Somebody usually gives me a great tome of a book for Christmas, and it regularly ends up as a coffee table ornament for a few months, then a doorstop, before it is retired to that section of the bookshelf marked: "Never to be read, but looks impressive."
I thought it was deja vu all over again a few weeks back when I unwrapped a 750-page hardback monster called Why the West Rules - For Now by a Stanford University professor called Ian Morris. I'll never get through that, I thought. But look how wrong you can be.
This week, with Hu Jintao, the Chinese president, visiting the US and every "expert" giving an opinion on the new rivalry between the two "superpowers", I've been watching smugly.
Because, thanks to Prof Morris, I know how the story ends: the Chinese, or rather eastern society in general, wins, the West loses, and everywhere else in between, such as the Middle East, is a winner or loser according to its proximity to the eastern and western "cores".
And I also know when it will happen. Prof Morris says that by the year 2103, eastern society, judged on a number of social, economic and cultural indicators, will overtake the West.
My first reaction on reading that date was one of relief. Most analysts say China will become the world's largest economy by 2030, and this week all sorts of military types have been wheeled out to warn of imminent Chinese aggression, in just the next decade or two.
But according to Prof Morris, westerners actually have a bit longer in charge and calling the shots in world economics and politics.
I haven't actually finished the book yet. I'm just at that interesting period of history where the Black Death (bubonic plague) has reduced the population of the world by between a third and a half, but affected the West more than the East, because of demography and social development.
When this horrible disease hit in the mid-14th century, the East had been in the ascendancy for nearly a millennium. While westerners were foolishly playing knights and maidens, and running off to the Crusades (which Prof Morris says probably raised global living standards via the exchange of technology between East and West), the Chinese were living in million-strong cities, using coal as their industrial fuel and building ships that could sail (maybe) to the Americas.
They had paper currency, gunpowder and a whole array of sophisticated agricultural techniques that made the West look primitive. And they had silk, which they sold to the West as its first luxury must-have, and in the process opened up the silk routes, accelerated the prosperity of the Chinese and enabled them to overcome the effects of the Black Death much faster than the West.
Prof Morris is full of fascinating little asides. The Mongols, under Ghengis Khan and his successors, were a force for good, too, after their initial orgy of rape and pillage. They believed, surprisingly, in religious diversity, and arranged a modus vivendi between the Christian West, (largely) Buddhist East and Muslim centre that further stimulated global commerce.
Centuries before Goldman Sachs or Google, the Mongols were the first proponents of globalisation.
One Mongol khan organised a grand debate between wise men from the three faiths, to prove in open discourse which was best. In the Mongol way, they served potent fermented yak's milk to the speakers, who soon lost the thread of their sophisticated arguments. The Christians began singing hymns, the Muslims reciting the Koran, while the Buddhists began to meditate. After more yak's milk, the Christians and Muslims joined the Buddhists in silent contemplation.
But like them, I have digressed. The point is that, according to Prof Morris, the inevitable triumph of the East in 2103 has little to do with the global financial crisis, US indebtedness, China's huge human and mineral resources or its exporting power, or even its growing military capability.
It is already written in the pattern of global history that the East will overtake the West then, and we westerners will not be able to do anything about it.
It is all to do with what Prof Morris calls "energy capture". He argues that development has been determined throughout history by the efficiency with which humans, from ape-men to homo sapiens, have been able to convert natural energy into methods for raising their own standards of living.
Fire, agriculture, fossil fuels have determined human progress in the past, and now nuclear and alternative energy forms will decide the future. The Chinese realise this, which is why they are buying up the world's resources faster than anybody else.
Just this week, amid a lot of the sinophobia sparked by Mr Hu's visit to Washington, one vastly significant fact emerged: in 2010, China spent more on projects, deals and acquisitions in the developing world than the World Bank. By US$110 billion (Dh404bn) to $103bn, China outspent the professional world developers.
So if eastern triumph in the development race is inevitable, what role should the Middle East play? Maybe the region should emulate the Mongols and try to bring harmony and understanding to the competitors.
Probably a good idea to take the fermented yak's milk off the menu though.
fkane@thenational.ae
Book%20Details
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Tips%20for%20holiday%20homeowners
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If you go
The flights
The closest international airport for those travelling from the UAE is Denver, Colorado. British Airways (www.ba.com) flies from the UAE via London from Dh3,700 return, including taxes. From there, transfers can be arranged to the ranch or it’s a seven-hour drive. Alternatively, take an internal flight to the counties of Cody, Casper, or Billings
The stay
Red Reflet offers a series of packages, with prices varying depending on season. All meals and activities are included, with prices starting from US$2,218 (Dh7,150) per person for a minimum stay of three nights, including taxes. For more information, visit red-reflet-ranch.net.
Dr Amal Khalid Alias revealed a recent case of a woman with daughters, who specifically wanted a boy.
A semen analysis of the father showed abnormal sperm so the couple required IVF.
Out of 21 eggs collected, six were unused leaving 15 suitable for IVF.
