Thoughts to You from Yours Truly - ( TYYT ) - ( 68 ) - Government Failing the People ( 政府辜負了老百姓 ) - April 6, 2011
As can be seen time and time again it is always the government that fails its people. The most recent natural disasters in Japan culminating in the unfolding nuclear disaster is a case in point. While the whole world marvels at the noble discipline of the Japanese people and their calmness and steadfastness in the face of tremendous adversities the Japanese government is dwarfed and put in a bad light for its feet dragging ( especially over the handling of the nuclear disaster ) and disorganized response in times of life threatening emergency. Not only are the rescue and life supporting efforts proven to be inadequate the Japanese government's less than hand on approach to the nuclear disaster may yet lead to the deepening of the crisis. According to the Japanese constitution the prime minister is supposed to set up a nuclear disaster coordinating department personally headed by him to take direct charge over the calamity. Instead, it was mostly up to the secretary of the cabinet to make sparse announcements on the ongoing crisis and the related disaster support efforts. Only once did the prime minister visit the disaster areas. This is obviously poor performance by any standard.
歷史中有着無數例子， 盡是政府辜負了老百姓。最近在日本發生的極大災難，地震，海嘯而引起核電工廠洩漏輻射事件，又再次證明，永遠都是政府辜負了老百 姓。當全世界都稱讚日本老百姓，展示了無比社會紀律和極度忍耐，卻將日本政府的混亂和缺乏應變能力比下去了。政府對核電危機的緩慢反應，優柔寡斷，都是一派低 效率的寫照。除了拯救和善後支援，都表現差勁外，對輻射洩漏的束手無策，更加使危機有惡化趨勢。日本憲法有規定，如果遇上原子能的意外事件，首相是必須成 立特別委員會，由他親自直接處理。至今，我們多看見內閣秘書，在電視前面發佈言論，首相只有到過災難現場一次吧了。這是十分差勁的工作表現，更談不上鮮明 領導了。
The belated request for international assistance and passive cooperation with the IAEA the UN body in charge of monitoring nuclear accidents all reflected badly on the Japanese government's less than satisfactory efficiency. Apart from the possible intention to conceal or at least delay bad news the naive tendency to avoid the so-called loss of face could be another factor. While all citizens of the world generally expect simply a decent livelihood including basic humans right from their governments all establishments ( to a greater or lesser extent ) are geared at monopoly of power and incumbency of office as long as possible. This is the eternal conflict between the government and the governed. Having regards to the fact that a government should only stay in power so long as the people's mandate is with them there is absolutely no valid reason for its continued existence. Just like the WWII Nazis, the military government of the past Japanese Empire, the Gang of Four in China, the money for votes political parties in Taiwan and even the corporations favouring tendency in some US governments they were or are all failing the people in some major or minor ways. I am not going to do them the courtesy in even mentioning some repressive regimes such as Burma, Cuba, North Korea, the Middle East and Africa. Some of these dictators and other single party governments are holding on to power under the pretext of being the father to their nation. The great physicist, Richard Feynman once said :- " It is easy to cheat people and you are the easiest person to cheat. " This is so true ! Yet we must not forget what some great statesmen ( they are definitely not politicians ) such as President Abraham Lincoln who said this :- " You can fool all the people some of the time or some of the people all the time but you can never fool all of the people all the time. " When you , one of the people, becomes part of the government machinery you must heed these two pieces of wise counsel.
日本政府延遲向外國提出援助的要求，以及其被動地和IAEA（國際原子能監管處 ）合作和協調，更顯示了其試圖隱瞞或延遲發佈壞消息，將它的低效率表現無遺。可能原因，除了是試圖報喜不報憂外，更有可能是幼稚的面子問題，希望自己可以 應付一切，直到不能處理為止。所有世界上的老百姓，都是希望擁有一般像樣的溫飽，以及基本的人權吧了，而所有政府都是以不同的程度，去試圖爭取獨自當權， 以及永遠延長統治權。這就是政府和老百姓的永恆矛盾。常理告訴我們，政府是老百姓授權的施政機構，如果沒有他們的同意，那政府實在是沒有存在的合法基礎， 應立即解散，重新經過公平和公開的選舉，再度贏得公民的合法授權，才可繼續執政。就有如二次大戰的德國納粹黨，以前日本帝國的軍事政府，中國六十年代的四 人幫，台灣黑金政治的政黨，甚至美國很多傾向支持大企業的政府，都是不同程度地辜負了老百姓。其他專制獨裁的政權，如緬甸，古巴，北韓，以及某些中東，非洲 軍事政府，更不值得一提。總而言之，一切不尊重個人基本權利的政權，都應受到強烈的指責。這些政權，往往以為老百姓謀幸福作口號，以國家救星自居。其實在這 世界上沒有無了任何人便不成這回事，全都是一派胡言吧了。偉大的物理學家，李察費應文（ Richard Feynman )說得對:「 人是十分容易被欺騙的，而你自己便是最容易被你自己欺騙的人了。」不過我們也應聽取林肯總統的名言:「你可以暫時欺騙所有人，或長期欺騙一些人，但是，你 不可能長期欺騙所有人的。」當你有機會成為政府機構的一員，請深深反省以上的智理名言。
JKHC ( 鄭冠合 )
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Thoughts to you from yours truly - ( 67 ) - April 2, 2011
Thoughts to You from Yours Truly - ( TYYT ) - ( 67 ) - Self Reference Statement ( 自我參照的句子) - April 2, 2011
Language, logic and truth are all inter-connected like most natural or inter-personal phenomena in this world. In fact, language is the product of our consciousness which is in turn the basis and tool for our understanding of reality as we know it. According to the famous British scientist and mathematical physicist, Sir Roger Penrose who wrote the huge book The Road to Reality : A Complete guide to the Laws of the Universe there are, in fact, three separate sets of realities in this world - the physical world governed by invariant laws of nature ; our private mental world controlled by our own personal creative and imaginative rules and the perfect but theoretical mathematical world operated by rules of pure logic with absolute accuracy.
語言，邏輯和真理，都是互相關聯的事物，這就正如大多數自然界和人際關係的事情一般。其實，語言是我們意識下的產品，而意識又是我們接觸現實的基礎和工 具。根據英國數學物理學家，羅渣本諾斯 （ Sir Roger Penrose ) 在他的長達一千頁的巨著，The Road to Reality : A Complete Guide to the Laws of the Universe ( 到現實之路）中所詳述，現實是分為三個層面的。它們就是，被永不變易定律控制着的自然世界，擁有着個人的創造性和強大幻想力的精神世界，以及完美和純邏輯的精 確數學世界三者。
Let us talk about the language we must use to communicate with other living beings to get some insight into this important communication tool. Apart from the Ex-ante and Ex-post statements ( see my blog entry here :- http://jkhcforum.blogspot.com/2011/03/thoughts-to-you-from-yours-truly-65.html ) with predictive and simply historical contents respectively there are also some special cases of logically inconsistent statements in terms of their content. These are called self reference statements as discovered by the great British philosopher, Bertrand Russell. Although this is a very special case smart thinkers should also be aware of its existence to avoid getting into an illogical fallacy.
讓我們談談有關語言這種重要的溝通工具，希望藉機獲得一些深刻見解。除了以前提及的Ex-ante ( 前瞻句）和Ex-post (事後句），分別為預測性和歷史性的句語（ 在我這裡的部落格可重溫 http://jkhcforum.blogspot.com/2011/03/thoughts-to-you-from- yours-truly-65.html ）之外，也有些特殊句子，它們裡面是存在着一些邏輯上的謬誤，稱為self reference statement （自我參照句子），是偉大的英國哲學家，羅素（Bertrand Russell )所發現的。雖然它們只是極少數例子，但是作為一個有醒目思維的人，我們也應該認識到它們的性質和存在,以免墮入它們的邏輯謬誤中。
Take this question for example :- " This statement is wrong, true or false ? " If we say " true " then it would mean that the statement is wrong. On the other hand, if we say " false " it would mean that the statement is right. Either way, we end up with an illogical answer. The reason lies with the negative meaning of the word wrong and the positive and negative meanings of the other two words " true " and " false " respectively. Since the statement itself refers to nothing outside its own construction ( or some other fact apart from itself ) it is called a self reference statement. This will result in the combined effect of the word " wrong " ( a negative ) with the word " false " ( another negative ) to make the result positive ( implying the positive and opposite meaning of " right " ) - two negatives make a positive. If the other positive word " true " is applied then the resulting meaning will be of a negative meaning " wrong " ) - a negative and a positive makes a negative. This is interesting but shows that there exist inconsistencies in our language.
拿以下的問題為例:「這句子是錯的，是或否？」如果我們說是，那句子便是錯的了。反之，如果我們說否，那句子便是對的了。這樣一來，無論我們說是或否，都會產生邏輯上的謬誤。原 因在於那個錯字，是有負面的意思，而是與否兩者，卻分別帶着正面和負面的意思。由於這句子是自我參照句，即是說它只是針對自己，沒有涉及句子以外的事物。 這樣，如果我們說否，否字和錯字都是負面的意思，於是負負得正，便得到相反的正確那意思。假如我們說是字，這則有正面的意思，而錯字卻有負面意思，這樣一 來，正負便得負，所以句子便有錯的意思，這也正是其原本字面的意思。以上的情況，十分有趣，但比較罕見，卻證明了我們日常所用的語言，當中確是存在着一些 邏輯上的謬誤，切記為上策！
JKHC ( 鄭冠合 )
Language, logic and truth are all inter-connected like most natural or inter-personal phenomena in this world. In fact, language is the product of our consciousness which is in turn the basis and tool for our understanding of reality as we know it. According to the famous British scientist and mathematical physicist, Sir Roger Penrose who wrote the huge book The Road to Reality : A Complete guide to the Laws of the Universe there are, in fact, three separate sets of realities in this world - the physical world governed by invariant laws of nature ; our private mental world controlled by our own personal creative and imaginative rules and the perfect but theoretical mathematical world operated by rules of pure logic with absolute accuracy.
語言，邏輯和真理，都是互相關聯的事物，這就正如大多數自然界和人際關係的事情一般。其實，語言是我們意識下的產品，而意識又是我們接觸現實的基礎和工 具。根據英國數學物理學家，羅渣本諾斯 （ Sir Roger Penrose ) 在他的長達一千頁的巨著，The Road to Reality : A Complete Guide to the Laws of the Universe ( 到現實之路）中所詳述，現實是分為三個層面的。它們就是，被永不變易定律控制着的自然世界，擁有着個人的創造性和強大幻想力的精神世界，以及完美和純邏輯的精 確數學世界三者。
Let us talk about the language we must use to communicate with other living beings to get some insight into this important communication tool. Apart from the Ex-ante and Ex-post statements ( see my blog entry here :- http://jkhcforum.blogspot.com/2011/03/thoughts-to-you-from-yours-truly-65.html ) with predictive and simply historical contents respectively there are also some special cases of logically inconsistent statements in terms of their content. These are called self reference statements as discovered by the great British philosopher, Bertrand Russell. Although this is a very special case smart thinkers should also be aware of its existence to avoid getting into an illogical fallacy.
讓我們談談有關語言這種重要的溝通工具，希望藉機獲得一些深刻見解。除了以前提及的Ex-ante ( 前瞻句）和Ex-post (事後句），分別為預測性和歷史性的句語（ 在我這裡的部落格可重溫 http://jkhcforum.blogspot.com/2011/03/thoughts-to-you-from- yours-truly-65.html ）之外，也有些特殊句子，它們裡面是存在着一些邏輯上的謬誤，稱為self reference statement （自我參照句子），是偉大的英國哲學家，羅素（Bertrand Russell )所發現的。雖然它們只是極少數例子，但是作為一個有醒目思維的人，我們也應該認識到它們的性質和存在,以免墮入它們的邏輯謬誤中。
Take this question for example :- " This statement is wrong, true or false ? " If we say " true " then it would mean that the statement is wrong. On the other hand, if we say " false " it would mean that the statement is right. Either way, we end up with an illogical answer. The reason lies with the negative meaning of the word wrong and the positive and negative meanings of the other two words " true " and " false " respectively. Since the statement itself refers to nothing outside its own construction ( or some other fact apart from itself ) it is called a self reference statement. This will result in the combined effect of the word " wrong " ( a negative ) with the word " false " ( another negative ) to make the result positive ( implying the positive and opposite meaning of " right " ) - two negatives make a positive. If the other positive word " true " is applied then the resulting meaning will be of a negative meaning " wrong " ) - a negative and a positive makes a negative. This is interesting but shows that there exist inconsistencies in our language.
拿以下的問題為例:「這句子是錯的，是或否？」如果我們說是，那句子便是錯的了。反之，如果我們說否，那句子便是對的了。這樣一來，無論我們說是或否，都會產生邏輯上的謬誤。原 因在於那個錯字，是有負面的意思，而是與否兩者，卻分別帶着正面和負面的意思。由於這句子是自我參照句，即是說它只是針對自己，沒有涉及句子以外的事物。 這樣，如果我們說否，否字和錯字都是負面的意思，於是負負得正，便得到相反的正確那意思。假如我們說是字，這則有正面的意思，而錯字卻有負面意思，這樣一 來，正負便得負，所以句子便有錯的意思，這也正是其原本字面的意思。以上的情況，十分有趣，但比較罕見，卻證明了我們日常所用的語言，當中確是存在着一些 邏輯上的謬誤，切記為上策！
JKHC ( 鄭冠合 )
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Thoughts to you from yours truly - ( 66 ) - April 1, 2011
Thoughts to You from Yours Truly - ( TYYT ) - ( 66 ) - Specialized and Inter-Disciplinary Knowledge ( 專門和跨專業的學識 ) - April 1, 2011
Nowadays, being an expert in your own field is not enough as the modern world with its information explosion is bringing everyone and everything closer to one another. In my humble opinion, there are two main reasons for the emergence of this new trend. Firstly, human affairs are so complicated that a simple one to one relationship is no longer the rule. Interactive dialogue giving rise to multilateral exchanges culminating in feed back loops and more than a simple sum total of the inputs are now the rule rather than the exception. Secondly, the world wide web has given rise to the information technology revolution and the resultant information explosion that has allowed the instant sharing of all relevant information across various related disciplines which could be real time if so required. There is just no time to go home after work and think about a particular issue when confronted with one at the office.
在現今資訊爆炸的世界中，人與人，和事與事的距離，日益緊密，單只擁有專門學識是不足夠的。以在下的愚見，這是有兩大原因。其一是人與人之間的交往緊密 了，也比從前複雜多了。因此，形成了更多相向性的回響，一加一不只是等於二那麼簡單。其二是國際互聯網的出現，令至資訊互通，達到前所未有迅速和全面。必要時更可以即時資訊傳遞，立即令各有關方面獲得所需資料。這樣，專業人士便不能像從前一樣，等待回到家裏再慢慢地考慮問題，要當場和即時面對它們。
Under such encouraging or intimidating circumstances ( depending on how one looks at it ) every professional person or competent working individual is expected to know all the basic tenets of all other disciplines related to one's own area of responsibility. That is why for my own accountancy profession the basic requirements for becoming a professional accountant include a minimum university first degree to ensure that the candidates possess a general educational background. This was adopted over two decades ago. Similar general educational standards have been adopted by nearly all professional bodies regulating all the major professions such as medical practitioners, architect & engineers, lawyers and other financial and social professionals.
在這種令人鼓舞或令人害怕（ 視乎你從那個角度看）的情況下，每個專業人員，都得明白和認識其他有關專業的基本操作原則。正就是這原因，我的老本行，會計專業，早已在二十多年前，便要 求準會計師，必須擁有起碼的大學學士或相等的教育程度，以確保他們擁有廣泛和普及性的教育訓練，以應付作為會計師必備的專業技能和重任。類似的要求和條件，在其他主要專業，如醫生，建築師，工程師， 律師，社會專業人士和金融專業工作者等，都有同樣規定
The practical consequences of such an inter-disciplinary approach are far reaching. It enables most of the responsible members of society to adopt a wider perspective in their judgment as well as to realize their proper place in the whole structure of society. In short, such an approach allows each of us to know more clearly about where we stand in society. It prevents us from being imprisoned in the ivory tower of our own profession possibly resulting in a " holier than thou " view of all other members of society. This is definitely good for society as a whole. Smart thinkers and prospective professionals should always adopt this approach even when they are not at work. It would be even better if we could extend our general knowledge to other basic areas such as philosophy, history, politics and economics, etc. For old timers like yours truly, we have the undeniable responsibility to pass it on to our younger generations.
