Continuing on with the coverage of "China, The Olympics, Social Media, Symposiums, etc." mini-series, I'm am co-opting Olympic scholar Dr. Andy Miah's questions for the panel he is organizing at the 9th International Symposium on Olympic Studies, in Beijing, August 5-7, 2008.

My point in doing this is to stimulate some discussion to push my own perceptions and resolve my own conflicts. You see, I am big fan of amateur sports (personally i prefer winter Olympic events) and an ardent advocate of the UN Declaration of Human Rights, and someone who hopes for a greener planet. In some ways, I see these three as not jiving within the China paradigm. On another hand, i wonder is it really my place to ask an ancient culture why they do things they way they do?

As such, I question my personal (not professional) emotional investment in the athletes' struggle. Should I watch them strive for greatness on the CBC while the background struggle seems so much weightier? Or are the Olympics a time for healing and celebration where understandings are fostered and differences sorted out? In other words, should i participate in the Olympics from my couch or from the streets!

I've mentioned some pre-Olympic and Olympic Games related activities coming up in passing. Now, as topics are piling up and the Beijing Summer Games are nearing (complete with controversy), henceforth begins a blog mini-series called, "China, The Olympics, Social Media, Symposiums, etc." - I think I'll need a better name for the series though. Suggestions are welcome.

Background

As you likely know, Raincity Studios actively conducts business in China with an office in Shanghai and the Raincity Studios site is published in English and Mandarin (French underway) and we collaborate with Chinese colleagues and some of us (not me) study Mandarin language and foodery. Just so ya know where we're coming from.

Raincity Studios' President Kris Krug is becoming as important to any new media event as the roof (but not quite as critical as wi-fi and coffee). Indeed, Kris Krug is in need of some serious carbon credits with all the travel but he is karmicly making up for the impact by bringing his new web savvy and business acumen to a diverse assortment of events.

The tour stop roster is getting a bit lengthy for my achey blogging fingers but here are a few forthcoming gigs to catch you up on Krug-Tour 2008 (t-shirts available soon - Kruggies, get your ducats ready!)

The Drupal community movement carries on to all corners of the globe with volunteer-run, peer-taught Drupal Camps! The Raincity Studios crew will proudly participate at events coming up in Vancouver, Canada, Sydney, Australia (for the entire Asia/Pacific region) and now, a newly-announced camp in Shanghai, China in conjunction with Open Source Camp Shanghai.

Jacob Redding, John Zhu and myself are proposing a session for the upcoming drupalcon in Boston, March 2nd to 6th 2008.

China is beginning to adopt Drupal and since its slated as the next “India” in terms of an outsourcing hub what does this mean for the Drupal world. Join this round table discussion on the state of Drupal in China. Who is using Drupal? What companies are there? How does Drupal fit into the country’s development? Why is Drupal in China important? What are the barriers to entry for a business or a developer?

Marketing and Business but also Community and Core. Drupal in China is as much about building a community as it is about business.

• Things will start off with introductions of some of the Drupal shops in China as well as an overview of the state of Drupal and OSS in China.
• We’ll discuss the current community in China and how developers are connecting with each other to work on projects. The use of drupalchina.org, groups.drupal.org, IRC, etc.
• An overview of the translation work being done to help promote Drupal within China.
• The floor will always be open for questions and comments.

We hope to encourage discussion about the use of Drupal within China and bring to light some of the challenges and rewards when working with the country as many of the challenges faced in China are faced in other countries throughout the world. If you are interested in how China is using Drupal and who the players are and if China is right for you or your business attend and share your thoughts and opinions.

Please take a second and vote for our session