Log 7

In Teusdays with Morrie, Mitch described his life being filled up by work, work that had consumed not only all of his time but also his dreams. I see myself in me. I started out reading this book because I have been feeling lost ever since we watched the TEDx Talk video in class about living cautiously. I have lived cautiously, giving rational thoughts to even to irrational actions. But now, I seem to be seeing a problem stemming from somewhere much deeper than building my guard. Same as Mitch in the book, I, too, tries to grab everything in my path, seize every opportunity to evolve, and take as much as I can. However, I don’t feel a sense of accomplishment. I will myself to do these things that I consider at the moment to be beneficial to my future career. Yet, also the same as Mitch, I no longer know what the things I want are. I filled my days with work, went to bed no later than 1 o’clock, and wake up in the morning with dozens of massages waiting to be dealt with. This life style makes me feel alive, but that is all I feel, alive. It is not the same feeling as “living”. In contrast to Mitch, Morrie did everything he wanted and lived a happy life, even in face of death. It seems so easy the way the book described it, and I hope I can one day live a life like Morrie’s, without regret. Most importantly, I need to find a reason for everything I am doing, so that I can finally make choices between all the opportunities presented to me.

Log #6

I started reading Tuesdays with Morrie this week, a book that I missed the chance of reading some couple of years ago. The book opened with a general description of the meetings between the narrator, Mitch, and his college professor back in the days, Morrie. No grades were given and no books were needed for these final classes at the final hours of the old professor dying from ALS. This struck me particularly because this started me to question the essence of class. Why do we go to class? Are we really learning what we want to learn? Are we learning what we need to learn? Are the things we do truly necessary for us to have our dreams in grasp? I thought I needed to seize every opportunity to exert myself, and I thought it would take me one step closer to my goal. After much turmoil and struggles, triumphs and falls, when I look back on all the things I strived for, I could hardly put them together to find an image of what I was searching for. What have I been searching for? The question has been dangling in the depth of my thoughts, and I hope by reading this book, I will find an answer.

Concept Map

Log #5

        I saw a movie called “Hidden Figure”. The movie was about a 3 of black females working at NASA in the 60s, right before the start of the Apollo missions. They all started out as calculators, they we exceled at their jobs. However, their career was severely limited by the color of their skin. Some time has passed before they each were able to seize the opportunity to move on while facing with racist and sexist challenge. Nevertheless, with much hard work, they were finally able to earn the respect of their white male coworkers and became rocket scientists and engineers.

        The movie was inspiring for me, for I have wanted to become a marketing executive. However, I have always feared that I might lack the professional skills to manage the job. I fear I would appear “unskilled” in front of others who were trained in college to do the job exactly as the 3 main characters in the movie had. Watching this movie made me realize that there are many possibilities lying around, and I simply have to find them. More importantly, when an opportunity presents itself, I must me ready to grab it.

Log #4

When we try to find a way out of income inequality, we would most likely think of education and taxation. They indeed could help, but I have find that the mechanics behind their functioning as a way out of inequality is far more complicated than we normally imagine.

First, education. Education have long been preached, by parents, teachers, politicians, and the rich alike, to be the way out. And indeed it was. My grandfather, who endured the horrors of civil war, was left with nothing until he received education and secured himself a new life in Taiwan. My grandmother, who was born in a wealthy trading family in Shanghai have also been through hard time, deprived of all her influence and wealth. Yet, she could pick up the pieces in Taiwan. Stories like theirs can be still be heard, as if it was not long ago we still rode on carriages.

From the articles I read, I find that education might no longer be the way counter inequality and provide equity to all. The truth is, it has been quite obvious. Education has been distorted, commercialized. The case is most self-evident in Taiwan. The new system of high school entrance evaluation provides extra credits for those with special talents, talents that people pay to acquire. Even without such a distorted mechanism, the rich still receives better education and more resources. Other researches show that the barrier exists not only in finance, but also in family. Low-income family tends to ignore education, forming a bad cycle. It is time to ask ourselves: how has it come to this? Do our education still function as a means to level inequality?

In the old days, only nobility receives education, and it took bloodshed and suffering to end this inequality. Yet it seems we are now rebuilding that society.