這些跨專業學識的規定，是有着很深遠影響的。這樣的安排，會令到每一位專業人員，擁有廣闊的視野和判斷力，以及令各人明瞭自己在社會上的正確方位。換言 之，擁有跨專業學識，使我們明白自己的社會崗位和責任。這安排會使我們，避免被鎖在各自專業的象牙塔中，而引至形成一種為我獨尊的自我態度。這趨勢對整個 社會，一定是一件好事。有醒目思維的人，以及專業工作者，有醒目思維的人，以及專業工作者，應經常採取這態度處事，不只限制在工作時應用。如果我們將跨專業學識領域，擴展到其他重要學科，如哲學，歷史，政治和經濟學上， 便更加有效力了。如在下這些老人家，更是有着不可推卸的責任，把這訊息推延到年輕的一代去。
JKHC ( 鄭冠合 )
Nowadays, being an expert in your own field is not enough as the modern world with its information explosion is bringing everyone and everything closer to one another. In my humble opinion, there are two main reasons for the emergence of this new trend. Firstly, human affairs are so complicated that a simple one to one relationship is no longer the rule. Interactive dialogue giving rise to multilateral exchanges culminating in feed back loops and more than a simple sum total of the inputs are now the rule rather than the exception. Secondly, the world wide web has given rise to the information technology revolution and the resultant information explosion that has allowed the instant sharing of all relevant information across various related disciplines which could be real time if so required. There is just no time to go home after work and think about a particular issue when confronted with one at the office.
在現今資訊爆炸的世界中，人與人，和事與事的距離，日益緊密，單只擁有專門學識是不足夠的。以在下的愚見，這是有兩大原因。其一是人與人之間的交往緊密 了，也比從前複雜多了。因此，形成了更多相向性的回響，一加一不只是等於二那麼簡單。其二是國際互聯網的出現，令至資訊互通，達到前所未有迅速和全面。必要時更可以即時資訊傳遞，立即令各有關方面獲得所需資料。這樣，專業人士便不能像從前一樣，等待回到家裏再慢慢地考慮問題，要當場和即時面對它們。
Under such encouraging or intimidating circumstances ( depending on how one looks at it ) every professional person or competent working individual is expected to know all the basic tenets of all other disciplines related to one's own area of responsibility. That is why for my own accountancy profession the basic requirements for becoming a professional accountant include a minimum university first degree to ensure that the candidates possess a general educational background. This was adopted over two decades ago. Similar general educational standards have been adopted by nearly all professional bodies regulating all the major professions such as medical practitioners, architect & engineers, lawyers and other financial and social professionals.
在這種令人鼓舞或令人害怕（ 視乎你從那個角度看）的情況下，每個專業人員，都得明白和認識其他有關專業的基本操作原則。正就是這原因，我的老本行，會計專業，早已在二十多年前，便要 求準會計師，必須擁有起碼的大學學士或相等的教育程度，以確保他們擁有廣泛和普及性的教育訓練，以應付作為會計師必備的專業技能和重任。類似的要求和條件，在其他主要專業，如醫生，建築師，工程師， 律師，社會專業人士和金融專業工作者等，都有同樣規定
The practical consequences of such an inter-disciplinary approach are far reaching. It enables most of the responsible members of society to adopt a wider perspective in their judgment as well as to realize their proper place in the whole structure of society. In short, such an approach allows each of us to know more clearly about where we stand in society. It prevents us from being imprisoned in the ivory tower of our own profession possibly resulting in a " holier than thou " view of all other members of society. This is definitely good for society as a whole. Smart thinkers and prospective professionals should always adopt this approach even when they are not at work. It would be even better if we could extend our general knowledge to other basic areas such as philosophy, history, politics and economics, etc. For old timers like yours truly, we have the undeniable responsibility to pass it on to our younger generations.
這些跨專業學識的規定，是有着很深遠影響的。這樣的安排，會令到每一位專業人員，擁有廣闊的視野和判斷力，以及令各人明瞭自己在社會上的正確方位。換言 之，擁有跨專業學識，使我們明白自己的社會崗位和責任。這安排會使我們，避免被鎖在各自專業的象牙塔中，而引至形成一種為我獨尊的自我態度。這趨勢對整個 社會，一定是一件好事。有醒目思維的人，以及專業工作者，有醒目思維的人，以及專業工作者，應經常採取這態度處事，不只限制在工作時應用。如果我們將跨專業學識領域，擴展到其他重要學科，如哲學，歷史，政治和經濟學上， 便更加有效力了。如在下這些老人家，更是有着不可推卸的責任，把這訊息推延到年輕的一代去。
JKHC ( 鄭冠合 )
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Thoughts to you from yours truly - ( 65 ) - March, 27, 2011
Thoughts to You from Yours Truly - ( TYYT ) - ( 65 ) - Ex-ante and Ex-post Statements ( 前瞻句與事後句 ) - March 27, 2011
To think smart, we need to know what we are talking about. In terms of statement contents there are mainly two types of statements we can make. The contents may be predictive in nature which are known technically as Ex-ante statements or statement before the facts have occurred. Alternatively, the contents may be purely narrative or descriptive which are known technically as Ex-post statements or statements after the facts. It is of vital importance to distinguish the former from the latter. If we fail to do this we will most likely come to the wrong conclusion based on what we or other people say.
要有醒目的思維，我們先得了解，自己和他人講話的內容。以內容分類，句子可以主要分作前瞻句子和事後句子兩大類。第一種是有預測性的，叫作前瞻句 （ Ex-ante )，或是稱為事情未發生前的預料。第二種是事後的描述，叫作事後句 （ Ex-post )，或是稱為歷史性的描述。能分辨二者，是很重要的事。為因把它們混淆了，有可能會令我們達至錯誤的結論。
An example of an Ex-ante statement would be :- " I am going to work hard to pass my upcoming examination." Here, I am predicting some thing that is going to happen, namely, future hard work. On the other hand, if I say to my my wife that :- " It is destiny that has led to our chanced meeting and our happy marriage." Here, it is only a statement after the facts of our meeting and marriage. It is history so to speak. We usually have no problems with Ex-ante statements most of which we can easily understand. As regards Ex-post statements we may sometimes attribute to them predictive implications that they do not possess.
讓我舉一個前瞻句的例子，比如我說：「我會努力準備將會來臨的考試。」在這裡，我是預言某些事情的發生，即是說我將會用功。相反地，如果我對太太說：「 是命運安排，令我們相識和結婚。」在這裡，我只是指出這些既定的事實，只是歷史吧了，並無甚麼預測性的內容，這便是事後句子。我們通常很容易明白前瞻句 子，但是對事後句便會有疑難了。問題多出在，錯誤地給予事後句子，一些預測性的能力, 其實它們並沒有這些能耐。
Take my last statement to my wife about destiny for example, I have actually implied that destiny is a supernatural force that has caused us to meet and fall in love whereas it was our free will and personal choices that had caused our marriage to occur. Another example can be found in economics and other intellectual disciplines. When we say the demand for a certain commodity is elastic we are referring to the whole demand curve of that commodity reflecting quantities demanded at different prices when a more than proportional amount is demanded as that of the fall in price. It is an Ex-ante statement making a prediction on the behaviour of the quantities demanded at various prices. On the other hand, simply stating the quantity demanded at a certain price is an Ex-post statement which simply reflects a historic relation between the quantity demanded at a given price. It is history at a point in time. Please be smart thinkers and be able to distinguish between the two kinds of statements for clear thinking.
再次檢討我對太太說有關命運之言論，其實我是暗示了命運是有一種超自然力量，更加可以安排人的未來，當然這是不正確的，因為結婚是我們個人選擇，而相遇也 只是歷史事實。試想，在我們相遇的同一場合，也有其他人存在，為什麼又不說我們和他們有緣份呢？十分明確地，我們的個人選擇，決定了我們自己的將來。另外一個例子，可以在經濟學和其他類似學科尋找到。當我們說某種商品的需求是具有彈性的，這顯示商品被需求的數量增加，會比價格的跌幅比例為大。這是一種 前瞻句子，可以預測那商品在不同價格下，的不同被需求數量，是有預測性的。反之，我們如說，某一商品在某一價格的被需求數量是若干，這便是一種事後句子， 它只是一種歷史的描述。要有醒目的思維，我們必須把二者分辨出來，才可達到清晰的思考過程。
JKHC ( 鄭冠合 )
To think smart, we need to know what we are talking about. In terms of statement contents there are mainly two types of statements we can make. The contents may be predictive in nature which are known technically as Ex-ante statements or statement before the facts have occurred. Alternatively, the contents may be purely narrative or descriptive which are known technically as Ex-post statements or statements after the facts. It is of vital importance to distinguish the former from the latter. If we fail to do this we will most likely come to the wrong conclusion based on what we or other people say.
要有醒目的思維，我們先得了解，自己和他人講話的內容。以內容分類，句子可以主要分作前瞻句子和事後句子兩大類。第一種是有預測性的，叫作前瞻句 （ Ex-ante )，或是稱為事情未發生前的預料。第二種是事後的描述，叫作事後句 （ Ex-post )，或是稱為歷史性的描述。能分辨二者，是很重要的事。為因把它們混淆了，有可能會令我們達至錯誤的結論。
An example of an Ex-ante statement would be :- " I am going to work hard to pass my upcoming examination." Here, I am predicting some thing that is going to happen, namely, future hard work. On the other hand, if I say to my my wife that :- " It is destiny that has led to our chanced meeting and our happy marriage." Here, it is only a statement after the facts of our meeting and marriage. It is history so to speak. We usually have no problems with Ex-ante statements most of which we can easily understand. As regards Ex-post statements we may sometimes attribute to them predictive implications that they do not possess.
讓我舉一個前瞻句的例子，比如我說：「我會努力準備將會來臨的考試。」在這裡，我是預言某些事情的發生，即是說我將會用功。相反地，如果我對太太說：「 是命運安排，令我們相識和結婚。」在這裡，我只是指出這些既定的事實，只是歷史吧了，並無甚麼預測性的內容，這便是事後句子。我們通常很容易明白前瞻句 子，但是對事後句便會有疑難了。問題多出在，錯誤地給予事後句子，一些預測性的能力, 其實它們並沒有這些能耐。
Take my last statement to my wife about destiny for example, I have actually implied that destiny is a supernatural force that has caused us to meet and fall in love whereas it was our free will and personal choices that had caused our marriage to occur. Another example can be found in economics and other intellectual disciplines. When we say the demand for a certain commodity is elastic we are referring to the whole demand curve of that commodity reflecting quantities demanded at different prices when a more than proportional amount is demanded as that of the fall in price. It is an Ex-ante statement making a prediction on the behaviour of the quantities demanded at various prices. On the other hand, simply stating the quantity demanded at a certain price is an Ex-post statement which simply reflects a historic relation between the quantity demanded at a given price. It is history at a point in time. Please be smart thinkers and be able to distinguish between the two kinds of statements for clear thinking.
再次檢討我對太太說有關命運之言論，其實我是暗示了命運是有一種超自然力量，更加可以安排人的未來，當然這是不正確的，因為結婚是我們個人選擇，而相遇也 只是歷史事實。試想，在我們相遇的同一場合，也有其他人存在，為什麼又不說我們和他們有緣份呢？十分明確地，我們的個人選擇，決定了我們自己的將來。另外一個例子，可以在經濟學和其他類似學科尋找到。當我們說某種商品的需求是具有彈性的，這顯示商品被需求的數量增加，會比價格的跌幅比例為大。這是一種 前瞻句子，可以預測那商品在不同價格下，的不同被需求數量，是有預測性的。反之，我們如說，某一商品在某一價格的被需求數量是若干，這便是一種事後句子， 它只是一種歷史的描述。要有醒目的思維，我們必須把二者分辨出來，才可達到清晰的思考過程。
JKHC ( 鄭冠合 )
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Thoughts to you from yours truly - ( 64 ) - March, 13, 2011
Thoughts to You from Yours Truly - ( TYYT ) - ( 64 ) - Reductionist vs. Holistic Approach ( 歸納法和整體觀 ) - March 13, 2011
Behind all the monumental achievements of modern science and technology ( of course with the related threats to human lives and our environment as well ) there lies a very powerful tool in problem solving used since the birth of modern science in the Sixteenth Century at the times of Galileo, Newton and Descartes. This approach in problem solving is called the reductionist method whereby complicated things or problems are broken down into smaller individual parts. Then, we study how each small part works and put them back together again to understand the overall mode of operation. This method is so successful that most if not all scientists follow this method to the present day.
在我們現有空前成功的科技背面，是存在着一種十分強有力的工具。它便是起源於十六世紀，加里略，牛頓和狄格司等人那時代的，新科學紀元開始使用， 來解決問題的歸納法。這個方法，是將複雜的事物，化整為零，將每個小部分加以分析，了解它的操作情況，然後把它們整合起來，以確定整體的操作程式。由於這 方法極度成功，所以到了今天，絕大科學家都仍然樂於用它。
Then, the biological sciences including genetic and neuro sciences and most importantly the behavioural sciences come on the scene and scientists are greatly puzzled at the apparent failure of the reductionist approach to solve the important problems such as the causes of cancer and investor behaviour. Finally, some philosophers ( many of whom are scientists ) studying the working principles of the scientific method come up with an explanation. Among them the Nobel Laureate, Ilya Prigogine ( who is awarded the Nobel Prize for his profound discovery of complexity and the emergence of life ) discovers that in most bio-systems there are multi-feedback loops meaning individual factors in a system do not affect the system in one way traffic. The factors, in fact, interacts with one another in endless interactive-cycles to create endless ripple effects. In short, one plus one can be more than two. This is easily seen in the economy ( a social system ) as the " Multiplier Effect " that will give rise to vicious cycles making the end result much greater than the initial input such as an increase in consumer spending. To understand the multilateral interactions properly a holistic approach must be adopted. As opposed to the reductionist method, the holistic approach looks at the system as a whole to understand how the related parts interact with one another.
到了生物學和社會科學的面世，包括遺傳學, 神經系統研究，以及行為科學等更複雜的範疇要處理，歸納法便難以應付。科學家們感到十分困惑，為什麼這一向效的工具，不 能解釋有如投資者心態，以及癌症起因等問題呢。最後，一些科學上的哲學家，提出了答案。包括 諾貝爾獎得主柏力高堅( Ilya Prigogine )等人，提出了在複雜的生物學系統中，會出現很多相對互動的因素，影響不是單方面的，導致複雜和不可預料的結果，一加一是可以多於二的通常結果。 Prigogine 的得獎理論，是解釋生命是可能由複雜互動系統中演變出來的。生命的真正來源，到今天仍是神秘的謎。他的理論指出，相向互動的因素，會產生無止境的波浪效 應，互相影響，結果難測。就有如經濟學上的倍數效應( Multiplier Effect )，一些少量的消費可以造成大於原本數目的消費總和。要了解複雜的互動因素，我們必須以整體觀來分析這些因素，注意整體的效應，而不是個別因素的簡單總 和。
This is not new at all. It can be traced back some 5,000 years to the Chinese tradition and theories of the great philosophy book the famous I-Ching. We have heard so much about the great human genome project that has decoded the entire human genome of over 100,000 pairs of human genes. At first, scientists think we can proceed to discover all the genetic causes of all human diseases. Hold your horses because it is not that easy ! The reason is simple. While it has been discovered that the defects in certain genes are related to some diseases the combined effects of other genes have been found to counteract some defects to prevent occurrence of the related diseases. There is just no definite one to one relation. Therefore, the overall perspective has once again proven to be crucial.