A specific procedure was used, called intracytoplasmic sperm injection where a single sperm cell is inserted into the egg.
On day three of the process, 14 embryos were biopsied for gender selection.
The next day, a pre-implantation genetic report revealed four normal male embryos, three female and seven abnormal samples.
Day five of the treatment saw two male embryos transferred to the patient.
The woman recorded a positive pregnancy test two weeks later.
the pledge
I pledge to uphold the duty of tolerance
I pledge to take a first stand against hate and injustice
I pledge to respect and accept people whose abilities, beliefs and culture are different from my own
I pledge to wish for others what I wish for myself
I pledge to live in harmony with my community
I pledge to always be open to dialogue and forgiveness
I pledge to do my part to create peace for all
I pledge to exercise benevolence and choose kindness in all my dealings with my community
I pledge to always stand up for these values: Zayed's values for tolerance and human fraternity
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
Our legal consultants
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
MANDOOB
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Ali%20Kalthami%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStarring%3A%20Mohammed%20Dokhei%2C%20Sarah%20Taibah%2C%20Hajar%20Alshammari%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Married Malala
Malala Yousafzai is enjoying married life, her father said.
The 24-year-old married Pakistan cricket executive Asser Malik last year in a small ceremony in the UK.
Ziauddin Yousafzai told The National his daughter was ‘very happy’ with her husband.
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Five expert hiking tips
Always check the weather forecast before setting off
Make sure you have plenty of water
Set off early to avoid sudden weather changes in the afternoon
Wear appropriate clothing and footwear
Take your litter home with you
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Company profile
Name: Tharb
Started: December 2016
Founder: Eisa Alsubousi
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: Luxury leather goods
Initial investment: Dh150,000 from personal savings
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Thanksgiving meals to try
World Cut Steakhouse, Habtoor Palace Hotel, Dubai. On Thursday evening, head chef Diego Solis will be serving a high-end sounding four-course meal that features chestnut veloute with smoked duck breast, turkey roulade accompanied by winter vegetables and foie gras and pecan pie, cranberry compote and popcorn ice cream.
Jones the Grocer, various locations across the UAE. Jones’s take-home holiday menu delivers on the favourites: whole roast turkeys, an array of accompaniments (duck fat roast potatoes, sausages wrapped in beef bacon, honey-glazed parsnips and carrots) and more, as well as festive food platters, canapes and both apple and pumpkin pies.
Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, The Address Hotel, Dubai. This New Orleans-style restaurant is keen to take the stress out of entertaining, so until December 25 you can order a full seasonal meal from its Takeaway Turkey Feast menu, which features turkey, homemade gravy and a selection of sides – think green beans with almond flakes, roasted Brussels sprouts, sweet potato casserole and bread stuffing – to pick up and eat at home.
The Mattar Farm Kitchen, Dubai. From now until Christmas, Hattem Mattar and his team will be producing game- changing smoked turkeys that you can enjoy at home over the festive period.
Nolu’s, The Galleria Mall, Maryah Island Abu Dhabi. With much of the menu focused on a California inspired “farm to table” approach (with Afghani influence), it only seems right that Nolu’s will be serving their take on the Thanksgiving spread, with a brunch at the Downtown location from 12pm to 4pm on Friday.
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
Kamindu Mendis bio
Full name: Pasqual Handi Kamindu Dilanka Mendis
Born: September 30, 1998
Age: 20 years and 26 days
Nationality: Sri Lankan
Major teams Sri Lanka's Under 19 team
Batting style: Left-hander
Bowling style: Right-arm off-spin and slow left-arm orthodox (that's right!)
Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week
more from Janine di Giovanni
Get inspired
Here are a couple of Valentine’s Day food products that may or may not go the distance (but have got the internet talking anyway).
Sourdough sentiments: Marks & Spencer in the United Kingdom has introduced a slow-baked sourdough loaf dusted with flour to spell out I (heart) you, at £2 (Dh9.5). While it’s not available in the UAE, there’s nothing to stop you taking the idea and creating your own message of love, stencilled on breakfast-inbed toast.
Crisps playing cupid: Crisp company Tyrells has added a spicy addition to its range for Valentine’s Day. The brand describes the new honey and chilli flavour on Twitter as: “A tenderly bracing duo of the tantalising tingle of chilli with sweet and sticky honey. A helping hand to get your heart racing.” Again, not on sale here, but if you’re tempted you could certainly fashion your own flavour mix (spicy Cheetos and caramel popcorn, anyone?).
SERIE A FIXTURES
Friday Sassuolo v Torino (Kick-off 10.45pm UAE)
Saturday Atalanta v Sampdoria (5pm),
Genoa v Inter Milan (8pm),
Lazio v Bologna (10.45pm)
Sunday Cagliari v Crotone (3.30pm)
Benevento v Napoli (6pm)
Parma v Spezia (6pm)
Fiorentina v Udinese (9pm)
Juventus v Hellas Verona (11.45pm)
Monday AC Milan v AS Roma (11.45pm)
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