Spread

I must say I found the subject too serious for a casual discussion and decided to change the topic a little, “There is a fine line of difference between freedom of holding an idea and permission to promulgate that idea.”

“Alas, there may be certain truth in it, but I’m not sure,” L shook his head, “You can argue idea is meant to be spread.”

“What do you mean?”

“If you allow a minority of people, however small a group they are, to hold an idea but not be spread it around, you are essentially giving permission to an endangered species to subsist but not reproduce. You are just killing off the species – or the idea – in a slow and painless manner.”

L had a point, but I remained uneasy, “Does it mean that we should allow minority group to promulgate their belief – however weird or evil that belief is?”

Paradox

"It is strange that you mention the word equal," L said seriously, "This is funny concept to apply when we talk about democracy - or pursuing democracy."

"What do you mean? I suppose they are the two sides of the same coin?"

"Yes and no. Let's go back to the very basic idea: Democracy means a government that allows all eligible citizens to participate equally. It encompasses the concept that minority has the right to voice out their opinion."

"Yes...?"

"Now, what if the minority group supports dictatorship?"

"What!?"

"You see? As a supporter of democracy, you have to give them a freedom of speech, and, as Voltaire said, you may even have to defend to the death their right to say. However, those few who support tyranny will not do the same to you. If they give you such a freedom, they are not supporters of their own belief!"

After a minute or two, seeing that I said nothing, L went on, "The problem is, there are circumstances when supporters of autocracy are in the majority..."

Parent

“Let me go one step further and ask: What if she does give a sound answer to both of your questions, but they are not logically linked? In other words, if your daughter knows what she is doing and why she is doing this, but her what does not help her why – what she is doing would not achieve her goal or purpose?”

“Alas, I see what you mean. However, I have not been asking for a logical sequence of action. I shall keep my words and be supportive.”

To my surprise, L nodded approvingly, “My friend, I shall take my hat off for you. What a keen supporter of liberalism! However, as a parent, you are a rare species. Many of the traditional Chinese fathers would insist their children to behave in a way that they parents think appropriate. Others may allow their children to pursue their own dream – but only if the teenager has a water-tight logical argument.”

“I could see the conflict now. When talking to the reporter, the King of the Round Table was playing the role of a parent – most likely from a traditional Chinese family. On the other hand, the students were taking him as an ordinary person, and, their motto is: Everyone should be equal!"

Support

I remained silent for a moment, and then I said slowly, “My friend, you really sound like our King of the Round Table.”

“Do I? That’s a compliment to me. Well, as to what he recently said to the media, I may not entirely agree. Nonetheless, our fellow students may be a trace too harsh to the old surgeon. As I am getting gold, I think I could understand his feeling.”

“Yes…?”

“Let me explain in a convoluted manner by asking you a hypothetical question: If Euterpe is now 17 rather than 7-year-old, and she asks you to write for her a letter to her school principal so that she could join the class boycott, what are you going to do?”

That’s a difficult nut to crack. I considered for a short while before giving a response, “I shall ask her to explain clearly to me what she is doing and why she is doing this. If she could give a solid answer to both, I shall be all supportive – even though I may not agree with her idea.”

Boycott

Met my friend L on my way home. As always, I tried to induce the old nerd to talk a bit more.

“My friend, what do you think about the class boycott this week?” I asked.

“Alas, go away, serpent! And take away the apple!” He burst out in a smiling face, “Why, as you always say, I do not need to have an opinion in this matter.”

“No, you do not need to, but nevertheless you have one – just like you don’t need to wear a tie to go to work but you always put on one.” I smiled back, “Friend, let’s be frank. What do you think?”

“Em… I think they have very good tactics but their strategy is slightly more controversial – although I’m not sure what better strategy they could adopt.”

“Do you mean the arrangement of the boycott is smooth but you do not think they could achieve what they want?” I asked, trying to translate what L said into layman language, "That view is not entirely exciting."

"Oh, why should it be? I am not bound to please thee with my answers."

Science

Like many working fathers, the most enjoyable hour for me every day is dinning with my princesses.

As you would expect, I have the most entertaining conversation with Euterpe and Alder at the dining table. To add to the flavor, my girls start playing a little mental game called “Is there any science” in the recent weeks to kick off the discussion every evening.

I must say I can’t recall how it all began. The rule is simple: When dinner is served, Euterpe and Adler each chooses a random subject (or object) and asks a question “Is there any science in…” and I shall have to give a two-minute talk on that topic.

For example, the questions I get today are “Is there any science in shrimps and crabs?” from Euterpe and “Is there any science in computer?” from Adler. Well, I do not need to be very sophisticated or informative. For the former, I talk about the edible life-forms between the two – lobster, crayfish, and squilla. For the latter, I touch on Windows and Apple, Bill Gates and Steve Jobs, and how Pixar comes along.

As Confucius said, education starts by studying objects (格物而後致知).

Reference

(A reference letter that I am recently tempted to write for a house officer.)

To whom it may concern,

Dr. X worked for my team from July to September 2014.

I could see him in the ward during this period, and he often says “yes” when we ask him to do something.

As a result, I write this reference letter in response to his email request.

Sincerely, et cetera.