Second, taxing policy. Some argue that relying on government policies is equal to encouraging “rent seeking” behaviors and political lobbying. They argue that it will only stifle the economy. I am no economist, and the amount of information I can process from economy-based articles are severely limited by my poor economics. Yet I can understand that a disadvantageous taxing policy will only discourage business owner to invest. Therefore, if this is to work in any way, I believe it will have to be a global effort as I have mentioned in the previous log. 

Log #3

There have been multiple attempts by researchers, scholars, people from different regions and classes to find a solution to income inequality. Some argue that the best solution is social destabilization, such as global war, an argument that I most agree with. Others argue that it can be solved by taxing consumption with a special formula used to calculate tax rate. Still others, including Bill gates, argues that none of the above is required and that such drastic measures could also discourage small investors and business owners. Nevertheless, many would agree that new taxation methods are required, the million-dollar question is how. 

Old methods include raising minimal wages, tighten economic control still stand, but they are having minimal impact, as evident in our own economy and economies from all around the world as ever. However, one thing is for sure: government interference is inevitable. To reach a balance between socialism and freedom of trade will certainly be a challenge to us all. 

Log #2

Income gap is one of the irreversible effect of capitalism. This rich, being more capable, are opened to more possibilities, while the poor are mostly stuck in where they are. This has become a social norm, a phenomenon that we dislike, and yet are so used to. Nonetheless, I think we are forgetting that this was not true, however common it is now, in 20^th century Taiwan. And this is not true, in many developed countries in Northern Europe. This proves there are ways to prevent income gap from widening.

        In the movie “In Time”, time has become the currency of man, and so, wealth. Those who are rich lives an immortal life while those “without time” dies off. In H.G Wells’ “The Time Machine”, the rich evolved into an elegant, carefree species, “Eloi”, while the poor turned into a cannibalistic, horrid being, “Morlocks”. Though written in two very different eras, the two stories both tells of the severe outcome that may follow if income gap continues to widen. It contributes to the rise of Nationalism, as people grow discontent about their earnings and sought to protect their own interests. It contributes to Brexit and to Trump’s ascension, both with strong Nationalism character.

The problem is no less serious in Taiwan. Here, we see the economy growth as climbing numbers, but we do not feel it. People complain about poor economy, political parties grasp the opportunity to create class conflict, the society grows unstable by the minute. The problem was most serious when President Ma attempted to boost the economy by supporting trade. He only made the rich richer.

When we look back into history, we are most certainly to find equality after major unrests, such as war and destruction. But leveling the playground is not the only way to create a fair game. The key to redistributing wealth could be social welfare system.

Log #1

In the article I read was about income gap, about how ECFA shall only widen the income gap in Taiwan. Indeed, income gap has become a great problem to all the nations in the world, and in many other countries, way more serious and disturbing than Taiwan. ECFA was signed nearly a decade ago, and so was the article written. Judging by our current situation, it is safe to say that the author of the article was after all correct. It took Hong Kong as an example and demonstrated that with greater freedom of trade comes greater income gap, since international trading is mainly company business, which naturally profits business owners.

However, the article concludes that is could have been prevented with a more cautious trading policy when it comes to the great rich in store in China. I suppose this was what went wrong: those who are able to move have all moved to China, and those who are not are stuck. We would now never know what would have happened if we had not focus so much on short-term profits. But, it is important that we learn not to make the same mistakes. We are see more and more domestic conflicts arising from social class difference, and it will only grow worse if we don’t come up with means to curb the widening income gap.

Go Set a Watchman # Log 8

Go Set a Watchman Log 4

        From Chapter XV to Chapter XVIIII, Jean Louis went through perhaps the greatest changes of her life, and her relationship with her family went on a roller coaster ride to the gutter and back since she last talked to her uncle. We are given the information on the whole picture of Maycomb and the reason Atticus and Henry were at the Citizen’s Council, most importantly, so was Jean.

