假期有些乱。
目前的困难有2个:一个是自己没有想到,自己必须依靠自己重新来过;
其次是自己不但得不到外援,同时还要牺牲时间。
一个人已经偃旗息鼓不想再艰苦,而我还在拼命挣扎。
给自己一些运气和勇气,希望我可以冲过这一关。
不做最大的努力,不做带泪的牺牲,是不会有明天的。
我没有退路,停留在这里只有绝路。
咬咬牙,一定要挺过去。
2007年12月21日星期五
2007年12月20日星期四
闭关日记
今晚再次定下了50天后考试的计划,刷卡确认了。
在考了个令人羞辱的分数后,呆了。坐在台阶上,脑袋一片空白。
总不能怀疑自己在为自己下半生的所做的规划和理想,在放弃了国内的一切后得到的是这样失败的结果吧?
我不能输,这是个命运的挑战。这场仗输了,我就真的输了全部。
日期定下了。下面就必须真正的现实地面对:怎么办?
这次输在对自己的英文基础的过分乐观,以为还可以混过去。可惜,不行。
为将来着想,认真系统全过一遍,也是彻底解决问题的需要。
所以自己的计划是:恶补,认真恶补自己的弱项:verbal太弱了。如果对20个,其实就已经可以到达目标了。
因此,准备计划是:
基础:认真看一遍语法,列出所有考点,先过一遍。
然后以OG为主,一定要认真看完,解析完。一个一个对照,至少做2遍,争取3遍。
题目还可以做的,包括大全,XDF,GWD,题目一定做不完。
考前做完全部prep。目标math 48-50;verbal>20;总分>600。
每天自己总结review。
决定命运的50天。
在考了个令人羞辱的分数后,呆了。坐在台阶上,脑袋一片空白。
总不能怀疑自己在为自己下半生的所做的规划和理想,在放弃了国内的一切后得到的是这样失败的结果吧?
我不能输,这是个命运的挑战。这场仗输了,我就真的输了全部。
日期定下了。下面就必须真正的现实地面对:怎么办?
这次输在对自己的英文基础的过分乐观,以为还可以混过去。可惜,不行。
为将来着想,认真系统全过一遍,也是彻底解决问题的需要。
所以自己的计划是:恶补,认真恶补自己的弱项:verbal太弱了。如果对20个,其实就已经可以到达目标了。
因此,准备计划是:
基础:认真看一遍语法,列出所有考点,先过一遍。
然后以OG为主,一定要认真看完,解析完。一个一个对照,至少做2遍,争取3遍。
题目还可以做的,包括大全,XDF,GWD,题目一定做不完。
考前做完全部prep。目标math 48-50;verbal>20;总分>600。
每天自己总结review。
决定命运的50天。
2007年12月19日星期三
2007年12月10日星期一
在美国开车
来美国时间不长,但是7年来也多次短期来美,对美国社会和国内的差别是逐步认识的。就开车来说,最近发生的许多事情也引发了自己不少的感慨,忍不住上来罗嗦罗嗦了。
对多数中国人来说,美国社会是一个基本上完全不同于我们所熟悉的社会系统,但是多数来美国的年轻人,许多学生,基本上对此一无所知。他们出国前对美国的认识多数来自电视电影和互联网等间接信息,国人的习惯和认识也不会意识到来到一个完全陌生的系统里是多么的危险和需要小心,缺乏基本的警惕和准备。
自己在国内开了10年车,以为来美国这下好了,应该不会比国内更危险吧?其实不是。因为你在国内开车的经验和习惯并不适合美国,除了方向盘在左边外,大量的习惯和规则是有差异的。至于在冰雪地之类的地方开车,就更加难:有多少学生出国前有多少冰雪地开车的经验呢?又有多少人自己系统地学过解决一些基本问题的技能呢?又有多少人知道如何应对紧急情况呢?又有多少人真的遇到过高速打滑又能从容镇定顺利解决呢?可是许多人因为自己在国内的精英习惯,基本上一帆风顺高高在上惯了,以为自己来美国也是一定什么都能解决的,还是一样的自信太多而谨慎不足。其实生活技能和自理能力严重不足,因为经历的太少。比如像在厨房炒菜油锅起火都可以引发火灾,因为居然浇水去灭就实在是......
我家的另一位在美国待了3年,每次我开车都会很紧张,因为发现我有许多国内开车的坏习惯:比如不习惯在无人的stop那里停下,不习惯提前进到转向道,不习惯转头去看后面。同样我也很意外,原来老外在路上也是经常乱来的:过线不打灯,超速,抢道等等。所以每次都很认真,很仔细,不让自己犯任何错误,尤其是在高速上,宁愿错过路口,绝不要不安全地转线,保持安全距离。因为美国是个人人都可以开车的也必须开车的社会,就象国内,这几年买车的多了,新手就多了,反而更危险了:你不撞别人,别人会来撞!而美国的好车多,飚车绝对比国内普遍:就是我也一样:跑车这么便宜,一定会买部试试,买来了不飙一下?
2个人也曾经开过10多天的长途,到处去玩。开车一定不勉强,按时到休息区休息,晚上不开很晚,早睡早起,保持精神。给自己限速,绝不超过一定速度,即使可以开得更快些。有些同学自持年轻身体好,可以熬,其实很危险。或者出于节约的考虑,我都不赞成。因为冒这样的危险不值得。出门同时也要注意做好地图准备或者GPS,绝不要因为怕错过地图的步骤而在高速上强行改道:因为有时道路建设会使得原来的地图和GPS出错。说实话,老美都开那些庞大笨重的美国车,撞架一定是我们的中国人习惯开的车吃亏的。
工作后买车,我坚持一定买新车,因为我知道,不象国内,修车厂遍地好修车,又便宜。在美国不行,我宁愿买新车,少问题,有问题也是工厂质保,自己什么都不操心。找工作不肯去北部,原因之一也是知道冬天开车的危险。如果要去,我们也说好,一定要全副武装,买好车。因为我们知道,当意外来临的时候,你自己是无法保护你自己的。这时,好车,好的习惯,好的自我保护反应,好的保险,好的社会服务系统,好的警察和法庭,或许会让自己的不幸少一些。
在国内,你有庞大的社会背景和网络,你可以熟练地充分运用一切资源。但是美国是个完全不同的世界,需要你自己时刻谨慎多一点。在美国,有些人是过客,需要开开心心地来,安安全全地回家;有些人是住客,需要开开心心地活着,需要安安全全过每一天。
祝所有人一生平安!
对多数中国人来说,美国社会是一个基本上完全不同于我们所熟悉的社会系统,但是多数来美国的年轻人,许多学生,基本上对此一无所知。他们出国前对美国的认识多数来自电视电影和互联网等间接信息,国人的习惯和认识也不会意识到来到一个完全陌生的系统里是多么的危险和需要小心,缺乏基本的警惕和准备。
自己在国内开了10年车,以为来美国这下好了,应该不会比国内更危险吧?其实不是。因为你在国内开车的经验和习惯并不适合美国,除了方向盘在左边外,大量的习惯和规则是有差异的。至于在冰雪地之类的地方开车,就更加难:有多少学生出国前有多少冰雪地开车的经验呢?又有多少人自己系统地学过解决一些基本问题的技能呢?又有多少人知道如何应对紧急情况呢?又有多少人真的遇到过高速打滑又能从容镇定顺利解决呢?可是许多人因为自己在国内的精英习惯,基本上一帆风顺高高在上惯了,以为自己来美国也是一定什么都能解决的,还是一样的自信太多而谨慎不足。其实生活技能和自理能力严重不足,因为经历的太少。比如像在厨房炒菜油锅起火都可以引发火灾,因为居然浇水去灭就实在是......
