I admire Jim's work and his dedication to his writing, sharing his first hand impressions and knowledge openly and generously. His articles, all the ones I have gotten to read, are very informative, interesting and reveal respect and appreciation for the subjects discussed. He offers unique perspectives and very valuable insight into the culture of the different ethnic and regional groups he had had contact with and studied through decades.

I admire his being extremely objective and professional. Yet, and pardon my frankness, and my offering unsolicited and uninitiated advice. I feel that in striving to be objective and fair he had skipped sharing his personal impressions and personal experiences no doubt he had with the people about whom he writes. I am sure that in the decades he has traveled through the area he had experienced many unique and even unusual experiences, made friendships and gotten to know individuals past the superficial level. However, I feel his writing lacks that personal, non-professional touch sometimes, lacks the subjective touch.
I feel that sharing more of the latter would make his work even more impressive, if not to the academic, to those readers who consider personal impressions, insights, observations and opinions very valuable elements and fruit of our living among peoples and cultures of which we are but guests, while getting to enjoy their hospitality and care.
I apologize for offering this criticism openly and publicly, which it is not meant to offend someone whose work I admire, whom I have never met and whom probably will not get to meet personally. It is partly a friendly suggestion and partly a reflection and evaluation about Goodman's excellent work. Thanks for sharing it regularly with us, readers, through the pages of gokunming.

Excellent, as all other articles by Jim Goodman you have published. The work is carefully researched in situ, backed by his experiences and study. I have been curious about the Yi from learning about them from books written by other knowledgeable field hands, but Jim's observations about the Nuosu are perhaps unique and enlightening. His neutral, non-judgmental point of view and objective notes make the contributions all the more valuable. Thanks for publishing the article and thanks to Mr. Goodman for sharing his knowledge of a life dedicated to firsthand study of the people of Yunnan, Southwest China and the surrounding areas and countries.

It seems this group of families lives in a remote enclave. I can understand that some of them prefer to stay in their ancestral homes where they grew up, where they spent their whole lives and where their loved ones were buried, especially people such as the lady who is over 100 years old and probably their relatives, who would hesitate taking her away from her place.

Still is commendable that their government would go to all the trouble of building new towns, schools, roads, tunnels, provides electricity and gives them a yearly stipend, considering that those small remote communities don't contribute taxes or integrate that much. In addition, that after all the trouble and investment, they would be allowed the choice of staying or moving.

I have seen and met many people relocated in different places in China, who did so happily and were thankful for the opportunities afforded to them and to their kids to live in houses they could have only dreamed of someday having. I wish more governments in this world would show such care and consideration for 'little' people who perhaps have contributed little to their government. I am sure many of the millions of homeless people from California to the fabelas of Rio, to Africa and the middle-east would be equally happy if their governments would provide such opportunities, whether they decide to take them or not.