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Old as in relying on people-power rather than technology – while there was technology, the volume of people involved in the ceremonies was mind-boggling.

Also old in the constant integration of the military in the ceremonies, right down to the flag raising which saw children transfer a flag to waiting Chinese soldiers. The NBC commentator I was listening to mentioned more than once that organizers wanted to convey the idea that the state was protecting its people, a message that might play for China’s internal audience but one that seems a bit off-putting for the rest of us.

Then there was the unfortunate murder in Beijing of the father-in-law of a U.S. volleyball coach. The killing might be written off by those of us in the West accustomed to such random acts, but it has to hurt a culture like China’s which places such emphasis on order and at least the outward appearance of tranquility.

There’s been widespread coverage about air quality issues in Beijing, right down to an Ad Age story about how the masks U.S. athletes were given to protect themselves from pollution may become hot fashion items. The air quality issue demonstrates that China hasn’t learned any lessons from the West’s past mistakes about how to industrialize without the associated environmental damage.

All in all, I’m not seeing gigantic pluses for China so far, what do you think? Am I missing something? Is the marketing gain in simply showing it can stage a major international event? Is that enough here?