My first impression was I should support a grading system so that we could give some recognition to the good students.
But, in no time, I hesitated.
The reason is simple. As soon as I tried to reflect what I observed over the years, all grading system will evolve into a degrading system. When the grade is given by examiner or supervisor's subjective scoring, there is always a tendency to give a high grade. Although the original objective of having a grade is to give some incentive to make good students better, it turns out examiners and supervisors use it as the opportunity to show they are nice people.
You may argue supervisors may have a conflict of interest and would try to give a higher grade and make their students appear good. Why should examiners do so?
Alas, as Jimmy Jiang said, your question is too simple and probably naive. Examiners, be they internal or external, have their own students, and supervisors can turn into examiners!
I shall not elaborate further.
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Argument
Although I am slightly skeptical to begin with, there are good reasons to do away with grades.
To put it simply, any institute should, after all, be stringent with the quality of its graduate. No degree, be it PhD or MB, should be conferred lightly. If a student pass, he should have achieved a certain standard and is good enough for any relevant purpose. Giving grades to them would inadvertently create a group of inferior degree holders who seem to have got through by the skin of their teeth - but that's not what an institute should do. A student either passes because he is good enough, or he fails.
Of course there is another side of the coin. In that very meeting, KL, our dean, summarises the other side of the argument by one question: How could we honor the high-fliers?
There are actually two layers of consideration for this question. First, we have a need to praise and award the outstanding few, so as to encourage them to pursue their work and excel in their profession.
But, it is not only for the good of that very few brilliant students who need commendation. For many others, having a reasonable grade (say, B+) would be valuable for their job application.
Where should I stand?
To put it simply, any institute should, after all, be stringent with the quality of its graduate. No degree, be it PhD or MB, should be conferred lightly. If a student pass, he should have achieved a certain standard and is good enough for any relevant purpose. Giving grades to them would inadvertently create a group of inferior degree holders who seem to have got through by the skin of their teeth - but that's not what an institute should do. A student either passes because he is good enough, or he fails.
Of course there is another side of the coin. In that very meeting, KL, our dean, summarises the other side of the argument by one question: How could we honor the high-fliers?
There are actually two layers of consideration for this question. First, we have a need to praise and award the outstanding few, so as to encourage them to pursue their work and excel in their profession.
But, it is not only for the good of that very few brilliant students who need commendation. For many others, having a reasonable grade (say, B+) would be valuable for their job application.
Where should I stand?
Monday, July 29, 2013
Grade
Unfortunately, I did not have much time to discuss the arithmetic problem with my friend. Shortly after our conversation, I attended a meeting in the postgraduate school.
And, to my surprise, the major topic for discussion was a déjà vu for me: Should we give a grade to our PhD graduates?
For those who are not familiar with our system, let me explain a bit: In addition to a few compulsory courses (mostly on research methodology), most of the time and effort of our postgraduate students are spent on research projects. By the end of the study period (from two to seven years, depending on the program), a thesis would be submitted and a oral defence (that is, a viva voce examination) would be conducted. In addition to conferring a degree (for example, PhD), a grade from A to C is given (D means failure).
The reality is, most universities around the world have abandoned the system of grading postgraduate students. Ours and our friend across the harbour are the two notable exceptions.
And that's the question under discussion: Shall we do away with the grade and do with pass-or-fail only?
To begin with, I asked myself: Is it another brainless move towards fairness?
And, to my surprise, the major topic for discussion was a déjà vu for me: Should we give a grade to our PhD graduates?
For those who are not familiar with our system, let me explain a bit: In addition to a few compulsory courses (mostly on research methodology), most of the time and effort of our postgraduate students are spent on research projects. By the end of the study period (from two to seven years, depending on the program), a thesis would be submitted and a oral defence (that is, a viva voce examination) would be conducted. In addition to conferring a degree (for example, PhD), a grade from A to C is given (D means failure).
The reality is, most universities around the world have abandoned the system of grading postgraduate students. Ours and our friend across the harbour are the two notable exceptions.
And that's the question under discussion: Shall we do away with the grade and do with pass-or-fail only?
To begin with, I asked myself: Is it another brainless move towards fairness?
Sunday, July 28, 2013
Aptitude
I blushed a little. To me, being idealistic is a compliment.
"But you are right in certain way." L said, "Even if we confine ourselves to clinical subjects, there is a difference in aptitude between different people. For example, some may be brilliant surgeons and others psychiatrists. The two should never be the same kind of people. The problem is, in general, we could only know what a student is good at, or whether they are suitable for a particular specialty, after they have attached to that subject and gone through the examination."
"True. In that case, what do you suggest?"
"No, nothing, or just a wild idea. For example, if we are running a clerkship of, say, psychiatry, for ten weeks, how about holding a small test after 2 weeks of the rotation - you can call it regular assessment or aptitude test as you like. A small group of high flyer - 10 or 20% of the class, depending on the specialty - will receive intensive teaching during the remaining 8 weeks, followed by a more vigorous examination afterwards. For the remaining 80 or 90% of the ordinary students, they would receive mostly lectures and seminar-based teaching, as well as a more simple assessment after the module. My only problem is, how should the class as a whole be graded if the examination is different?"
"Oh, that's merely a simple arithmetic problem." I smiled.
"But you are right in certain way." L said, "Even if we confine ourselves to clinical subjects, there is a difference in aptitude between different people. For example, some may be brilliant surgeons and others psychiatrists. The two should never be the same kind of people. The problem is, in general, we could only know what a student is good at, or whether they are suitable for a particular specialty, after they have attached to that subject and gone through the examination."
"True. In that case, what do you suggest?"
"No, nothing, or just a wild idea. For example, if we are running a clerkship of, say, psychiatry, for ten weeks, how about holding a small test after 2 weeks of the rotation - you can call it regular assessment or aptitude test as you like. A small group of high flyer - 10 or 20% of the class, depending on the specialty - will receive intensive teaching during the remaining 8 weeks, followed by a more vigorous examination afterwards. For the remaining 80 or 90% of the ordinary students, they would receive mostly lectures and seminar-based teaching, as well as a more simple assessment after the module. My only problem is, how should the class as a whole be graded if the examination is different?"
