Jottings from the Granite Studio

“I should think…,” I began one day over breakfast.
“Well, I would hope so, Watson,” replied Holmes laconically.

A meme of sorts but perhaps a better one than “Name five different ways you’ve eaten peanut butter…”

By nature, all good blogs should make you think. It’s why we read blogs. It’s why (some of us) write them. This little hobby of mine has recently been tagged as something called a “Thinking Blog” by both The Peking Duck and China Law Blog, two blogs I greatly admire. Last month, another fabulous blog from outside the incestuous circle of the China blogosphere, Westminster Wisdom, was also kind enough to tag me as a Thinking Blog. I suppose that the game is up and I should set about jotting down my own list.

I should point out that I’m trying to avoid tagging the previously tagged, which is difficult as any list of “Thinking Blogs” would of course include TPD, CLB, and Westminster Wisdom right at the top. But I thought it best to expand the circle a bit.

1) Surf Putah: Wu Ming is a brilliant historian of Song-era China, but this blog deals mostly with his other passion. WM is a lifelong resident of Yolo County, California and his take on politics–both national and local–and how politics affects Yolo County (and a certain large state university located there) are always insightful and spot on.

2) The 88s: One of the first China blogs I ever read. When I first came across his classic “Inlaws” post, I was hooked and his blog has never failed to disappoint. He is ridiculously well-read, a great writer, and a wicked sense of humor to boot. One of the finest in the China blogosphere.

3) The Opposite End of China: With so many blogs based in China’s eastern cities, it’s refreshing to get the Xinjiang perspective. TOEC gives you that plus great photography and video from China’s western regions. A must-read for anyone interested in China “beyond the pass.”

4) China Redux: A new blog by Ben Landy. Fascinating and informative analysis on political and IR issues. A blog to watch.

5) Mutant Palm: A newer blog by a longtime fixture in the China blogosphere. Daves(goneChina) is a regular commenter here and a contributor over at The Peking Duck. His new site continues his habit of making the commonplace seem strange and the weird seem quite normal. Brilliant stuff.

Oh yeah…all of these blogs (except for The 88s and TOEC) are blocked in China. If you’re currently living in the warm, protective embrace of the CCP, you’ll need to use a proxy to open them.