Feeding the Dragon
-by John Hugunin
It was Monday, November 2, 2020, 15 minutes before official meeting start time. There were already 15 members signed in and having a lively discussion about various topics. We were happy and surprised to see special guest and past member, James Kennedy, show up for our meeting. He is living in San Juan, Puerto Rico and is the VP of the San Juan Rotary Club (85 members). Lindy Murrell joined us from Wellington, New Zealand. She had served the standard COVID-19 quarantine time and was able to move about as she pleased.
There was discussion about the Texas vs Oklahoma football game, talk about Trevor Lawrence and his positive test for COVID-19, a lot of “Hoorays” for the Dodgers, and a big silence regarding Rams football.
If you haven’t done it, try showing up early for our Monday Zoom meetings. The informal conversations are fun and informative.
Finding Meaning
President Tim Hageman asked Shannon Ryan to lead us in the flag salute and present the thought of the day. She quoted psychiatrist Viktor Frankl, author of the book “Man’s Search for Meaning.” The book is his memoir of descriptions of life in Nazi death camps and its lessons for spiritual survival.
Between 1942 and 1945 Frankl labored in four different camps, including Auschwitz, while his parents, brother, and pregnant wife perished. Based on his own experience and the experiences of others he treated later in his practice, Frankl argues that we cannot avoid suffering but we can choose how to cope with it, find meaning in it, and move forward with renewed purpose. Frankl's theory holds that our primary drive in life is not pleasure, as Freud maintained, but the discovery and pursuit of what we personally find meaningful.
At the time of Frankl's death in 1997, “Man’s Search for Meaning“ had sold more than 10 million copies in 24 languages. A 1991 reader survey for the Library of Congress that asked readers to name a "book that made a difference in your life" found “Man’s Search for Meaning” among the ten most influential books in America.
Between 1942 and 1945 Frankl labored in four different camps, including Auschwitz, while his parents, brother, and pregnant wife perished. Based on his own experience and the experiences of others he treated later in his practice, Frankl argues that we cannot avoid suffering but we can choose how to cope with it, find meaning in it, and move forward with renewed purpose. Frankl's theory holds that our primary drive in life is not pleasure, as Freud maintained, but the discovery and pursuit of what we personally find meaningful.
At the time of Frankl's death in 1997, “Man’s Search for Meaning“ had sold more than 10 million copies in 24 languages. A 1991 reader survey for the Library of Congress that asked readers to name a "book that made a difference in your life" found “Man’s Search for Meaning” among the ten most influential books in America.
Shannon chose the following Frankl quote to share with us: “Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.”
Guests were introduced. Ed Kushins introduced his guest, Rayve Zen. Richard Montgomery introduced Jeff Serota. He is an avid soccer fan and coach. Dave Gendron’s guest was Dan Graham.
President Tim Hageman showed us a video titled “When your doorbell rings - 20 years ago vs. today.” It has us all laughing, even though it was a tough message about how “times have changed.” Here is a link to the video, if you missed it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hv0M4mnrE8.
President Tim Hageman showed us a video titled “When your doorbell rings - 20 years ago vs. today.” It has us all laughing, even though it was a tough message about how “times have changed.” Here is a link to the video, if you missed it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hv0M4mnrE8.
Welcome Debbie and Tarek
One of the wonderful things about our club is that we continue to add new members. This morning Debbie Goldberg and Tarek Shaer were introduced as our newest members. Their sponsors were Kelly Stroman and Dave Gendron respectively.
Mayor Richard Montgomery updated us on what’s happening in Manhattan Beach during the COVID-19 crisis. The city has been quiet. However, it’s planning for any possible civil unrest during and after election day.
Mayor Richard Montgomery updated us on what’s happening in Manhattan Beach during the COVID-19 crisis. The city has been quiet. However, it’s planning for any possible civil unrest during and after election day.
Robert Guilford, head of our Scholarship Committee, introduced Alexia Pepemehmetoglv, a MCHS graduate and recipient of a scholarship from our club. She is a freshman at UCLA and plans on being a lawyer or working in international relations. Alexia is one of 7 recipients of MB Rotary scholarships for MCHS graduates.
An Insider’s Look at China
Jim Schlager introduced our guest speaker, Chris Fenton. Chris is the author of “Feeding the Dragon: Inside the Trillion Dollar Dilemma Facing Hollywood, the NBA, and American Business.”
Fenton was born and raised in South Florida. His family moved to Connecticut where he attended high school. Fenton, who holds a BS in Engineering from Cornell University, resides with his wife and two children in Manhattan Beach.
For 17 years, Fenton served as president of DMG Entertainment Motion Picture Group and GM of DMG North America, internationally orchestrating the creative and business activities of DMG--a multi-billion-dollar global media company headquartered in Beijing. He has produced or supervised 21 films, grossing $2 billion in worldwide box-office. As an author, Fenton chronicled much of that work in “Feeding the Dragon.”
At present, he speaks regularly as a China expert and serves as CEO of Media Capital Technologies, having concluded a successful term as Senior Advisor to IDW Media Holdings focused on streamlining operations, expanding international business, and restructuring investments. Fenton also hosts US Congressional member delegations on diplomatic missions to China focused on trade, media, and investment. He is a trustee of the US-Asia Institute, advisor to the Canadian Trade Commissioner, and board member for several companies. Fenton, a contributor for RealClearPolitics, South China Morning Post, OUTKICK / Fox Sports, The Federalist, C-Suite Quarterly, Bleeding Cool, and The Wrap, regularly appears on Bloomberg, Tucker Carlson, Fox Business, BBC, CNBC, Fox Sports, Adam Carolla, Steve Bannon, and VOA.
Fenton’s presentation brought up the challenges we face regarding the Chinese propaganda machine and how important it is to be able to share our culture with the Chinese people through films and sports. We need to understand the challenge China has keeping its 1.4 billion people just happy enough to not revolt.
At present, he speaks regularly as a China expert and serves as CEO of Media Capital Technologies, having concluded a successful term as Senior Advisor to IDW Media Holdings focused on streamlining operations, expanding international business, and restructuring investments. Fenton also hosts US Congressional member delegations on diplomatic missions to China focused on trade, media, and investment. He is a trustee of the US-Asia Institute, advisor to the Canadian Trade Commissioner, and board member for several companies. Fenton, a contributor for RealClearPolitics, South China Morning Post, OUTKICK / Fox Sports, The Federalist, C-Suite Quarterly, Bleeding Cool, and The Wrap, regularly appears on Bloomberg, Tucker Carlson, Fox Business, BBC, CNBC, Fox Sports, Adam Carolla, Steve Bannon, and VOA.
Fenton’s presentation brought up the challenges we face regarding the Chinese propaganda machine and how important it is to be able to share our culture with the Chinese people through films and sports. We need to understand the challenge China has keeping its 1.4 billion people just happy enough to not revolt.
Remembering Our Veterans
President Hageman concluded the meeting by reminding us that next Wednesday is Veterans Day. He encouraged all of our veterans to submit a picture of themselves in uniform with a brief description of their service.
Even though the meeting was concluded at 8:30 am, a group of about 22 diehards continued to discuss many things; including, sports, South Bay mutual aid, and voting. The discussions were still going on at 8:45 when this writer had to leave the meeting.