big ships (was Re: Cos-B: 30 Years On...)

In article <4306eada.54296678@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>,
Derek Lyons <fairwater@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>The whole affair of Zheng He's ships is a shining example of what
>happens when politics and racism replace science.

Alternatively, it was a shining example of what happens when curiosity (be
it scientific or otherwise) and rulers' pride are deemed the *only* proper
motives for exploration.

When marvels from afar and declarations of support from foreign rulers
ceased to be important to the throne, priorities changed. The mighty
ships (even allowing for possibly-exaggerated accounts, they clearly were
*big* ships by the standards of the day) were scrapped and seafaring was
made illegal. China had all it needed, and no reason to venture out; the
government said so.

Which left the way clear for a handful of small, poor, squabbling nations
in a cultural backwater to send out scruffy men in rickety, leaky little
ships to conquer the world... for money, not for pride and curiosity.
Diversity and competition and greed lasted, where central planning and
noble motives faltered and failed.
--
No, the devil isn't in the details. | Henry Spencer
The devil is in the *assumptions*. | henry@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
.

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