我家的另一位在美国待了3年,每次我开车都会很紧张,因为发现我有许多国内开车的坏习惯:比如不习惯在无人的stop那里停下,不习惯提前进到转向道,不习惯转头去看后面。同样我也很意外,原来老外在路上也是经常乱来的:过线不打灯,超速,抢道等等。所以每次都很认真,很仔细,不让自己犯任何错误,尤其是在高速上,宁愿错过路口,绝不要不安全地转线,保持安全距离。因为美国是个人人都可以开车的也必须开车的社会,就象国内,这几年买车的多了,新手就多了,反而更危险了:你不撞别人,别人会来撞!而美国的好车多,飚车绝对比国内普遍:就是我也一样:跑车这么便宜,一定会买部试试,买来了不飙一下?
2个人也曾经开过10多天的长途,到处去玩。开车一定不勉强,按时到休息区休息,晚上不开很晚,早睡早起,保持精神。给自己限速,绝不超过一定速度,即使可以开得更快些。有些同学自持年轻身体好,可以熬,其实很危险。或者出于节约的考虑,我都不赞成。因为冒这样的危险不值得。出门同时也要注意做好地图准备或者GPS,绝不要因为怕错过地图的步骤而在高速上强行改道:因为有时道路建设会使得原来的地图和GPS出错。说实话,老美都开那些庞大笨重的美国车,撞架一定是我们的中国人习惯开的车吃亏的。
工作后买车,我坚持一定买新车,因为我知道,不象国内,修车厂遍地好修车,又便宜。在美国不行,我宁愿买新车,少问题,有问题也是工厂质保,自己什么都不操心。找工作不肯去北部,原因之一也是知道冬天开车的危险。如果要去,我们也说好,一定要全副武装,买好车。因为我们知道,当意外来临的时候,你自己是无法保护你自己的。这时,好车,好的习惯,好的自我保护反应,好的保险,好的社会服务系统,好的警察和法庭,或许会让自己的不幸少一些。
在国内,你有庞大的社会背景和网络,你可以熟练地充分运用一切资源。但是美国是个完全不同的世界,需要你自己时刻谨慎多一点。在美国,有些人是过客,需要开开心心地来,安安全全地回家;有些人是住客,需要开开心心地活着,需要安安全全过每一天。
祝所有人一生平安!
2007年12月7日星期五
从李春林的逻辑错误讲起
从李春林的逻辑错误讲起
http://www.douban.com/group/topic/2291356/
昨天有豆友发了许多转贴,上面就是其中之一。自己在后面问,李的说话里有逻辑错误,不知道有谁看出来没有?后来看,好像都不太符我原意。所以寻思单独拿出来再说说。
准备说2个部分,上篇说说自己讲道理的逻辑,下篇讲讲自己看待报刊媒体的三个标准。
李春林是谁?说实话我不是新闻人,知道的不多,但是google一下就知道是曾经是新华社的大记者。所以想来搞文宣工作是很有经验的了。不过当我看到这段话时,就心里嘀咕起来:
--------------------------------------------
我说你们看看,我们整个民间的精神靠什么支撑着?或者说最大的支撑点是什么,在我们(国家)一些自由主义者眼里所谓最代表公正的媒体《南方周末》,最高峰的发行量是130万份,而以传播爱,被很多人说成很庸俗的《读者》,最高发行量超过400万份。这里面可以看出来,什么东西更容易受到民间推崇,正义,真理当然会被推崇,但是最大的推崇是来自爱。
---------------------------------------------
可能是来美国学了两天逻辑,因为到美国读书时要考一种叫GMAT的东西(地球人都知道呵),其中有一种题目我们称之为逻辑。形式就是给出一段argument,然后问,什么因素可以加强一个判断或者削弱判断?另外就是要写一段文章,分析给出的一段argument的逻辑错误。这个逻辑错误的分析已经被中国考生归纳为“七宗罪”。上面这段就被我当例子了。
这段首先我应该没有断章取义,是一个完整的argument。可是经过逻辑一推敲,就是大有问题了。首先,如果要加强这个判断的话,应该是2份刊物的对象群有相当大的相同部分或者有共同的总集,这样才有可比性。事实上,我想不难相信,这2份刊物的对象基本上完全不同。从数据上看,按简单点算,从所有订的南周的都不订读者到所有订了南周的人都订了读者,那么它们比率范围是1:4到1:3;而读者的潜在对象(以适合看和有需要看计)我相信以10亿计都不奇怪,而南周有1个亿就已经很夸张了,把它们的对象群比率订为1:10我想也是合理的吧?因此,这样比例算下来,我就不觉得读者比南周还要普及,还要民间。
其次,这段话也没有考虑不同的代表性。因为对象的身份不同,在社会中所发挥的作用也是完全不同的。李大记者却故意混淆这个差别,错误地前提假设,读这2种刊物的人的社会地位和作用是基本一致的。这样才能合理地从数量的差异上说数量多的代表了民间民意,数量少的只是“一些自由主义者”的媒体,就不代表了民间。我想也不需要多难才能相信,这2种刊物的读者群所具有的明显的差异。一个普通老百姓读了南周的评论文章,可以气愤感慨骂骂娘,最多也就影响身边几个人;但是一个市委书记读到本市的评论文章,那屁股一定是坐不住要做点什么的,然后我相信会进一步在民间引发连锁反应,影响到的恐怕就不是几个人了。但是如果都读读者,我想他们的反应差别和影响范围一定不会比读南周更大。而奇怪的是,李大记者在这里又不把这些更能影响民间意识的因素计算在内了。
另外,再让我们来看看美国的TOP10的报刊:
1 People(人物) http://people.aol.com/people/index.html 娱乐
2 TV Guide(电视指南) http://www.tvguide.com 娱乐
3 Time(时代) http://www.time.com 新闻
4 Sports Illustrated(体育画报) http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com 体育
5 Better Homes & Gardens(美好家园) http://www.bhg.com 家居
6 Reader's Digest(读者文摘) http://www.rd.com/splash.jhtml 综合
7 Parade(旅行) http://www.parade.com/auth/entry.lasso 旅游
8 Newsweek(新闻周刊) http://www.msnbc.com/news/NW-front_Front.asp 新闻
9 Business Week(商业周刊) http://www.businessweek.com 商业
10 Good Housekeeping(好主妇) http://www.goodhousekeeping.com 家庭
按照李的逻辑,从数量上看,岂不是美国人基本上都是八卦婆?至于象纽约客之类的,都排在快50位了,排在花花公子的后面10多位,是不是也说明美国的民间精神都是靠八卦好色支持的,八卦和sex才是美国的精神支柱呢?事实上,李大记者在这里毫无必要地假设了我们除了读者和南周之外,并没有其他更有影响力的报刊杂志了,这样才有充分的理由把他们作为一个是正义和真理的代表,一个是爱的代表;而且是基本对立的二选一。如果二者有相互交叉的互融性,或者在它们之外还有其他有影响力的报刊,这个对比就难以成立了。除非李大记者能充分证明除了它们之外的确没有别的代表,而且二者完全不同。事实上,南周对弱势群体的关怀,对许多社会事件的关心,对社会底层的关注,难道不也是爱的表现?而读者中那么多感恩知报的故事,为人处世的教导,何尝不是社会公平正义的一种体现。至于其他的报刊,莫非发行量最大的参考消息、人民日报也是以传播爱为主旨的?因此,我是觉得这样的对比并不很有代表性,并不能合理地推出说民间就更喜欢爱,就不是那么喜欢公平和正义了。
不知道自己这样算不算故意挑刺?不过我觉得,许多年轻的豆友有激情有血性,如果能更多地不只是按自己的感性表达自己,稍微多点逻辑理性,少一点口水,多一点脑筋,可能会更好一些。
欢迎豆友指出我的逻辑错误,谢谢!
