The computer may be incompetent in itself--that is, unable to do the work for which it was designed. This kind of incompetence can never be eliminated, because the Peter Principle applies in the plants where computers are designed and manufactured.
Yong is the outer manifestation of something. Ti is the underlying essence. Technology is a yong associated with a particular ti that is ... Western, and completely alien to us [the Chinese]. For centuries, since the time of the Opium Wars, we have struggled to absorb the yong of technology without importing the Western ti. But it has been impossible. Just as our ancestors could not open our ports to the West without accepting the poison of opium, we could not open our lives to Western technology without taking in the Western ideas, which have been as a plague on our society. The result has been centuries of chaos.
The Diamond Age: or, A Young Lady's Illustrated Primer
Quote Detail
Yong is the outer manifestation of something. Ti is the underlying essence. Technology is a yong associated with a particular ti that is ... Western, and completely alien to us [the Chinese]. For centuries, since the time of the Opium Wars, we have struggled to absorb the yong of technology without importing the Western ti. But it has been impossible. Just as our ancestors could not open our ports to the West without accepting the poison of opium, we could not open our lives to Western technology without taking in the Western ideas, which have been as a plague on our society. The result has been centuries of chaos.
Quick Answer
What this quote page tells you
This canonical quote page keeps the full saying, the attributed author, any linked work, and the topic tags together so the quote can be cited from one stable URL.
Related Quotes
More quote cards from the same area
In the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about hope.
Spirituality is committing suicide. Consciousness is attempting to will itself out of existence.
Screw you, cowboy!_ she yelled after him, saying the word exactly as she had before. __nd that horse you rode in on.__nd__hoops!__ow everyone in the diner had turned to look at them.Zane turned around to her with amusement on his face. __ery original, princess.
First of all, I__ not a __ilitary type._ Second, I never proclaimed to be a gentleman of any kind. I just like the facts straight up. There__ no bullshit to wade through to get to the truth." Dylan
There,_ he said with a smirk. __ow I don__ have a swim suit either.__ndi bit her bottom lip and felt the heat begin to flood her cheeks. The sharp pinch on her arm snapped her out of her trance and she quickly swatted at the bug. __kay, okay. Turn around and don__ peak._ The light from the moon made it easy for her to see his questioning glare. __hat?___urn around?_ Zane asked, trying to hold back a smile. __eed I remind you that I__e seen you naked before, Miss Ford.___ane and Andi in, Zane: The McKades of Texas