Long-standing preferences for gold and jade, both associated with good fortune, are being supplanted by a fascination with Western culture, with an extra boost from lower taxes and tariffs on diamonds.

FORBES: Diamonds Sparkle For The Next Billion Consumers

Homer, Jesus Christ and Shakespeare would be more at home in Africa's world than with modern western culture.

ECONOMIST: The spirits that move Africa

Moussaoui has assumed a role as Greek chorus for his own trial, as he skewers Western culture with his own knowledge of it.

NPR: Moussaoui Courts Death, and the Media, at Trial

In an interview with the Huffington Post, Burnett explained the power that the Bible has in western culture, not only for Christians.

FORBES: "The Bible" Series and Importance of Faith in America

Everywhere you go you are assaulted up by the piled-up mementos of Western culture (and Eastern, and intergalactic), jumbled together with no sense of scale, appropriateness or even a basic understanding of the underlying ideas.

FORBES: Why I Hate Vegas - And Apple Sync, Too

Nike began expanding its operational reach in China about 30 years ago, ahead of many of the glut of Western brands that flooded the big cities in line with a rising middle class and consumer culture.

FORBES: Nike--Not Apple--Is A Bellwether of China's Economy

The image of the striking contrast of western and eastern culture might be at the heart of Iger's challenge in collaborating with the local government, which owns a 57% stake in the resort.

FORBES: Is Iger's Disney Losing Its Magic In Hong Kong?

This issue being the yearly ranking of Western celebrity brand buzz, I'm inspired to note that marketability does not necessarily equate with contributions to culture.

FORBES: Sidelines