下篇再说自己看报刊的3个标准。
http://www.douban.com/group/topic/2291356/
昨天有豆友发了许多转贴,上面就是其中之一。自己在后面问,李的说话里有逻辑错误,不知道有谁看出来没有?后来看,好像都不太符我原意。所以寻思单独拿出来再说说。
准备说2个部分,上篇说说自己讲道理的逻辑,下篇讲讲自己看待报刊媒体的三个标准。
李春林是谁?说实话我不是新闻人,知道的不多,但是google一下就知道是曾经是新华社的大记者。所以想来搞文宣工作是很有经验的了。不过当我看到这段话时,就心里嘀咕起来:
--------------------------------------------
我说你们看看,我们整个民间的精神靠什么支撑着?或者说最大的支撑点是什么,在我们(国家)一些自由主义者眼里所谓最代表公正的媒体《南方周末》,最高峰的发行量是130万份,而以传播爱,被很多人说成很庸俗的《读者》,最高发行量超过400万份。这里面可以看出来,什么东西更容易受到民间推崇,正义,真理当然会被推崇,但是最大的推崇是来自爱。
---------------------------------------------
可能是来美国学了两天逻辑,因为到美国读书时要考一种叫GMAT的东西(地球人都知道呵),其中有一种题目我们称之为逻辑。形式就是给出一段argument,然后问,什么因素可以加强一个判断或者削弱判断?另外就是要写一段文章,分析给出的一段argument的逻辑错误。这个逻辑错误的分析已经被中国考生归纳为“七宗罪”。上面这段就被我当例子了。
这段首先我应该没有断章取义,是一个完整的argument。可是经过逻辑一推敲,就是大有问题了。首先,如果要加强这个判断的话,应该是2份刊物的对象群有相当大的相同部分或者有共同的总集,这样才有可比性。事实上,我想不难相信,这2份刊物的对象基本上完全不同。从数据上看,按简单点算,从所有订的南周的都不订读者到所有订了南周的人都订了读者,那么它们比率范围是1:4到1:3;而读者的潜在对象(以适合看和有需要看计)我相信以10亿计都不奇怪,而南周有1个亿就已经很夸张了,把它们的对象群比率订为1:10我想也是合理的吧?因此,这样比例算下来,我就不觉得读者比南周还要普及,还要民间。
其次,这段话也没有考虑不同的代表性。因为对象的身份不同,在社会中所发挥的作用也是完全不同的。李大记者却故意混淆这个差别,错误地前提假设,读这2种刊物的人的社会地位和作用是基本一致的。这样才能合理地从数量的差异上说数量多的代表了民间民意,数量少的只是“一些自由主义者”的媒体,就不代表了民间。我想也不需要多难才能相信,这2种刊物的读者群所具有的明显的差异。一个普通老百姓读了南周的评论文章,可以气愤感慨骂骂娘,最多也就影响身边几个人;但是一个市委书记读到本市的评论文章,那屁股一定是坐不住要做点什么的,然后我相信会进一步在民间引发连锁反应,影响到的恐怕就不是几个人了。但是如果都读读者,我想他们的反应差别和影响范围一定不会比读南周更大。而奇怪的是,李大记者在这里又不把这些更能影响民间意识的因素计算在内了。
另外,再让我们来看看美国的TOP10的报刊:
1 People(人物) http://people.aol.com/people/index.html 娱乐
2 TV Guide(电视指南) http://www.tvguide.com 娱乐
3 Time(时代) http://www.time.com 新闻
4 Sports Illustrated(体育画报) http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com 体育
5 Better Homes & Gardens(美好家园) http://www.bhg.com 家居
6 Reader's Digest(读者文摘) http://www.rd.com/splash.jhtml 综合
7 Parade(旅行) http://www.parade.com/auth/entry.lasso 旅游
8 Newsweek(新闻周刊) http://www.msnbc.com/news/NW-front_Front.asp 新闻
9 Business Week(商业周刊) http://www.businessweek.com 商业
10 Good Housekeeping(好主妇) http://www.goodhousekeeping.com 家庭
按照李的逻辑,从数量上看,岂不是美国人基本上都是八卦婆?至于象纽约客之类的,都排在快50位了,排在花花公子的后面10多位,是不是也说明美国的民间精神都是靠八卦好色支持的,八卦和sex才是美国的精神支柱呢?事实上,李大记者在这里毫无必要地假设了我们除了读者和南周之外,并没有其他更有影响力的报刊杂志了,这样才有充分的理由把他们作为一个是正义和真理的代表,一个是爱的代表;而且是基本对立的二选一。如果二者有相互交叉的互融性,或者在它们之外还有其他有影响力的报刊,这个对比就难以成立了。除非李大记者能充分证明除了它们之外的确没有别的代表,而且二者完全不同。事实上,南周对弱势群体的关怀,对许多社会事件的关心,对社会底层的关注,难道不也是爱的表现?而读者中那么多感恩知报的故事,为人处世的教导,何尝不是社会公平正义的一种体现。至于其他的报刊,莫非发行量最大的参考消息、人民日报也是以传播爱为主旨的?因此,我是觉得这样的对比并不很有代表性,并不能合理地推出说民间就更喜欢爱,就不是那么喜欢公平和正义了。
不知道自己这样算不算故意挑刺?不过我觉得,许多年轻的豆友有激情有血性,如果能更多地不只是按自己的感性表达自己,稍微多点逻辑理性,少一点口水,多一点脑筋,可能会更好一些。
欢迎豆友指出我的逻辑错误,谢谢!
下篇再说自己看报刊的3个标准。
2007年12月6日星期四
想起豆瓣的老贴
来豆瓣最初是为了找喜欢读书的朋友,不想南方在这里摆了桌思想的私房菜,倒让自己忘了自己的初衷,整天瞎捣腾东想西想,也算是中了老王的关于思维的乐趣的毒,无药可救。看豆瓣同学的发言也算有很长的时间了,一直担心也会和以前无数的BBS一样,成为口水和发泄的灾区。这是我所觉得无趣的。
人们之所以意见分歧,追根到底实际上总是所谓的世界观人生观价值观的分歧,是这些“三观”的最基本观念和原则的分歧。所以一个问题争论不休,通常是大家都只是在表层上争论,没有深入到最实质的核心,找出各自不同的基本原则和观念的差异,也就是思考问题的基本出发点和思考的原理。任何问题最终都会集中到一个或者一些简单的基本问题上:哲学的或者形而上学的。
一旦深入到核心实质,很多问题和争论就很容易明白和理解。问题就在于你是否清楚自己的三观,是否愿意审视自己的这些原则,是否觉得有必要修正自己的观念。如果你坚信自己的正确,那么也就应该容易理解反方的立场。争论就容易结束或者得出一些明确的结论。
现在我要提出自己的问题了,这个问题比较抽象:当一件事情集体一边倒地赞成或者反对的时候,其中的个体有没有为了反对而反对的必要?
