Answer to the travel picture on Home Page: Okinawa, Japan

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Over the past months, as the U.S. presidential election heated up, news media reported on the election every day. In this era, it’s not easy to uncover the truth. First of all, many major television stations and newspapers are no longer neutral. Their editorial departments have taken a stance on certain issues, and the filtered information they release is already biased. In this election, besides the editorial departments, the influence of corporate CEOS has also become apparent. In the future, who has the final say will become a new issue.

In a society that emphasizes freedom of speech, it’s challenging to regulate the media. Furthermore, modern technology not only makes it easy to distort statements through editing, but also enables the use of artificial intelligence to spread fake statements that mimic real people. Figuring out what’s real and what’s fake requires extra time and effort. On the surface, all this upholds the democratic system, allowing every citizen to make informed choices. In reality, obtaining facts isn’t easy, and the process is influenced by multiple factors, making it less straightforward to make an informed decision.

As for the items on the ballot, this election includes not only the presidential races but also state-level government officials. The contents of the ballot depend on where the voter lives, so ballots differ across regions. Besides electing federal representatives, voters also choose state, county, and city officials, as well as judges at various levels, from local courts to appellate and supreme courts. This time around, there are about thirty positions to fill on my ballot. If there’s a choice to elect one from two, or three from five, there are at least forty names. It’s challenging to know all the candidates. While the candidates’ credentials and political positions are available online, I doubt how many people will take the time to read and compare them. No wonder some people vote based on the candidate’s party affiliation.

Aside from electing officials at all levels, ballots also include proposals to amend the state constitution. In recent years, significant social issues like same-sex marriage, recreational marijuana, and abortion have appeared on ballots in different states, asking citizens to vote on whether these laws should be amended. When reading the arguments for and against each issue separately, both sides seem reasonable. To make a sound judgment, voters need to rely on their own values and rationality.

Over the past thirty years, as the American society becomes increasingly polarized, the “electoral college system” is under scrutiny. The result of presidential election depends on only seven “swing states.” Other states are firmly Republican or Democratic, so no campaign activities are necessary. In these swing states, the numbers of supporters for either party are close, so both parties campaign hard. If we consider the total money spent by all parties in this presidential election, it’s estimated to reach billions of dollars, with the bulk of that money going to just a few states. It’s an astonishing figure, yet it reflects reality.

Although I care about politics, I wouldn’t say I’m overly zealous. The more I understand, the more I realize that democracy isn’t as simple as it seems. I certainly identify with the early immigrants during the fight for independence that “no taxation without representation.” This system is far from perfect, yet there are sufficient mechanisms to prevent authoritarianism. As a citizen, it is my duty to vote and take a stand in important elections.

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In my work-in-progress fiction, Echoes over Stormy Sea (Book 1 in the dual-time odyssey series), I touch on the topic of bound feet in imperial China.

Back then, small, tiny feet were considered a status symbol and a mark of feminine beauty. During my research, I was horrified by the images I discovered online: deformed feet of young Chinese girls, contorted and bound to fit the cultural ideals of the time.

Foot binding was a gruesome practice, mostly among the upper class. The idea was that small feet were a symbol of beauty and status. Folks back then believed bound feet would increase a girl’s marriage prospects, especially among the wealthy. Luckily, the lower class was spared. The poor couldn’t afford to have family members incapacitated by such practices. Consequently, their girls escaped this specific form of torture.

A few articles mentioned that about 50% of girls with bound feet suffered severe disabilities, and chronic pain often plagued their lives.

Yet, as I reflect on the cultural and social constructs that perpetuated tiny feet as an unusual beauty standard, I can’t help thinking about cosmetic surgery these days and the lengths to which society pushes its members. People continue to go to extreme lengths for beauty. Movies, books, and social media feeds are filled with influencers and celebrities showcasing their “perfect” bodies, often enhanced through surgical means.

The pressures to conform remain, and it’s not just women anymore. A staggering number of men and women undergo procedures to alter their appearance. Folks go for extensive surgeries—rhinoplasties, breastwork, liposuction. The list goes on. We’re told we need to resemble those photoshopped images to be considered beautiful or successful.

Similar to foot binding, the procedures nowadays often come with lifelong consequences. Based on my biochemical knowledge, I can say without a doubt that if you go through one of those procedures, you won’t be able to avoid risks of complications, infections, and psychological impact.

Sad but true, we’re trapped in another form of cultural binding, only now it’s global and digital.

As Christians, perhaps we can strive to challenge these societal pressures by valuing inner beauty and kindness over physical appearance. Through fostering communities that embrace diversity and encourage self-acceptance, we can work toward dismantling these modern-day “bindings” that restrict genuine self-expression.

Note: Free Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of Echoes over Stormy Sea is available for download on BookFunnel. Click this link to download your copy today: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/zp6cs9ej9c.