The video - found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0OhXxx7cQg - basically makes the argument that the 'teacup' is responsible for the limits of Chinese technological advancement. Because the Chinese were so satisfied with the materials they used to make the 'teacup' that they never really "discovered" glass. The logic is that, since they "never had glass" they didn't possess the technology for complex chemical reactions because they didn't have stable beakers. And, without glass, the academic life of scholars was limited due to poor eye sight (since they had no glass to make eyeglasses).
I've done some preliminary research and I've found that glass was somewhat of a rarity in Asia, but I'm always skeptical of 'single factor' explanations.
So any insight on the matter would be appreciated. Thanks!
It is worth noting that the form of the teacup on the image is a European style, based (possibly) on Chinese hot wine pourers. As you may guess from that sentence, the Chinese certainly had wine. The images, are also Japanese, not Chinese. To be honest, I'm not entirely certain how to respond to this besides saying that the Chinese had glass. Here are some wonderful examples of early Qing glass.
Furthermore, it is worth noting that glass was first invented in Mesopotamia, and glassblowing was a Roman innovation. Clearly, glass is not enough to make a scientific revolution.
There is absolutely no one answer to this question. This scholar makes the best points I've ever seen though and I would look up Joseph Needham if I were you and wanted to learn more about the subject. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxYpnnrN2p0