For several weeks, Havok Journal owner Charlie Faint and I had discussed doing an episode all about China – its geopolitical rise, its potential threats and, of course the fallout from COVID-19. Then Havok Journal writers Matt Trevathan and Christopher Otero got into a collegial back and forth on the private Havok Journal writers’ forum about some COVID-19 theories. After hyperventilating that they were wasting a perfectly good opportunity to monetize an argument, I decided this was the week to do the China episode and have them on to discuss all things China. Unfortunately, Charlie couldn’t make it, but even so it was a great show that captures the spirit of collegial debate and discussion that prompted me to start the Weekly Havok. One editorial note - Chris Otero makes many cogent, articulate arguments. Most of them I disagree with, some of them I agree with, and some I just didn’t have time to rebut. Since I already dedicated an entire episode to the various theories, I didn’t want to bore you all by rehashing my arguments simply to counter him. Take a listen to what he says and then you can check below for a link that explains my position. It was a pleasure having Matt and Chris on. I was on an intellectual buzz for hours after. Hopefully you will be too.

 

Have a listen here.

 

Show Alibis

I linked to it when we talked about COVID-19’s origins a few weeks ago, but this is the link to reporting done by National Review’s Jim Geraghty which is the most persuasive I’ve found so far.At one point, I mention my perception of the social contract in China whereby China controls the rights of the people in exchange for giving the people safety and wealth. The way I phrase it, it sounds like Mao and the establishment of communist China was responsible for the social contract when it really came about after post-Mao reforms in 1976.Because I didn’t want to degrade a good discussion, I resisted the urge to ask Chris Otero if that was a demographic bulge in his pants or if he was just happy to see me. That explains why I didn’t push back against his claim that China was a middle power which I would have if I wasn’t basically 13.It was unfair of me to put Matt Trevathan on a show with two Chrises. That said, Matt exploited the situation by frequently saying he agreed with “Chris” which seemed to me to be a savvy political move.Show NotesThe Lab Leak Theory: Inside the Fight to Uncover COVID-19’s Origins by Katherine EbanChinese abuse against the UighersFriends Don’t Let Friends Become Chinese Billionaires by Ray KwongThe Sad End of Jack Ma by George CalhounThe upticks in anti-Asian attacksAmazon’s use of COVID-testing kits from BGI GenomicsODNI warning about China’s DNA collectionClaims by Soviet bio-weapons program chiefTianamen Square protestMiddle-power trapChina’s three-child policyHope for TodayHomeless Pets Foundation