Reason #492 That China Will Not Be a Superpower in My Lifetime

I'm bringin' it back: the reasons that China will not be a superpower in my lifetime. Please see the archived post from two years ago.

This one, number #492, relates to the completely illogical reasoning behind Shanghai's lack of insulated and well-built buildings. My apartment is appallingly constructed and utterly frigid. It sucks.

Why, you may ask, when it isn't much colder than my two hometowns, is my apartment so uncomfortable? There is no insulation in this city. No double-paned windows, no stuffing in the walls, nothing blocking the cracks in the doors.

This is because, and I quote, "Shanghai is too far south for heat and insulation."

Oh, good. Shanghai is also "too far north for air-conditioning."

That's nice.

Thanks, China.

love,
ellen