"Oh, that's merely a simple arithmetic problem." I smiled.
Saturday, July 27, 2013
Multitude
I thought for a while and then said slowly, "Em... There are good reasons to classify our students according to their ability and teach accordingly, but I'm still uneasy."
"Why?"
"Because life and ability are more complicated than a single dimension measurement, and the situation is particular obvious in a medical school. What I mean is, I'm not sure how we could distinguish good from bad, or promising versus average students. In short, there is a multitude of our ability. One could be a shining star in the Hospital Authority headquarters or the Bureau but is absolutely hopeless when considered as a front line doctor. Some other may become an excellent laboratory scientist but is nowhere close to a competent clinical trialist. If we classify all students by one test and pick up the budding administrator or basic scientist, we may well miss those good physicians and clinical researchers."
"Alas, in that case, what do you suggest?"
"I don't know. I suppose as a medical school, one of the major objective is to help each and every graduate to realize what they are good at and what they should pursue. It is not, or not only, to say the least, what speciality to make a comfort living or big money, but about how to realize one's capability to the maximum!"
"Alas, my friend, you are too idealistic!" L sighed.
"Why?"
"Because life and ability are more complicated than a single dimension measurement, and the situation is particular obvious in a medical school. What I mean is, I'm not sure how we could distinguish good from bad, or promising versus average students. In short, there is a multitude of our ability. One could be a shining star in the Hospital Authority headquarters or the Bureau but is absolutely hopeless when considered as a front line doctor. Some other may become an excellent laboratory scientist but is nowhere close to a competent clinical trialist. If we classify all students by one test and pick up the budding administrator or basic scientist, we may well miss those good physicians and clinical researchers."
"Alas, in that case, what do you suggest?"
"I don't know. I suppose as a medical school, one of the major objective is to help each and every graduate to realize what they are good at and what they should pursue. It is not, or not only, to say the least, what speciality to make a comfort living or big money, but about how to realize one's capability to the maximum!"
"Alas, my friend, you are too idealistic!" L sighed.
Friday, July 26, 2013
Classify
(My discussion with L went on.)
"But, we have not consider the philosophical question," L continued, "Do you think it is a good idea to classify our students so that the better ones receive more attention and opportunities?"
"I suppose yes?"
"Why?"
"If I could use some favorite jargon from our friends outside the solar system, I would say classifying our students according to their academic performance is a kind of individualized education. It would also allow a better utilization of resource - teachers, patients, and teaching material. After all, it is a common practice for primary and secondary schools to classify their students according to their examination result so that the teaching could be adjusted." I said.
"Right. For a medical school, we could put more effort to build up better students so that they would have a lead when they continue with training in medicine or surgery after graduation. On the other hand, many other students will end up in general practice or non-clinical jobs. It may be fine to teach them very basic stuff by simple lectures and a minimal amount of bedside teaching." L nodded.
My friend LY told me exactly the same argument some days ago.
"But, we have not consider the philosophical question," L continued, "Do you think it is a good idea to classify our students so that the better ones receive more attention and opportunities?"
"I suppose yes?"
"Why?"
"If I could use some favorite jargon from our friends outside the solar system, I would say classifying our students according to their academic performance is a kind of individualized education. It would also allow a better utilization of resource - teachers, patients, and teaching material. After all, it is a common practice for primary and secondary schools to classify their students according to their examination result so that the teaching could be adjusted." I said.
"Right. For a medical school, we could put more effort to build up better students so that they would have a lead when they continue with training in medicine or surgery after graduation. On the other hand, many other students will end up in general practice or non-clinical jobs. It may be fine to teach them very basic stuff by simple lectures and a minimal amount of bedside teaching." L nodded.
My friend LY told me exactly the same argument some days ago.
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Class
Met L on my way off work. Naturally, our discussion fell to the new global program.
"I read your blog. You're certainly a bit skeptical." My friend began.
"Em... yes," I hesitated to agree, "It seems an undeserved honor to the few who do well in the HKDSE examination. Many of the research and attachment opportunities are now restricted to this small group of elite."
"You have a point," my friend said, "But, let's make it clear. What are you worrying about? Do you think it is not fair to classify our students so that the better ones receive more attention and opportunities?"
"No, certainly not." I sighed, "I must say I feel slightly uneasy with what's going on but I couldn't say why. Well, to begin with, the primary purpose of this gadget is for attracting good secondary school children. In other words, it is more for the benefit of the medical school than for the students. For that reason, there's little point to argue whether the new degree could really produce genuine leaders or good researchers."
"Absolutely. It follows that we do not have to worry whether students recruited into the new program really deserve a better treatment. Actually, it doesn't matter whether they are better treated or not. What we want to do is, after all, attract this group of top secondary school students by giving them a quick and easy sense of pride so that they turn to us rather than the other side of the harbour. Remind you, the pride does not come from the global degree six years later, but from studying in a global program now!"
I was forced to agree.
"I read your blog. You're certainly a bit skeptical." My friend began.
"Em... yes," I hesitated to agree, "It seems an undeserved honor to the few who do well in the HKDSE examination. Many of the research and attachment opportunities are now restricted to this small group of elite."
"You have a point," my friend said, "But, let's make it clear. What are you worrying about? Do you think it is not fair to classify our students so that the better ones receive more attention and opportunities?"
"No, certainly not." I sighed, "I must say I feel slightly uneasy with what's going on but I couldn't say why. Well, to begin with, the primary purpose of this gadget is for attracting good secondary school children. In other words, it is more for the benefit of the medical school than for the students. For that reason, there's little point to argue whether the new degree could really produce genuine leaders or good researchers."
"Absolutely. It follows that we do not have to worry whether students recruited into the new program really deserve a better treatment. Actually, it doesn't matter whether they are better treated or not. What we want to do is, after all, attract this group of top secondary school students by giving them a quick and easy sense of pride so that they turn to us rather than the other side of the harbour. Remind you, the pride does not come from the global degree six years later, but from studying in a global program now!"