按照自己的想法,这个比较烦。一方面来说,对一件事情的判断,应该根据它的内在本质特征来判断,其是非黑白应该是一种客观存在,因此理性的判断一定是存在的。为了反对而反对,没有遵循这个客观的理性。
但是在另一方面,无数的历史事实证明,在一件事情上一边倒地只有一个意见的时候,却是危险的开始。在一边倒的情况下,集体丧失了思考和警惕的事情总是发生,集体失语和思想钝化或者异化总是难以避免,真理总是掌握在少数人手中。如果一开始没有人为了反对而反对,那么在后来就没有人能够发出反对的声音。
怎么办?
人们之所以意见分歧,追根到底实际上总是所谓的世界观人生观价值观的分歧,是这些“三观”的最基本观念和原则的分歧。所以一个问题争论不休,通常是大家都只是在表层上争论,没有深入到最实质的核心,找出各自不同的基本原则和观念的差异,也就是思考问题的基本出发点和思考的原理。任何问题最终都会集中到一个或者一些简单的基本问题上:哲学的或者形而上学的。
一旦深入到核心实质,很多问题和争论就很容易明白和理解。问题就在于你是否清楚自己的三观,是否愿意审视自己的这些原则,是否觉得有必要修正自己的观念。如果你坚信自己的正确,那么也就应该容易理解反方的立场。争论就容易结束或者得出一些明确的结论。
现在我要提出自己的问题了,这个问题比较抽象:当一件事情集体一边倒地赞成或者反对的时候,其中的个体有没有为了反对而反对的必要?
按照自己的想法,这个比较烦。一方面来说,对一件事情的判断,应该根据它的内在本质特征来判断,其是非黑白应该是一种客观存在,因此理性的判断一定是存在的。为了反对而反对,没有遵循这个客观的理性。
但是在另一方面,无数的历史事实证明,在一件事情上一边倒地只有一个意见的时候,却是危险的开始。在一边倒的情况下,集体丧失了思考和警惕的事情总是发生,集体失语和思想钝化或者异化总是难以避免,真理总是掌握在少数人手中。如果一开始没有人为了反对而反对,那么在后来就没有人能够发出反对的声音。
怎么办?
2007年12月5日星期三
极端和异端
极端和异端
我们经常搞混淆极端和异端。
许多自以为自己是异端的人,其实只是极端而已。
极端和异端的区别,根据自己思考的结论,只有异端才会有自己真正的与众不同的思想观点和体系;
极端者,不过是在没有理解的情况下的简单重复别人的旧货而已。比如现在的左派和右派。
西风东渐这么多年了,改革开放这么多年来,右派又多了许多似乎是很好理解的事情。
但是我不明白的是,如果是年纪大的老顽固是左派,你说他根据自己的经验经历和理解能力,反对、敌视、恶毒地攻击、辱骂任何不符合他的理论的,我也觉得正常。在国外经常看到署名“一群老红军一群老共产党人”之类的万言书就是例子,毕竟能活到今天的,也不好意思怪他们小时候读的书少。曾经实际接触过许多老红军(其实在乡下老家多的是)问这个情况,回答却让我诧异,因为老红军说实话,那种服从组织安排一切的自觉性和纪律性实在是让后辈汗颜的,要写这样的大套理论的东西实在是有点勉为其难的。
但是如果年纪轻轻,既没有经历暴力革命,也没有政治运动,学生上街的时候还是小学生,为什么思想(或者实际生活里不这样,只是在网络上显出这样)会和“老红军”一样?究竟是什么样的生活经历和教育背景,使得他们奉这样的思想为自己的思想,提出许许多多根本不是他们自己的生活经验和知识结构里所能合理解释其产生来源的理论和看法?他们真的自己相信那些理论?他们真的觉得这个世界应该象他们想象的那样充满革命激情和“公平正义”?究竟是什么蒙住了他们的眼睛来看到这个现实的世界?究竟是什么东西训练了他们用这样一种反常的逻辑来构建自己的精神世界?他们真的是所谓的“异端”吗?我们不是也要保护异端的权利吗?
但是,如果他们也就只是说说而已呢?如果其实他们自己也并不是在坚持他们所相信的呢?
曾经看到有个口号叫“出名要乘早”,网络这个平台第一次给了普通人迅速地把信息传递给无数人的机会。我常常幻想,如果当年革命党也有网络这样一个工具,不知道历史是不是截然不同呢?不过现实给我的教训是:你必须承认人是有差别的。哗众取宠的必要条件就是要语不惊人死不休,不然那来的眼球注意力和网络红人。所以,你可以可惜他们实际上是在浪费自己的大好时光,但是你不能不让他们采取这样一种极端的方式。
所有的思想在正式走上社会和政治的历史舞台前,都会需求自己的合理性。所以,如果你觉得自己是异端而不是极端,那么相信我,你一定要找出这个历史合理性,因为你既然可以有勇气和智慧为千百万人设计出他们的道路和未来,也一定不会不做出这一点点的牺牲的。千万不要告诉大家,你的理论只适合大家,而唯你例外。
最后重复一下我以前多次阐述过的一个基本观点:年轻的时候,我们通常相信我们所坚持的,成熟的时候,我们坚持我们所相信的。
我们经常搞混淆极端和异端。
许多自以为自己是异端的人,其实只是极端而已。
极端和异端的区别,根据自己思考的结论,只有异端才会有自己真正的与众不同的思想观点和体系;
极端者,不过是在没有理解的情况下的简单重复别人的旧货而已。比如现在的左派和右派。
西风东渐这么多年了,改革开放这么多年来,右派又多了许多似乎是很好理解的事情。
但是我不明白的是,如果是年纪大的老顽固是左派,你说他根据自己的经验经历和理解能力,反对、敌视、恶毒地攻击、辱骂任何不符合他的理论的,我也觉得正常。在国外经常看到署名“一群老红军一群老共产党人”之类的万言书就是例子,毕竟能活到今天的,也不好意思怪他们小时候读的书少。曾经实际接触过许多老红军(其实在乡下老家多的是)问这个情况,回答却让我诧异,因为老红军说实话,那种服从组织安排一切的自觉性和纪律性实在是让后辈汗颜的,要写这样的大套理论的东西实在是有点勉为其难的。
但是如果年纪轻轻,既没有经历暴力革命,也没有政治运动,学生上街的时候还是小学生,为什么思想(或者实际生活里不这样,只是在网络上显出这样)会和“老红军”一样?究竟是什么样的生活经历和教育背景,使得他们奉这样的思想为自己的思想,提出许许多多根本不是他们自己的生活经验和知识结构里所能合理解释其产生来源的理论和看法?他们真的自己相信那些理论?他们真的觉得这个世界应该象他们想象的那样充满革命激情和“公平正义”?究竟是什么蒙住了他们的眼睛来看到这个现实的世界?究竟是什么东西训练了他们用这样一种反常的逻辑来构建自己的精神世界?他们真的是所谓的“异端”吗?我们不是也要保护异端的权利吗?
