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South China Morning Post
2 days ago
- General
- South China Morning Post
Chinese dining etiquette dos and don'ts, from who eats first to chopstick manners and more
In Confucian philosophy, li, or 'propriety', is an ethical principle that emphasises politeness and manners as a means to cultivate social harmony and moral virtue. The importance of good behaviour also extends to the dinner table, as the ancient Chinese considered the communal act of breaking bread as an expression of social bonding. Although eating customs have evolved over time and through cultural shifts, some aspects of Chinese dining etiquette have remained the same. For many Chinese people around the world, who were scolded in their youth for bad table manners, these customs are embedded in their muscle memory. Take note of the following pieces of dining etiquette before your next extended family gathering. 1. Easy kneeling It is seen as an honour to have one's tea poured by an elder or senior person. Photo: Nora Tam Tea and other drinks should be served to others before helping oneself and, when being served, instead of saying 'thank you', the receiver can tap two fingers on the table to signify deference.
Coin Geek
6 days ago
- Coin Geek
The I-Ching as blueprint for decentralized systems
Homepage > News > Tech > The I-Ching as blueprint for decentralized systems Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... This post is a guest contribution by George Siosi Samuels, managing director at Faiā. See how Faiā is committed to staying at the forefront of technological advancements here. Blockchain networks face a fundamental challenge: how do you create truly decentralized systems that remain efficient and governable? The answer might lie in a 5,000-year-old binary code that predates computers by millennia. The I-Ching, or 'Book of Changes,' consists of 64 hexagrams—symbols made up of six binary lines (broken or unbroken). Each represents a unique state or process of transformation. But this isn't just ancient philosophy. It's a functional state machine that offers practical insights for modern blockchain architecture, particularly for BSV's evolving ecosystem. In this piece, we explore how the I-Ching's 64-state system could revolutionize smart contract design, improve network efficiency, and create more adaptive governance mechanisms on BSV. Binary origins: The I-Ching as proto-blockchain Each I-Ching hexagram consists of six stacked lines, either solid (yang) or broken (yin). That gives us 2^6 = 64 unique combinations—a six-bit system created thousands of years ago. Gottfried Leibniz, co-creator of binary mathematics, was profoundly influenced by the I-Ching when developing his binary system in 1703. This structure maps directly to blockchain fundamentals: Data Encoding : Each hexagram functions like a compact state hash, encoding complex system states in just 6 bits. : Each hexagram functions like a compact state hash, encoding complex system states in just 6 bits. State Transitions: The movement from one hexagram to another mirrors transactions or state changes on a blockchain. The movement from one hexagram to another mirrors transactions or state changes on a blockchain. Consensus Logic: The I-Ching's interpretive layers resemble decentralized governance, where multiple perspectives resolve ambiguity and determine optimal actions. Consider this: Bitcoin's UTXO model already tracks state changes through discrete transactions. An I-Ching-inspired system could encode 64 distinct transaction types or contract states, each with predetermined transformation rules. 64-state smart contracts on BSV Why 64? This number appears consistently across natural and computational systems: – 64 codons in human DNA– 64-bit computing architecture – 64 squares on a chessboard For BSV, this suggests a powerful design pattern. Instead of complex, gas-intensive smart contracts, we could implement lightweight, deterministic contracts based on hexagram archetypes. Here's a conceptual example: Each hexagram could represent a different class of agreement: employment contracts, supply chain tracking, escrow arrangements, or governance proposals. The beauty lies in the predetermined nature of transitions, which reduces computational overhead while maintaining rich behavioral complexity. Network topology: Lessons from ancient geometry The I-Ching's structure also informs network design. Traditional blockchain networks often suffer from the 'small world problem'—messages take too many hops to reach their destination, creating latency and bottlenecks. Drawing from the I-Ching's balanced dualities and ancient geometry principles, we can design networks with radial symmetry that minimize path lengths. In my prototype implementation, I developed a hypercube scheduler using Gray code adjacency, where each state transition changes only one bit, minimizing computational distance. Source: Performance results from testing: – Average hop reduction: 23% compared to traditional mesh networks– Latency improvement: 15-30ms for cross-network propagation – Energy efficiency: 18% reduction in redundant communications This approach aligns perfectly with BSV's focus on scalability