        Chapter XV opened with the dramatic out lash of Jean to Henry, and from their dialogues and reactions, we can now see the full extent of how different they actually were. Jean Louis, after witnessing the Citizen’s Council meeting, had been overwhelmed by her anger. She thought only about how she was humiliated and betrayed, how she had never truly known her family, and gave no thought as to the possible reasons behind. She refused to hear her uncle, and now she refused to hear Henry. She declared her disgust for Henry in a dramatic outburst. On the other hand, Henry simply tried to reason, to explain calmly to her yet to no avail. Nonetheless he had hardly lost his temper over the argument.

        Chapter XVII, after exploding at Henry, she confronted Atticus. She bombarded Atticus with every mean utterance she could come up with, and again, refused to listen to him for what little he had to said. In fact, Atticus had barely defended himself. He explained to her how he believed that civil rights were earned, and the Negros had not yet earned that right yet. The fact is what he said was true then and there, and is true here and now. The black society did, and still does, have a poorer contribution to the American society. It was Atticus’s belief that the black should be allowed freedom, but not drag the white down. Albeit Atticus’s concerns were completely reasonable and intact, Jean Louis did not give it any thought. She told Atticus she was leaving Maycomb and bolted out of his office.

        From the above actions we can really see Jean Louis as a childish character. It was not just her occasional swims in the river and fear for settlement, it was how narrow-minded she was, how she couldn’t accept those that contradicts her belief. She could only see things as the way she saw it, and resents anything suggesting otherwise. However, despite her childishness, we could that she would stand for what she believed in, and that she was righteous on the inside－ironically, probably a trait inherited from her father.

        Lastly, while at home packing, she also insulted Alexandra, who until then had never been seen crying. This was when Jean had started to realize how mean she was, and how she could have hurt people. She was gradually sensing the true gravity of her behavior. Typical for children behavior. Jean apologized to her aunt and persisted on leaving Maycomb forever. She felt like she was s stranger, she felt betrayed, and deserted. But was she? Or was she deserting herself?

        Up to this point, I quite agree with Atticus’s stand over racial integration. This is nothing about race, but rather individualism. The same problem exists even among ourselves, in Taiwanese schools. We have long debated the idea of competence-based class grouping, for there is no reason to drag the capable ones down to meet the academic level of the incapable. Nevertheless, this issue is much more complicated in America. This issue roots deeply in the American society as the black has been disadvantageous for too long, long enough to form a negative cycle of education and ultimately social class. This is also what I think the author is trying to point out.

        In Chapter XVIII, as Jean was about to leave, her uncle, Dr. Finch, came to convince her to stay, which resulted in her uncle’s first time striking a woman. The slap snapped Jean out of her berserk insult streak. Dr. Finch took Jean back to Atticus’s house, poured some whiskey, and smoked. Jean was in shock. She never had Dr. Finch offered her drink and she had never seen him smoke. Dr. Finch reasoned with Jean, led her to really think back on what Henry and Atticus was saying, and led her to see how childish she had been. She deeply regretted her behavior. However, not everything went back to normal. She found out that Henry is not suitable for her, and they could never be together.

        Something brought up by Dr. Finch was that Jean looked up to her father as God, and that she respected her so much that she forgot he was only human, and human are flawed. Dr. Finch explained why Atticus had barely defended himself－so that Jean could return her father to a human figure. From this point alone, we can see how grownup and wise Atticus was, and how much he loved Jean.

        However, I think there is still some reason behind Jeans reactions. To begin with, the Citizen’s Council were indeed known for their infamous means to thwart racial integration and voter registration. Furthermore, Atticus had protected her from much of the squalors of the real world, which had apparently backfired. She was physically fully grown, yet not mentally. What was more, she had been away from Maycomb, and had somehow disconnected with her past there. She became completely unaware of the matter as Southerner, she judged the entire matter on her Yankee point of view.

        Indeed, the problem of society progress will never be diminished, and we will never be free of social inequality. Have and have-not are relative, and it is impossible to reach total equality, and from the apparent failure of communism we can be sure. The problem of African Americans, and now Latinos too, is an obvious side effect of the freedom and diversity of the US. As people are given complete freedom, they must fight for themselves, and the disadvantaged which enjoy less resources have lower chance of breaking the chain of social class. Unfortunately, the this happens to be affiliated with African Americans, which greatly complicates the issue for they were enslaved by the white to begin with.