I was forced to agree.
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Graduation
It was actually a busy week for Euterpe. Shortly after we returned from the gymnastics contest, she spent most of her time preparing for the graduation ceremony.
Yes, graduation from the kindergarten.
******************
Vivian and I went to the ceremony on a Friday morning, and, honestly, expected a series of prayer and speech of thanks. To my surprise, the event was not boring at all. We received a small program book at the beginning - with each and every graduating student drawing a small picture to represent themselves. There was a casual slide show on what happened in the past three years of kindergarten life. The latter part of the morning was all stage performance by the students.
And I have faint memory on here and there and everywhere. The small girl that Euterpe drew on the program book was actually a piece of homework she submitted earlier this year. Part of the slide show was about a school visit of her class to a police station. The stage performance was a dance about the red banners (揮春) she wrote for a charity project during the Chinese New Year. (I actually showed in this site what she wrote. See http://ccszeto.blogspot.hk/2013/02/blog-post_10.html)
All of a sudden, I came to realize everything my princess did in the past three years was for the preparation of this very day - whether you call it graduation, examination, or judgement; it doesn't matter.
Yes, graduation from the kindergarten.
******************
Vivian and I went to the ceremony on a Friday morning, and, honestly, expected a series of prayer and speech of thanks. To my surprise, the event was not boring at all. We received a small program book at the beginning - with each and every graduating student drawing a small picture to represent themselves. There was a casual slide show on what happened in the past three years of kindergarten life. The latter part of the morning was all stage performance by the students.
And I have faint memory on here and there and everywhere. The small girl that Euterpe drew on the program book was actually a piece of homework she submitted earlier this year. Part of the slide show was about a school visit of her class to a police station. The stage performance was a dance about the red banners (揮春) she wrote for a charity project during the Chinese New Year. (I actually showed in this site what she wrote. See http://ccszeto.blogspot.hk/2013/02/blog-post_10.html)
All of a sudden, I came to realize everything my princess did in the past three years was for the preparation of this very day - whether you call it graduation, examination, or judgement; it doesn't matter.
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Endurance
I looked at my princess and was silent for a moment.
Finally, I told my wife, "We shall stay for another while."
********************
Euterpe's session started at 6:20 PM and finished twenty minutes later. (Yes, it was amazingly short.) When we left the stadium, it was almost sunset, but the sky had cleared up from the rainstorm. We jumped into a taxi immediately.
On our way home, I tapped on my daughter's head, "Good girl. You'd done a good job today."
"Eh...?" She returned a confused glance - trying to determine if I was being sarcastic. Both of us knew very well her performance a moment ago, by a strict gymnastics standard, was so so.
"Girl, I'm serious." I nodded, "I think you showed an excellent quality of endurance and did your very best to keep your promise. You agreed to join the contest and did put up every effort to finish with it. That's something to be proud of."
That's a good lesson for my child.
Finally, I told my wife, "We shall stay for another while."
********************
Euterpe's session started at 6:20 PM and finished twenty minutes later. (Yes, it was amazingly short.) When we left the stadium, it was almost sunset, but the sky had cleared up from the rainstorm. We jumped into a taxi immediately.
On our way home, I tapped on my daughter's head, "Good girl. You'd done a good job today."
"Eh...?" She returned a confused glance - trying to determine if I was being sarcastic. Both of us knew very well her performance a moment ago, by a strict gymnastics standard, was so so.
"Girl, I'm serious." I nodded, "I think you showed an excellent quality of endurance and did your very best to keep your promise. You agreed to join the contest and did put up every effort to finish with it. That's something to be proud of."
That's a good lesson for my child.
Monday, July 22, 2013
Contest
Shortly after finishing with The Prince, I brought Euterpe to attend a gymnastics contest.
Don't gasp. The story goes like this: My elder daughter has been attending a gymnastics class every Sunday morning, which holds a contest for their students every year.
The event took place at Ap Lei Chau on a Sunday afternoon. The weather was horrible. (I learnt later that it was Yellow Rainstorm Warning.) Vivian drove us there but had to go back home to take care of Adler. Euterpe reported just on time at 3:30 PM; her session was supposed to be 4:00 to 5:30 PM.
But everything overran. Euterpe sat there with another two dozens of kids, and wait, and wait, and wait. She tried to kill the time by chatting with her classmates around, but was obviously bored. By 6 PM, Vivian rang me up and I told her what's going on - or what had not been going on.
"Isn't it a good idea for you two back off and come back home right now? You can take a taxi." My wife suggested.
(To be continued.)
Don't gasp. The story goes like this: My elder daughter has been attending a gymnastics class every Sunday morning, which holds a contest for their students every year.
The event took place at Ap Lei Chau on a Sunday afternoon. The weather was horrible. (I learnt later that it was Yellow Rainstorm Warning.) Vivian drove us there but had to go back home to take care of Adler. Euterpe reported just on time at 3:30 PM; her session was supposed to be 4:00 to 5:30 PM.
But everything overran. Euterpe sat there with another two dozens of kids, and wait, and wait, and wait. She tried to kill the time by chatting with her classmates around, but was obviously bored. By 6 PM, Vivian rang me up and I told her what's going on - or what had not been going on.
"Isn't it a good idea for you two back off and come back home right now? You can take a taxi." My wife suggested.
(To be continued.)
Sunday, July 21, 2013
Stay
The problem faced by a newly promoted leader that I outlined yesterday is no stranger to many people. In fact, some actually adopt the policy of remaining the leader of their original place of origin in addition to being the ruler of the whole country.
For example, Barack could be the governor of Texas as well as the President of the States.
That strategy, of course, doesn't work. As Niccolò Machiavelli himself pointed out, the best way to control a newly acquired territory is to live in the new-found-land and see to the matter directly. Things happen - and you know, because you are there. For the same reason, the order of yours (and not your representative's) is followed.
To make the situation worse, the elite (here, I use the term according to the definition in The Prince) of the old city would become more disappointed than ever - because some of them certainly expect the new king would leave and they could take charge of the city.