and efficiency. As BSV handles increasing transaction volumes, optimized network topologies become crucial for maintaining performance without sacrificing decentralization. Governance through ancient wisdom Current blockchain governance often struggles between rigid on-chain rules and messy off-chain politics. The I-Ching offers a three-layer model: Symbolic Layer: Hard-coded rules (consensus mechanisms, protocol constants) Metaphorical Layer: Contextual interpretation (reputation systems, social contracts) Interpretive Layer: Dynamic response (governance votes, protocol upgrades) This mirrors how successful decentralized communities actually operate. Bitcoin's governance, for example, combines technical constraints (the code), social consensus (community discussion), and practical implementation (node adoption). An I-Ching-inspired governance system could encode common organizational challenges as hexagram patterns, providing frameworks for: – Protocol upgrade decisions– Community disputes– Resource allocation – Emergency responses Real-world applications and pilot projects These concepts aren't purely theoretical. Several uses already exist using hexagonal structures (from the I-Ching): Supply Chain Tracking: Using hexagram states to represent different stages of the product lifecycle, from raw materials through manufacturing to end-user delivery. Decentralized Identity: Mapping identity verification levels to hexagram progressions, creating privacy-preserving reputation systems. Automated Compliance: Encoding regulatory requirements as hexagram transitions, allowing smart contracts to automatically adapt to changing legal frameworks. Challenges and limitations This approach faces several hurdles: Cultural Barriers: Western developers may resist systems based on Eastern philosophy, regardless of technical merit. Standardization: Creating industry-wide adoption of hexagram-based standards requires significant coordination. Complexity Management: While 64 states seem manageable, the interaction between hexagrams creates exponential complexity that must be carefully managed. Validation: More rigorous testing and peer review are needed to validate performance claims across different network conditions. The path forward The I-Ching provides a time-tested framework for modeling complex, adaptive systems. As blockchain technology matures, we need designs that are not just scalable but meaningful, not just efficient but wise, because knowledge and intelligence alone are not enough. For BSV specifically, this approach could differentiate it from other blockchain platforms by offering: – More intuitive smart contract design– Improved network efficiency– Culturally-aware governance mechanisms – Reduced computational overhead The most powerful protocols aren't always technically superior—as we've already seen throughout the Bitcoin wars—they resonate with human intuition and cultural wisdom. The I-Ching reminds us that the best systems don't fight natural patterns but align with them. Watch | Tech of Tomorrow: Diving into the impact of tech in shaping the future
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
This Ancient Chinese Training Technique Can Help You Build Muscle and Reduce Stress
This Ancient Chinese Training Technique Can Help You Build Muscle and Reduce Stress originally appeared on Men's Fitness. More and more people are ditching the hustle and bustle for real connection and balance—not only in their work lives, but in their exercise routines, too. Enter: Qigong, an ancient Chinese practice that promises to help you chill out. Qigong's slow pace has all kinds of benefits for the mind and body, and is different from most typical workouts men might consider. To learn more about what Qigong is, its benefits, and how to try it, we chatted with Lee Holden, master Qigong instructor and author of Ready, Set, Slow. Get ready to build muscle, improve your flexibility, and find your Is Qigong? Qigong (pronounced 'chi-gong') is an ancient practice of physical fitness, mental health, and spiritual connection, Holden explains. It combines movement, breathing, and meditation with a goal of boosting your overall health and wellbeing. 'The idea of Qigong is that men and women in ancient times would watch nature and mirror their bodies on how nature moves,' Holden says. 'So, let's say a cloud was floating across the sky—they would start to mirror the movement of that cloud into their bodies.' The practice was developed thousands of years ago in China as a part of traditional Chinese medicine, which has its roots in the country's philosophy and religion, per the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). 'In Western ideology, if we have emotional problems, we go see a psychologist. If we have a physical issue, we go see a doctor. But nobody's seeing the connections between the two. Qigong sees the connections,' Holden says. 'So if somebody is like, 'Oh, I have a headache,' the Qigong teacher is going to say, 'Well, what are your stress levels like? Let's clear your stress with these meditative movements that get you in shape as well as clear stress.'' What Are the Benefits of Qigong? First and foremost, the mental health perks of Qigong are tremendous, according to Holden, as it's a moving form of meditation. 