I think another issue here is Nationalism. There were actually more blacks in the South than whites, and they were suddenly given full citizenship rights, all elected officials could become black. Yet America is, on its essence, a white country, so to whom should the power be given? The popular majority or socially dominant? From our point of view today, it is obvious that since the government is “Of the people, By the people, For the people”, whomever supported by the majority should lead it. Yet Negros back then were “backward”, they were less capable intellectually and socially. Therefore, it is understandable that the white would resent African Americans’ taking office.

Log #7

From Chapter VI to Chapter XIV, we are able to learn more on both the nature of Maycomb, Jean Louis, and Jean Louis’s family. Different from the previous chapter, which focused much on Jean Louis’s childhood memory, we are now allowed a more complete view on the present and her family, friends, and acquaintances. In these chapters we see much of the relationship between Jean Louis and Atticus, Alexandra, John. Furthermore, from their relationships and interactions with Jean Louis and some of her memories with them, we can learn more about each character’s personality. Last but not least, towards the end of chapter IX, we are also given the information of how Jean Louis’s brother and mother had died.

Chapter VI opened with the brute questioning of Alexandra regarding Jean’s interactions with Henry. From this point, combined with what we saw from the previous chapters, we can deduce that her aunt is responsible, caring in nature, yet she was also conservative, self-righteous, and quite pious. In fact, later in the following chapters we learn that Alexandra was only the epitome of Maycomb－religiously devoted, conservative, and gossiping. This come as no surprise given the social norm of small towns in the south in mid 50s. We can also deduce that this could be the reason why Jean Louis stayed in New York, because the town is too ossified for her behavior, though we later learn that it was her father who encouraged her to go out into the world in the first place.

Moreover, we could finally meet Jean’s uncle, John. We learn from Jean’s description of John that John was well-learned in literacy and he was a doctor. He had a good relationship with Jean, similar to Atticus, yet the context of their interaction was much different. John showed her to Victorian literature while Atticus taught her to play golf, from which we can also see the difference between her father and uncle. Furthermore, from an argument of John with the priest over hymn singing style, we may safely conclude that he is person who would really devote for what he believed in and had passion for. Last but not least, from his comments on the ongoing racism in the South, we see that belief in freedom plays an important role in his life－belief that people are free to act however they want, racist or not.

Back to the point where Atticus taught Jean golf, of all the things a renowned lawyer could teach his daughter, we can relate it to the part where Jean mentioned that her father let her roamed free like a boy, and deduce that her father was a liberal person. This could be further proved by the calm reaction Atticus had when he heard Jean allegedly swam naked in the river with Henry－contrary to Alexandra’s hysteria. Yet this was challenged, in Jean’s perspective, toward the end of chapter IX when Jean saw her father meeting with a group of racists－which became quite interesting when later John explained the reason behind it.

The entirety of Chapter XIII was devoted to the contrast between Jean and her friends. From the conversation happened at a friend reunion that took place at Atticus’s house, we see much of Jean Louis’s soliloquy, which is an intriguing contrast to what her friends were all supporting. From her friends we see some conservative and racist characters, which was in direct contrast with Jean’s belief. It is even more interesting to see how she had to interact politely with her “friends” while she despises their belief in segregation.

Towards the ends of Chapter XIV, we have begun to see the real problem that lies behind all the conflict that had been happening within Jean and in Maycomb. While many, especially the Federal Government, see that every man deserves equal rights to freedom, people in the South see the extra measures taken to protect black rights per se is a violation to their freedom－a freedom that Maycomb, that John, that Henry and Atticus were all a part of, the freedom for men to be able to thank and act however they want. This draws to the bigger picture that has been foreshadowed, the conflict between the new and old generation regarding values, and black rights happened to be the staple of it

Log #6

        From the rest of Chapter I and the whole of Chapter II, we get to learn more about the Finches’ family history and character, along with some other character’s background, with the most notable being Henry. For instance, from the mentioning of Jean’s use of NAACP seal we learn that she is at least not in objection to equal right between black and white. Also from Jean’s aunt Alexandra’s callous opinion on how Henry’s family background make him unsuitable for the Finches (who are lawyers), we see that her aunt is a more conservative character.

