April 26, 2007

• Television, including foreign cable stations, was allowed entry in 1999 (and featured an episode of the American series "Desperate Housewives" on election day). The Internet came soon thereafter. There are no McDonald's golden arches poking out from the blue pine forests yet, though the influence of global consumer culture can be glimpsed in the Pepe Jeans on young men and a convenience store here that calls itself 8-Eleven. "A cautious approach," Prime Minister Khandu Wangchuk called it. In an interview here Friday he added: "We were conscious of the fact that interaction with the world would only benefit us. We have had no reason to put the brakes on." Somebody should really tell him, y'know.
• Baby steps.
• Fascinating story, Bhutan. Love the Gross National Happiness concept; not such a fan of creating 100,000 refugees. Coincidentally I'm currently reading Huxley's Island.
• I prefer my democracy delivered by ducal Lamborghini of course.
• Bhutan's Enlightened Experiment: Guided by a novel idea, the tiny Buddhist kingdom tries to join the modern world without losing its soul.
• Bhutan takes the next step in democratizing happiness
• The Amazing Monasteries of Bhutan
• Lost tiger population discovered in Bhutan mountains
• Hooray! Great piece of news.
• Stay hidden, furry friends!
• Stay hidden, furry friends!
• Bhutan's road to happiness: Two very defined commitments in Bhutan — one to democracy, the other to cultural preservation — seem about to collide.
• A Trip to Bhutan
• Our kind of change would surely cause a net loss to the 'gross national happiness' they now enjoy. So why can't WE learn a thing or two from THEM for a change?
• The Amazing Monasteries of Bhutan
• Meet the overwhelmed psychiatrist in the world’s happiest country: Bhutan is dubbed the world’s ‘last Shangri-La,’ but mental disorders are on the rise and Dr. Chencho Dorji can only do so much.
• Bhutan takes a second look at phallus worship
• If you like it then you outta tie a bow on it.