I should not elaborate further.
For example, Barack could be the governor of Texas as well as the President of the States.
That strategy, of course, doesn't work. As Niccolò Machiavelli himself pointed out, the best way to control a newly acquired territory is to live in the new-found-land and see to the matter directly. Things happen - and you know, because you are there. For the same reason, the order of yours (and not your representative's) is followed.
To make the situation worse, the elite (here, I use the term according to the definition in The Prince) of the old city would become more disappointed than ever - because some of them certainly expect the new king would leave and they could take charge of the city.
I should not elaborate further.
Saturday, July 20, 2013
Origin
You may think the city where a king comes from should be most loyal to the new ruler.
But, if you look around, that's obviously not always the case. On one hand, people from that very city may think they should be well treated and get some advantage. On the other, special favor to his "own men" is the last impression he wishes to create in the country that the new king now rules. Furthermore, if this new king used to be mean to the people of his own city and he now moves and lives in the palace, those who were poorly treated would have all the incentive to rebel - possibly in alliance with some extrinsic force.
This problem is particularly critical if the country is kind of a republic and each province or city has much autonomy to run their own place. After the king has left for the capital, the new mayor or governor of that city will try to move out from the shadow of his previous boss and secure his own power.
The usual problem is, when the king runs into problem, he has no place to go back to.
Wasn't Guan Yu (關羽) die of this reason?
But, if you look around, that's obviously not always the case. On one hand, people from that very city may think they should be well treated and get some advantage. On the other, special favor to his "own men" is the last impression he wishes to create in the country that the new king now rules. Furthermore, if this new king used to be mean to the people of his own city and he now moves and lives in the palace, those who were poorly treated would have all the incentive to rebel - possibly in alliance with some extrinsic force.
This problem is particularly critical if the country is kind of a republic and each province or city has much autonomy to run their own place. After the king has left for the capital, the new mayor or governor of that city will try to move out from the shadow of his previous boss and secure his own power.
The usual problem is, when the king runs into problem, he has no place to go back to.
Wasn't Guan Yu (關羽) die of this reason?
Friday, July 19, 2013
Promotion
Although The Prince is widely regarded as a classic on pragmatic political philosophy and, in addition to the ruler of a country, is valuable for all administrators, it does leave an important area of ruling untouched.
I am referring to the strategy of holding on to the power for someone who is promoted - from the governor of a small city to the king of the whole country, from a small team to the whole department, and so forth.
And, unfortunately, that's usually how a tragedy comes along nowadays. As the Peter principle states, all persons in a hierarchy are eventually promoted to a position at which they are no longer competent. To complicate the matter, tactics of managing a division with ten people is usually different from those for a whole department of one hundred. Niccolò Machiavelli did point out in his book that all dukes and mayors, who used to have the same status as the new king, will become skeptical; they continue to run their own place and are all ready to overthrow their new ruler if anything goes wrong.
But, in addition, there is another difficult problem: The city where this new king comes from.
I am referring to the strategy of holding on to the power for someone who is promoted - from the governor of a small city to the king of the whole country, from a small team to the whole department, and so forth.
And, unfortunately, that's usually how a tragedy comes along nowadays. As the Peter principle states, all persons in a hierarchy are eventually promoted to a position at which they are no longer competent. To complicate the matter, tactics of managing a division with ten people is usually different from those for a whole department of one hundred. Niccolò Machiavelli did point out in his book that all dukes and mayors, who used to have the same status as the new king, will become skeptical; they continue to run their own place and are all ready to overthrow their new ruler if anything goes wrong.
But, in addition, there is another difficult problem: The city where this new king comes from.
Thursday, July 18, 2013
Prince
The book that I really read recently after off work is Niccolo Machiavelli's The Prince (君王論).
Many of you may know it is a controversial book, for its advice is pragmatic rather than ethical. It does not tell you how to rule a country in Utopia, but, rather, teaches you how to hold on to power on earth. One of its most famous doctrines is: A ruler should not seek to be loved - he should be feared, but not hated, by its people.
Although the book may seem slightly outdated, much of the theory remains illuminating even when viewed nowadays. For example, there are several type of rulers (principalities), according to how they acquire their power:
Many of you may know it is a controversial book, for its advice is pragmatic rather than ethical. It does not tell you how to rule a country in Utopia, but, rather, teaches you how to hold on to power on earth. One of its most famous doctrines is: A ruler should not seek to be loved - he should be feared, but not hated, by its people.
Although the book may seem slightly outdated, much of the theory remains illuminating even when viewed nowadays. For example, there are several type of rulers (principalities), according to how they acquire their power:
- by hereditary
- by one's own army and skill
- by extrinsic force and good luck
- by wicked actions
- by democratic procedures (the so-called citizen ruler)
- (what he wants other people to believe happened) by democratic procedure
- (what he believe happened) by his own skill
- (what happened) by good luck and wicked actions
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Food
Although I now do my leisure reading on my way home, I do keep another one next to my bed for casual thumbing. It is usually an over-sized hard-cover which I cannot carry it around all the time.
And, my recent bedtime reading of this kind is Gordon Ramsay's Fast Food.
Well, although I hardly ever do elaborated cooking myself, there are frequent needs of preparing simple dishes when my maid is on holiday. After all, it is just kind of a comfort reading to flip through a cookbook.
Here are my favorite cookbook authors - most are also great chefs:
And, my recent bedtime reading of this kind is Gordon Ramsay's Fast Food.
Well, although I hardly ever do elaborated cooking myself, there are frequent needs of preparing simple dishes when my maid is on holiday. After all, it is just kind of a comfort reading to flip through a cookbook.
Here are my favorite cookbook authors - most are also great chefs:
- Gordon Ramsay
- Charlie Trotter
- Fredy Girardet
- 江獻珠
- 梁文韜
- 陳夢因
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
Topic
The new academic year started after the public holiday. On the next day, I had the pleasure to do the first medical grand round of this year with VW.
