Sunday, June 29, 2008

Harpers,July 2008 J.G. Ballard : Boy from Shanghai

Ballard is born in 1930. Page 15-20. He has no knowledge of Pin Yin system of romanization. "Shanghai was and is one of the largest cities in China. 99% Chinese but 100% Americanized." I wonder how did he get such data?

Writing is one antidote to a simplistic approarch to life. It is most human, humanistic and humanizing of activities. Ideas may rule the underpinnings of our digital civilization. Socrates can still infuse its upper reaches,never tired of poking holes in assumptions by asking questions and noticing distinctions. That is my teaching approach as well.

Francis Shieh a.k.a. Xie Shihao. June 29, 2008

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