Furthermore, Harper Lee also shed light on the history of Maycomb Country, which is most interesting and memorable. According to the book, Maycomb was able to expand and grow because despite its poor public transportation, the original inhabitant of the area, namely an innkeeper, welcomed surveyors sent by the government most hospitably, so hospitable that they ignored the modifications made to their canvas results. Consequently, the governor listed Maycomb as one of the major area for development.

Most interestingly, we get to see some aspects of life and important events of American society, including the Supreme Court ruling of Brown v. Board of Education case and how WWII changed young men at that time. This, to me, is particularly intriguing given how the American society was undergoing drastic shifts of gender, racial, and many other values post war. Last but not least, we are starting to see shadows of To Kill a Mockingbird.

Log #5

Go Set a Watchman is a story meant to be sold as a sequel to Harper Lee’s all-time classic To Kill a Mocking Bird; however, the book was actually written before To Kill a Mocking Bird, and is now generally regarded as the first draft of To Kill a Mocking Bird. Nevertheless, I am still excited to read the book, a book given to me as a graduation gift by my high school teacher.

In the first chapter of Go Set a Watchman, Jean Louis traveled from New York back to her hometown of Maycomb. There, she was welcomed by her childhood friend Henry, to whom she had feelings for. Henry asked Jean to marry him, but she refused out of confusion with her own conflicted feelings.

This chapter gives some important background information on Jean Louis, the protagonist. I feel quite soothed reading Harper Lee’s words describing the country, and amused by the strange conflict going on within Jean. One part I like the most is the incorporation of biblical elements. The title Go Set a Watchman is per se an example. One thing touched me particularly is when Henry said, “I, like Israel of Old, have labored seven years in the vineyards of the University and the pastures of your father’s office for you－” which comes from the parable of Jacob and Rachel－the same was quoted in Jane Austin’s Persuasion.

Three Most Impressive Presentations

The Game of Thrones－A Song of Ice and Fire

Kyle’s book is a book with men, monsters, magic, politics, chivalry, and most importantly, moral lessons. He talked about how he resembles the bastard of Lord Stark, John Snow. He mentioned how he tries to maintain a good character and tries to always give his best performance. There are three major reasons, among the many, that made me remember his presentation. First and foremost, he said he “was like the bastard”, a remark easily burned into my mind. Secondly, I have been a big fan of The Game of Thrones, and I have been following the series for quite a while now. Last but not least, I think his sharing is rather sincere and true. What he mentioned that day on stage is not sanctimonious talks of moral obligation, as I can see them reflected in every moment of his life, in every one of his decisions.

The Storyteller

        Celine’s book is a book about WWII, about Nazis, and about the struggle of inner conscience, friendship, and forgiveness. Such a story is one that anyone would remember, one stained with the shady colors of mankind’s darkest history. She immediately made me think of another piece, Night by Elie Wiesel, which is a memoir of Elie’s days in concentration camps where he had lost all his family. The Storyteller, which interestingly enough involves a former Schutzstaffel, is not all that different form Night. The inextricably excruciating agony and struggle that takes us to the brightest and darkest side of human nature is per se an epic. Combined with the mischievousness of fate, these books make great reminder of the paradox, of the mystique, of humanity and fate. And these are the books that attracts my attention.

Shadow of A Bull

        Fred’s book is one about heritage and courage. It talks about the son of a legendary bullfighter, whom expected by the world to uphold his father’s legacy and carry on his father’s path. However, he had little talent and interest in bullfighting and gave it up. Fred took his Taekwondo lesson as example, saying that he was expected to master the art in which he had little interest. This leads to a question on which we are often left to ponder: is heritage an obligation? should we, or could we, give our heritage up? The answer is, as they say, “blowing in the wind”. Nevertheless, it is worth noticing, and that’s why his presentation had caught my attention－Aside from the fact that I have heard his story of Taekwondo over a million times.