但是,如果他们也就只是说说而已呢?如果其实他们自己也并不是在坚持他们所相信的呢?
曾经看到有个口号叫“出名要乘早”,网络这个平台第一次给了普通人迅速地把信息传递给无数人的机会。我常常幻想,如果当年革命党也有网络这样一个工具,不知道历史是不是截然不同呢?不过现实给我的教训是:你必须承认人是有差别的。哗众取宠的必要条件就是要语不惊人死不休,不然那来的眼球注意力和网络红人。所以,你可以可惜他们实际上是在浪费自己的大好时光,但是你不能不让他们采取这样一种极端的方式。
所有的思想在正式走上社会和政治的历史舞台前,都会需求自己的合理性。所以,如果你觉得自己是异端而不是极端,那么相信我,你一定要找出这个历史合理性,因为你既然可以有勇气和智慧为千百万人设计出他们的道路和未来,也一定不会不做出这一点点的牺牲的。千万不要告诉大家,你的理论只适合大家,而唯你例外。
最后重复一下我以前多次阐述过的一个基本观点:年轻的时候,我们通常相信我们所坚持的,成熟的时候,我们坚持我们所相信的。
2007年12月4日星期二
关于言论自由
言论自由不只在于允许任何人说想说的话。这样的言论自由只有在鲁滨逊的孤岛上才有。大家来这里,也许目的各异,但是总应该有一些共同共通点。如果纯粹把这里当作肆意发泄或者排泄的地方,对于所有其他成员来说,那就是在破坏这个小组成立的基础。
对于各种思想的包容和交流,只有在一定的前提下才能正常发生。允许不同的思想观点可以自由表达只是其中的一个方面。因为真正自由的思想的表达,目的并不在于试图用一种思想凌驾于另一种思想之上,也不在于单纯地只是为了表达而表达,而是人们希望通过交流,发现各种思想观点之间存在的不同差异和为什么存在这些差异,并且归根到底,人们enjoy思想的交流是因为人们通过这样的交流,提高了人们对这个世界的认识和了解。如果不是为了这个目的,那么就只能视为恶搞式的恶作剧。对于态度诚恳的成员来说,至少在道德上是一种不尊重和违背他们加入小组的初衷的。
对于那些近乎偏执狂的人疯狂地说一些他们自己也不明白的东西,到处重复一些自己也不知道自己在说什么,只是简单地copy别人的文字的而无视其他小组成员的任何意见,根本不存在和他们讨论任何认真和严肃的话题的可能。不论是左或者右的问题,或者任何其他重大的其他政治经济思想的问题,对于一个认真负责的人来说,越是这样重大的问题:因为这些问题影响到千百万人的命运和未来,因此在公开的场合讨论就越是要慎重和负责。当一个人觉得自己可以在任何场合为所欲为,实际上也就意味着有一天,也会有人对他为所欲为。
对于各种思想的包容和交流,只有在一定的前提下才能正常发生。允许不同的思想观点可以自由表达只是其中的一个方面。因为真正自由的思想的表达,目的并不在于试图用一种思想凌驾于另一种思想之上,也不在于单纯地只是为了表达而表达,而是人们希望通过交流,发现各种思想观点之间存在的不同差异和为什么存在这些差异,并且归根到底,人们enjoy思想的交流是因为人们通过这样的交流,提高了人们对这个世界的认识和了解。如果不是为了这个目的,那么就只能视为恶搞式的恶作剧。对于态度诚恳的成员来说,至少在道德上是一种不尊重和违背他们加入小组的初衷的。
对于那些近乎偏执狂的人疯狂地说一些他们自己也不明白的东西,到处重复一些自己也不知道自己在说什么,只是简单地copy别人的文字的而无视其他小组成员的任何意见,根本不存在和他们讨论任何认真和严肃的话题的可能。不论是左或者右的问题,或者任何其他重大的其他政治经济思想的问题,对于一个认真负责的人来说,越是这样重大的问题:因为这些问题影响到千百万人的命运和未来,因此在公开的场合讨论就越是要慎重和负责。当一个人觉得自己可以在任何场合为所欲为,实际上也就意味着有一天,也会有人对他为所欲为。
2007年12月3日星期一
一则“党领导政府”的美国历史小资料
又看到一篇文章,正好可以做为向国内的政治年轻们解释,在中国党领导国家并不是什么空前绝后的事情。事实上,在他们认为最理想的美国,在历史上一样是一个思想专制与反抗的过程。
How a Desire for Religious Freedom or Land, or Both, Led to Colonies
Today, we tell about the movement of European settlers throughout northeastern America. And we tell how the separate colonies developed in this area.
The Puritans were one of the largest groups from England to settle in the northeastern area called Massachusetts. They began arriving in sixteen thirty. The Puritans had formed the Massachusetts Bay Company in England. The king had given the company an area of land between the Charles and Merrimack rivers. The Puritans were Protestants who did not agree with the Anglican Church. The Puritans wanted to change the church to make it more holy. They were able to live as they wanted in Massachusetts. Soon they became the largest religious group. By sixteen ninety, fifty thousand people were living in Massachusetts.
Puritans thought their religion was the only true religion and everyone should believe in it. They also believed that church leaders should lead the local government, and all people in the colony should pay to support the Puritan church. The Puritans thought it was the job of government leaders to tell people what to believe. Some people did not agree with the Puritans who had become leaders of the colony. One of those who disagreed was a Puritan minister named Roger Williams.

Roger Williams wrote several documents stating his views on religious liberty
Roger Williams believed as all Puritans did that other European religions were wrong. He thought the Native Indian religions were wrong too. But he did not believe in trying to force others to agree with him. He thought that it was a sin to punish or kill anyone in the name of Christianity. And he thought that only church members should pay to support their church. Roger Williams began speaking and writing about his ideas. He wrote a book saying it was wrong to punish people for having different beliefs. Then he said that the European settlers were stealing the Indians' land. He said the king of England had no right to permit people to settle on land that was not his, but belonged to the Indians.
The Puritan leaders of the Massachusetts Bay Colony forced Roger Williams to leave the colony in sixteen thirty-six. He traveled south. He bought land from local Indians and started a city, Providence. The Parliament in England gave him permission to establish a new colony, Rhode Island, with Providence as its capital. As a colony, Rhode Island accepted people of all religious beliefs, including Catholics, Quakers, Jews and even people who denied the existence of God. Roger Williams also believed that governments should have no connection to a church. This idea of separating church and state was very new. Later it became one of the most important of all America's governing ideas.
Other colonies were started by people who left Massachusetts to seek land. One was Connecticut. A group led by Puritan minister Thomas Hooker left Boston in sixteen thirty-six and went west. They settled near the Connecticut River. Others soon joined them. Other groups from Massachusetts traveled north to find new homes. The king of England had given two friends a large piece of land in the north. The friends divided it. John Mason took what later became the colony of New Hampshire. Ferdinando Gorges took the area that later became the state of Maine. It never became a colony, however. It remained a part of Massachusetts until after the United States was created.