整體觀並不是新概念，我們可以將它追索到五千年前中國的易經裡面。我們聽說很多有關人類基因的分析計劃， 科學家把整個人類的超過十萬對基因排列出來了。起初，科學家雀躍不已，認為可以很快尋找出，所有疾病的基因來源。可惜這只是空歡喜一場，因為事情並沒有這 般簡單。他們雖然尋找出一些基因與某些疾病的聯繫性，但他們亦發現有其他基因，會作出對抗性的均衡作用，抵消了這些壞基因的影響，甚而數個基因互相控制一些病 因。結論是，一對一的關係，並不存在。這一再證明整體觀的重要性。
For example, while western medicine is effective in dealing with emergency medical conditions by surgery and radiation treatment Chinese medicine is more suited to treating long term ailments like rheumatism through the strengthening of the immunity system by the use of herbal medicine and acupuncture. The former directly attacks the part of the body where the trouble appears while the latter takes a wider perspective or holistic approach of treating the whole immune system. Western and oriental medicines were once seen as mutually exclusive but nowadays both are adopting the strength of the other. Western medicine has used acupuncture as alternative medicine while Chinese medicine has also adopted the scientific approach of quantifying the potency of herbal medicine. That is a very good sign as there is no single golden rule that can cure everything. We should adopt the same attitude to become smart thinkers.
再拿一個例子來說，西方醫學對緊急醫學情況，是特別有效的。它可以用外科手術和放射性治療，對付癌症和緊急症狀，但對於長期疾病，如風濕等，便不及中醫的治本了，中醫以草藥和針灸，給予徹底醫理。西方醫學，對點治療，但比不上中醫的針對免疫系統，固本培源， 那般轍底。從 前，中西醫學是被視為兩不相容的。到了現在，西方醫學，已開始使用，針灸等中醫療法，稱之另類療法。中醫也進行中藥科學化，以確定它的準確藥力。這都是十 分令人鼓勵的發展。解決事情，沒有唯一的金科玉律，以適當的方法，處理合適的難題，不管它是歸納法或整體觀也好，適當地使用便行。這樣，我們便可擁有醒目 的思維了。
( Note : Please see my other blog entry about - " The Three World We Experience " here :- http://jkhcforum.blogspot.com/2011/03/thoughts-to-you-from-yours-truly-61.html )
（ 有關我們體驗的三個不同世界和適用的分析原則，請參考我這BLOG 部落格:- http://jkhcforum.blogspot.com/2011/03/thoughts-to-you-from-yours-truly-61.html )
JKHC ( 鄭冠合 )
Behind all the monumental achievements of modern science and technology ( of course with the related threats to human lives and our environment as well ) there lies a very powerful tool in problem solving used since the birth of modern science in the Sixteenth Century at the times of Galileo, Newton and Descartes. This approach in problem solving is called the reductionist method whereby complicated things or problems are broken down into smaller individual parts. Then, we study how each small part works and put them back together again to understand the overall mode of operation. This method is so successful that most if not all scientists follow this method to the present day.
在我們現有空前成功的科技背面，是存在着一種十分強有力的工具。它便是起源於十六世紀，加里略，牛頓和狄格司等人那時代的，新科學紀元開始使用， 來解決問題的歸納法。這個方法，是將複雜的事物，化整為零，將每個小部分加以分析，了解它的操作情況，然後把它們整合起來，以確定整體的操作程式。由於這 方法極度成功，所以到了今天，絕大科學家都仍然樂於用它。
Then, the biological sciences including genetic and neuro sciences and most importantly the behavioural sciences come on the scene and scientists are greatly puzzled at the apparent failure of the reductionist approach to solve the important problems such as the causes of cancer and investor behaviour. Finally, some philosophers ( many of whom are scientists ) studying the working principles of the scientific method come up with an explanation. Among them the Nobel Laureate, Ilya Prigogine ( who is awarded the Nobel Prize for his profound discovery of complexity and the emergence of life ) discovers that in most bio-systems there are multi-feedback loops meaning individual factors in a system do not affect the system in one way traffic. The factors, in fact, interacts with one another in endless interactive-cycles to create endless ripple effects. In short, one plus one can be more than two. This is easily seen in the economy ( a social system ) as the " Multiplier Effect " that will give rise to vicious cycles making the end result much greater than the initial input such as an increase in consumer spending. To understand the multilateral interactions properly a holistic approach must be adopted. As opposed to the reductionist method, the holistic approach looks at the system as a whole to understand how the related parts interact with one another.
到了生物學和社會科學的面世，包括遺傳學, 神經系統研究，以及行為科學等更複雜的範疇要處理，歸納法便難以應付。科學家們感到十分困惑，為什麼這一向效的工具，不 能解釋有如投資者心態，以及癌症起因等問題呢。最後，一些科學上的哲學家，提出了答案。包括 諾貝爾獎得主柏力高堅( Ilya Prigogine )等人，提出了在複雜的生物學系統中，會出現很多相對互動的因素，影響不是單方面的，導致複雜和不可預料的結果，一加一是可以多於二的通常結果。 Prigogine 的得獎理論，是解釋生命是可能由複雜互動系統中演變出來的。生命的真正來源，到今天仍是神秘的謎。他的理論指出，相向互動的因素，會產生無止境的波浪效 應，互相影響，結果難測。就有如經濟學上的倍數效應( Multiplier Effect )，一些少量的消費可以造成大於原本數目的消費總和。要了解複雜的互動因素，我們必須以整體觀來分析這些因素，注意整體的效應，而不是個別因素的簡單總 和。
This is not new at all. It can be traced back some 5,000 years to the Chinese tradition and theories of the great philosophy book the famous I-Ching. We have heard so much about the great human genome project that has decoded the entire human genome of over 100,000 pairs of human genes. At first, scientists think we can proceed to discover all the genetic causes of all human diseases. Hold your horses because it is not that easy ! The reason is simple. While it has been discovered that the defects in certain genes are related to some diseases the combined effects of other genes have been found to counteract some defects to prevent occurrence of the related diseases. There is just no definite one to one relation. Therefore, the overall perspective has once again proven to be crucial.
整體觀並不是新概念，我們可以將它追索到五千年前中國的易經裡面。我們聽說很多有關人類基因的分析計劃， 科學家把整個人類的超過十萬對基因排列出來了。起初，科學家雀躍不已，認為可以很快尋找出，所有疾病的基因來源。可惜這只是空歡喜一場，因為事情並沒有這 般簡單。他們雖然尋找出一些基因與某些疾病的聯繫性，但他們亦發現有其他基因，會作出對抗性的均衡作用，抵消了這些壞基因的影響，甚而數個基因互相控制一些病 因。結論是，一對一的關係，並不存在。這一再證明整體觀的重要性。
For example, while western medicine is effective in dealing with emergency medical conditions by surgery and radiation treatment Chinese medicine is more suited to treating long term ailments like rheumatism through the strengthening of the immunity system by the use of herbal medicine and acupuncture. The former directly attacks the part of the body where the trouble appears while the latter takes a wider perspective or holistic approach of treating the whole immune system. Western and oriental medicines were once seen as mutually exclusive but nowadays both are adopting the strength of the other. Western medicine has used acupuncture as alternative medicine while Chinese medicine has also adopted the scientific approach of quantifying the potency of herbal medicine. That is a very good sign as there is no single golden rule that can cure everything. We should adopt the same attitude to become smart thinkers.
再拿一個例子來說，西方醫學對緊急醫學情況，是特別有效的。它可以用外科手術和放射性治療，對付癌症和緊急症狀，但對於長期疾病，如風濕等，便不及中醫的治本了，中醫以草藥和針灸，給予徹底醫理。西方醫學，對點治療，但比不上中醫的針對免疫系統，固本培源， 那般轍底。從 前，中西醫學是被視為兩不相容的。到了現在，西方醫學，已開始使用，針灸等中醫療法，稱之另類療法。中醫也進行中藥科學化，以確定它的準確藥力。這都是十 分令人鼓勵的發展。解決事情，沒有唯一的金科玉律，以適當的方法，處理合適的難題，不管它是歸納法或整體觀也好，適當地使用便行。這樣，我們便可擁有醒目 的思維了。
( Note : Please see my other blog entry about - " The Three World We Experience " here :- http://jkhcforum.blogspot.com/2011/03/thoughts-to-you-from-yours-truly-61.html )
（ 有關我們體驗的三個不同世界和適用的分析原則，請參考我這BLOG 部落格:- http://jkhcforum.blogspot.com/2011/03/thoughts-to-you-from-yours-truly-61.html )
JKHC ( 鄭冠合 )
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Thoughts to you from yours truly - ( 63 ) - March, 9, 2011
Thoughts to You from Yours Truly - ( TYYT ) - ( 63 ) - Confronting this Chaotic World ( 面對這紊亂的世界 ) - March 9, 2011
I don't blame you if you are totally lost and confused in this chaotic world. All the world's troubles seem to have started at the 911 tragedy in 2001 in Manhattan, New York City. In fact, the chaos started long ago at different times for different people when we fail to find our goal in life and thus losing our orientation.
假若你已經被這個紊亂的世界，弄得迷惘和失落了，我絕不會責備你。這世界上所有的麻煩，都像是從2001年美國紐約曼哈頓的911慘劇開始的。其實，對每 一個人來說，煩惱是在不同的時間開始的。但都擁有一個共通點，就是這開始都是始源於沒法尋找到自己的人生目標那一刻。這樣一來，我們便迷失了方向。
When mariners embark on a seafaring trip the first thing they do is to bring out their sea charts and plot their course. Obviously, you cannot chart your course without a destination. So why is it that many people do not have their own goal in life when they navigate this most important and treacherous journey of all. Certainly, we will end up lost in life if we do not have a clear goal or destination. This is a great pity because we have only a single attempt in leading a meaningful life. So, why not make the best of it.
當航海者要開始一段旅程時，他們第一件要做的事，就是拿出他們的航海圖， 然後計劃出一條航線來。假若你沒有一個目的地，你又怎樣可以畫出一條航線呢。既然是這樣，為什麼有些人卻沒有人生目標，又如何可以安全和完滿地，航行這段 最重要又最崎嶇的人生路程呢。沒有人生目標的後果，必定是迷途與失落了。這是一件十分可惜的事情，因為我們只有一個機會，去活一個有意義的人生，錯過了良 機，無法可再度挽回。那麼我們為何不好好地去珍惜和把握，這個可一而不可再的機會。
The sixty-four dollar question is, of course, how to find our goal in life ? Well, it is a highly personal quest. To learn about reality which consists of the physical world, our own mental world and the interactive world with other people we call society seems to be a good start. Once you are fairly well informed about reality then you must find your proper place in it with respect to your own talents. Based on your talents and abilities you will be able to set a clear goal in life that will make a better world for tomorrow both for yourself and others. A good start is half way to success. Persevere in the pursuit of your goal with a dedicated mind and a compassionate heart as all living things are born out of the same humble beginning as star dust ( see my blog post here :- http://jkhcforum.blogspot.com/2010/11/thoughts-to-you-from-yours-truly-48.html ).
話得說回來，重要問題是如何尋找自己的人生目標呢？這是個極度個人的問題。但似乎一個好的開始， 是去了解這個現實世界。現實包含了三個層面，就是實際的物質世界，我們的內心思想世界，以及與別人交往的社會。當你對現實有了相當的認識後，你必須根據你 的天份，尋找到你的正確位置。然後你才可以開始尋找，一個會令世界更美好，而又可利己利人， 相得益彰的人生目標，這便是個好開始。一個好開始便是成功的一半了。堅持你的原則，努力不懈地向着目標，勇往直前。更加要以憐憫之心對待他人，因為眾生皆 由星塵而來 （ 請參考我的BLOG 部落格 http://jkhcforum.blogspot.com/2010/11/thoughts-to-you-from-yours-truly-48.html )。
When you are down be patient and increase your own value by learning more skill and knowledge. When you are successful be humble and keep working hard for your goal. Most important of all, be human and keep a balanced perspective to avoid falling victim to extremism both behaviorally and verbally. No man or woman is an island. Therefore, we must not be ashamed to talk to other people about our troubles and ask for help. Having done all of the above you will never be too far from leading a meaningful life. This is how success in life should be measured not by comparison with others but by gauging against your own set goals as everyone is different in background. To do the former is just as meaningless as comparing oranges with apples. In conclusion, the best way to confront this chaotic world is to stick to your guns which are your principles and your own goal in life. Good luck to you all in your quest for your own goals in life !
當你倒運時要忍耐振作，吸收更多知識與技能加以增值。當你成功時，要謙卑和加配努力。最重要的是，以中庸之道處理事情，避免以極端態度行事，言論和行為上 也要平和，這才是成功之道。沒有人是能夠永遠不求他人幫助的。所以應該不恥下問，有煩惱要尋求別人幫助。懂得以上道理，你已離開有意義人生不遠了。要量度 人生的成功與失敗，唯一的合理標準，便是以個人的既定人生目標作準。與別人比較，全無意義，因為人人背景不一樣，有如以蘋果和橙子相比一般。總而然之，要有效和成功地面對這紊亂的世界，我們必須有自己的鮮明人生目標，然後堅守原則，以中庸之道處世做人，便可活一個有意義的人生了。祝福各位，在追尋自己人生目標的路途上，一切順利如意。
JKHC ( 鄭冠合 )
I don't blame you if you are totally lost and confused in this chaotic world. All the world's troubles seem to have started at the 911 tragedy in 2001 in Manhattan, New York City. In fact, the chaos started long ago at different times for different people when we fail to find our goal in life and thus losing our orientation.
假若你已經被這個紊亂的世界，弄得迷惘和失落了，我絕不會責備你。這世界上所有的麻煩，都像是從2001年美國紐約曼哈頓的911慘劇開始的。其實，對每 一個人來說，煩惱是在不同的時間開始的。但都擁有一個共通點，就是這開始都是始源於沒法尋找到自己的人生目標那一刻。這樣一來，我們便迷失了方向。
When mariners embark on a seafaring trip the first thing they do is to bring out their sea charts and plot their course. Obviously, you cannot chart your course without a destination. So why is it that many people do not have their own goal in life when they navigate this most important and treacherous journey of all. Certainly, we will end up lost in life if we do not have a clear goal or destination. This is a great pity because we have only a single attempt in leading a meaningful life. So, why not make the best of it.
當航海者要開始一段旅程時，他們第一件要做的事，就是拿出他們的航海圖， 然後計劃出一條航線來。假若你沒有一個目的地，你又怎樣可以畫出一條航線呢。既然是這樣，為什麼有些人卻沒有人生目標，又如何可以安全和完滿地，航行這段 最重要又最崎嶇的人生路程呢。沒有人生目標的後果，必定是迷途與失落了。這是一件十分可惜的事情，因為我們只有一個機會，去活一個有意義的人生，錯過了良 機，無法可再度挽回。那麼我們為何不好好地去珍惜和把握，這個可一而不可再的機會。
The sixty-four dollar question is, of course, how to find our goal in life ? Well, it is a highly personal quest. To learn about reality which consists of the physical world, our own mental world and the interactive world with other people we call society seems to be a good start. Once you are fairly well informed about reality then you must find your proper place in it with respect to your own talents. Based on your talents and abilities you will be able to set a clear goal in life that will make a better world for tomorrow both for yourself and others. A good start is half way to success. Persevere in the pursuit of your goal with a dedicated mind and a compassionate heart as all living things are born out of the same humble beginning as star dust ( see my blog post here :- http://jkhcforum.blogspot.com/2010/11/thoughts-to-you-from-yours-truly-48.html ).
話得說回來，重要問題是如何尋找自己的人生目標呢？這是個極度個人的問題。但似乎一個好的開始， 是去了解這個現實世界。現實包含了三個層面，就是實際的物質世界，我們的內心思想世界，以及與別人交往的社會。當你對現實有了相當的認識後，你必須根據你 的天份，尋找到你的正確位置。然後你才可以開始尋找，一個會令世界更美好，而又可利己利人， 相得益彰的人生目標，這便是個好開始。一個好開始便是成功的一半了。堅持你的原則，努力不懈地向着目標，勇往直前。更加要以憐憫之心對待他人，因為眾生皆 由星塵而來 （ 請參考我的BLOG 部落格 http://jkhcforum.blogspot.com/2010/11/thoughts-to-you-from-yours-truly-48.html )。
When you are down be patient and increase your own value by learning more skill and knowledge. When you are successful be humble and keep working hard for your goal. Most important of all, be human and keep a balanced perspective to avoid falling victim to extremism both behaviorally and verbally. No man or woman is an island. Therefore, we must not be ashamed to talk to other people about our troubles and ask for help. Having done all of the above you will never be too far from leading a meaningful life. This is how success in life should be measured not by comparison with others but by gauging against your own set goals as everyone is different in background. To do the former is just as meaningless as comparing oranges with apples. In conclusion, the best way to confront this chaotic world is to stick to your guns which are your principles and your own goal in life. Good luck to you all in your quest for your own goals in life !
