults in the United States have at least a bachelor's degree, and more than 40% have a graduate degree. For Americans as a whole, these two percentages are 33% and 13%, respectively . So Indians are highly educated, right?
One statistic illustrates this trend: About 75% of Indian-American adults in the United States have at least a bachelor's degree, and more than 40% have a graduate degree. For Americans as a whole, those percentages are 33% and 13%, respectively. So Indians are highly educated, right?
However, what is the percentage of people with a bachelor's degree in India? Maybe 10%. Indian Americans are more educated than the entire Indian population: that is why they are chosen to emigrate. This contrast is really disharmonious for many of my Indian American friends who were born in India.
However, what is the percentage of people in India who have a bachelor's degree? Maybe 10%. Indian Americans are more educated than the Indian population as a whole: that's why they were chosen to immigrate. This contrast is really jarring to many of my Indian-American friends who were born in India.
An important impact is that no country has chosen the children of immigrants, so the second generation or more Americans have returned to the average level: I know that many Asian Americans born in the United States are mediocre. However, since most adult Asian Americans are the first generation / selected, and the second generation is driven by immigrant parents, one population is not smarter than another, and historical opportunities are more important. East Asia once dominated the world, but now it is the West's turn. It is just to see who can seize the turning point in history.
One important effect is: no country selects the children of immigrants, so second-generation Americans regress to the average: I know many who were born in the United States Asian Americans are mediocre. But since most adult Asian Americans are first generation/chosen and second generation driven by immigrant parents, one group is not smarter than the other and historical opportunity matters more. East Asia once dominated the world, and now it is the West's turn. It is just a matter of who can seize the turning cycle of history.
