Does Condi Rice Share Al Gore's Views on Crisis?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the similarities between Condoleezza Rice's and Al Gore's views on the concept of crisis, particularly the interpretation of the Chinese character "weiji," which represents both danger and opportunity. Participants explore the implications of this shared perspective and its origins.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes that Condoleezza Rice referenced the Chinese character for crisis, suggesting a connection to Al Gore's earlier usage of the same concept in "Inconvenient Truth."
  • Another participant humorously expresses frustration that Gore's association with the phrase may diminish its use in other contexts.
  • A different participant questions the validity of the statement now that it has been echoed by the White House, implying skepticism about its truthfulness.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the implications of Rice's statement or its credibility, indicating a mix of agreement on the shared idea but disagreement on its significance and truthfulness.

Contextual Notes

The discussion reflects varying interpretations of the phrase and its implications, with some participants expressing uncertainty about the authenticity of the claim now that it has been popularized by political figures.

Ivan Seeking
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When I heard Condi say this on Meet the Press

You know, Tim, the Chinese have a character for crisis. It’s weiji—danger and opportunity. I think they have it right. Every crisis has within it danger, but every crisis also has within it opportunity.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14215314/page/2/

I kept thinking how I had just heard this recently for the first time. Now where did I hear that... hmmm... oh yes, I remember, it comes from Al Gore and his "Inconvenient Truth" ! :smile: :smile: :smile:

GORE: Well, you know, there's an old cliche about the way the Chinese write the word "crisis." They have two symbols back to back. The first means danger, and the second means opportunity.
http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0606/13/lkl.01.html

It seems that the White House finally has a sane influence. :biggrin:
 
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Ivan Seeking said:
It seems that the White House finally has a sane influence. :biggrin:

Would that be Chinese influence? :smile:
 
damn it Gore, now I'll never be able to respectably use that line again...
 
What's more, now that we've heard it from the White House, can we still be sure that it's true?
 

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