當你倒運時要忍耐振作，吸收更多知識與技能加以增值。當你成功時，要謙卑和加配努力。最重要的是，以中庸之道處理事情，避免以極端態度行事，言論和行為上 也要平和，這才是成功之道。沒有人是能夠永遠不求他人幫助的。所以應該不恥下問，有煩惱要尋求別人幫助。懂得以上道理，你已離開有意義人生不遠了。要量度 人生的成功與失敗，唯一的合理標準，便是以個人的既定人生目標作準。與別人比較，全無意義，因為人人背景不一樣，有如以蘋果和橙子相比一般。總而然之，要有效和成功地面對這紊亂的世界，我們必須有自己的鮮明人生目標，然後堅守原則，以中庸之道處世做人，便可活一個有意義的人生了。祝福各位，在追尋自己人生目標的路途上，一切順利如意。
JKHC ( 鄭冠合 )
Friday, March 4, 2011
Thoughts to you from yours truly - ( 62 ) - March, 5, 2011
Thoughts to You from Yours Truly - ( TYYT ) - ( 62 ) - Necessary, Sufficient & Final Conditions ( 必須，足夠和最後條件 ) - March 5, 2011
To achieve anything there are prerequisites or preconditions to be met before success can be assured. Formal logic calls these necessary and sufficient conditions. We encounter these on a daily basis without consciously acknowledging them. They are sometimes incorrectly or inappropriately used by us in our reasoning process. While both necessary and sufficient conditions are normally present to ensure success the existence of just the sufficient condition alone will also serve the purpose. On the other hand, the presence of only the necessary condition without a sufficient one is not good enough to achieve success on its own.
要一件事肯定成功，通常需要一些先決條件。正規邏輯叫這些條件為必須和足夠條件。我們在日常都隨時遇見它們，但多數只是潛意識地接受了其存在。甚至有時會 錯誤地使用了它們。通常要一件事成功，兩種條件都要具備，但只要單一的足夠條件存在，事情也可以成功的。相反來說，單有必須條件，事情便不一定會成事了。
For example, we usually praise successful people in business by complimenting them on their hard work. So much so that we simply conclude that the sole reason for their success is their diligence. However, hard work alone is not enough to ensure success as can be seen from the fact that there are many hard working but poor people. Thus, we say that hard work is only a necessary condition for success but the sufficient condition is a prevailing favourable economic condition in society at the right time or simply luck. We must distinguish between necessary and sufficient conditions in order to avoid falling victim to wrong reasoning. Never treat a necessary condition as if it were a sufficient condition or vice versa.
比例說，我們經常稱讚事業成功人士，多是努力的成果。其實，單靠努力是不足夠的。因為我們可以看見，有很多勤力但卻貧窮的人。因此，我們說勤勞只是成功的必須條件，要有一個良好的經濟環境，才可以做就成功的。由此可見，一些運氣是不可少的。我們應該小心分辨必須和足夠條件，以免犯了思維上的錯誤。
Furthermore, the necessary condition can be dispensed with on the path to success so long as the sufficient condition is present. For example, it is necessary to work hard to become rich but if you have luck ( such as having rich parents ) which is the sufficient condition you can still be rich without working hard although it is rare. Finally, there is always a slight chance for things to go wrong even in a given favourable environment. For example, you have thoroughly prepared for an examination and all goes well on your way to the examination hall. Most unfortunately, you suddenly develop stomach trouble which adversely affects your examination performance. This is the famous Uncertainty Principle in quantum mechanics which usually affects entities of subatomic size but in rare cases it can also manifest itself in the macro world especially in the form of weird accidents. We call this Murphy's Law which says that everything that can go wrong will go wrong. This is a pessimistic or cautious view of the world depending on how you look at it. Therefore, yours truly have added an extra condition to the generally accepted necessary and sufficient conditions for success and call it the Final Condition ( or technically called the absence of unfavourable quantum disposition ). Let us all be smart thinkers.
除此之外，我們應理解到，在往成功的路上，只要有足夠條件，便可把必須條件，置之不理。拿個例子， 你必須努力才可富有，但是如果你幸運，有富有的父母，你便擁有足夠條件，不用努力也自然成為富翁了。這當然是比較罕見的事。最後，就算在一個十分良好的環境下，仍然會出亂子的。比如，你十分充分地準備了應付考試，往試場途中一切順利，十分不幸地，你在考 試過程中拉肚子，大大影響了你的表現。這種情況，就是著名的量子力學上所謂無常原則（ Uncertainty Principle ), 通常只會影響小於原子大小的事物，但間中也會發生於相對較大的事物，多數會在古怪的意外中觀察得到。這些不幸事情，我們亦稱之為梅菲定律（ Murphy's Law ），它是說:「 一切最壞的情況，都會不幸地成為現實。」這是對現實的一種悲觀或小心的看法。因此，在下便稱之為最後條件 （ 或叫作良好的量子力學條件 ）。將它加於必須和足夠條件之上，以令我們的分析和預測能力加強。這樣會使我們有更醒目的思維。
JKHC ( 鄭冠合 )
To achieve anything there are prerequisites or preconditions to be met before success can be assured. Formal logic calls these necessary and sufficient conditions. We encounter these on a daily basis without consciously acknowledging them. They are sometimes incorrectly or inappropriately used by us in our reasoning process. While both necessary and sufficient conditions are normally present to ensure success the existence of just the sufficient condition alone will also serve the purpose. On the other hand, the presence of only the necessary condition without a sufficient one is not good enough to achieve success on its own.
要一件事肯定成功，通常需要一些先決條件。正規邏輯叫這些條件為必須和足夠條件。我們在日常都隨時遇見它們，但多數只是潛意識地接受了其存在。甚至有時會 錯誤地使用了它們。通常要一件事成功，兩種條件都要具備，但只要單一的足夠條件存在，事情也可以成功的。相反來說，單有必須條件，事情便不一定會成事了。
For example, we usually praise successful people in business by complimenting them on their hard work. So much so that we simply conclude that the sole reason for their success is their diligence. However, hard work alone is not enough to ensure success as can be seen from the fact that there are many hard working but poor people. Thus, we say that hard work is only a necessary condition for success but the sufficient condition is a prevailing favourable economic condition in society at the right time or simply luck. We must distinguish between necessary and sufficient conditions in order to avoid falling victim to wrong reasoning. Never treat a necessary condition as if it were a sufficient condition or vice versa.
比例說，我們經常稱讚事業成功人士，多是努力的成果。其實，單靠努力是不足夠的。因為我們可以看見，有很多勤力但卻貧窮的人。因此，我們說勤勞只是成功的必須條件，要有一個良好的經濟環境，才可以做就成功的。由此可見，一些運氣是不可少的。我們應該小心分辨必須和足夠條件，以免犯了思維上的錯誤。
Furthermore, the necessary condition can be dispensed with on the path to success so long as the sufficient condition is present. For example, it is necessary to work hard to become rich but if you have luck ( such as having rich parents ) which is the sufficient condition you can still be rich without working hard although it is rare. Finally, there is always a slight chance for things to go wrong even in a given favourable environment. For example, you have thoroughly prepared for an examination and all goes well on your way to the examination hall. Most unfortunately, you suddenly develop stomach trouble which adversely affects your examination performance. This is the famous Uncertainty Principle in quantum mechanics which usually affects entities of subatomic size but in rare cases it can also manifest itself in the macro world especially in the form of weird accidents. We call this Murphy's Law which says that everything that can go wrong will go wrong. This is a pessimistic or cautious view of the world depending on how you look at it. Therefore, yours truly have added an extra condition to the generally accepted necessary and sufficient conditions for success and call it the Final Condition ( or technically called the absence of unfavourable quantum disposition ). Let us all be smart thinkers.
除此之外，我們應理解到，在往成功的路上，只要有足夠條件，便可把必須條件，置之不理。拿個例子， 你必須努力才可富有，但是如果你幸運，有富有的父母，你便擁有足夠條件，不用努力也自然成為富翁了。這當然是比較罕見的事。最後，就算在一個十分良好的環境下，仍然會出亂子的。比如，你十分充分地準備了應付考試，往試場途中一切順利，十分不幸地，你在考 試過程中拉肚子，大大影響了你的表現。這種情況，就是著名的量子力學上所謂無常原則（ Uncertainty Principle ), 通常只會影響小於原子大小的事物，但間中也會發生於相對較大的事物，多數會在古怪的意外中觀察得到。這些不幸事情，我們亦稱之為梅菲定律（ Murphy's Law ），它是說:「 一切最壞的情況，都會不幸地成為現實。」這是對現實的一種悲觀或小心的看法。因此，在下便稱之為最後條件 （ 或叫作良好的量子力學條件 ）。將它加於必須和足夠條件之上，以令我們的分析和預測能力加強。這樣會使我們有更醒目的思維。
JKHC ( 鄭冠合 )
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Thoughts to you from yours truly - ( 61 ) - March, 2, 2011
Thoughts to You from Yours Truly - ( TYYT ) - ( 61 ) - The Three Worlds We Experience ( 我們體驗的三個世界 ) - March, 2, 2011
In his giant book of some 1,200 pages called " The Road to Reality - A Complete Guide to the Laws of the Universe ", famous Oxford theoretical and mathematical physicist Sir Roger Penrose made an observation that we actually live in three worlds all linked together through our consciousness. These three worlds are the " physical world " which obeys the invariant scientific laws of nature ; our complicated " mental world " of thoughts and ideas which follows complex rules and the perfect world of mathematics which follows pure logic and can very aptly describe our physical world. Furthermore, it seems that the physical world is governed or controlled by the mathematical world through mathematical rules. In turn, the mathematical world seems to be created or invented by our own mentality whereas our mental world is again governed by the invariant laws of nature of the physical world via our physiology such as our brain and other biological systems ( nervous, respiratory, digestive, circulatory systems, etc. )
著名的英國數學物理學家潘路斯爵士， 在他的一千二百頁巨著，「往現實的路」一書中，觀察到我們實際上是活在三個不同的世界中。而且這三者又由我們的意識連貫起來。這 三個世界便是，由不變易的大自然定律所控制的實際世界，神秘 錯綜複雜的思想世界，和由純邏輯主宰的完美數學世界組成。最後者更加能巧妙地和合適地描述現實的自然世界。除此之外，作者更發現到現實世界是由數學世界的 規則控制的。而數學世界卻由我們的思想世界所發明和操縱。繼之，我們的思想世界又由現實自然世界的系統 （ 如神經，消化，呼吸和循環等系統）所支配的。這就完成了數學規則控制實際自然世界操作。實際世界通過生理系統啟動我們的思想世界。我們的思想進一步創造和 發現數學規則，構成這一個單向的大循環了。
To be aware of which world we are dealing with is important insofar as we must apply the appropriate rules ( i.e. invariant scientific laws for the physical world, complex chaotic rules for our mental world and pure logic for the mathematical world ) to achieve maximum understanding and top efficiency in terms of our efforts and relative disposition.
要明白我們正在處理那個世界的問題，這是重要的事。因為不同的世界是服從不同的規則的，所以要把它們分辨出來，才可明白如何處理。實際世界要用不變易的科學定律，思想世界要用複雜的心理規條，而數學世界則要用純邏輯思維處理，便事半功倍了。
JKHC ( 鄭冠合 )
In his giant book of some 1,200 pages called " The Road to Reality - A Complete Guide to the Laws of the Universe ", famous Oxford theoretical and mathematical physicist Sir Roger Penrose made an observation that we actually live in three worlds all linked together through our consciousness. These three worlds are the " physical world " which obeys the invariant scientific laws of nature ; our complicated " mental world " of thoughts and ideas which follows complex rules and the perfect world of mathematics which follows pure logic and can very aptly describe our physical world. Furthermore, it seems that the physical world is governed or controlled by the mathematical world through mathematical rules. In turn, the mathematical world seems to be created or invented by our own mentality whereas our mental world is again governed by the invariant laws of nature of the physical world via our physiology such as our brain and other biological systems ( nervous, respiratory, digestive, circulatory systems, etc. )
著名的英國數學物理學家潘路斯爵士， 在他的一千二百頁巨著，「往現實的路」一書中，觀察到我們實際上是活在三個不同的世界中。而且這三者又由我們的意識連貫起來。這 三個世界便是，由不變易的大自然定律所控制的實際世界，神秘 錯綜複雜的思想世界，和由純邏輯主宰的完美數學世界組成。最後者更加能巧妙地和合適地描述現實的自然世界。除此之外，作者更發現到現實世界是由數學世界的 規則控制的。而數學世界卻由我們的思想世界所發明和操縱。繼之，我們的思想世界又由現實自然世界的系統 （ 如神經，消化，呼吸和循環等系統）所支配的。這就完成了數學規則控制實際自然世界操作。實際世界通過生理系統啟動我們的思想世界。我們的思想進一步創造和 發現數學規則，構成這一個單向的大循環了。
To be aware of which world we are dealing with is important insofar as we must apply the appropriate rules ( i.e. invariant scientific laws for the physical world, complex chaotic rules for our mental world and pure logic for the mathematical world ) to achieve maximum understanding and top efficiency in terms of our efforts and relative disposition.
要明白我們正在處理那個世界的問題，這是重要的事。因為不同的世界是服從不同的規則的，所以要把它們分辨出來，才可明白如何處理。實際世界要用不變易的科學定律，思想世界要用複雜的心理規條，而數學世界則要用純邏輯思維處理，便事半功倍了。
JKHC ( 鄭冠合 )
Monday, February 28, 2011
Thoughts to you from yours truly - ( 60 ) - March, 1, 2011
Thoughts to You from Yours Truly - ( TYYT ) - ( 60 ) - Language, Truth & Logic ( 語言，真理與邏輯 ) - March, 1, 2011
The brilliant British philosopher Sir Alfred J. Ayer ( who advocates logical positivism ) once created a very simple approach to classifying the nature of all our statements into just two main categories. The first type concerns " expression of ideas " that do not relate to our real life experience. These are called " analytical statements ". They deal with logic ( including mathematical logic ) and rationale and, therefore, concern " relations of ideas " that are abstracted from the real world. The second type concerns " matters of fact " which Ayer called " empirical statements ". The latter type can be proved or disproved through our observational evidence. For example, the statement - the sun rises in the east - is an empirical statement. On the other hand, the statement - one plus one equals two - is an analytical statement that can only be proven right or wrong through logic ( in this case, mathematical logic ) but not through empirical facts. One further word of caution on " analytical statements " must be mentioned here. The basic assumptions behind " analytical statements " must be known before we can decide on their validity. In the last example, we have already implied that we are using the normal scale of 10 as our basis because if we were using the binary ( 2 ) scale one plus one will equal 10.
超卓的英國哲學家A.J. Ayer ( 埃雅 ），曾開創先河， 把我們所有言論，分為兩大類。第一類是有關主意和概念的言論，他稱之為純分析性的言論，是與現實無直接關係的， 只關乎邏輯和推理，是主意與概念之間的關係。第二類，是關乎現實的言論，他稱之為關乎事實的言論。這類言論可以用事實去證明其真偽。例如，太陽是從東方升起的。相反，一加一等於二，這是純分析性的言論，只可從邏輯 （ 數學邏輯 ）和推理證明其真偽。在這裡，我必須指出一點，有關純分析性的言論，我們要先弄清楚相關的明顯或背面的假定，才可正確判斷其真偽。以上述為例，我們已暗示使用十進制度，假若是二進制，一加一便等於十了。
Very often, we argue on crossed purposes because we fail to distinguish between the two types of statements thus applying the wrong reasoning method. Also, we may not have defined the terms we use properly or their underlying or implicit assumptions for that matter. The simple guide lines to avoid mixed up thinking or unnecessary arguments are two fold. Firstly, distinguish between the two types of statement. Secondly, apply the correct method of verifying them. That is to say applying the relevant facts to verify the truth or falsehood of " empirical statements " while applying the relevant logic to " analytical statements " after ascertaining all explicit and implicit assumptions. This will make us smart thinkers and a modern global citizen.