Our professor of hepatology has already outlined what happened in his blog. (See http://vwswong.blogspot.hk/2013/07/photos.html) Just to set the record straight, it was my friend himself who first suggested rather than the boring subject of final examination, we should discuss a more interesting topic.
"For example, you should talk about detective fictions." He said.
In no time I thought about cocaine abuse (Sherlock Holmes and S.S. van Dine), transient global amnesia (Agatha Christie), rheumatoid arthritis (Hercule Poirot), and tertiary syphilis (the Hatter family). No, none of them is sufficiently eye-catching for a presentation.
"Alas, it would be your expertise to talk about Mozart," I decided to throw the ball back, "In that case, I may have to do Beethoven." After all, while Mozart most probably died of a kidney disease, it was liver problem that took Beethoven.
It all sounds a great idea - except the fact that my knowledge on music is kindergarten level.
PS. The name Hatter is a brilliant idea per se and Ellery Queen did try to give an obvious hint to his readers. Chronic mercury poisoning was, in the old days, known as mad hatter disease.
Our professor of hepatology has already outlined what happened in his blog. (See http://vwswong.blogspot.hk/2013/07/photos.html) Just to set the record straight, it was my friend himself who first suggested rather than the boring subject of final examination, we should discuss a more interesting topic.
"For example, you should talk about detective fictions." He said.
In no time I thought about cocaine abuse (Sherlock Holmes and S.S. van Dine), transient global amnesia (Agatha Christie), rheumatoid arthritis (Hercule Poirot), and tertiary syphilis (the Hatter family). No, none of them is sufficiently eye-catching for a presentation.
"Alas, it would be your expertise to talk about Mozart," I decided to throw the ball back, "In that case, I may have to do Beethoven." After all, while Mozart most probably died of a kidney disease, it was liver problem that took Beethoven.
It all sounds a great idea - except the fact that my knowledge on music is kindergarten level.
PS. The name Hatter is a brilliant idea per se and Ellery Queen did try to give an obvious hint to his readers. Chronic mercury poisoning was, in the old days, known as mad hatter disease.
Monday, July 15, 2013
Reply
(I know my hallucinated idea is slightly awkward. Nonetheless, as a schizophrenic person, it would be incomplete if I do not show our response to the two letters.)
Dear Student,
Your email to our office refers.
Upon receipt of your enquiry, we have discussed your case amongst colleagues. While we truly understand and are sympathetic towards your situation, we would like to clarify that the schedule of all assessments and supplementary examination has been posted on the curriculum website since the beginning of the term. Our recent announcement only served as a reminder to students.
Best regards, et cetera.
***********************
Just a Cantonese laughter that I recently learnt:
A: Who are the parents of a princess?
B: The King and the Queen.
A: No, the parents of a princess must be tigers and helicopters.
Dear Student,
Your email to our office refers.
Upon receipt of your enquiry, we have discussed your case amongst colleagues. While we truly understand and are sympathetic towards your situation, we would like to clarify that the schedule of all assessments and supplementary examination has been posted on the curriculum website since the beginning of the term. Our recent announcement only served as a reminder to students.
Best regards, et cetera.
***********************
Just a Cantonese laughter that I recently learnt:
A: Who are the parents of a princess?
B: The King and the Queen.
A: No, the parents of a princess must be tigers and helicopters.
Sunday, July 14, 2013
Father
I would say if I were the father of that student, here is the letter I would send to the professor at the same time:
***************************
Sir,
I am the father.
These days universities around the world all encourage their students to make the best use of their summer time: summer school, summer job, overseas travelling, voluntary work, charity work, internship program and so forth. I am sure your university is no exception.
However, it is important to realize that all these activities require planning and commitment several months before summer. In this particular instance, I have to say it was too late to inform students a month ago that they may have an exam towards the end of this month. I don't know anything about the operational difficulties facing at your side, to be sure. But I don't see why it cannot inform the students earlier or even mark it in the academic calendar at the beginning of the academic year, however tentative it may be. (Here I am not only referring to this particular supplementary exam.)
In my view, a little more work or planning on your part can go a long way in reducing stress for the students. Medical school is already stressful enough and I don't think it is wise to put unnecessary stress on those kids.
As my child's flight is this evening, I would deeply appreciate it if you could please give her a response by 5 p.m. today.
Thank you. Yours sincerely, et cetera.
***************************
Of course this letter is a fancy of mine and I did not receive any letter of that kind. If it bears any resemblance to what really happened, it must be an unfortunate coincidence.
***************************
Sir,
I am the father.
These days universities around the world all encourage their students to make the best use of their summer time: summer school, summer job, overseas travelling, voluntary work, charity work, internship program and so forth. I am sure your university is no exception.
However, it is important to realize that all these activities require planning and commitment several months before summer. In this particular instance, I have to say it was too late to inform students a month ago that they may have an exam towards the end of this month. I don't know anything about the operational difficulties facing at your side, to be sure. But I don't see why it cannot inform the students earlier or even mark it in the academic calendar at the beginning of the academic year, however tentative it may be. (Here I am not only referring to this particular supplementary exam.)
In my view, a little more work or planning on your part can go a long way in reducing stress for the students. Medical school is already stressful enough and I don't think it is wise to put unnecessary stress on those kids.
As my child's flight is this evening, I would deeply appreciate it if you could please give her a response by 5 p.m. today.
Thank you. Yours sincerely, et cetera.
***************************
Of course this letter is a fancy of mine and I did not receive any letter of that kind. If it bears any resemblance to what really happened, it must be an unfortunate coincidence.
Saturday, July 13, 2013
Letter
Talking about teaching in a monster university, I suddenly remember a remarkable email many years ago, sent from a medical student who failed in the professional examination.
Here you go:
************************
Sir,
I received this email of yours in less than 24 hours of my departure for Europe.
You first informed us of the dates for Supplementary examination and remedial work in the course in an email last month. By that time, much of the planning of my trip was completed, bookings done and payments of well over ten thousand dollars made. I felt helpless because there was little I could do, but only tried my best not to fail....but I did. Now if I don't go on the plane tomorrow, I am going to lose close to twenty thousand dollars.