The area known today as New York State was settled by the Dutch. They called it New Netherland. Their country was the Netherlands. It was a great world power, with colonies all over the world. A business called the Dutch West India Company owned most of the colonies. The Dutch claimed American land because of explorations by Henry Hudson, an Englishman working for the Netherlands. The land the Dutch claimed was between the Puritans in the north and the Anglican tobacco farmers in the south.
The Dutch were not interested in settling the territory. They wanted to earn money. The Dutch West India Company built trading posts on the rivers claimed by the Netherlands. People in Europe wanted to buy goods made from the skins of animals trapped there. In sixteen twenty-six, the Dutch West India Company bought two islands from the local Indians. The islands are Manhattan Island and Long Island. Traditional stories say the Dutch paid for the islands with some trade goods worth about twenty-four dollars.
The Dutch West India Company tried to find people to settle in America. But few Dutch wanted to leave Europe. So the colony welcomed people from other colonies, and other countries. These people built a town on Manhattan Island. They called it New Amsterdam. It was soon full of people who had arrived on ships from faraway places. It was said you could hear as many as eighteen different languages spoken in New Amsterdam. In sixteen fifty-five, the governor of New Netherland took control of a nearby Swedish colony on Delaware Bay. In sixteen sixty-four, the English did the same to the Dutch. The English seized control of New Amsterdam and called it New York. That ended Dutch control of the territory that now is the states of New York, New Jersey and Delaware.
Most of the Dutch in New Amsterdam did not leave. The English permitted everyone to stay. They let the Dutch have religious freedom. The Dutch were just not in control any more. The Duke of York owned the area now. He was the brother of King Charles the Second of England. The king gave some of the land near New York to two friends, Sir George Carteret and Lord John Berkeley. They called it New Jersey, after the English island where Carteret was born.
The two men wrote a plan of government for their colony. It created an assembly that represented the settlers. It provided for freedom of religion. Men could vote in New Jersey whatever their religion. Soon, people from all parts of Europe were living in New Jersey. Then King Charles took control of the area. He sent a royal governor to rule. But the colonists were permitted to make their own laws through the elected assembly. The king of England did the same in each colony he controlled. He collected taxes from the people who lived there, but permitted them to govern themselves.
One religious group that was not welcome in England was the Quakers. Quakers call themselves Friends. They believe that each person has an inner light that leads them to God. Quakers believe they do not need a religious leader to tell them what is right. So, they had no clergy. Quakers believe that all people are equal. The Quakers in England refused to recognize the king as more important than anyone else. They also refused to pay taxes to support the Anglican Church. Quakers believe that it is always wrong to kill. So they would not fight even when they were forced to join the army. They also refuse to promise loyalty to a king or government or flag or anyone but God. The English did not like the Quakers for all these reasons. Many Quakers wanted to leave England, but they were not welcome in most American colonies. One Quaker changed this. His name was William Penn.

William Penn came to America in 1682. He established Pennsylvania as a place where people could enjoy freedom of religion.
William Penn was not born a Quaker. He became one as a young man. His father was an Anglican, and a good friend of the king. King Charles borrowed money from William's father. When his father died, William Penn asked that the debt be paid with land in America. In sixteen eighty-one, the king gave William Penn land which the King's Council named Pennsylvania, meaning Penn's woods. The Quakers now had their own colony. It was between the Puritans in the north and the Anglicans in the south. William Penn said the colony should be a place where everyone could live by Quaker ideas. That meant treating all people as equals and honoring all religions. It also meant that anyone could be elected. In most other colonies, people could believe any religion, but they could not vote or hold office unless they were a member of the majority church. In Pennsylvania, all religions were equal.
How a Desire for Religious Freedom or Land, or Both, Led to Colonies
Today, we tell about the movement of European settlers throughout northeastern America. And we tell how the separate colonies developed in this area.
The Puritans were one of the largest groups from England to settle in the northeastern area called Massachusetts. They began arriving in sixteen thirty. The Puritans had formed the Massachusetts Bay Company in England. The king had given the company an area of land between the Charles and Merrimack rivers. The Puritans were Protestants who did not agree with the Anglican Church. The Puritans wanted to change the church to make it more holy. They were able to live as they wanted in Massachusetts. Soon they became the largest religious group. By sixteen ninety, fifty thousand people were living in Massachusetts.
Puritans thought their religion was the only true religion and everyone should believe in it. They also believed that church leaders should lead the local government, and all people in the colony should pay to support the Puritan church. The Puritans thought it was the job of government leaders to tell people what to believe. Some people did not agree with the Puritans who had become leaders of the colony. One of those who disagreed was a Puritan minister named Roger Williams.

Roger Williams wrote several documents stating his views on religious liberty
Roger Williams believed as all Puritans did that other European religions were wrong. He thought the Native Indian religions were wrong too. But he did not believe in trying to force others to agree with him. He thought that it was a sin to punish or kill anyone in the name of Christianity. And he thought that only church members should pay to support their church. Roger Williams began speaking and writing about his ideas. He wrote a book saying it was wrong to punish people for having different beliefs. Then he said that the European settlers were stealing the Indians' land. He said the king of England had no right to permit people to settle on land that was not his, but belonged to the Indians.
The Puritan leaders of the Massachusetts Bay Colony forced Roger Williams to leave the colony in sixteen thirty-six. He traveled south. He bought land from local Indians and started a city, Providence. The Parliament in England gave him permission to establish a new colony, Rhode Island, with Providence as its capital. As a colony, Rhode Island accepted people of all religious beliefs, including Catholics, Quakers, Jews and even people who denied the existence of God. Roger Williams also believed that governments should have no connection to a church. This idea of separating church and state was very new. Later it became one of the most important of all America's governing ideas.
Other colonies were started by people who left Massachusetts to seek land. One was Connecticut. A group led by Puritan minister Thomas Hooker left Boston in sixteen thirty-six and went west. They settled near the Connecticut River. Others soon joined them. Other groups from Massachusetts traveled north to find new homes. The king of England had given two friends a large piece of land in the north. The friends divided it. John Mason took what later became the colony of New Hampshire. Ferdinando Gorges took the area that later became the state of Maine. It never became a colony, however. It remained a part of Massachusetts until after the United States was created.
The area known today as New York State was settled by the Dutch. They called it New Netherland. Their country was the Netherlands. It was a great world power, with colonies all over the world. A business called the Dutch West India Company owned most of the colonies. The Dutch claimed American land because of explorations by Henry Hudson, an Englishman working for the Netherlands. The land the Dutch claimed was between the Puritans in the north and the Anglican tobacco farmers in the south.
The Dutch were not interested in settling the territory. They wanted to earn money. The Dutch West India Company built trading posts on the rivers claimed by the Netherlands. People in Europe wanted to buy goods made from the skins of animals trapped there. In sixteen twenty-six, the Dutch West India Company bought two islands from the local Indians. The islands are Manhattan Island and Long Island. Traditional stories say the Dutch paid for the islands with some trade goods worth about twenty-four dollars.