我們經常被捲入一些不必要的爭辯，多數是因為不能分辨二者，所以可能用了錯誤的分析方法。也許我們未清楚說明所用名詞或暗示式假設，引起無謂之爭論。其實 運用些簡單指引，便可化解問題。這些指引分為兩個層次，第一是把兩種言論分辨出來。第二是用相關的分析方法證明其真偽。前者用事實加以驗證，後者便用相關 邏輯推理，以定真假。這樣，我們便可以擁有醒目的思維，配為一個現代世界公民。
JKHC ( 鄭冠合 )
The brilliant British philosopher Sir Alfred J. Ayer ( who advocates logical positivism ) once created a very simple approach to classifying the nature of all our statements into just two main categories. The first type concerns " expression of ideas " that do not relate to our real life experience. These are called " analytical statements ". They deal with logic ( including mathematical logic ) and rationale and, therefore, concern " relations of ideas " that are abstracted from the real world. The second type concerns " matters of fact " which Ayer called " empirical statements ". The latter type can be proved or disproved through our observational evidence. For example, the statement - the sun rises in the east - is an empirical statement. On the other hand, the statement - one plus one equals two - is an analytical statement that can only be proven right or wrong through logic ( in this case, mathematical logic ) but not through empirical facts. One further word of caution on " analytical statements " must be mentioned here. The basic assumptions behind " analytical statements " must be known before we can decide on their validity. In the last example, we have already implied that we are using the normal scale of 10 as our basis because if we were using the binary ( 2 ) scale one plus one will equal 10.
超卓的英國哲學家A.J. Ayer ( 埃雅 ），曾開創先河， 把我們所有言論，分為兩大類。第一類是有關主意和概念的言論，他稱之為純分析性的言論，是與現實無直接關係的， 只關乎邏輯和推理，是主意與概念之間的關係。第二類，是關乎現實的言論，他稱之為關乎事實的言論。這類言論可以用事實去證明其真偽。例如，太陽是從東方升起的。相反，一加一等於二，這是純分析性的言論，只可從邏輯 （ 數學邏輯 ）和推理證明其真偽。在這裡，我必須指出一點，有關純分析性的言論，我們要先弄清楚相關的明顯或背面的假定，才可正確判斷其真偽。以上述為例，我們已暗示使用十進制度，假若是二進制，一加一便等於十了。
Very often, we argue on crossed purposes because we fail to distinguish between the two types of statements thus applying the wrong reasoning method. Also, we may not have defined the terms we use properly or their underlying or implicit assumptions for that matter. The simple guide lines to avoid mixed up thinking or unnecessary arguments are two fold. Firstly, distinguish between the two types of statement. Secondly, apply the correct method of verifying them. That is to say applying the relevant facts to verify the truth or falsehood of " empirical statements " while applying the relevant logic to " analytical statements " after ascertaining all explicit and implicit assumptions. This will make us smart thinkers and a modern global citizen.
我們經常被捲入一些不必要的爭辯，多數是因為不能分辨二者，所以可能用了錯誤的分析方法。也許我們未清楚說明所用名詞或暗示式假設，引起無謂之爭論。其實 運用些簡單指引，便可化解問題。這些指引分為兩個層次，第一是把兩種言論分辨出來。第二是用相關的分析方法證明其真偽。前者用事實加以驗證，後者便用相關 邏輯推理，以定真假。這樣，我們便可以擁有醒目的思維，配為一個現代世界公民。
JKHC ( 鄭冠合 )
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Thoughts to you from yours truly - ( 59 ) - Feb., 27, 2011
Thoughts to You from Yours Truly - ( TYYT ) - ( 59 ) - Static and Dynamic Thinking ( 靜態和動態思維 ) - Feb., 27, 2011
Analyzing facts and figures is part and parcel of our daily thinking process. To think smart which is a prerequisite for a modern global citizen we must know something about these two terms. Static means seeing the facts as they stand and dynamic means anticipating the impact of related factors on those facts. Also, static implies seeing the situation as a picture at a single moment while dynamic requires the realizing the relevant trend by projecting into the future. Most of our daily analysis proves to be less effective in terms of predictive power and efficiency because they are static rather than dynamic.
分析事實和統計數據，是我們日常思考的一部分。作為現代世界世公民，我們必須擁有醒目的思維，如要這樣，我們需要了解靜態和動態的思維的分別。靜態是表示 以事實的表面意義和單方面加以分析， 動態思維就是考慮和預計其他相關因素在內。再者，靜態亦表示只看某一定點時間的情形，動態卻要估計和預測將來走勢及動向，作全面評估。我們通常對事物的分 析，多缺乏可靠和準確預測，主要是因為它們多是靜態的分析和考慮。
All statistics are by nature historical facts. Reliance on history normally gives a fair prediction of future events if and only if past circumstances hold true till the projected future point in time. Furthermore, statistics are not precise description of reality. Take this for example, an average middle aged American as the statistics say has an average annual income of US$65,000, 2.5 cars and 1.2 children. Obviously, no one can have 2.5 cars and 1.2 children. Therefore, blindly using statistics will reduce us to mechanical robots.
所有統計數據，都是歷史塵蹟。倚賴它們去預測未來，必須有賴於舊事或過往因素的有效性，才有機會作出正確的預測和分析。例如，統計數字顯示，一個普通的美 國中年人，平均年薪為＄65000美元，擁有2.5部汽車和1.2個子女。明顯地，沒有人會能擁有2.5部汽車和1.2個子女的。明顯地，沒有人會可能擁有 2.5部汽車和1.2個子女的。盲目地跟隨數字，只會令人變成機械人，不能變通。
To give you a more tangible example of dynamic analysis or planning, I will cite my own experience in my past voluntary work in China. During 2002 or thereabout my friends and I operated some sort of cooperative arrangement in northern Guangdong besides teaching the children English. We donated some money to set up a fund to make $1,000 interest free loans to farmers to raise chickens to supplement their income. They must repay the loan within a fixed period and the fund will continue to assist other farmers in the same way. Statistics show that the majority are self sufficient in food but so short of cash that their children cannot afford to pay for bus fares to attend classes. Many have to walk 4 hours on a round trip to and from school daily. Rather than handing out charity which is a passive and static way of assistance we decided to take a more dynamic approach to invite their participation in their own financial assistance. This will also give them the dignity of self help as well. So, everyone is happy and proud. Therefore, it is always wiser to think in a dynamic rather than a static manner.
再次以一個確實的例子和本人的體驗，以作說明。在2002年間，我和朋友在中國廣東北部山區，進行一些志願教育工作，給貧困學生教授英文，其間也做些扶貧 工作。照數據顯示，多數農民衣食自足，但現金短缺，引至學童要每天花四小時步行上學。我們便捐款成立基金，貸款為數$1000, 給與貧窮戶，作為養雞幫助家計，並定時償還，再次幫助其他人，令他們自力更生。這樣一來，我們便不只被動和消極地施捨他人，更加顧及他們的自尊，皆大歡 喜。這便是考慮其他因素和效益，動態的思維和分析了。
JKHC ( 鄭冠合 )
Analyzing facts and figures is part and parcel of our daily thinking process. To think smart which is a prerequisite for a modern global citizen we must know something about these two terms. Static means seeing the facts as they stand and dynamic means anticipating the impact of related factors on those facts. Also, static implies seeing the situation as a picture at a single moment while dynamic requires the realizing the relevant trend by projecting into the future. Most of our daily analysis proves to be less effective in terms of predictive power and efficiency because they are static rather than dynamic.
分析事實和統計數據，是我們日常思考的一部分。作為現代世界世公民，我們必須擁有醒目的思維，如要這樣，我們需要了解靜態和動態的思維的分別。靜態是表示 以事實的表面意義和單方面加以分析， 動態思維就是考慮和預計其他相關因素在內。再者，靜態亦表示只看某一定點時間的情形，動態卻要估計和預測將來走勢及動向，作全面評估。我們通常對事物的分 析，多缺乏可靠和準確預測，主要是因為它們多是靜態的分析和考慮。
All statistics are by nature historical facts. Reliance on history normally gives a fair prediction of future events if and only if past circumstances hold true till the projected future point in time. Furthermore, statistics are not precise description of reality. Take this for example, an average middle aged American as the statistics say has an average annual income of US$65,000, 2.5 cars and 1.2 children. Obviously, no one can have 2.5 cars and 1.2 children. Therefore, blindly using statistics will reduce us to mechanical robots.
所有統計數據，都是歷史塵蹟。倚賴它們去預測未來，必須有賴於舊事或過往因素的有效性，才有機會作出正確的預測和分析。例如，統計數字顯示，一個普通的美 國中年人，平均年薪為＄65000美元，擁有2.5部汽車和1.2個子女。明顯地，沒有人會能擁有2.5部汽車和1.2個子女的。明顯地，沒有人會可能擁有 2.5部汽車和1.2個子女的。盲目地跟隨數字，只會令人變成機械人，不能變通。
To give you a more tangible example of dynamic analysis or planning, I will cite my own experience in my past voluntary work in China. During 2002 or thereabout my friends and I operated some sort of cooperative arrangement in northern Guangdong besides teaching the children English. We donated some money to set up a fund to make $1,000 interest free loans to farmers to raise chickens to supplement their income. They must repay the loan within a fixed period and the fund will continue to assist other farmers in the same way. Statistics show that the majority are self sufficient in food but so short of cash that their children cannot afford to pay for bus fares to attend classes. Many have to walk 4 hours on a round trip to and from school daily. Rather than handing out charity which is a passive and static way of assistance we decided to take a more dynamic approach to invite their participation in their own financial assistance. This will also give them the dignity of self help as well. So, everyone is happy and proud. Therefore, it is always wiser to think in a dynamic rather than a static manner.
再次以一個確實的例子和本人的體驗，以作說明。在2002年間，我和朋友在中國廣東北部山區，進行一些志願教育工作，給貧困學生教授英文，其間也做些扶貧 工作。照數據顯示，多數農民衣食自足，但現金短缺，引至學童要每天花四小時步行上學。我們便捐款成立基金，貸款為數$1000, 給與貧窮戶，作為養雞幫助家計，並定時償還，再次幫助其他人，令他們自力更生。這樣一來，我們便不只被動和消極地施捨他人，更加顧及他們的自尊，皆大歡 喜。這便是考慮其他因素和效益，動態的思維和分析了。
JKHC ( 鄭冠合 )
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Thoughts to you from yours truly - ( 58 ) - Feb., 25, 2011
Thoughts to You from Yours Truly - ( TYYT ) - ( 58 ) - Micro and Macro View ( 微觀與宏觀 ) - Feb., 25, 2011
To be a smart thinker we must avoid all fatal pitfalls in our reasoning process. Normally, one plus one equals two. However, there are exceptions to the rule. The difference between micro and macro situations is a case in point. Micro view generally refers to the individual unit's perspective while macro means from the point of view of the whole environment or group like society at large. For example, psychology is the study of individual behaviour and sociology concerns behaviours as a group. Similarly, microeconomics is the study of behaviour of an individual economic entity and macroeconomics concerns the working of the whole economy.
要有醒目的思維，我們必須避免思想上的誤差。在普通情況，一加一是會等於二，但是也有例外的情況。微觀與宏觀的不同角度，便是屬於這種例外了。微觀是指以個人單位的看法，而宏觀就是以整體或者社會的角度看事物。例如，心理學是有關個人行為思想。而社會學就是群體或社會性的行為和反應。同樣地，微觀經濟是有關經濟個體的行為和反應，宏觀經濟是關乎整體或整個社會的研究。
There is a well known phenomenon in economics called the " paradox of thrift ". On the individual level, the more a person saves the richer he or she becomes. On the contrary, if society as a whole decreases its total spending the whole economy becomes poorer due to the multiplier effect. As you save $100 from your usual weekend dining the restaurant in question loses $100 business. If more people are doing just that the restaurant owner will have to reduce the number of staff and related food supply. The sagged staff will in turn have to reduce their spending due to their job loss by cutting say, their usual weekend movie. As more unemployed people do that the theatre may have to close down creating more unemployed people who must again reduce their usual spending in turn. So, the initial reduction of your $100 can add up to $100 plus the reduced spending of the sagged restaurant workers plus that of the unemployed theatre staff and so on. This is the negative multiplier effect. To prevent this disastrous scenario from happening, the government must increase public spending in infrastructure construction or use tax reduction to prop up consumption ( fiscal measures ) or reduce interest rates to encourage more private consumption ( monetary measures ) to avoid an economic recession.
在經濟學上，有一個出名的現象，名叫「節約的反效果」。在微觀層面，一個人儲蓄越多，個人便越富有。相反地，在社會層面，如果總消費減少，便會產生倍數的經 濟收縮。原因是這樣的，當你少花費$100去吃一個週末晚餐時， 餐館便失去$100生意，多了人節約，餐館老闆可能要裁員。失業的人或者要節省而不再看週末電影，這樣一來，戲院老闆又要裁員自保。這樣一來，整個社會便 損失了不止原本的$100,並且加上餐館和戲院失業員工的減少花費，形成惡性循環，消費倍數減少。要避免這種損害，政府必須增加公共開支 （ 財政措施），或者以減少稅收來刺激經濟增長。減低利息 （ 金融措施），也可以刺激消費。
The lesson to be learned here is that more is different due to complex human behaviour and interaction. Therefore, things must not be viewed in isolation but must be put in the proper perspective of the whole situation. One citizen throwing one piece of rubbish is not a big problem ( micro view ) but everyone doing that will cost society billions of dollars disposing of rubbish ( the macro view ). Thus, we must think smart as modern global citizens.
從以上例子，我們可以得到以下教訓，就是多了互動單位和因素，結果完全會與單一因素不同。因此，分析事物必須整體和全面作考慮。一個人拋一點垃圾不成大問 題（ 微觀看法），每一個人都是垃圾蟲，便要社會支付數以千萬的費用來處理了（ 宏觀看法）。因此，作為今天的世界公民，我們必須擁有醒目的思維。
JKHC ( 鄭冠合 )
To be a smart thinker we must avoid all fatal pitfalls in our reasoning process. Normally, one plus one equals two. However, there are exceptions to the rule. The difference between micro and macro situations is a case in point. Micro view generally refers to the individual unit's perspective while macro means from the point of view of the whole environment or group like society at large. For example, psychology is the study of individual behaviour and sociology concerns behaviours as a group. Similarly, microeconomics is the study of behaviour of an individual economic entity and macroeconomics concerns the working of the whole economy.
要有醒目的思維，我們必須避免思想上的誤差。在普通情況，一加一是會等於二，但是也有例外的情況。微觀與宏觀的不同角度，便是屬於這種例外了。微觀是指以個人單位的看法，而宏觀就是以整體或者社會的角度看事物。例如，心理學是有關個人行為思想。而社會學就是群體或社會性的行為和反應。同樣地，微觀經濟是有關經濟個體的行為和反應，宏觀經濟是關乎整體或整個社會的研究。
There is a well known phenomenon in economics called the " paradox of thrift ". On the individual level, the more a person saves the richer he or she becomes. On the contrary, if society as a whole decreases its total spending the whole economy becomes poorer due to the multiplier effect. As you save $100 from your usual weekend dining the restaurant in question loses $100 business. If more people are doing just that the restaurant owner will have to reduce the number of staff and related food supply. The sagged staff will in turn have to reduce their spending due to their job loss by cutting say, their usual weekend movie. As more unemployed people do that the theatre may have to close down creating more unemployed people who must again reduce their usual spending in turn. So, the initial reduction of your $100 can add up to $100 plus the reduced spending of the sagged restaurant workers plus that of the unemployed theatre staff and so on. This is the negative multiplier effect. To prevent this disastrous scenario from happening, the government must increase public spending in infrastructure construction or use tax reduction to prop up consumption ( fiscal measures ) or reduce interest rates to encourage more private consumption ( monetary measures ) to avoid an economic recession.
在經濟學上，有一個出名的現象，名叫「節約的反效果」。在微觀層面，一個人儲蓄越多，個人便越富有。相反地，在社會層面，如果總消費減少，便會產生倍數的經 濟收縮。原因是這樣的，當你少花費$100去吃一個週末晚餐時， 餐館便失去$100生意，多了人節約，餐館老闆可能要裁員。失業的人或者要節省而不再看週末電影，這樣一來，戲院老闆又要裁員自保。這樣一來，整個社會便 損失了不止原本的$100,並且加上餐館和戲院失業員工的減少花費，形成惡性循環，消費倍數減少。要避免這種損害，政府必須增加公共開支 （ 財政措施），或者以減少稅收來刺激經濟增長。減低利息 （ 金融措施），也可以刺激消費。
The lesson to be learned here is that more is different due to complex human behaviour and interaction. Therefore, things must not be viewed in isolation but must be put in the proper perspective of the whole situation. One citizen throwing one piece of rubbish is not a big problem ( micro view ) but everyone doing that will cost society billions of dollars disposing of rubbish ( the macro view ). Thus, we must think smart as modern global citizens.
