A new link "Atlas Shrugged" was added. I have been touching Ayn Rand's stuff recently, including "Atlas Shrugged" and "Philosophy: Who need it". I also bought "The Fountainhead" but have not opened it (will do that later, perhaps long time later). Just read the first essay in "Philosophy: who needs it" and found it quite interesting. It does not possess the usual vagueness in many philosophy writings.
"Atlas Shrugged" has been considered classic in American society. Read it, and you will know why.
Will talk more about Rand's stuff later once I have more system thoughts about it.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Friday, May 29, 2009
To write something ...
Another year has passed again (sounds terrifying). And again, I am so different from what I was one year ago. I can still remember what I did, what I was involved in, and how I felt about my job one year ago. What is interesting is that during the past year, I abandoned some things and picked them up again repeatedly. Perhaps, some things are just necessary, while some things are not. I have kept myself away from some things for a long time. Some people say that if you keep away from something for too long, perhaps you will never be able to or be willing to pick it up again. I doubt, and I fear, possibly.
I picked up some books during the past year. I am glad I have done that. They changed me and made me somewhat different from who I used to be an year ago. The best thing is that even if I forgot some of their contents in the future, I still will be able to locate them. I know where to find the answers. I shall keep reading and exploring books.
I picked up some books during the past year. I am glad I have done that. They changed me and made me somewhat different from who I used to be an year ago. The best thing is that even if I forgot some of their contents in the future, I still will be able to locate them. I know where to find the answers. I shall keep reading and exploring books.
Thursday, May 01, 2008
Different
I have not come back to my blog (supposedly) for such a long time that I can not even spot myself in the articles. God, is that really me? How's that my thought, my personality, my mindset, and many other things are so different right now?
What I can just say is people do change. And they change fast.
I am seriously considering writing something regularly here. I am also seriously considering considering sharing this place with someone else. But before that, I shall write more things here. Otherwise people may regard me as someone who is really not me since all the current articles here can not represent me, but me a year ago (I just found that the last article was written exactly one year ago! What a coincidence!).
What I can just say is people do change. And they change fast.
I am seriously considering writing something regularly here. I am also seriously considering considering sharing this place with someone else. But before that, I shall write more things here. Otherwise people may regard me as someone who is really not me since all the current articles here can not represent me, but me a year ago (I just found that the last article was written exactly one year ago! What a coincidence!).
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
Double Helix
Double helix is an interesting thing. It can not only represent biographical meanings and concepts.
Monday, April 30, 2007
Gap
When cognitive gaps appear, who should be responsbile?
Theoretically, surely both parties of the communication should be responsbile. A should be responsible because A should seek to close the gap between A & B. B should also be responsible because B should seek to close the gap between B & A.
But if we are either A or B, things are different. From objective perspective, both parties are responsible. From subjective perspective, the thinking party should be responsible.
If today there is a cognitive gap between me and another one, I should seek to close the gap. I should not blame the other one. Why? Because it changes nothing if I only think we both are responsible and blame him for his not closing the gap. I should be proactive and seek to change the current situation from my side.
I should bear this in mind.
Theoretically, surely both parties of the communication should be responsbile. A should be responsible because A should seek to close the gap between A & B. B should also be responsible because B should seek to close the gap between B & A.
But if we are either A or B, things are different. From objective perspective, both parties are responsible. From subjective perspective, the thinking party should be responsible.
If today there is a cognitive gap between me and another one, I should seek to close the gap. I should not blame the other one. Why? Because it changes nothing if I only think we both are responsible and blame him for his not closing the gap. I should be proactive and seek to change the current situation from my side.
I should bear this in mind.
Why?
When a person starts to ask himself the very important question: "WHY" of many of his actions, he starts to really move forward.
The asking of "WHY" could "close the the integrity gap" and reduce the "self-deception". I found the words in the quotation marks in Professsor Robert E. Quinn's book. Some ideas contained in this book could be an inspiration to me.
I will try to ask myself "WHY" of many of my current actions. I want to find the assumption and belief that are implict and are not easily recognized by myself.
p.s I have not only once been impressed by the ideas of professors of University of Michigan Business School. All these may very probably influence my plan of further study abroad.
The asking of "WHY" could "close the the integrity gap" and reduce the "self-deception". I found the words in the quotation marks in Professsor Robert E. Quinn's book. Some ideas contained in this book could be an inspiration to me.
I will try to ask myself "WHY" of many of my current actions. I want to find the assumption and belief that are implict and are not easily recognized by myself.
p.s I have not only once been impressed by the ideas of professors of University of Michigan Business School. All these may very probably influence my plan of further study abroad.
Sunday, April 29, 2007
A Great Conversation
A great conversation always makes something happen. It may produce a result, solve a probelm, or just make things clearer.
Regarding relationships, a great conversation could make a relationship better, in every kind of aspect.
I am pleased that I had such kind of conversation tonight.
Thank you.
Regarding relationships, a great conversation could make a relationship better, in every kind of aspect.
I am pleased that I had such kind of conversation tonight.
Thank you.
Best Novels
I have put a link, which is "100 Best Novels of 20th Century", in the sidebar of this blog. There are the "Board's List" and the "Reader's List". The novels listed in the Board's List were chosen by Random House and some experts I think. And the result of the Reader's List comes from a poll.
You don't have to take a close look to distinguish the difference between the two lists. One apparent, and interesting, phenomena is that Ayn Rand's works are highly praised by general readers, but do not show even one on the Board's List. It is also interesting that Ulysses ranks no. 11 on the Reader's List. It exceeds my expectation since I originally do not think Ulysses is as welcome as it shows.
