Popup Chinese

Intermediate: A Taste of the Whip

When Hegel wrote that history repeats itself, perhaps he was thinking of our seemingly infinite capacity to rationalize cruelty in the pursuit of power and wealth. For are not the pages of history filled with corporations which have sacrificed workplace health and safety on the altar of progress, throwing away human lives like so much chaff in an unquenchable drive for power and market share?

While we may be a small company here at Popup Chinese, we cannot help but look upon this recurring pattern of industrial tyranny and ask the obvious question: why not us? And as Brendan and Echo share in this podcast, we're willing to let Google take the high road. Our path to glory involves conscripting our staff into forced labor in the construction of a giant monument to the glory of our cause and long-term tourist revenue. Perhaps some of this language will be useful to you too.

MoNigeria

said on

February 25, 2010

Everytime I try to go to text or vocab it sends me to the 'account' page...I'm pretty sure that's not right...(?)

Echo

said on

February 26, 2010

@sambowden,

If you're a basic subscriber, you should be able to download all files from the lesson page, but won't be able to use all of the online features (like the popup annotations). We do this as some of our features are premium only.

If you are a premium subscriber, you should have full access to the site. If you're having any trouble please write us at service@popupchinese.com.

--Echo

echo@popupchinese.com

MoNigeria

said on

February 26, 2010

Is this new?

I've been a basic subscriber for just over a month now and up until maybe two days ago i had access to all the things that you just described as premium subscriber stuff.

trevelyan

said on

February 26, 2010

Hi Sam,

David here. We had some technical issues switching to our new server that seem to have given you extended premium access. If you paid by credit card, our system would have bumped you up to premium subscriber automatically and rolled your permissions back to the basic plus level when your payment cleared. We do this to make sure everyone has full access immediately on payment.

Because of the way our system worked, it's possible you had premium access for much longer before new server cleared it. I'm sorry if this caused problems for you or confusion about our subscription levels - it wasn't intentional. We do stand by our money-back guarantee, so if you're not happy we'd be pleased to refund your subscription, or ugprade it at the cost of the difference.

If you have any problems or want us to take any specific action, please write us by email at the usual address (service@popupchinese.com). Thanks again for subscribing, and I'm sorry again for the confusion.

--david

mjnelso

said on

February 26, 2010

“sacrified workplace health and safety on the 《alter》 of progress”

请问， I think that should be altar.

History repeats: Was it Hegel or was it (whisper) Marx.

the language is useful AND the philosophy is entertaining, especially in such a country (all of them) and at such a time, where everything is given its wrong name.

Any more Lu Xun stories would be interesting.

中文的学生，我不喜欢汉字。

捏猛

Intermediate

said on

February 26, 2010

捏猛,

In China it pays to take Marx at his word! And thanks for the spelling correction. It definitely should have read altar. 真丢脸啊！

--david

paglino9

said on

February 26, 2010

Popup Towers fits nicely into the neighborhood between the Haunted Missionary Church, and the Sinopec building commissioned by the Architect who built the DeathStar.

Dave

said on

March 2, 2010

I love that church... I wish the security guards weren't so over-zealous when it comes to keeping people out.

paglino9

said on

March 2, 2010

@ Dave

Gail and I snuck inside one time on a walk back from lunch. The security guard was on a tea break or something, and we were able to slip in unnoticed. We were able to catch a glimpse of this....

Haunted Missionary Church

Actually, we didn't go inside the house. I just took a picture of Gail standing in front of the house with Gail throwing up the peace sign...

Gail at her Dream House

opavlikova

said on

March 12, 2010

opavlikova

LOL! when i listen to your lessons i always crack up laughing! It¨s so funny!

Dave

said on

March 14, 2010

paglin09: do you any more about its history? I've just heard vague stories about it being an old church and it being haunted.

paglino9

said on

March 14, 2010

@Dave

You will have to ask Gail about the history. I remember a local store owner gave Gail the historical rundown, but I have forgotten the details. All I can remember from the conversation is that they will be tearing it down soon to make way for a new Bank of China. Also, I think a KMT Official's mistress committed suicide in there too. Spoooooky.

Gail天堂的声音

said on

March 15, 2010

@paglino9,

no, I don't think they will tear it down, it is among the 100 excellent buildings in Beijing, and actually it's FORBIDDEN to tear down that old haunted house.