白岩松 (2015)，《白说 》，长江文艺出版社
这两天读白岩松，心里的感觉很不一样。这不是一个古代的人隔空和我们交流，这也不是一个和我们般大般的人在用同样懵懂的眼光探索世界。这是一个和我处在同一个时代，但在历史的长轴上比我们向前、向后都多看了不止40年的人，他在用他一贯严肃的语气与我们交流他的思考。
可以说我小时候在电视上最怕看到的就是白岩松，小时候住在外公家，每天晚上新闻联播、天气预报、焦点访谈和海峡两岸这些节目是电视机里不可动摇的神圣。每天吃完晚饭本该是一家人围炉谈天的时刻，但在外公家我却每天都要看这个一脸严肃的中年人用让人生畏的语气评述我搞不懂的社会问题。在我印象里，他从来没有展过眉。
现在看到他多少还是有些畏，但当然更多的是敬。他永远紧缩的眉头和二十年没有改变过的面容，在今天的我看来有着一种神奇的安定人心的力量。读《白说》时，我把他看成一位令人安心的、温暖的长者，一如孩提时期依仗父母叔伯。不同的是，小时候长辈保护我们平安康乐，教我做人最基本的技能，现在这本书里的话保护我不在人生的漫漫长途中迷失方向，教我如何用自己的方式把这个世界变好一点点，或者不让这个世界变得更坏。
对这片土地要有多深沉的爱才会选择一直担当社会的守夜人，现在看来，不苟言笑的白岩松是我们这个时代最温情、最长久的陪伴。
1. The most valuable thing I learn from this book is how to read and how to think. Reading is a rewarding habit, but i didn't get the full benefits until today. I used to value quantity and the beauty of language. I read a lot, but think little, didn't become as sharp as I could. To me, reading used to be about showing off. The logic goes like this: because I read a lot, I'm more civilized and have better taste. How ridiculous and arrogant !
Language is another one. Poetic language is a sign of creativity and beauty, bringing peace and comforts to even the most troubled mind. I still believe that. But that only scrap the surface of great treasure, far from getting nourished. Language style is way too over-evaluated in high school. Every Chinese teacher complimented my great taste of language, and my classmates reckon me talented. But that's only an illusion of critical thinking. In hindsight, being called great with words in school did me more damage than good, I was too complacent to practice critical thinking. Beautiful language can't cover the hollow mind.
Yet there's still something developed in my early years deserving to be preserved. When I was young, I was able to fully indulge in books and appreciate the beauty of details. Now I can't even stand a longer narrative. I expect to invest the least of time and receive the ultimate solution of life. I expect something I do today could land me the ideal job tomorrow. Something I spend 3 or 4 hours on could become immortal in history. Of course I know life doesn't work that way. Find the attracting parts, get immersed, and think with my own free mind.
So what to do? According to him, I think I need to find back the pleasure of reading, writing, painting, and all the other creative things I do. Then do them with an innocent mindset. Also, think independently and critically.
With so many my peers having made fame by writing, I often doubted this kind of old school approach. But deep down, I know that the fame and profits without solid foundation are transient, and would probably be washed out easily. Keep discovering and trying, allow idling around seemingly useless stuffs, most importantly, spend enough time on things I really care about.
That's what "善建者不拔" means.
2. When regulations conflict with the law of universe
He mentioned that we can always find we are struck by regulations that conflict with the law of universe, or human nature.
If think about it, that's definitely true.
But the problem is I am too used to regulations. I can't even identify what is natural to me, and what I'm subjected to. Oh, but he can. I think the difference can be attributed to his background. He grew up in the Inner Mongolia steppe, where regulations are not as heavy, strict and redundant as they are in the plains and deltas.
How to jump out of the box and see things more objectively and critically? I think the start is to question habits. What makes habits habitual and often toxic is the fact we don't question habits, even the ones that make absolute no sense. We see them normal, or at least neutral. But if we observe closely, even the brilliant minds have some ridiculous habits. There's almost no exception. After all, doing things out of habit is no different than machine.
3. Standardizing is damaging
That's true because almost all my peers have once hated at least one of the most established masters. Qu Yuan, Li Bai, Su Dongpo, Lu Xun, Beethoven, De Vinci, Van Gogh, and so many others.
He says the society has already standardized these people and their works. They are more symbols of great values than real person. Their works have been summarized as common knowledge, and the most attractive and touching details have always been left out. Great works are not inspiring anymore . They're so inhuman and boring. No wonder we hate them.
I absolutely agree, but I have more reason. Their works left so little room for interpretation. There are a lot of authorities specializing on the great writers and great works, but in my eyes, some experts are privatizing human civilization. Textbooks are great examples. With our rigid exam system, educators impart knowledge so condescendingly that we can't have a different opinion. So, classical works are something we must appreciate, and there's only one way to appreciate. No wonder we hate them.
What to do? He says it's really simple. Just enjoy it our way.
How Nice!