從以上例子，我們可以得到以下教訓，就是多了互動單位和因素，結果完全會與單一因素不同。因此，分析事物必須整體和全面作考慮。一個人拋一點垃圾不成大問 題（ 微觀看法），每一個人都是垃圾蟲，便要社會支付數以千萬的費用來處理了（ 宏觀看法）。因此，作為今天的世界公民，我們必須擁有醒目的思維。
JKHC ( 鄭冠合 )
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Financial Tsunami ( FT ) ( continued ) - ( 21 ) - Feb., 20, 2011
The Financial Tsunami ( FT ) ( continued ) - ( 21 ) - G20 in Paris ( ( 巴黎G20高峰會 ) - Feb., 20, 2011
( Report from BBC NEWS : http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-12499214 )
First of all, I must express my deepest regret that the aftermath of the 2008 financial tsunami is still hindering the recovery of the world economy. This is my #21 blog post on the FT. Had there been better cooperation between the different economies in the world a full recovery should have been a reality by now.
首先，我想表達我的遺憾，因為2008年八月開始的金融海嘯餘波，到了兩年多的今天，仍現然持續，令世界經濟未能復元。這是我有關金融海嘯的第二十一篇部落格 （ BLOG ）文章。假若各國衷誠合作的話，世界經濟早已復甦了。
At the ongoing Paris meeting of G20 to deal with the aftermath of the 2008 financial tsunami members sadly failed to agree on targets to address economic imbalance. I list out below the various important issues under discussion :-
正在巴黎進行中的G20 峰會，可悲地又無法同意，如何調整經濟不平衡的目標。他們討論的主題如下:-
( 1 ) The exchange rate of the Yuan
人民幣的匯率
There is a continued call from the western countries to pressure China to revalue the Yuan. The RMB is by all standards undervalued but the true extent cannot be objectively determined unless it becomes a freely circulating currency which value could then be decided by supply and demand. This in turn would more fairly reflect the strength of a country's trading position. Despite the huge deficits accumulated by USA the dollar did not devalue accordingly because it is also a banker or reserve currency of most economies. Therefore, it is not solely China's fault that this is so. As numerous economic entities are holding assets in US dollars no one wants to see it fall drastically. If it really does this will again precipitate another financial tsunami. This is both a privileged and vulnerable position of a banker currency the advantage being higher purchasing power despite huge spending deficits and the disadvantage being less competitive in trade. As for the devaluation of the Yuan, there is not much room for devaluation without hurting her economy. This is so because China mainly depends on cheap labour to accumulate her surplus. The profit margin for such low value added production is but a few percentage points. Devaluing too much would completely wipe out her competitive edge over other developing economies. Anyway, by the current practice of money printing to finance her deficits USA is actually devaluing the dollar unilaterally. Mind you this is a fast track down to a third world country once people can find a replacement reserve currency. This is happening fast. Please see ( 2 ) below.
以西方國家為首的予會者，又再度要求人民幣貶值。確實地說， 人民幣的價值是偏低，沒有完全反映中國的經濟強化。至於確實低了多少，是十分難以確定，除非它是自由匯兌的貨幣，則可以由供應和需求決定其價值。這也可以 反映中國的貿易狀況。儘管美國累積了巨額赤字，但是美元仍沒有大幅貶值。這是因為它也擔當其他國家儲備貨幣的責任。因此，美元的偏高，不完全是中國的責 任。有很多經濟單位都擁有大量美元資產，沒有人希望它大幅貶值。如果這成為現實，更會導致全球災難性的金融大慘劇。作為儲備貨幣，有益處也有害處。益處在 巨大赤下也能夠保持購買力，害處在降低了競爭能力。就以人民幣貶值一事，其實它的貶值空間不大。原因是中國以廉價工資為優勢，高增值工業佔少數。邊際利潤只 有幾個百分比，大幅貶值會摧毀中國的競爭能力。其實，美國現行以印鈔票的方法去支付花費，已經是在單方面自行貶值美元了。可悲的是，這會令美國淪為第三世界國家，別人會更換其他貨幣為儲備，不再倚靠美元了。這會十分快成為事實的，請看以下（ 2 ）段。
( 2 ) Including the Yuan as a part of the IMF Special Drawing Rights ( SDR )
將人民幣加入為國際貨幣基金的特別提支權利中
This is a first step to using it as a reserve currency like the US Dollar. China may not like it at this point in time because her autocratic political system requires total control over everything. Anyway, it is not very feasible at this stage because it is not a freely circulating currency as yet. Special Drawing Rights are financial support provided by the International Monetary Fund to its members in case of financial emergency. Members contribute to the setting up of the reserve of SDR according to their agreed share. SDR are composed of various major currencies that are mostly freely circulating although this emergency asset is denominated in US dollars for accounting purposes. However, it is a good start to sideline the US dollar as the main reserve currency of the world which signifies a decline in the dominance of the US economy.
這是將人民幣變成一種儲備貨幣的第一步。中國在這個時刻，未必想這樣做。為因中國政府是要求在各個範疇都可加以控制的。而且，在人民幣未成為自由匯兌貨幣前，這做法意義不大。特別提付權，是國際貨幣基金給予成員國的緊急金融支援。富有成員各自提供金錢，以主要貨幣組成SDR。不過在原則上，這是降低美元在SDR 的比重， 是明智的做法。這也意味到美元地位的下降。
Apart from the discussion of revamp of the SDR some economists at the meeting have squarely put the blame on China for contributing to the 2008 financial tsunami by buying up US government bonds ( when bond prices are high the effective interest rate will be low because bonds are fixed monetary value debt instruments ) causing US interest rates to remain low thus culminating in the tsunami. While this is a contributing factor the root of the tsunami had actually originated from over spending in USA which was not in line with the corresponding increase in her productive efficiency. Excess speculation and more importantly illegal and unethical practices of some Wall Street gurus are the final straw that broke the camel's back. The evils of excessive speculation are now obvious in the drastic increase in food prices which is another looming catastrophe. Please see ( 3 ) below.
除將SDR改進外，有些經濟學家指控中國的大量購買美國政府債券，因而推低美國利息，是2008金融海嘯的懸凶。由於債券是固定價錢的債務，所以價錢越 高，回報利息便越低。雖然這是原因之一，但是更重要的因素是美國花費遠超過其生產效率，加以過分投機，和華爾街不良經紀的非法活動，才導致大災難。過度投機的禍害，可在飛漲的基本商品價格中看到。請看以下第（ 3 ）段。
( 3 ) The drastic increase in prices of basic commodities.
It is a good sign that G20 started to address the rapid increase in prices of basic commodities. While speculation is part and partial of a market or capitalistic economy it can be fatal at times. Speculation which involves buying and selling forward ( the futures market ) was originally meant to allowed consumers to cover their risk. For example, a Hong Kong citizen has bought a house in New York which he has to settle payment in six month. With the futures market in US dollars operating he or she can cover the exchange risk by booking the required amount of US dollars now. It is just like a kind of insurance. However, people can speculate purely on the future price without using the future US dollar contract for normal trading purpose. With the availability of financial leverage ( paying just a fraction of the total price of the future contract and paying interest on the balance owed ) and the prevailing low interest rate speculators can create what we call a lot of speculative demand on basic food commodities. That is the main reason for the sudden surge in food and petroleum prices apart from effects of natural disasters and political instability like the current crisis in the Middle East.
G20開始討論基本商品和食糧價格飛漲問題，這是一個好現象。雖然投機是市場經濟的一部分，但是在某種情況下，它是會致命的。投機是指買空賣空商品，本來是給 予消費者一個保險的安排。例如，一個香港人買了一所紐約的房子，要在六個月後付款。為了保險，他可以在期貨市場，以現在的匯率買下需要的美元，當然需要付 點費用，但可以保証不用將來付更高的匯率。不過有時，人們也可以為賺取利潤而投機的。如果利息低，人們更可以利用槓桿原理，或俗稱媽展(MARGIN)買 賣，只用價錢的少部分買更多的期貨。於是，這投機的需要，便構成了更多需求，引致基本商品價錢暴漲了。這便是近日，基本商品價錢飛升的主要原因。雖然，自 然災害和例如中東政治動蕩，都會影響物品價錢。
Although an ideal market should be totally free just like a full load of passengers on a cruise ship at sea ( who must be allowed to move around to enjoy their cruise ) there must , nevertheless, be some kind of safety precaution like asking passengers not to make a sudden rush to one side of the ship to avoid capsizing. Nothing is totally free in terms of action in this world. Therefore, some kind of restriction must be imposed on speculation of basic commodities that affect the lives of billions of global citizens. However, it must not be overdone to the point of creating artificially low prices which will not reflect the true demand needs and thus giving rise to short supply of a particular item. This will happen just like when governments are subsidizing the price of agricultural products for political reason leading to artificially low prices that will deter people from engaging in agricultural production. This will ultimately lead to a shortage of supply. We see this phenomenon in China where a lot of farm land is converted to real estate development thus leading to the need of more import of staple food items.
雖然一個理想的市場是應絕對自由的，但是在某些情況下，恰當控制是無可厚非的。例如，一艘滿載乘客的海上郵輪，乘客是必須自由活動，才可以享受旅程的。不過，某些安全指引，如乘客不可全部同一時間衝往船的一邊，以防發生意外，這是可以理解的限制。在 這世界裏，是沒有百份百的自由這回事的。例如關乎千百萬人的基本生活需要，便有需要加以恰當的監管了。話需要說回來，這些控制卻不能過量，引致有關商品價 錢過低，令到生產者卻步，最後會變成供應短缺，這便壞了大事。中國的農地，多變為地產項目，這都是因為國家補貼農產品所至。
Hopefully, common sense will prevail in the Paris G20 meeting. All countries must work hand in hand sincerely to put the world economy on the right path to a full recovery. Most importantly, a world food crisis cannot be allowed to materialize.
希望G20的予會國家保持理性的態度，拿出誠意來攜手合作，令世界經濟返回復甦之路。最重要的是不能容許食糧危機，成為事實。
JKHC. ( 鄭冠合 )
( Report from BBC NEWS : http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-12499214 )
First of all, I must express my deepest regret that the aftermath of the 2008 financial tsunami is still hindering the recovery of the world economy. This is my #21 blog post on the FT. Had there been better cooperation between the different economies in the world a full recovery should have been a reality by now.
首先，我想表達我的遺憾，因為2008年八月開始的金融海嘯餘波，到了兩年多的今天，仍現然持續，令世界經濟未能復元。這是我有關金融海嘯的第二十一篇部落格 （ BLOG ）文章。假若各國衷誠合作的話，世界經濟早已復甦了。
At the ongoing Paris meeting of G20 to deal with the aftermath of the 2008 financial tsunami members sadly failed to agree on targets to address economic imbalance. I list out below the various important issues under discussion :-
正在巴黎進行中的G20 峰會，可悲地又無法同意，如何調整經濟不平衡的目標。他們討論的主題如下:-
( 1 ) The exchange rate of the Yuan
人民幣的匯率
There is a continued call from the western countries to pressure China to revalue the Yuan. The RMB is by all standards undervalued but the true extent cannot be objectively determined unless it becomes a freely circulating currency which value could then be decided by supply and demand. This in turn would more fairly reflect the strength of a country's trading position. Despite the huge deficits accumulated by USA the dollar did not devalue accordingly because it is also a banker or reserve currency of most economies. Therefore, it is not solely China's fault that this is so. As numerous economic entities are holding assets in US dollars no one wants to see it fall drastically. If it really does this will again precipitate another financial tsunami. This is both a privileged and vulnerable position of a banker currency the advantage being higher purchasing power despite huge spending deficits and the disadvantage being less competitive in trade. As for the devaluation of the Yuan, there is not much room for devaluation without hurting her economy. This is so because China mainly depends on cheap labour to accumulate her surplus. The profit margin for such low value added production is but a few percentage points. Devaluing too much would completely wipe out her competitive edge over other developing economies. Anyway, by the current practice of money printing to finance her deficits USA is actually devaluing the dollar unilaterally. Mind you this is a fast track down to a third world country once people can find a replacement reserve currency. This is happening fast. Please see ( 2 ) below.
以西方國家為首的予會者，又再度要求人民幣貶值。確實地說， 人民幣的價值是偏低，沒有完全反映中國的經濟強化。至於確實低了多少，是十分難以確定，除非它是自由匯兌的貨幣，則可以由供應和需求決定其價值。這也可以 反映中國的貿易狀況。儘管美國累積了巨額赤字，但是美元仍沒有大幅貶值。這是因為它也擔當其他國家儲備貨幣的責任。因此，美元的偏高，不完全是中國的責 任。有很多經濟單位都擁有大量美元資產，沒有人希望它大幅貶值。如果這成為現實，更會導致全球災難性的金融大慘劇。作為儲備貨幣，有益處也有害處。益處在 巨大赤下也能夠保持購買力，害處在降低了競爭能力。就以人民幣貶值一事，其實它的貶值空間不大。原因是中國以廉價工資為優勢，高增值工業佔少數。邊際利潤只 有幾個百分比，大幅貶值會摧毀中國的競爭能力。其實，美國現行以印鈔票的方法去支付花費，已經是在單方面自行貶值美元了。可悲的是，這會令美國淪為第三世界國家，別人會更換其他貨幣為儲備，不再倚靠美元了。這會十分快成為事實的，請看以下（ 2 ）段。
( 2 ) Including the Yuan as a part of the IMF Special Drawing Rights ( SDR )
將人民幣加入為國際貨幣基金的特別提支權利中
This is a first step to using it as a reserve currency like the US Dollar. China may not like it at this point in time because her autocratic political system requires total control over everything. Anyway, it is not very feasible at this stage because it is not a freely circulating currency as yet. Special Drawing Rights are financial support provided by the International Monetary Fund to its members in case of financial emergency. Members contribute to the setting up of the reserve of SDR according to their agreed share. SDR are composed of various major currencies that are mostly freely circulating although this emergency asset is denominated in US dollars for accounting purposes. However, it is a good start to sideline the US dollar as the main reserve currency of the world which signifies a decline in the dominance of the US economy.
這是將人民幣變成一種儲備貨幣的第一步。中國在這個時刻，未必想這樣做。為因中國政府是要求在各個範疇都可加以控制的。而且，在人民幣未成為自由匯兌貨幣前，這做法意義不大。特別提付權，是國際貨幣基金給予成員國的緊急金融支援。富有成員各自提供金錢，以主要貨幣組成SDR。不過在原則上，這是降低美元在SDR 的比重， 是明智的做法。這也意味到美元地位的下降。
Apart from the discussion of revamp of the SDR some economists at the meeting have squarely put the blame on China for contributing to the 2008 financial tsunami by buying up US government bonds ( when bond prices are high the effective interest rate will be low because bonds are fixed monetary value debt instruments ) causing US interest rates to remain low thus culminating in the tsunami. While this is a contributing factor the root of the tsunami had actually originated from over spending in USA which was not in line with the corresponding increase in her productive efficiency. Excess speculation and more importantly illegal and unethical practices of some Wall Street gurus are the final straw that broke the camel's back. The evils of excessive speculation are now obvious in the drastic increase in food prices which is another looming catastrophe. Please see ( 3 ) below.
除將SDR改進外，有些經濟學家指控中國的大量購買美國政府債券，因而推低美國利息，是2008金融海嘯的懸凶。由於債券是固定價錢的債務，所以價錢越 高，回報利息便越低。雖然這是原因之一，但是更重要的因素是美國花費遠超過其生產效率，加以過分投機，和華爾街不良經紀的非法活動，才導致大災難。過度投機的禍害，可在飛漲的基本商品價格中看到。請看以下第（ 3 ）段。
( 3 ) The drastic increase in prices of basic commodities.