I must say travelling to Europe is not something that one can plan in a few weeks. One has to do very detailed planning and bookings months ahead, especially for students like us who are going on a shoestring, trying to spend as little money as possible.
I am wondering if this is possible at all for us to make alternative arrangements.
Regards, et cetera
Here you go:
************************
Sir,
I received this email of yours in less than 24 hours of my departure for Europe.
You first informed us of the dates for Supplementary examination and remedial work in the course in an email last month. By that time, much of the planning of my trip was completed, bookings done and payments of well over ten thousand dollars made. I felt helpless because there was little I could do, but only tried my best not to fail....but I did. Now if I don't go on the plane tomorrow, I am going to lose close to twenty thousand dollars.
I must say travelling to Europe is not something that one can plan in a few weeks. One has to do very detailed planning and bookings months ahead, especially for students like us who are going on a shoestring, trying to spend as little money as possible.
I am wondering if this is possible at all for us to make alternative arrangements.
Regards, et cetera
Friday, July 12, 2013
MU
It was actually a busy public holiday morning. Shortly after I pack up some books for donation, Vivian and I brought our two princesses to visit the Monster University demonstration at Times Square.
Euterpe and Adler were of course overjoyed. Inside the minature museum, there is a small classroom with all kinds of Mike as students, where kids can play classmate and have photos. For example:
And, I could not resist the temptation and stood at the other side with the poor monster professor for a picture:
I suppose it bears quite some resemblance with the reality.
Euterpe and Adler were of course overjoyed. Inside the minature museum, there is a small classroom with all kinds of Mike as students, where kids can play classmate and have photos. For example:
And, I could not resist the temptation and stood at the other side with the poor monster professor for a picture:
I suppose it bears quite some resemblance with the reality.
Thursday, July 11, 2013
Books
It was a public holiday shortly after I finished with What Money Can't Buy. I took the opportunity and cleared up my bookshelf. In short, I donated some books for a charity sale so that there is room for some new ones.
Here is the list that I gave away:
Here is the list that I gave away:
- How to Teach Your Baby to Read by Glenn Doman
- How to Multiply Your Baby's Intelligence by Glenn Doman
- Food Politics by Marion Nestle
- The New Food Lover's Tiptionary by Sharon Herbst
- False Economy by Alan Beattie
- 張淑儀《龍媽蜜語》
- The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey
- 100 Words that Made the English by Tony Thorne
- One Up On Wall Street by Peter Lynch
- Die Kunst über Geld nachzudenken 《一個投機者的告白》 by Andre Kostolany
- Castles, Battles & Bombs by Jurgen Brauer and Hubert van Tuyll
- Whoops! Why Everyone Owes Everyone and No One Can Pay 《大債時代》 by John Lanchester
- On Strategy from the Harvard Business Review
- Competitive Strategy by Michael Porter
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Free
There are other aspects from Sandel's book that keep flashing through my mind.
For example, if you hold a similar opinion with me and agree money could buy medical service, how about body parts?
No, it goes beyond organ transplant, or even blood donation. Say, you can consider the scenario of using one's body for advertisement. (Michael Sandel does give a vivid case of such in his book.) When we extrapolate the definition of body part, we can also consider the scenarios of trading sex service (that is, prostitute) and privacy (for example, joining a reality game show).
As Sandel points out elegantly, in addition to crowding out the higher non-monetary value of our body and dignity, another major reason against all these is, under most circumstances, the two sides of buy-and-sale are not equal at the bargaining table; the consent of trading could hardly ever be considered voluntary; the choice of selling is not free.
But, as we discussed some weeks ago here, freedom is an elusive concept. After all, does any apple ever fall to the ground freely?
For example, if you hold a similar opinion with me and agree money could buy medical service, how about body parts?
No, it goes beyond organ transplant, or even blood donation. Say, you can consider the scenario of using one's body for advertisement. (Michael Sandel does give a vivid case of such in his book.) When we extrapolate the definition of body part, we can also consider the scenarios of trading sex service (that is, prostitute) and privacy (for example, joining a reality game show).
As Sandel points out elegantly, in addition to crowding out the higher non-monetary value of our body and dignity, another major reason against all these is, under most circumstances, the two sides of buy-and-sale are not equal at the bargaining table; the consent of trading could hardly ever be considered voluntary; the choice of selling is not free.
But, as we discussed some weeks ago here, freedom is an elusive concept. After all, does any apple ever fall to the ground freely?
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
Poor
My point of putting up medicine and education as examples is: There are aspects of life that could be treated as invaluable virtue or commodities for sale. It is the decision of a society.
In this situation, the voice of Michael Sandel is clear: We should not think about money in many of these circumstances. We could live a better society if we do not value money that much and focus on social responsibility and spiritual needs.
On this, I have hesitation to agree.
Yes, the world would become too materialistic if everything is valued by money. However, if every person forget about what their country can do for them and simply ask what they can do for the country, they may fall to the hands of another Hitler rather than Kennedy.
Similarly, although many people from that strong nation are so poor that the only thing they have is money, don't we consider there has been an improvement since 1976?
In this situation, the voice of Michael Sandel is clear: We should not think about money in many of these circumstances. We could live a better society if we do not value money that much and focus on social responsibility and spiritual needs.
On this, I have hesitation to agree.
Yes, the world would become too materialistic if everything is valued by money. However, if every person forget about what their country can do for them and simply ask what they can do for the country, they may fall to the hands of another Hitler rather than Kennedy.
Similarly, although many people from that strong nation are so poor that the only thing they have is money, don't we consider there has been an improvement since 1976?
Monday, July 8, 2013
Need
On the first glance, the idea of value corruption sounds straightforward.
Nonetheless, I am slightly uneasy.
My reason? I'm afraid I have to give it in a slightly convoluted manner.
To begin with, let's consider the Maslow's hierarchy again. Yes, it is a corruption of value if we treat higher needs as commodities. On the other hand, it is equally inappropriate if we upgrade the meaning of some worldly need as spiritual and forbid the use of money to facilitate trading.
