Jazzing Through An Era of Mutual Decay in US and China — with David Moser

David Moser, a long-term resident sinologist and linguist, reflects on his decades-long immersion in China, tracing the country's transformation from the 1980s to the present. He recounts his experiences navigating the complexities of Chinese society, including his involvement in the nascent jazz scene and his tenure at CCTV, where he encountered the rigid realities of state censorship. Moser observes a profound shift in China’s national psyche, moving from a sense of inferiority to a modern, assertive nationalism fueled by rapid economic development. Simultaneously, he expresses deep concern over the parallel decline of democratic norms in the United States and the growing instability in both nations. Ultimately, he describes his enduring connection to China as a source of intellectual stimulation, despite the challenges of living as an outsider in a rapidly evolving, often unpredictable cultural landscape.