It is a good sign that G20 started to address the rapid increase in prices of basic commodities. While speculation is part and partial of a market or capitalistic economy it can be fatal at times. Speculation which involves buying and selling forward ( the futures market ) was originally meant to allowed consumers to cover their risk. For example, a Hong Kong citizen has bought a house in New York which he has to settle payment in six month. With the futures market in US dollars operating he or she can cover the exchange risk by booking the required amount of US dollars now. It is just like a kind of insurance. However, people can speculate purely on the future price without using the future US dollar contract for normal trading purpose. With the availability of financial leverage ( paying just a fraction of the total price of the future contract and paying interest on the balance owed ) and the prevailing low interest rate speculators can create what we call a lot of speculative demand on basic food commodities. That is the main reason for the sudden surge in food and petroleum prices apart from effects of natural disasters and political instability like the current crisis in the Middle East.
G20開始討論基本商品和食糧價格飛漲問題，這是一個好現象。雖然投機是市場經濟的一部分，但是在某種情況下，它是會致命的。投機是指買空賣空商品，本來是給 予消費者一個保險的安排。例如，一個香港人買了一所紐約的房子，要在六個月後付款。為了保險，他可以在期貨市場，以現在的匯率買下需要的美元，當然需要付 點費用，但可以保証不用將來付更高的匯率。不過有時，人們也可以為賺取利潤而投機的。如果利息低，人們更可以利用槓桿原理，或俗稱媽展(MARGIN)買 賣，只用價錢的少部分買更多的期貨。於是，這投機的需要，便構成了更多需求，引致基本商品價錢暴漲了。這便是近日，基本商品價錢飛升的主要原因。雖然，自 然災害和例如中東政治動蕩，都會影響物品價錢。
Although an ideal market should be totally free just like a full load of passengers on a cruise ship at sea ( who must be allowed to move around to enjoy their cruise ) there must , nevertheless, be some kind of safety precaution like asking passengers not to make a sudden rush to one side of the ship to avoid capsizing. Nothing is totally free in terms of action in this world. Therefore, some kind of restriction must be imposed on speculation of basic commodities that affect the lives of billions of global citizens. However, it must not be overdone to the point of creating artificially low prices which will not reflect the true demand needs and thus giving rise to short supply of a particular item. This will happen just like when governments are subsidizing the price of agricultural products for political reason leading to artificially low prices that will deter people from engaging in agricultural production. This will ultimately lead to a shortage of supply. We see this phenomenon in China where a lot of farm land is converted to real estate development thus leading to the need of more import of staple food items.
雖然一個理想的市場是應絕對自由的，但是在某些情況下，恰當控制是無可厚非的。例如，一艘滿載乘客的海上郵輪，乘客是必須自由活動，才可以享受旅程的。不過，某些安全指引，如乘客不可全部同一時間衝往船的一邊，以防發生意外，這是可以理解的限制。在 這世界裏，是沒有百份百的自由這回事的。例如關乎千百萬人的基本生活需要，便有需要加以恰當的監管了。話需要說回來，這些控制卻不能過量，引致有關商品價 錢過低，令到生產者卻步，最後會變成供應短缺，這便壞了大事。中國的農地，多變為地產項目，這都是因為國家補貼農產品所至。
Hopefully, common sense will prevail in the Paris G20 meeting. All countries must work hand in hand sincerely to put the world economy on the right path to a full recovery. Most importantly, a world food crisis cannot be allowed to materialize.
希望G20的予會國家保持理性的態度，拿出誠意來攜手合作，令世界經濟返回復甦之路。最重要的是不能容許食糧危機，成為事實。
JKHC. ( 鄭冠合 )
Friday, February 18, 2011
Thoughts to you from yours truly - ( 57 ) - Feb., 19, 2011
Thoughts to You from Yours Truly - ( TYYT ) - ( 57 ) - Selection Effect ( 選擇效應 ) - Feb., 19, 2011
Selection effect is the single most powerful factor that shapes our behaviour and human society at large. It is so overpowering and yet extremely subtle that we are influenced by it without our conscious knowledge. A simple example will illustrate my point. The most generally accepted idea in human society is the mystical concept of destiny ( although a small percentage of the population like yours truly do not abide by it ). I respectfully submit that this is the result of the selection effect. Say, a teenage girl meets a boy to whom she is instantly attracted in a subway train one day while getting to work. Let us say they strike up a conversation and become friends thus starting a romance. More likely than not, the girl will be completely convinced that destiny has a hand in their chanced meeting. What about other passengers on the same train ? Are they not equally arranged by destiny to be there with the girl ? Why doesn't the girl feel that destiny has also tied her to the other people on the train ? The short answer is that she chooses to like her boy. She has, in fact, " chosen her own destiny ". That is the subconscious working of the selection effect or the exercise of her free will. I am not against believing in destiny despite my own rejection of the concept but I am suggesting that there could be other factors at work. Blindly following the destiny concept could possibly result in self fulfilling prophecies or degenerate into superstition that could be harmful.
Besides the example of destiny, there are other harmful phenomena such as double standards, prejudice, extremism and numerous other human shortcomings that have to do with seeing things only from one's own perspective. They are all mainly the result of the selection effect. To avoid falling victim to this devastatingly harmful selection effect, it is advisable to look at things from different angles and not just from your own point of view.
選擇效應，是影響我們行為最強的單一因素。它甚至會影響整個社會的動向。它是十分強有力和極端含蓄的力量，令我們暗地裏受它影響而不自知。我可以用一個簡 單的例子加以說明。在人類社會中，最廣泛被接受的玄妙概念，就是有命運存在的說法（ 雖然有少部份人，包括本人在內, 不相信命運）。我沒有存心不敬地認為，命運之說，是選擇效應的結果。比例說，某天有一位少女，在上班時，在地鐵上和她一位鍾情的少年相遇。兩人互相傾慕而 交談起來，於是一段戀情便展開。在那位少女的角度看，她大多數都會認為是命運的安排。那麼她和其他同車的乘客，又是否有命運安排呢？為什麼她不會以命運之 說，來形容其他乘客呀！其實，她是對那位少年，作了她的個人選擇，認定了他是生命的一部分，亦即是說，那位女孩自己選擇了這般命運，不是命運安排她的生 命, 這是她自由意志的發揮才對。我並不反對別人相信命運，只不過認為有其他因素，推動所為命運之說。盲目地迷信命運，可能會導致有害的自行成真預言，那便十分 不幸了。
除了以上有關命運的例子，另外選擇效應的壞效果實在數不清，它們包括雙重標準，各色各樣的偏見，極端主義等，不勝枚舉。它們都是因為以自己和單一的角度看事物 所做成的惡果。而且都是由選擇效應所導致的。為避免受到它的禍害，我們必須從多方面分析事物，不要坐井觀天，卻要推己及人，便可享受海闊天空。
JKHC ( 鄭冠合 )
Selection effect is the single most powerful factor that shapes our behaviour and human society at large. It is so overpowering and yet extremely subtle that we are influenced by it without our conscious knowledge. A simple example will illustrate my point. The most generally accepted idea in human society is the mystical concept of destiny ( although a small percentage of the population like yours truly do not abide by it ). I respectfully submit that this is the result of the selection effect. Say, a teenage girl meets a boy to whom she is instantly attracted in a subway train one day while getting to work. Let us say they strike up a conversation and become friends thus starting a romance. More likely than not, the girl will be completely convinced that destiny has a hand in their chanced meeting. What about other passengers on the same train ? Are they not equally arranged by destiny to be there with the girl ? Why doesn't the girl feel that destiny has also tied her to the other people on the train ? The short answer is that she chooses to like her boy. She has, in fact, " chosen her own destiny ". That is the subconscious working of the selection effect or the exercise of her free will. I am not against believing in destiny despite my own rejection of the concept but I am suggesting that there could be other factors at work. Blindly following the destiny concept could possibly result in self fulfilling prophecies or degenerate into superstition that could be harmful.
Besides the example of destiny, there are other harmful phenomena such as double standards, prejudice, extremism and numerous other human shortcomings that have to do with seeing things only from one's own perspective. They are all mainly the result of the selection effect. To avoid falling victim to this devastatingly harmful selection effect, it is advisable to look at things from different angles and not just from your own point of view.
選擇效應，是影響我們行為最強的單一因素。它甚至會影響整個社會的動向。它是十分強有力和極端含蓄的力量，令我們暗地裏受它影響而不自知。我可以用一個簡 單的例子加以說明。在人類社會中，最廣泛被接受的玄妙概念，就是有命運存在的說法（ 雖然有少部份人，包括本人在內, 不相信命運）。我沒有存心不敬地認為，命運之說，是選擇效應的結果。比例說，某天有一位少女，在上班時，在地鐵上和她一位鍾情的少年相遇。兩人互相傾慕而 交談起來，於是一段戀情便展開。在那位少女的角度看，她大多數都會認為是命運的安排。那麼她和其他同車的乘客，又是否有命運安排呢？為什麼她不會以命運之 說，來形容其他乘客呀！其實，她是對那位少年，作了她的個人選擇，認定了他是生命的一部分，亦即是說，那位女孩自己選擇了這般命運，不是命運安排她的生 命, 這是她自由意志的發揮才對。我並不反對別人相信命運，只不過認為有其他因素，推動所為命運之說。盲目地迷信命運，可能會導致有害的自行成真預言，那便十分 不幸了。
除了以上有關命運的例子，另外選擇效應的壞效果實在數不清，它們包括雙重標準，各色各樣的偏見，極端主義等，不勝枚舉。它們都是因為以自己和單一的角度看事物 所做成的惡果。而且都是由選擇效應所導致的。為避免受到它的禍害，我們必須從多方面分析事物，不要坐井觀天，卻要推己及人，便可享受海闊天空。
JKHC ( 鄭冠合 )
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Poem - Ode to Chinese Valentine's Day - Feb, 17, 2011
Poem - Ode to Chinese Valentine's Day ( 頌元宵 ) - Poetry & Prose - ( 5 ) - Feb., 17 , 2011
元宵佳節慶團圓
Chinese Valentine means love and happiness forever.
緣份天賜喜鳳鑾
Destiny is gifted by heaven so blessed be all lovers.
鑾鳳和鳴共嬋娟
May they always be as one and stay true to each other.
眷顧萬家福壽全
Longevity, fortune and unity too, to all our brothers & sisters !
JKHC ( 鄭冠合 )
元宵佳節慶團圓
Chinese Valentine means love and happiness forever.
緣份天賜喜鳳鑾
Destiny is gifted by heaven so blessed be all lovers.
鑾鳳和鳴共嬋娟
May they always be as one and stay true to each other.
眷顧萬家福壽全
Longevity, fortune and unity too, to all our brothers & sisters !
JKHC ( 鄭冠合 )
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Thoughts to you from yours truly - ( 56 ) - Feb., 17, 2011
Thoughts to You from Yours Truly - ( TYYT ) - ( 56 ) - The Fallacy of Assumed Mutual Exclusivity ( 假定互相排斥的謬誤 ) - Feb., 17, 2011
This is a very common fallacy that affects most of our decisions. Ever so often we find ourselves opposing a proposal, say to allocate a portion of the public budget to the welfare of animals on the ground that we still have many poor citizens that need attention. Behind all such seemingly reasonable arguments there is the implicit assumption that the choices in question are mutually exclusive. This is called the fallacy of assumed mutual exclusivity meaning that we can only have one without the other or that things are all mutually exclusive when we are faced with a choice. This fallacy can lead to excuses that justify inaction while we are morally obligated to do something in the face of injustice. For example, we may feel that we are excused from helping others when we still have some unsolved problems of our own or that we need not help those worse off than us when we are not well off ourselves. This cannot be farther from the truth. It is just an excuse to dodge our moral responsibilities. Next time when we are faced with a choice beware of this very common fallacy that can lead us to wrong conclusions or the shunning of our moral responsibilities.
這是一種十分常見的思維謬誤。我們時常作出類似的決定，例如反對以公帑來改善動物福利。原因在認為仍然有很多貧困的公民需要照顧。在類似的決定後面，都包 含着假定兩者是不能共存的。即是說，我們假定只能在這兩個目標中二選其一。這樣的思維會給我們藉口去逃避道德上的責任，不去申張正義。比如，我們可能會認 為，未解決自己所有個人問題前，便沒有幫助其他人的責任。又或者，在自己未成為富翁前，不用幫助比較貧困的人。其實，這是離開真理十分遠的看法。這只會成 為令我們逃避道德責任的藉口吧了。下次我們要作出抉擇時，請小心提防和避免犯了這種謬誤。
JKHC
This is a very common fallacy that affects most of our decisions. Ever so often we find ourselves opposing a proposal, say to allocate a portion of the public budget to the welfare of animals on the ground that we still have many poor citizens that need attention. Behind all such seemingly reasonable arguments there is the implicit assumption that the choices in question are mutually exclusive. This is called the fallacy of assumed mutual exclusivity meaning that we can only have one without the other or that things are all mutually exclusive when we are faced with a choice. This fallacy can lead to excuses that justify inaction while we are morally obligated to do something in the face of injustice. For example, we may feel that we are excused from helping others when we still have some unsolved problems of our own or that we need not help those worse off than us when we are not well off ourselves. This cannot be farther from the truth. It is just an excuse to dodge our moral responsibilities. Next time when we are faced with a choice beware of this very common fallacy that can lead us to wrong conclusions or the shunning of our moral responsibilities.
這是一種十分常見的思維謬誤。我們時常作出類似的決定，例如反對以公帑來改善動物福利。原因在認為仍然有很多貧困的公民需要照顧。在類似的決定後面，都包 含着假定兩者是不能共存的。即是說，我們假定只能在這兩個目標中二選其一。這樣的思維會給我們藉口去逃避道德上的責任，不去申張正義。比如，我們可能會認 為，未解決自己所有個人問題前，便沒有幫助其他人的責任。又或者，在自己未成為富翁前，不用幫助比較貧困的人。其實，這是離開真理十分遠的看法。這只會成 為令我們逃避道德責任的藉口吧了。下次我們要作出抉擇時，請小心提防和避免犯了這種謬誤。
JKHC
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Thoughts to you from yours truly - ( 55 ) - Feb., 16, 2011
Thoughts to You From Yours Truly - ( TYYT ) - ( 55 ) - Two Cheers for Democracy ! ( 為民主作兩次歡呼！) - Feb., 16, 2011
Democracy deserves only two cheers as the British author E.M. Forster rightly said. There is still something to be desired, namely, the assurance that each vote is conscientiously cast by the fully informed voter not under any pressure in the voting process. The first part of this worry concerns the individual while the second part is the result of external factors. Ultimately, all political and moral issues are dependent on the conscience of the individual. Not until each human being has learned to be fair and compassionate to everyone else can democracy earn the third and final cheer. To this end, an effective and unbiased education system seems to be the ultimate solution given sufficient time.
英國作家福斯特說得對:「為民主作兩次歡呼吧！」為因民主制度仍有不完善之處。即是說投票者有沒有憑良心和足夠資訊及知識去自由投票，不受到任何壓力下行使其投票權。前者是個人問題，而後者則是外來因素。最終而言，所有政治和道德問題，都是繫於個人的良知。直到每一個人都懂得以公平和憐憫心對待他人，民主才會贏得第三和最後的歡呼。為達到這目的，似乎需要一個有效和不偏不倚的教育制度，以及足夠的時間才成。
Democracy deserves only two cheers as the British author E.M. Forster rightly said. There is still something to be desired, namely, the assurance that each vote is conscientiously cast by the fully informed voter not under any pressure in the voting process. The first part of this worry concerns the individual while the second part is the result of external factors. Ultimately, all political and moral issues are dependent on the conscience of the individual. Not until each human being has learned to be fair and compassionate to everyone else can democracy earn the third and final cheer. To this end, an effective and unbiased education system seems to be the ultimate solution given sufficient time.
英國作家福斯特說得對:「為民主作兩次歡呼吧！」為因民主制度仍有不完善之處。即是說投票者有沒有憑良心和足夠資訊及知識去自由投票，不受到任何壓力下行使其投票權。前者是個人問題，而後者則是外來因素。最終而言，所有政治和道德問題，都是繫於個人的良知。直到每一個人都懂得以公平和憐憫心對待他人，民主才會贏得第三和最後的歡呼。為達到這目的，似乎需要一個有效和不偏不倚的教育制度，以及足夠的時間才成。
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Poem - Be My Valentine ! - Poetry & Prose - ( 4 ) - Feb., 14,2011
Poem ( 詩 ) - Be my Valentine ! 成為我的情人吧！ - Poetry & Prose - ( 4 ) - Feb., 14, 2011
Be my Valentine my friendly folks one and all
from today on and forever more.