The catch is, it all depends on how our subjective judgement and consider what kinds of need are worldly. The boundary is often blur. Obviously, food and clothing are indisputably something that could be put up for sale. House is a commodity - but, here, home is not.
Then, how about education and medical service?
See? We have the first problem here. If you think money can buy these two, you have to agree a fair society or the so-called principle of equality (some would even say justice) does not apply here because rich people could, inevitably, afford better education and medical service.
I must say this is life and I see no difficulty here. Let's consider bigger problems tomorrow.
Nonetheless, I am slightly uneasy.
My reason? I'm afraid I have to give it in a slightly convoluted manner.
To begin with, let's consider the Maslow's hierarchy again. Yes, it is a corruption of value if we treat higher needs as commodities. On the other hand, it is equally inappropriate if we upgrade the meaning of some worldly need as spiritual and forbid the use of money to facilitate trading.
The catch is, it all depends on how our subjective judgement and consider what kinds of need are worldly. The boundary is often blur. Obviously, food and clothing are indisputably something that could be put up for sale. House is a commodity - but, here, home is not.
Then, how about education and medical service?
See? We have the first problem here. If you think money can buy these two, you have to agree a fair society or the so-called principle of equality (some would even say justice) does not apply here because rich people could, inevitably, afford better education and medical service.
I must say this is life and I see no difficulty here. Let's consider bigger problems tomorrow.
Sunday, July 7, 2013
Corrupt
The central idea of Michael Sandel's book is simple: If we treat everything as a commodity and put up a price for sale, we will downgrade many invaluable human virtues - their true value would be corrupted, and their place in our behavioral norm being crowded out.
(For example, if we accept buying blood from "professional" donors, there would be fewer voluntary ones.)
When you come to think of it, the basic idea is a variant or extrapolation of Maslow's hierarchy. In short, money is, in reality, the symbolic representation of our basic human need - food, clothes, shelter, and so forth.
However, when these fundamental aspects are satisfied, we long for higher levels of fulfillment - friendship, love, sense of belonging, being respected, and self accomplishment. None of these could be bought by money. What Sandel tries to show us is by treating these higher needs as commodities and calculating their monetary cost, we actually downgrade their meaning and corrupt their value.
(For example, if we accept buying blood from "professional" donors, there would be fewer voluntary ones.)
When you come to think of it, the basic idea is a variant or extrapolation of Maslow's hierarchy. In short, money is, in reality, the symbolic representation of our basic human need - food, clothes, shelter, and so forth.
However, when these fundamental aspects are satisfied, we long for higher levels of fulfillment - friendship, love, sense of belonging, being respected, and self accomplishment. None of these could be bought by money. What Sandel tries to show us is by treating these higher needs as commodities and calculating their monetary cost, we actually downgrade their meaning and corrupt their value.
Saturday, July 6, 2013
Buy
My recent leisure reading is What Money Can't Buy by Michael Sandel.
Yes, by coincidence several of my Facebook acquaintances are recently intrigued by this book, and my friend VW mentioned a related scenario in his blood not too long ago. (See http://vwswong.blogspot.hk/2013/06/mock.html)
Nonetheless, I didn't intend to read this book - nor did I buy it myself. Vivian got it as a bargain item some months ago, and I find it unattended and gathering dust in our bookshelf. My gut feeling says that the book would be stunning; although I never read Sandel's books before, I did watch his video lecture on justice from YouTube and am thoroughly impressed.
And my instinct did not let me down. This little paperback accomplishes the impossible mission of explaining an important ethical concept in a layman language, illustrated by a wealth of inspiring and informative real life scenarios. In my opinion, rather than putting up a full course of medical ethics for our students, it seems more fruitful to make Sandel's books and video lectures an obligatory component of their general education.
Yes, by coincidence several of my Facebook acquaintances are recently intrigued by this book, and my friend VW mentioned a related scenario in his blood not too long ago. (See http://vwswong.blogspot.hk/2013/06/mock.html)
Nonetheless, I didn't intend to read this book - nor did I buy it myself. Vivian got it as a bargain item some months ago, and I find it unattended and gathering dust in our bookshelf. My gut feeling says that the book would be stunning; although I never read Sandel's books before, I did watch his video lecture on justice from YouTube and am thoroughly impressed.
And my instinct did not let me down. This little paperback accomplishes the impossible mission of explaining an important ethical concept in a layman language, illustrated by a wealth of inspiring and informative real life scenarios. In my opinion, rather than putting up a full course of medical ethics for our students, it seems more fruitful to make Sandel's books and video lectures an obligatory component of their general education.
Friday, July 5, 2013
Recite
During a causal conversation, Vivian asked me in a light-hearted manner, "Szeto, can you recite Chu Shi Biao (出師表) of Zhuge Liang (諸葛亮)?"
"Why! Of course I do. Well, a few wordings may not be entirely correct, but, nonetheless, here you go: 先帝創業未半而中道崩殂，今天下三分，益州疲弊，此誠危急存亡之秋也..."
I went on, all the way till 「受命以來，夙夜憂歎，恐托付之不效，以傷先帝之明...」My wife was obviously disappointed and waved her hands, "Enough, enough. How could you recite all these?"
"Oh, the Chu Shi Biao is an easy bit. After all, it is part of the compulsory syllabus in our secondary school days."
"Quite true. Too bad the government abandon all obligatory assays from the curriculum of Chinese study. What better way than reciting famous classical pieces could we possibly think of to learn our language?"
"Absolutely. By the way, if I may choose one piece that I wish to be able to recite, I would certainly pick 「駱賓王：為徐敬業討武曌檄」. It is real fun to learn insulting people with style and elegance!"
"Why! Of course I do. Well, a few wordings may not be entirely correct, but, nonetheless, here you go: 先帝創業未半而中道崩殂，今天下三分，益州疲弊，此誠危急存亡之秋也..."
I went on, all the way till 「受命以來，夙夜憂歎，恐托付之不效，以傷先帝之明...」My wife was obviously disappointed and waved her hands, "Enough, enough. How could you recite all these?"