Log# 4

        From chapter 19 to 23, we learn more about the planet Magrathea and their business of custom plant construction. We also learn about another “pandimensional” race, appearing as mice in our dimension, commissioned the construction of Earth to the Magratheans. Earth was to serve a higher purpose but was destroyed by the Vogons 5 minutes prior to fulfillment.

        In these chapters, the plot counters everything we have believed, the obvious and utterly uninteresting facts: It told us that Earth was built for a research conducted by mice which use human as subjects. In truth, the claim is absurd. Nevertheless, I think it holds some lessons worthy of our reflection－the abuse of natural order. We are positioned on the very top of the world every-aspect-wise, and we have surely took the liberty of exploiting it. Vogons destroyed the Earth to build roads, and we have been doing the same, only on a smaller scale. Had we stop and think about how we would feel if we are being treated this way by some other higher power, I think much difference could have been made.

        Another thing I think about after reading this book is how illusive human civilization can be. We seem to be more prosperous and advanced than ever. But from various recent events we can easily see how easily our civilization gives in to violence. Worse than ever, we now have the smite to literally cleave ourselves out of existence. In fact, I think we ourselves are as perilous to Earth and humanity as the Vogons in the book were; Arm race, World Wars, Holocaust, we are perhaps even worse than the Vogons.

        All in all, I believe that the fact we essentially no longer have to worry about natural threats is, ironically, what is pushing us towards our own destruction. The disputes and exploitations will eventually exact a price too heavy to afford. Sodom and Gomorrah had what was coming, and perhaps we will, too.

Log #3

        Chapter 10 to 18 is as much enjoyable as the previous chapters. Likewise, they contain much of Douglas Adam’s criticism on humanity and civilization. From these chapters we learn of the author’s intensifying emphasis on two beliefs: “everything happens by chance” and “civilization is not necessarily benevolent”.

The author repeatedly and regularly reminded us that everything happens by chance, despite the fact that our main characters: Arthur, Ford, Trillian, Zaphod, four people with completely different backgrounds from different parts of the galaxy, had previously met under the most peculiar of circumstances. This was done by the incorporation of many “calculations” in the plot that tell the characters (and the reader) how improbable the things that was happening. The constant reminder of probability and the unbelievable odds made the Author’s point quite clear.

Another thing that was made clear was that human can be really vain and that prosperity shall one day exact the ultimate price. Adams conveyed this idea with a mystical planet that was supposed to have existed 5 million years ago, Magrathea. It was said that the planet Magrathea existed in the good-old-days of the then Galactic Empire when people were wealthier than ever. Life was boring, thus miserable. People started to blame their misery on the planet they live, thus a new business－customized planet－was born, and Magrathea was in the center of it. As days became years, Magrathea held half of the empire’s capital, leaving the galaxy in abject poverty. One day, Magrathea disappeared into thin air－exactly like Atlantis did. Albeit Adams was telling the story of another time in another galaxy, we can vividly see the images of his implication.

All in all, my reading has lead me to think more over the subject of wealth, civilization, and human nature. What is thought to be benevolent might not always be good, and it is up to us to stay vigilant and wary of the potential risk of technology and the flaws of capitalism.

Log #2

        From chapter six to ten, Ford and Arthur were captured, tortured, thrown out of the Vogon flagship－and rescued. In the meantime, we can still see the mind boggling sarcasm of Douglas Adams on human nature non-stop. I have encountered quite a bit of challenge due to the large amount of non-sense words and nonsense plot, but in no way it lessens the pleasure in reading the book.

In the beginning of chapter six, they were trapped on the Vogon command ship. While they were trapped, they heard the captain’s broadcast, which was able to be translated by stuffing “the Babel Fish” in their ears. Interestingly enough, the discovery of such a species that eliminates all language barrier, according to the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, had led to countless wars and chaos, and in reality, it is also true that lifting barricades and borders between nations is not helping to create a more stable society. Then, before long, they were captured by a searching patrol, and shortly after, tortured by the Vogons－with their “poetry reading”. Here, Douglas Adams was criticizing those who pretended to appreciate art only to appear more noble than other, as he explained that even the best Vogon poem is horrifying, tormenting, and agonizing to listen to, and that they compose poems only to prove that they too are an “intellect species”.

