4 ms·

>it's 5000 year history Please don't give credence to nonsensical nationalist tropes. The Oracle Bone Script goes back to about 1200 BC during the Shang Dynast

by Bayart 5y ago

>it's 5000 year history Please don't give credence to nonsensical nationalist tropes. The Oracle Bone Script goes back to about 1200 BC during the Shang Dynasty, that makes about 3200 years of history. Before that it's _pre-history_. It's a bit younger than Linear B, Old Avestan and Vedic Sanskrit. So in terms of a traceable, continuous culture China is at the fourth place of so. These days I'd probably be called a "historical nihilist" in China for saying that.

thaumasiotes 5y ago
> It's a bit younger than Linear B, Old Avestan and Vedic Sanskrit. So in terms of a traceable, continuous culture China is at the fourth place of so. Linear B does not represent a traceable, continuous culture. Neither does Old Avestan.
- Bayart 5y ago
  How so ? There's a case to be made for Linear B because of the Greek Dark Ages, but Old Avestan ? By that same token, Oracle Bone Script also doesn't represent a traceable and continuous culture.
  - thaumasiotes 5y ago
    Persia was conquered by iconoclastic foreigners. Many native traditions were lost, even the knowledge of how to read the old writings. Continuity was significantly interrupted. > There's a case to be made for Linear B because of the Greek Dark Ages That's sufficient to defeat the claim of cultural continuity, but note also that the case that Linear B has been deciphered at all isn't on the firmest ground.
    - CRConrad 5y ago
      > Persia was conquered by iconoclastic foreigners. Spouting this as if it somehow justifies or reinforces the CCP's claim to China being the oldest and therefore most venerable of cultures is just continuing to give credence to their nationalist tropes. It's not as if China had never been conquered.
mthoms 5y ago
That was the most pedantic correction I've ever seen on HN in a while :-). I think the parent was just speaking loosely rather than spreading "nonsensical nationalistic tropes". Take it easy. Does being 5000 or 3200 years old really change the discussion to anyone but historians?
- patcon 5y ago
  I think it touched a nerve because that line of thinking ("we're the oldest culture") is presumably highly propagandized amongst CCP China. 1800 years is the difference between "best" and "just another", which is a big deal in totalitarian narrative terms :)
- divbzero 5y ago
  I happened to like this pedantry! It refreshed my memory of history I had once learned but forgotten.
- Bayart 5y ago
  It's certainly changes the discussion to the CCP ! They intend to cement the notion that China is the oldest, greatest, most venerable nation their is. Truth be damned.

by Bayart 5y ago

thaumasiotes 5y ago

> It's a bit younger than Linear B, Old Avestan and Vedic Sanskrit. So in terms of a traceable, continuous culture China is at the fourth place of so. Linear B does not represent a traceable, continuous culture. Neither does Old Avestan.

Bayart 5y ago
How so ? There's a case to be made for Linear B because of the Greek Dark Ages, but Old Avestan ? By that same token, Oracle Bone Script also doesn't represent a traceable and continuous culture.
- thaumasiotes 5y ago
  Persia was conquered by iconoclastic foreigners. Many native traditions were lost, even the knowledge of how to read the old writings. Continuity was significantly interrupted. > There's a case to be made for Linear B because of the Greek Dark Ages That's sufficient to defeat the claim of cultural continuity, but note also that the case that Linear B has been deciphered at all isn't on the firmest ground.
  - CRConrad 5y ago
    > Persia was conquered by iconoclastic foreigners. Spouting this as if it somehow justifies or reinforces the CCP's claim to China being the oldest and therefore most venerable of cultures is just continuing to give credence to their nationalist tropes. It's not as if China had never been conquered.

mthoms 5y ago

That was the most pedantic correction I've ever seen on HN in a while :-). I think the parent was just speaking loosely rather than spreading "nonsensical nationalistic tropes". Take it easy. Does being 5000 or 3200 years old really change the discussion to anyone but historians?

patcon 5y ago
I think it touched a nerve because that line of thinking ("we're the oldest culture") is presumably highly propagandized amongst CCP China. 1800 years is the difference between "best" and "just another", which is a big deal in totalitarian narrative terms :)
divbzero 5y ago
I happened to like this pedantry! It refreshed my memory of history I had once learned but forgotten.
Bayart 5y ago
It's certainly changes the discussion to the CCP ! They intend to cement the notion that China is the oldest, greatest, most venerable nation their is. Truth be damned.