VIP Class Notes 20th April (Tony)

Demo StudentEric C

Vocabulary

it felt like 2 years

piano key

guitar fret

the subject we do the best in, ends up being the subject we hate the most

playing the pianos

capable of being carried

played game for a living

Nature Vs. Nurture – The idea that all our behaviors come from either Genetics(Nature) or Culture (Nurture)

pique your interest – to raise your interest in sth.

eg: You’ve piqued my interest, go on.

keyboard – an electronic piano, which sounds can be manually assigned to each key.

eg: Keyboards are very important for electronic music.

family-oriented – doing everything with family in mind first

pirated – stolen intellectual material, such as books, movies, games, downloaded from the internet for free

eg: Watching pirated shows in China is very normal.

Homework

Summarize the rest of the article:

In another interview with Hong Kong digital media Initium (端傳媒), Wu spoke about why maturity is hard to attain as part of the Chinese national character:

“In China, what must you do to become a matured person? In the words of existentialism: I make choices; I have freedom; and I exist. There is a need to make our own life choices, as a genuine and living individual. But in our country, everyone is asked to ‘be obedient’. At home, we should listen to our parents; In school, we need to obey our teachers’ instructions; In society, we have to heed the words of our leaders and the government. From ancient time till now, it’s always the ‘father/son’ and ‘ruler/subject’ relationship. We are always living our lives based on someone’s wishes. Our vitality has never been tested, and this means it is impossible for one to mature.”

Whether these arguments are gross generalisations or incisive analysis is up for debate, but it will take some effort for those who have yet to get their hands on the book in China to decide for themselves. Though by banning the title, the Chinese authorities could well have proven Wu right, that the Chinese people are “giant babies” who can never grow up to make up their own minds.