Personally I prefer the Board's List. The main reason maybe that I don't think Ayn Rand's works deserve such high ranking. And this kind of result affects my intention to rely on the Reader's List. Ayn Rand's works are good, no doubt about that, but not great. Atlas Shrugged is an epic work and I have read part of the book. The philosophy of this book is strong, which is the most apparent attibute of Rand's works. But the aesthetic elements of this work are not as great as those of many books listed on the Board's List. The most welcome or the most influencial works might not necessarily be the best works.
Of course the choosing of no matter what kind of "Best" lists would involve one issue, which is the value principles or system on which the choosers base. Of course the coming out of Board's List has its value principles behind. And the value principles are sometimes challenged. So to the most basic point, there might not be an universally "best" novels list, only the individually "best" novel list. Art is not like science. Unlike The theory of Relativity, Ulysses can not be proved to be great in its art value.
The lists are of novels of 20th century. Some serious readers probably would ask about 19th century. Man, the choosing of "best" 19th novels might be a more challening task. There are so many good or great works out there. Some authors have produced 3~5 or more good or great works single-handedly. And there are so many masters or master-to-be's out there. Some says that if we put together the novels of 19th century and 20 century to make a ranking, novels of 19th century would outweigh those of 20th century. Highly probable, but not necessary. The issue is still to be the subjective value.
Anyway, it is exciting that there are so many wonderful works there waiting to be read and appreciated. We don't have to worry about the coming of the day when there is no great work to read, which means we never ever have to worry that there is no pleasure to be enjoyed in our life. And that, most important of all, is great.
You don't have to take a close look to distinguish the difference between the two lists. One apparent, and interesting, phenomena is that Ayn Rand's works are highly praised by general readers, but do not show even one on the Board's List. It is also interesting that Ulysses ranks no. 11 on the Reader's List. It exceeds my expectation since I originally do not think Ulysses is as welcome as it shows.
Personally I prefer the Board's List. The main reason maybe that I don't think Ayn Rand's works deserve such high ranking. And this kind of result affects my intention to rely on the Reader's List. Ayn Rand's works are good, no doubt about that, but not great. Atlas Shrugged is an epic work and I have read part of the book. The philosophy of this book is strong, which is the most apparent attibute of Rand's works. But the aesthetic elements of this work are not as great as those of many books listed on the Board's List. The most welcome or the most influencial works might not necessarily be the best works.
Of course the choosing of no matter what kind of "Best" lists would involve one issue, which is the value principles or system on which the choosers base. Of course the coming out of Board's List has its value principles behind. And the value principles are sometimes challenged. So to the most basic point, there might not be an universally "best" novels list, only the individually "best" novel list. Art is not like science. Unlike The theory of Relativity, Ulysses can not be proved to be great in its art value.
The lists are of novels of 20th century. Some serious readers probably would ask about 19th century. Man, the choosing of "best" 19th novels might be a more challening task. There are so many good or great works out there. Some authors have produced 3~5 or more good or great works single-handedly. And there are so many masters or master-to-be's out there. Some says that if we put together the novels of 19th century and 20 century to make a ranking, novels of 19th century would outweigh those of 20th century. Highly probable, but not necessary. The issue is still to be the subjective value.
Anyway, it is exciting that there are so many wonderful works there waiting to be read and appreciated. We don't have to worry about the coming of the day when there is no great work to read, which means we never ever have to worry that there is no pleasure to be enjoyed in our life. And that, most important of all, is great.
Invisible Man
The book written by Ralph Ellison. Should I buy it? I would highly love to but don't know whether I CAN or not. It is not inexpensive to me, after I have bought many books in a short period recently and considering my current financial condition, which does not look so clearly bright in the near future.
God help me to make the decision.
God help me to make the decision.
To you
Hi,
I am wondering what you're doing currently. Are you sleeping? Highly propable. If you are indeed sleeping, it is good, then, since I sometimes think you stay up too late. And I don't think always staying up is good for you. And I care about you.
I don't know what currently you are thinking about the relationship between us. You know, people always face choices and always have decisions to make. I believe you could make the best decisions based on your own judgment, no matter whether I try to affect your decision-making or not. You are free on this point, so am I.
I also believe that no matter what kind of relationship existing between us, we are and should be free. Good relationship should be to make both of us better, not worse. I believe people could be free and devoted at the same time.
If you are sleeping, I wish you a wonderful dream and tomorrow.
I am wondering what you're doing currently. Are you sleeping? Highly propable. If you are indeed sleeping, it is good, then, since I sometimes think you stay up too late. And I don't think always staying up is good for you. And I care about you.
I don't know what currently you are thinking about the relationship between us. You know, people always face choices and always have decisions to make. I believe you could make the best decisions based on your own judgment, no matter whether I try to affect your decision-making or not. You are free on this point, so am I.
I also believe that no matter what kind of relationship existing between us, we are and should be free. Good relationship should be to make both of us better, not worse. I believe people could be free and devoted at the same time.
If you are sleeping, I wish you a wonderful dream and tomorrow.
Reading
Reading is not for the self-satisfaction resulted from the feeling that I have read particular classics written by particular masters. Reading should be for the essential joy of reading itself.
Bored
It is terrible to feel bored. I am bored right now because I am eager to meet someone on MSN but the someone does not appear. I have not been familiar with this kind of feeling for a long time until now. To cure the illness of boredom, I decided to write a letter. And I don't care whether the content of my letter is rich or not. I just want to write, to express.
Saturday, August 26, 2006
Persuasion
Real persuasion should not only occur when you persuade someone you like but should also occur when you are able to persuade someone you don't like.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)