After getting thrown out of the shuttle, they were immediately rescued by another spaceship, The Heart of Gold: the ship rendering all hyperspace bypass useless mentioned in the previous log. Despite the improbability of a ship appearing not anywhere else but Arthur and Ford’s exact location, they were safe. This is another theme of this book－there is no such thing as fate, and everything happens arbitrarily. What is a coincidence is a coincidence.

Log #1

        
       On first sight of the book, of its blurb, and of its first chapter, the word popped into my mind was, if any, “ridiculous”, and if I were to deliberately and meticulously choose a word to describe it, it would be “nonsense”. Nonetheless, it rates at no.51 on the reader’s “100 best novels” list, and was shot into a movie of the same title in 2005. From the first five chapters I have read I can deduce that the entire book is ninety-nine percent of sarcasm and one percent of literature. Nevertheless, to conclude this little introduction, I would say that the book is absolutely enjoyable.

        Much had happened in the first five chapters. To begin with, Earth was demolished. Earth was demolished by the “Vogon Constructor Fleet” to build a hyperspacial express route minutes after our main character, Auther Dent, found his house demolished for a new bypass to be built. Both of these benevolent constructions were properly sanctioned, and both of these plans had been out for “public viewing”. One was locked in the bottom of a file cabinet located in an abandoned lavatory in the city council’s cellar with no lights, the other had been on display in a neighboring system “merely four light years” away for fifty years. The demolition was carried out by the Vogons, who would not even move a finger to save their grandmothers without proper order signed in triplicate. The implication of government red tape, sterness and incapability cannot be more plain and explicit, and the author spelled them out marvelously.

As Earth was about to be demolished, panic spread. Some put paper bags on their heads, some rushed into the house, some rushed out of the house, while some made noises at the noises made by the Vogons. I think this describes what people do when they panic with a certain level of accuracy－nothing helpful or whatsoever. Luckily, Arthur was rescued by his friend, Ford Perfect, who was actually an alien hitchhiker trapped on Earth. Together, they hitched a ride on Vogon Commander’s Flagship off Earth. They were let onboard by the cooks, a species named “Dentrassis”. There were two specific things they enjoyed, Vogon money and irritated Vogons. I believe this is a hint that if not treated well, even civil servants will potentially undermine the government and enjoy an irritated leader, which can be proved by recent events when some mayor and president fail to treat his/her workers fairly.

Unfortunately, as Earth was busy getting demolished, an announcement was made by the Galactic Government, declaring that a hyperdrive that shall render all hyperspacial routes useless had been invented. This often happens when different branches of a government do not communicate. Morerover, it could be hinting that governors love to tear down what they consider useless to build what is truly useless but with their names all over it.

        All in all, the first five chapters seems to be a load of nonsense, but after reading it, one can easily see the sarcasm behind Douglas Adam’s flirtatious words. I think even without its metaphorical meanings this novel is delightful to read, as the story is hilarious both plot-wise and word-wise and easy to follow. Its imaginations have no limits, and I very much look forward to finish the book.

My Reading History

First of all, I do consider myself a reader in both Mandarin and English, nonetheless, I read Mandarin more. However, most of my favorite books are either in English or translated from it. One of my favorite book is the animal farm, because while the story itself is an absolute marvel－animals taking over a farm－it precisely depicts and mocks soviet society. The ingenuity of its plot, how all characters and events can be related to a certain person or event in the Soviet Union under Joseph Stalin’s rule, is simply ingenious. It is, in my opinion, one of the best satire I have ever read.

As for how and why I have become a reader, I think it is because I have had much training in reading in both languages since I was a child. My parents encouraged me to read, and later on when I started attending school, they strive to promote reading in both languages. With all the encouragements and resources I was exposed to, and considering that reading was only for entertainment at the time, giving me little reason to say no to reading, it was hard for me not to make reading a habit.

Nonetheless, after entering middle school and high school, there is little time for me to do much extracurricular reading. In fact, reading seemed to have existed only for the purpose of examinations in high school. But, lucky enough, I am able to pick up the habit of reading once again after entering college. All in all, I believe I am a reader when situation allows, otherwise I read as much as I can.