Contacts in Hong Kong and Shanghai?

I visited Hong Hong and China once back in the 1980's and have always been intrigued with them. Lately as I look around for new work I have been trying to do some out of the box thinking and have been contemplating living and working in Hong Kong and Shanghai. Maybe it was reading James Clavell's epic novel TAI-PAN about Hong Kong that helped to spur my thinking. I haven't yet pursued the matter seriously or even casually, but the idea keeping popping into my head with increasing frequency. Besides the simple fact that I haven't the foggiest clue what it would be like to live and work over there these days, the most immediate obstacle is that I have no professional contacts over there. Zero. Not even a single one.

 

So, I put out this simple query: Anybody have any technical/professional contacts over in Hong Kong and Shanghai that would be interested in having a conversation with a modestly adventurous American?

 

If I had the money, I would simply hop on a plane and check out local technology groups and businesses when I got there, but unfortunately such "larks" are not within my current budget.

 

One idea I have had is to pursue the concept of "virtually living" on the Internet, with all the photos, videos, web cameras, and discussion forums on the Web these days. This would allow me to experience a fraction of what life is like in some distant locale without the cost physical movement. For now it is simply a thought, but it is a thought that keeps popping into my head.

-- Jack Krupansky

Cafe Philo in New York City in two weeks, Thursday, 5/31/2012: Is reason always right?

(Please note the new time: 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM!!)

 

Please join Café Philo New York City in two weeks, on Thursday, May 31, 2012 to discuss the topic "Is reason always right?" Please use Meetup to register (for free), but walk-ins are also permitted.

 

The topics suggested for the upcoming meeting and their votes (out of 8 attendees):

1. What's up with dog people? (3)
2. How can we be 100% sure that other people exist? (4)
3. What do sunglasses say about Sartre's concept of the gaze? (1)
4. What is money? (6)
5. What is the meaning of life? (4)
6. What do philosophers really care about? (3)
7. Where does freedom come from? (3)
8. Is the scientific method a rite? (6)
9. Obsession. (1)
10. Is reason always right? (7) *
11. What is art? (5)
12. Where does identity come from? (4)

I have been acting as guest moderator lately. Bernard Roy has been attending as a participant.

 

As usual, the meeting will be held from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in the back room at Bamiyan Afghan Restaurant at the northwest corner of Third Avenue and 26th Street in New York City. In exchange for free meeting space, it is expected that each attendee will purchase a minimum of $5 of food or drink. A glass of red wine can be had for $6 (plus tax and tip.)

 

After winding down our discussion, we entertain and vote on proposals for the topic question for the next meeting.

 

There are also usually some attendees who go across the street to McCormack's Pub for drinks and food and extended discussion after Cafe Philo, but not limited to the scheduled discussion topic.

 

There are a number of small groups in the U.S. and Europe who meet regularly to discuss topics related to philosophy. Some of these groups go by the name "Cafe Philo." There is one here in New York City that meets every two weeks, every other Thursday. It is organized and moderated by Bernard Roy, Associate Professor of Philosophy at Ramapo College of New Jersey. Each meeting focuses on a specific topic which was suggested and voted on by the participants at the last meeting.

 

-- Jack Krupansky

 

Cafe Philo in New York City next week, Thursday, 5/17/2012: Where do values come from?

(Please note the new time: 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM!!)

 

Please join Café Philo New York City next week, on Thursday, May 17, 2012 to discuss the topic "Where do values come from?" Please use Meetup to register (for free), but walk-ins are also permitted.

 

The topics suggested for the upcoming meeting and their votes (out of 10 attendees):

1. Fate and determinism. (2)
2. Can extreme intelligence lead to insanity? (3)
3. What is success? (2)
4. Is war inevitable? (5)
5. Where do values come from? (7) *
6. Can we predict the future? (3)
7. Is god dead? (5)
8. Where does freedom come from? (5)
9. Motivation: External vs. internal. (5)
10. Is the self an ethical or metaphysical construct? (5)

I have been acting as guest moderator lately. Bernard Roy has been attending as a participant.

 

As usual, the meeting will be held from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in the back room at Bamiyan Afghan Restaurant at the northwest corner of Third Avenue and 26th Street in New York City. In exchange for free meeting space, it is expected that each attendee will purchase a minimum of $5 of food or drink. A glass of red wine can be had for $6 (plus tax and tip.)

 

After winding down our discussion, we entertain and vote on proposals for the topic question for the next meeting.

 

There are also usually some attendees who go across the street to McCormack's Pub for drinks and food and extended discussion after Cafe Philo, but not limited to the scheduled discussion topic.

 

There are a number of small groups in the U.S. and Europe who meet regularly to discuss topics related to philosophy. Some of these groups go by the name "Cafe Philo." There is one here in New York City that meets every two weeks, every other Thursday. It is organized and moderated by Bernard Roy, Associate Professor of Philosophy at Ramapo College of New Jersey. Each meeting focuses on a specific topic which was suggested and voted on by the participants at the last meeting.

 

-- Jack Krupansky