The Dutch West India Company tried to find people to settle in America. But few Dutch wanted to leave Europe. So the colony welcomed people from other colonies, and other countries. These people built a town on Manhattan Island. They called it New Amsterdam. It was soon full of people who had arrived on ships from faraway places. It was said you could hear as many as eighteen different languages spoken in New Amsterdam. In sixteen fifty-five, the governor of New Netherland took control of a nearby Swedish colony on Delaware Bay. In sixteen sixty-four, the English did the same to the Dutch. The English seized control of New Amsterdam and called it New York. That ended Dutch control of the territory that now is the states of New York, New Jersey and Delaware.
Most of the Dutch in New Amsterdam did not leave. The English permitted everyone to stay. They let the Dutch have religious freedom. The Dutch were just not in control any more. The Duke of York owned the area now. He was the brother of King Charles the Second of England. The king gave some of the land near New York to two friends, Sir George Carteret and Lord John Berkeley. They called it New Jersey, after the English island where Carteret was born.
The two men wrote a plan of government for their colony. It created an assembly that represented the settlers. It provided for freedom of religion. Men could vote in New Jersey whatever their religion. Soon, people from all parts of Europe were living in New Jersey. Then King Charles took control of the area. He sent a royal governor to rule. But the colonists were permitted to make their own laws through the elected assembly. The king of England did the same in each colony he controlled. He collected taxes from the people who lived there, but permitted them to govern themselves.
One religious group that was not welcome in England was the Quakers. Quakers call themselves Friends. They believe that each person has an inner light that leads them to God. Quakers believe they do not need a religious leader to tell them what is right. So, they had no clergy. Quakers believe that all people are equal. The Quakers in England refused to recognize the king as more important than anyone else. They also refused to pay taxes to support the Anglican Church. Quakers believe that it is always wrong to kill. So they would not fight even when they were forced to join the army. They also refuse to promise loyalty to a king or government or flag or anyone but God. The English did not like the Quakers for all these reasons. Many Quakers wanted to leave England, but they were not welcome in most American colonies. One Quaker changed this. His name was William Penn.

William Penn came to America in 1682. He established Pennsylvania as a place where people could enjoy freedom of religion.
William Penn was not born a Quaker. He became one as a young man. His father was an Anglican, and a good friend of the king. King Charles borrowed money from William's father. When his father died, William Penn asked that the debt be paid with land in America. In sixteen eighty-one, the king gave William Penn land which the King's Council named Pennsylvania, meaning Penn's woods. The Quakers now had their own colony. It was between the Puritans in the north and the Anglicans in the south. William Penn said the colony should be a place where everyone could live by Quaker ideas. That meant treating all people as equals and honoring all religions. It also meant that anyone could be elected. In most other colonies, people could believe any religion, but they could not vote or hold office unless they were a member of the majority church. In Pennsylvania, all religions were equal.
labor theory of value
居然在考试资料里看到这样的一段话,自己尤其感兴趣。因为劳动价值论何尝不是自己认可的理论基础。幸好文章出题的时候也说:
Which of the following arguments would a proponent of the labor theory of value, as it is presented in the first paragraph, be most likely to use in response to the statement that “The labor theory of value systematically disregards the productive contribution of capital goods” ?
答案是The productive contribution of capital goods must be attributed to labor because capital goods are themselves products of labor.
这对于我这样的人来说,那是自然不过的选择了。
Seventeenth-century philosopher John Locke stated that as much as 99 percent of the value of any useful product can be attributed to “the effects of labor.” For Locke’s intellectual heirs it was only a short step to the “labor theory of value,” whose formulators held that 100 percent of the value of any product is generated by labor (the human work needed to produce goods) and that therefore the employer who appropriates any part of the product’s value as profit is practicing theft. Although human effort is required to produce goods for the consumer market, effort is also invested in making capital goods (tools, machines, etc.), which are used to facilitate the production of consumer goods. In modern economies about one-third of the total output of consumer goods is attributable to the use of capital goods. Approximately two-thirds of the income derived from this total output is paid out to workers as wages and salaries, the remaining third serving as compensation to the owners of the capital goods. Moreover, part of this remaining third is received by workers who are shareholders, pension beneficiaries, and the like. The labor theory of value systematically disregards the productive contribution of capital goods—a failing for which Locke must bear part of the blame.
Which of the following arguments would a proponent of the labor theory of value, as it is presented in the first paragraph, be most likely to use in response to the statement that “The labor theory of value systematically disregards the productive contribution of capital goods” ?
答案是The productive contribution of capital goods must be attributed to labor because capital goods are themselves products of labor.
这对于我这样的人来说,那是自然不过的选择了。
Seventeenth-century philosopher John Locke stated that as much as 99 percent of the value of any useful product can be attributed to “the effects of labor.” For Locke’s intellectual heirs it was only a short step to the “labor theory of value,” whose formulators held that 100 percent of the value of any product is generated by labor (the human work needed to produce goods) and that therefore the employer who appropriates any part of the product’s value as profit is practicing theft. Although human effort is required to produce goods for the consumer market, effort is also invested in making capital goods (tools, machines, etc.), which are used to facilitate the production of consumer goods. In modern economies about one-third of the total output of consumer goods is attributable to the use of capital goods. Approximately two-thirds of the income derived from this total output is paid out to workers as wages and salaries, the remaining third serving as compensation to the owners of the capital goods. Moreover, part of this remaining third is received by workers who are shareholders, pension beneficiaries, and the like. The labor theory of value systematically disregards the productive contribution of capital goods—a failing for which Locke must bear part of the blame.