'The idea is that everything within us is connected. So our physical fitness directly helps and facilitates mental emotional well-being.' Research shows how important exercise is for our mental health, and how mental stress and emotional stress adversely affects our physical health. For instance, depression can wreak havoc on your immune system, per a 2020 review in Brain, Behavior, & Immunity - Health. Not to mention, up to 80 percent of primary care visits are related to stress. So, stress is the cause of most of our physical ailments. 'When we exercise, it's going to help our mental health. When our mental health is better, it's going to create healing in our physical body,' Holden says. You'll also get physically stronger and more flexible when you start regularly making Qigong part of your fitness routine, Holden says. 'It's calisthenics, it's yoga-like stretches with more flow,' he says. 'You don't always have enough time to go to the gym to get exercise, go to a yoga class to stretch, and do a mindfulness meditation practice each and every day. Well, Qigong does it in synergy. In one practice, you get the benefits of all of those things.' In fact, a small 2020 study in the Journal of Exercise Rehabilitation found that those who participated in eight weeks of Qigong training gained significantly more back and leg strength than those who participated in a control group training protocol that didn't include Qigong. Researchers also found trunk flexibility was 'significantly enhanced' after Qigong training as well. Recovery days are also vital to muscle growth, per the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). As you rest, your body repairs your muscles' microtears from lifting, which results in not only stronger muscles, but more muscle mass as well. So, during the days you're not going hard at the gym, you can use Qigong as recovery 'because it's stretching, it's gentle exercise, it's calming, and it's rejuvenating on many different levels,' Holden says. What's the Difference Between Tai Chi and Qi Gong? Qigong might make you think of Tai Chi, another ancient Chinese medicine practice. Qigong and Tai Chi look similar, but they serve different purposes. Tai Chi is a martial art that uses a series of movements, often performed in a specific order, throughout the entire body. Qigong, on the other hand, is often used as a response to a specific need, whether it's stress or post-workout recovery. Why Should Men Add Qigong to Their Routine? It's important for men to have an outlet for stress and a way to deal with their mental health, Holden explains, and Qigong is the perfect option. A 2024 survey found that among the men polled, 40 percent have never shared their struggles with anyone due to fear of embarrassment or negative perceptions of them. 'That's a mistake, because mental health is so important to physical health,' Holden says. If you have high levels of stress and you're working out hard, you're creating an imbalance, Holden goes on to explain. 'If you've got lots of stress and you come home and you do a HIIT workout or you go for a run, you deplete yourself of energy,' he says. 'Men forget to slow down, to relax, to rejuvenate.' How to Get Started in Your Practice You can do Qigong every day if you wanted to, Holden says, or you could do it a few times a week in between your harder workouts. 'Some people use Qigong as a warmup before their workout or they use it as a cool-down after their workout,' he says. Either way, you don't need to dedicate a ton of time to it. Holden says all it takes is a five- or 10-minute session to reap the benefits of Qigong. 'It's a great thing to do in between working at your desk,' he says. 'Every two or three hours, stand up and give yourself a Qigong break. Loosen up the spine, stretch out the neck and shoulders, take a few deep breaths with some flows—now you're back to work more focused and more energized.' And don't worry if you have trouble with traditional methods of meditation where you sit in one place. 'Sometimes when we just sit down to meditate, it's difficult because the mind is very active and it's almost like you're in this wrestling match of quieting the mind, and then the mind starts talking, and quieting the mind again,' Holden says. 'But when you move your body, you're giving the mind an activity, so there's something to focus on in the present moment, which is your body. It makes it easier.' One of Holden's favorite beginner-friendly moves to start out with is one called 'knocking on the door of life.' Here's exactly how to do it: Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, arms down by your sides. Turn from your hips and waist to the right, knocking your right arm across your upper abdomen and your left arm against your lower back. Then, turn from your hips and waist to the left, knocking your left arm across your upper abdomen and your right arm against your lower back. Continue Ancient Chinese Training Technique Can Help You Build Muscle and Reduce Stress first appeared on Men's Fitness on Jun 30, 2025 This story was originally reported by Men's Fitness on Jun 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