"Oh, the Chu Shi Biao is an easy bit. After all, it is part of the compulsory syllabus in our secondary school days."
"Quite true. Too bad the government abandon all obligatory assays from the curriculum of Chinese study. What better way than reciting famous classical pieces could we possibly think of to learn our language?"
"Absolutely. By the way, if I may choose one piece that I wish to be able to recite, I would certainly pick 「駱賓王：為徐敬業討武曌檄」. It is real fun to learn insulting people with style and elegance!"
Thursday, July 4, 2013
Education
You may think my suggestion is not really appropriate and we shouldn't really show school children what's going on in the stock market.
I would say that depends on how you view the subject. If you consider stock trading as just another kind of gambling and only the big shots (or a few lucky ones) make a profit, very true, we shouldn't let our children have a glimpse. On the other hand, if you accept the concept that holding a share means owning a small piece of a company, it becomes an excellent opportunity to learn what business means and how the world operates.
For example, take China Eastern Airlines as the example at hand, as soon as a child is having personal financial interest in it, one could encourage him to explore, with time, the following aspects:
I would say that depends on how you view the subject. If you consider stock trading as just another kind of gambling and only the big shots (or a few lucky ones) make a profit, very true, we shouldn't let our children have a glimpse. On the other hand, if you accept the concept that holding a share means owning a small piece of a company, it becomes an excellent opportunity to learn what business means and how the world operates.
For example, take China Eastern Airlines as the example at hand, as soon as a child is having personal financial interest in it, one could encourage him to explore, with time, the following aspects:
- geography of China
- structure and operation of an airport
- security procedures and terrorism
- ticket and pricing system of airline company
- physical considerations of airline meals
- types of freedom of air (transit rights and traffic rights)
- relation with petroleum industry
- finance statement and balance sheet
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
Build
(Our luncheon discussion continued.)
After a moment of happy silence, I said, "Em... Your son's idea is not entirely impossible, and I suppose there are ways to turn it to something beneficial."
"What do you mean?"
"For example, rather than waiting for your eventual meeting with Chairman Mao and all saints, you can now put up a small sum of money and buy for your son one lot of stock of, say, China Eastern Airlines."
"What !?"
"Oh, that doesn't cost much - maybe a few thousand dollars. You can then tell your lovely son that's the seeding money and he owns a very small part of an airline company. He can continue to work hard when he grows up - so that he could buy more and more of the company if he likes!"
The professor of endocrinology laughed, but obviously she was not amused.
PS. Why China Eastern Airlines? Oh, it's just the example that came out of my mind off-hand, and it could be Cathay Pacific or any other - just that, as I learnt latter, the cost of buying one lot is probably least for China Eastern.
After a moment of happy silence, I said, "Em... Your son's idea is not entirely impossible, and I suppose there are ways to turn it to something beneficial."
"What do you mean?"
"For example, rather than waiting for your eventual meeting with Chairman Mao and all saints, you can now put up a small sum of money and buy for your son one lot of stock of, say, China Eastern Airlines."
"What !?"
"Oh, that doesn't cost much - maybe a few thousand dollars. You can then tell your lovely son that's the seeding money and he owns a very small part of an airline company. He can continue to work hard when he grows up - so that he could buy more and more of the company if he likes!"
The professor of endocrinology laughed, but obviously she was not amused.
PS. Why China Eastern Airlines? Oh, it's just the example that came out of my mind off-hand, and it could be Cathay Pacific or any other - just that, as I learnt latter, the cost of buying one lot is probably least for China Eastern.
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
Legacy
Met my friend PS and a few others during lunch. As always, our discussion came down to our children.
"You know, kids are really unbelievable nowadays," the professor of endocrinology said, "Just a few days ago, my son asked whether I am going to split my legacy into three parts after I die."
I laughed and almost choked. My friend has three children, and the son in question is her eldest one, now probably at around 10 years of age.
"Alas, what did you tell him?"
"I said I shouldn't have very much money to be left. Em... I also asked why did he want the money."
"Good move," I nodded, "What did he tell you?"
"Oh! That's the amazing part. He said that he wants to set up an airline company!"
"How ambitious. And your response was...?"
"I told him the money that I left would probably only be enough for buying one seat in an aircraft!"
The table all laughed.
"You know, kids are really unbelievable nowadays," the professor of endocrinology said, "Just a few days ago, my son asked whether I am going to split my legacy into three parts after I die."
I laughed and almost choked. My friend has three children, and the son in question is her eldest one, now probably at around 10 years of age.
"Alas, what did you tell him?"
"I said I shouldn't have very much money to be left. Em... I also asked why did he want the money."
"Good move," I nodded, "What did he tell you?"
"Oh! That's the amazing part. He said that he wants to set up an airline company!"
"How ambitious. And your response was...?"
"I told him the money that I left would probably only be enough for buying one seat in an aircraft!"
The table all laughed.
Monday, July 1, 2013
Restricted
You may say this delinquent patient should and does have the freedom to speak, but such freedom has a limit, and she should not her problematic opinion in a public and official circumstance.
For similar argument, a columnist has the right to describe alternative therapy to all cancers, as long as he does it in a humble corner of an inside page rather than as a headline news.
Alas, do you mean the freedom should be restricted?
In that case, how restricted could still be regarded as free? I must say I am very much inclined to say that remarkable woman I encountered has all freedom to say what she likes - as long as she stays in an asylum. Oh, I'm sure country leaders behind the iron curtain have the same opinion when it comes to some naughty students protesting against corruption and dictatorship.
For similar argument, a columnist has the right to describe alternative therapy to all cancers, as long as he does it in a humble corner of an inside page rather than as a headline news.
Alas, do you mean the freedom should be restricted?
In that case, how restricted could still be regarded as free? I must say I am very much inclined to say that remarkable woman I encountered has all freedom to say what she likes - as long as she stays in an asylum. Oh, I'm sure country leaders behind the iron curtain have the same opinion when it comes to some naughty students protesting against corruption and dictatorship.
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