老美眼中的中国法律
老美眼中的中国法律
当然一篇文章代表不了整个美国学术界对中国法律的认识,但是毫无疑问,这篇文章所反映的,却也是说明了中美之间相互认识的巨大鸿沟和差距。
美国《商业周刊》11月29日文章,原题:揭穿有关中国法律制度的荒诞说法
《中国经济评论》杂志不久前刊登了一篇关于中国法律制度的文章,我对文中许多失实陈述感到吃惊。事实上,近十年来中国在引入大陆法系上取得了显著进步。在中国的任何人都知道这个进程才刚刚开始,需要努力的地方还很多。但这个发展趋势十分明显。中国充分理解经济发展与构建一个稳固的法律体系之间是相辅相成的。今年出版的《中国法治发展报告》的数据,令有关中国法律制度的5种最常见的荒诞说法暴露无遗。
荒诞一:中国没有法律。其实,中国的法律是太多了。1996年至2000年,中国颁布了37775条。从2001年到2004年,中国公布了94288条法律法规。目前,中国的现代法律法规几乎涵盖了商业生活的各个方面。
荒诞二:律师很少,且受教育程度低。1981年中国只有6218人具备律师资格。2005年,中国具备从业资格的律师有114471人。尽管中国的律师人数还远少于美国,但多于英国、德国、意大利等欧洲国家。中国的律师100%接受过高中以上教育,拥有法学专业大学或更高学历的比例达到54%。
荒诞三:法官很少,且受教育程度低。1987年中国有117647名法官,17%接受过高中以上教育。2000年这个比例上升到100%。2004年中国法官达到190961人,很可能比世界上任何其他国家都多。
荒诞四:通过的法律毫无意义,因为中国人很少打官司。中国民事诉讼案件数量迅速增加。1981年中国作出1179388起初审判决。2004年,该数字增至5625310。
荒诞五:中国法规故意含糊其辞,没有注释或判例法解释指引。对每条重大法规的充分解释都可见于大型书店,不过它们通常是中文的。如果你试图仅通过阅读英文读物弄懂中国法规,那将是徒劳无益的。
与中国打交道时我们不应该固守那些僵化陈腐的荒诞说法,它们会导致商界人士犯下代价高昂的错误。(作者史蒂文·狄金森,北哲译)
当然一篇文章代表不了整个美国学术界对中国法律的认识,但是毫无疑问,这篇文章所反映的,却也是说明了中美之间相互认识的巨大鸿沟和差距。
美国《商业周刊》11月29日文章,原题:揭穿有关中国法律制度的荒诞说法
《中国经济评论》杂志不久前刊登了一篇关于中国法律制度的文章,我对文中许多失实陈述感到吃惊。事实上,近十年来中国在引入大陆法系上取得了显著进步。在中国的任何人都知道这个进程才刚刚开始,需要努力的地方还很多。但这个发展趋势十分明显。中国充分理解经济发展与构建一个稳固的法律体系之间是相辅相成的。今年出版的《中国法治发展报告》的数据,令有关中国法律制度的5种最常见的荒诞说法暴露无遗。
荒诞一:中国没有法律。其实,中国的法律是太多了。1996年至2000年,中国颁布了37775条。从2001年到2004年,中国公布了94288条法律法规。目前,中国的现代法律法规几乎涵盖了商业生活的各个方面。
荒诞二:律师很少,且受教育程度低。1981年中国只有6218人具备律师资格。2005年,中国具备从业资格的律师有114471人。尽管中国的律师人数还远少于美国,但多于英国、德国、意大利等欧洲国家。中国的律师100%接受过高中以上教育,拥有法学专业大学或更高学历的比例达到54%。
荒诞三:法官很少,且受教育程度低。1987年中国有117647名法官,17%接受过高中以上教育。2000年这个比例上升到100%。2004年中国法官达到190961人,很可能比世界上任何其他国家都多。
荒诞四:通过的法律毫无意义,因为中国人很少打官司。中国民事诉讼案件数量迅速增加。1981年中国作出1179388起初审判决。2004年,该数字增至5625310。
荒诞五:中国法规故意含糊其辞,没有注释或判例法解释指引。对每条重大法规的充分解释都可见于大型书店,不过它们通常是中文的。如果你试图仅通过阅读英文读物弄懂中国法规,那将是徒劳无益的。
与中国打交道时我们不应该固守那些僵化陈腐的荒诞说法,它们会导致商界人士犯下代价高昂的错误。(作者史蒂文·狄金森,北哲译)
南周飞鸿
后窗:近安!
一直想着你的拳拳胜意,踌躇许久,个中缘由种种,实在不好意思向你说。自己写东西自由惯了,而且也是一时兴起,没有当真。所以一直不知道你所要的,到底是什么类型的文字。我能写什么呢?我想如果你了解我的一些背景和基本思想,可能也可以知晓一二。关于美国见闻。我自己写的东西基本上分2类,一是关于美国生活的常识和经历,比如租房买车衣食住行,这些好像对国人没有什么用吧,你不到美国这些东西是没有用的。毕竟美国生活方式和中国完全不同。一类属于因为自己的经济学专业涉及的比如考试市政交税物价等学术性文字,这些就比较慢,因为纯属个人爱好,所以也有些随意写写,并不准备上学术论文。所以也似乎没有发表的意义。
更主要的是,自己关于中美的一个基本结论是:中国不可能变成美国那样子。所以自己看到许多介绍美国情况的文字都给人一种倾向:你们看看,人家美国是这么样的,多好,国内怎么能这样落后这么差劲,赶快学学人家吧!我所不希望的是,有些国人看到这个完全不同的世界后,不知道美国这种模式的来龙去脉,不会分析其文化历史政治经济社会的实际情况,一味固执地强加或者生搬硬套到中国去,动辄用美国模式来看待中国,尤其是在现在的年轻大学生中,个人感觉尤其明显。而这样的问题又不是三言两语就可以说透彻清晰的,何况自己也需要不断反思想清楚这些东西。
所以我也希望有更多的交流,我也不知你要这些文字做什么,因为很久看不到南周报纸,也不太知道有些什么栏目和适合版面。
关于国内一些时政新闻,可能你不清楚我的观点实在是和国内主流可以接受的不在一个方向上,所以我自认为我的真实观点基本上是不大可能出街的,所以也没想过认真写。比如你这次寄来的关于官员道歉的新闻,在我看来,就实在是形式大于内容。当然也可以说聊胜于无,但是这个积极意义实在是真的有限的很。我自己就不感兴趣,因为自己在政府里工作这么多年,实在是太清楚里面的运作了。制度的荒谬自己不发展到极端,是不会有质的改变的需要的。
不知道现在南周的底线在哪里?最近17大后是不是有新的政策要求?有空的话也可以给我说说看。:)
罗嗦许多。今天就到这里了。
一直想着你的拳拳胜意,踌躇许久,个中缘由种种,实在不好意思向你说。自己写东西自由惯了,而且也是一时兴起,没有当真。所以一直不知道你所要的,到底是什么类型的文字。我能写什么呢?我想如果你了解我的一些背景和基本思想,可能也可以知晓一二。关于美国见闻。我自己写的东西基本上分2类,一是关于美国生活的常识和经历,比如租房买车衣食住行,这些好像对国人没有什么用吧,你不到美国这些东西是没有用的。毕竟美国生活方式和中国完全不同。一类属于因为自己的经济学专业涉及的比如考试市政交税物价等学术性文字,这些就比较慢,因为纯属个人爱好,所以也有些随意写写,并不准备上学术论文。所以也似乎没有发表的意义。
更主要的是,自己关于中美的一个基本结论是:中国不可能变成美国那样子。所以自己看到许多介绍美国情况的文字都给人一种倾向:你们看看,人家美国是这么样的,多好,国内怎么能这样落后这么差劲,赶快学学人家吧!我所不希望的是,有些国人看到这个完全不同的世界后,不知道美国这种模式的来龙去脉,不会分析其文化历史政治经济社会的实际情况,一味固执地强加或者生搬硬套到中国去,动辄用美国模式来看待中国,尤其是在现在的年轻大学生中,个人感觉尤其明显。而这样的问题又不是三言两语就可以说透彻清晰的,何况自己也需要不断反思想清楚这些东西。
所以我也希望有更多的交流,我也不知你要这些文字做什么,因为很久看不到南周报纸,也不太知道有些什么栏目和适合版面。
关于国内一些时政新闻,可能你不清楚我的观点实在是和国内主流可以接受的不在一个方向上,所以我自认为我的真实观点基本上是不大可能出街的,所以也没想过认真写。比如你这次寄来的关于官员道歉的新闻,在我看来,就实在是形式大于内容。当然也可以说聊胜于无,但是这个积极意义实在是真的有限的很。我自己就不感兴趣,因为自己在政府里工作这么多年,实在是太清楚里面的运作了。制度的荒谬自己不发展到极端,是不会有质的改变的需要的。
不知道现在南周的底线在哪里?最近17大后是不是有新的政策要求?有空的话也可以给我说说看。:)
罗嗦许多。今天就到这里了。
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