請成為我的情人吧，我一群友善的朋輩，從今天起直到永遠！
Through thick and thin we'll march hand in hand
past life's challenging doors.
讓我們攜手同渡人生痛苦與厄困， 齊步衝破生命的挑戰吧。
Love me always as a friend or simply a human kind
never with apathy but compassion strong.
像朋友一般愛護着我，或許就像對每一個人應有的慈悲，卻不可對我冷漠呀！
Especially on Valentine's Day when the whole world is in love
so that nothing can go wrong.
特別是在情人節今天，世界總是充滿着愛，一切夢想都會成為現實之時。
( May all lovers be happy together and forever more ! )
( 但願天下有情人終成眷屬！)
Joseph K.H. Cheng
( 鄭冠合 )
Be my Valentine my friendly folks one and all
from today on and forever more.
請成為我的情人吧，我一群友善的朋輩，從今天起直到永遠！
Through thick and thin we'll march hand in hand
past life's challenging doors.
讓我們攜手同渡人生痛苦與厄困， 齊步衝破生命的挑戰吧。
Love me always as a friend or simply a human kind
never with apathy but compassion strong.
像朋友一般愛護着我，或許就像對每一個人應有的慈悲，卻不可對我冷漠呀！
Especially on Valentine's Day when the whole world is in love
so that nothing can go wrong.
特別是在情人節今天，世界總是充滿着愛，一切夢想都會成為現實之時。
( May all lovers be happy together and forever more ! )
( 但願天下有情人終成眷屬！)
Joseph K.H. Cheng
( 鄭冠合 )
Friday, January 7, 2011
Thoughts to you from yours truly - ( 54 ) - Jan., 8, 2011
Thoughts to You from Yours Truly - ( TYYT ) - ( 54 ) - Kicks ( 刺激 ) - Jan., 8, 2011
Everyone needs kicks or stimulus to feel alive because life is only interesting when there are ups and downs along the way. Having said that I must hasten to add that only the benign kicks are preferred. Benign kicks are those that provide one with the excitement to make life worth living but at the same time they must not be addictive to the extent of overshadowing all other important and healthy aspects of one's life especially one's responsibility with regard to work, study, family and society.
On my part my kicks come mostly from meeting challenges presented by the big questions in life and the satisfaction I derive from solving bits and pieces of the puzzle which allow the slowly taking of shape of my own answers to those questions. In my humble opinion, slowly elevating one's level of demand for the higher order of such questions will provide never ending food for thought and so the related kicks can last for a life time. Nor is this the only available benign kick. Go find your own according to your talents be it a healthy sport or an artistic pursuit the main aim being adopting a healthy hobby to feel life as it should be for you. The only precaution is to refrain from letting one thing dominate all aspects of your daily routines.
每個人都需要一點兒刺激，才會感覺自己活着。因為沒有起落的生命，是沒有什麼趣味的。話雖如此，但是良性的刺激，才是尚佳的選擇。良性的刺激，是指那些不 會令人上癮的活動。任何事情，如果上了癮，便會令人忘記自己對學業，作品，家庭和社會的一切承擔。
以我而言，我喜歡接受思考人生大問題的挑戰。我所得的滿足感， 是來自看到點滴的困惑，慢慢地型成有意義的答案。愚見認為，把問題的難度慢慢提升到更高層次，會帶來無止境的挑戰。這樣一來，你一生都可擁有一個玩不完的 嗜好。其實，這並不是唯一的良性刺激。只要根據自己的天賦，然後去尋找適合自己的良性刺激便行，比如，某項運動或藝術創作等。總而言之，尋找到某種能你感到生命是有意義的活動，便會令你無盡地受益 一生。唯一要小心的， 是不要讓任何一件事物，蓋過你一切生活的節奏和目標便成。
JKHC ( Jan., 8, 2011 )
Everyone needs kicks or stimulus to feel alive because life is only interesting when there are ups and downs along the way. Having said that I must hasten to add that only the benign kicks are preferred. Benign kicks are those that provide one with the excitement to make life worth living but at the same time they must not be addictive to the extent of overshadowing all other important and healthy aspects of one's life especially one's responsibility with regard to work, study, family and society.
On my part my kicks come mostly from meeting challenges presented by the big questions in life and the satisfaction I derive from solving bits and pieces of the puzzle which allow the slowly taking of shape of my own answers to those questions. In my humble opinion, slowly elevating one's level of demand for the higher order of such questions will provide never ending food for thought and so the related kicks can last for a life time. Nor is this the only available benign kick. Go find your own according to your talents be it a healthy sport or an artistic pursuit the main aim being adopting a healthy hobby to feel life as it should be for you. The only precaution is to refrain from letting one thing dominate all aspects of your daily routines.
每個人都需要一點兒刺激，才會感覺自己活着。因為沒有起落的生命，是沒有什麼趣味的。話雖如此，但是良性的刺激，才是尚佳的選擇。良性的刺激，是指那些不 會令人上癮的活動。任何事情，如果上了癮，便會令人忘記自己對學業，作品，家庭和社會的一切承擔。
以我而言，我喜歡接受思考人生大問題的挑戰。我所得的滿足感， 是來自看到點滴的困惑，慢慢地型成有意義的答案。愚見認為，把問題的難度慢慢提升到更高層次，會帶來無止境的挑戰。這樣一來，你一生都可擁有一個玩不完的 嗜好。其實，這並不是唯一的良性刺激。只要根據自己的天賦，然後去尋找適合自己的良性刺激便行，比如，某項運動或藝術創作等。總而言之，尋找到某種能你感到生命是有意義的活動，便會令你無盡地受益 一生。唯一要小心的， 是不要讓任何一件事物，蓋過你一切生活的節奏和目標便成。
JKHC ( Jan., 8, 2011 )
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Thoughts to you from yours truly - ( 53 ) - Jan., 6, 2011
Thoughts to You from Yours Truly - ( TYYT ) - ( 53 ) - New Year Resolutions 2011 ( 新一年的自我承諾 ) - Jan., 6, 2011
I hope it is not too late to set out my resolutions for the new year. Well, better late than never so here goes :-
( 1 ) I undertake to reflect on myself daily and to rectify any misdeeds I have done.
( 2 ) I promise to engage in healthy exercise for at least 20 minutes every other day if not daily.
( 3 ) I will spend less time on my computer and use the time so saved on communicating more with my loved ones.
( 4 ) I reaffirm my pledge to uphold righteousness by word and deed to the best of my ability.
( 5 ) I will not relent on my goal to pass on my knowledge and experience to the younger generation.
( 6 ) I guarantee that anything I write or say is true to my beliefs and the relevant facts as I know them.
( 7 ) I have always deplored double standards and I hereby commit myself to fighting this source of all evils wholeheartedly.
( 8 ) I will continue my quest to find my own answers to the big questions in life.
( 9 ) I must keep being aware of my own insignificance in the grand design of the universe and always conduct myself with humility.
( 10 ) I resolve to utilize my natural capabilities to the limits set by my physical and mental endowment.
May I wish everyone a happy, healthy and rewarding 2011 !
我希望現在才列舉我的2011新年承諾，不會太遲吧！盡管晚了，也比不作承諾為佳。因此，我將本年度的承諾，列舉如下：
( 1 ) 我必定會每天反省，有錯誤便加以補救。
( 2 ) 我承諾每天或隔天，運動20分鐘。
( 3 ) 我會在電腦上花少一些時間，把省下的時間和家人多些溝通。
( 4 ) 我重新承諾，我會以言論和行動，維護正義。
( 5 ) 我不會從我的教育下一代目標，有所退縮。
( 6 ) 我保證我的寫作或言論，一切都符合我的原則信念，並與事實相符。
( 7 ) 我一向憎恨雙重標準，我承諾要經常和繼續對抗這萬惡來源。
( 8 ) 我會繼續研究生命中的大問題，直到得到自己的答案。
( 9) 我會經常提醒自己的渺小，以謙遜處事和待人接物。
( 10 ) 我承諾盡我所能，把自己的天賦能力，盡量發揮，不可懶散。
讓我祝願各位，有一個快樂，健康和豐收的2011年。
JKHC ( Jan., 6, 2011 )
I hope it is not too late to set out my resolutions for the new year. Well, better late than never so here goes :-
( 1 ) I undertake to reflect on myself daily and to rectify any misdeeds I have done.
( 2 ) I promise to engage in healthy exercise for at least 20 minutes every other day if not daily.
( 3 ) I will spend less time on my computer and use the time so saved on communicating more with my loved ones.
( 4 ) I reaffirm my pledge to uphold righteousness by word and deed to the best of my ability.
( 5 ) I will not relent on my goal to pass on my knowledge and experience to the younger generation.
( 6 ) I guarantee that anything I write or say is true to my beliefs and the relevant facts as I know them.
( 7 ) I have always deplored double standards and I hereby commit myself to fighting this source of all evils wholeheartedly.
( 8 ) I will continue my quest to find my own answers to the big questions in life.
( 9 ) I must keep being aware of my own insignificance in the grand design of the universe and always conduct myself with humility.
( 10 ) I resolve to utilize my natural capabilities to the limits set by my physical and mental endowment.
May I wish everyone a happy, healthy and rewarding 2011 !
我希望現在才列舉我的2011新年承諾，不會太遲吧！盡管晚了，也比不作承諾為佳。因此，我將本年度的承諾，列舉如下：
( 1 ) 我必定會每天反省，有錯誤便加以補救。
( 2 ) 我承諾每天或隔天，運動20分鐘。
( 3 ) 我會在電腦上花少一些時間，把省下的時間和家人多些溝通。
( 4 ) 我重新承諾，我會以言論和行動，維護正義。
( 5 ) 我不會從我的教育下一代目標，有所退縮。
( 6 ) 我保證我的寫作或言論，一切都符合我的原則信念，並與事實相符。
( 7 ) 我一向憎恨雙重標準，我承諾要經常和繼續對抗這萬惡來源。
( 8 ) 我會繼續研究生命中的大問題，直到得到自己的答案。
( 9) 我會經常提醒自己的渺小，以謙遜處事和待人接物。
( 10 ) 我承諾盡我所能，把自己的天賦能力，盡量發揮，不可懶散。
讓我祝願各位，有一個快樂，健康和豐收的2011年。
JKHC ( Jan., 6, 2011 )
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Thoughts to you from yours truly - ( 52 ) - November 29, 2010
Thoughts to You from Yours Truly - ( TYYT ) - ( 52 ) - Gratitude ( 感恩 ) - Nov., 29, 2010
Gratitude is the corner stone of happiness as an ungrateful person will never be satisfied with what he or she already possesses. Being ungrateful will lead to an insatiable desire to covet everything one does not have. It will easily turn into greed. Because there are always more good things that one doesn't have than those that one has ( by definition good things must be scarce otherwise they would become average things if they can be found anywhere at any time ) the logical inference of this scenario is very straight forward. Ungrateful people will keep asking for more and this unreasonable expectation is the cause of endless unhappiness for themselves and for all those around them. On the contrary, if you are content with what you have any slight increase in your possession will be a cause for celebration and hence holding such a positive attitude will actually increase your potential for happiness.
感恩是幸福的基石，因為一個不識感恩的人，是永遠不會滿足於自己所擁有的一切。不識感恩，會使人孕育出一種無盡的慾望，去渴求自己未得到的東西。這也是貪 婪的開始。道理十分簡單，因為每一個人所擁有的美好東西，一定比其所擁有的不好東西為少的 （ 物以罕為貴，好的一定比壞的為少，因為這是好的定義 ）。由此推理，會得到簡單的邏輯結論。就是不感恩的人，必然貪得無厭，而因此令到自己和身邊的人，感到無盡的苦惱。相反，如果你對現在所擁有的一切，感到 滿足，那麼你得到少許收穫，便會感到雀躍不已。因此，持這種正面態度的人，無形中便增加了自己會得到幸福和快樂的機會了。
JKHC.
Gratitude is the corner stone of happiness as an ungrateful person will never be satisfied with what he or she already possesses. Being ungrateful will lead to an insatiable desire to covet everything one does not have. It will easily turn into greed. Because there are always more good things that one doesn't have than those that one has ( by definition good things must be scarce otherwise they would become average things if they can be found anywhere at any time ) the logical inference of this scenario is very straight forward. Ungrateful people will keep asking for more and this unreasonable expectation is the cause of endless unhappiness for themselves and for all those around them. On the contrary, if you are content with what you have any slight increase in your possession will be a cause for celebration and hence holding such a positive attitude will actually increase your potential for happiness.
感恩是幸福的基石，因為一個不識感恩的人，是永遠不會滿足於自己所擁有的一切。不識感恩，會使人孕育出一種無盡的慾望，去渴求自己未得到的東西。這也是貪 婪的開始。道理十分簡單，因為每一個人所擁有的美好東西，一定比其所擁有的不好東西為少的 （ 物以罕為貴，好的一定比壞的為少，因為這是好的定義 ）。由此推理，會得到簡單的邏輯結論。就是不感恩的人，必然貪得無厭，而因此令到自己和身邊的人，感到無盡的苦惱。相反，如果你對現在所擁有的一切，感到 滿足，那麼你得到少許收穫，便會感到雀躍不已。因此，持這種正面態度的人，無形中便增加了自己會得到幸福和快樂的機會了。
JKHC.
Friday, November 26, 2010
Thoughts to you from yours truly - ( 51 ) - November 27, 2010
Thoughts to You from Yours Truly - ( TYYT ) - ( 51 ) - Misnomer ( 錯配詞 ) - Nov., 27, 2010
There are many words in the human language that have been grossly misused. Most of them have wrong meanings arbitrarily imprinted on them. Let me show you what I mean.
Logic is always treated as good but, in fact, it is neutral in meaning. Logic simply means being self consistent with no implication with respect to value judgment. For example, the question of how to ration water during extreme shortage in a desert expedition is an interesting proposition. Economic logic relating to efficient distribution of scarce resources will say that it should follow the law of supply and demand. The richest guy gets it for the highest price in auction while everybody else will perish. That is obviously inhumane and a heartless approach. Following things to their logical conclusion may not be good at all because logic is not meant to be good but merely a rule to make our thinking self consistent.
Another notorious wrong usage of words can be found in the use the term quantum leap to describe progress in their policies by politicians. As a matter of fact, quantum is the smallest possible jump in the energy level of an excited atom. It only sounds big and mystical and mainly because of this politicians use it to entice the voters to put them in power.
Other words such as equilibrium, efficiency, stability and the like are usually treated as positive words whereas they are neutral by themselves. Whether they are good or bad depends entirely on the context in which they are used. For example, a sub-optimal equilibrium in the economy would be bad. Being efficient in exterminating people like the evil Nazis in WWII is revolting. The next time when we use such words think twice before assuming that they are all positive in meaning. We must think smart.
在人類的言語和文字中，有很多字或名詞是被錯誤用的。它們被人們強行加上了些錯誤的意思。讓我為你們解釋一下。
邏 輯一辭，經常是被人當作是正面的意思。其實，邏輯本身是中性的，沒有好也沒有壞意思。它只是表示一樣東西沒有自相矛盾吧了， 並無正面或反面的含意。作個比喻，當在沙漠中不足夠水去分配時，應該如何處理？依照有效分配資源的經濟理論，就是以價高者得的原則去處理。最富有的人便可 以得到食水，而其他的人都會給渴死了。這顯然是沒有人性的做法。一承不變地去追求邏輯，並非一件好事。因為，邏輯只是用來確保一件事情，不會自相矛盾吧 了。
另外一個錯誤用辭的例子，便是政客常用的quantum leap或量子級跳。他們用作非常大的進展那個意思。其實quantum leap是最低限度的能量升級，與他們的用意剛好相反。只因為這名詞有神秘感和動聽，政客們便拿來吸引選民，希望自己取得權力吧了。
其他如平衡，效率，穩定等名詞，皆是類似的辭語，本身是中性的，視乎應用的來龍去脈，才可定其性質。但在日常應用時都被用作正面性一般。比如，經濟平衡在 一個不適當的水平便不是好事。或者，如二次大戰時，德國納粹黨有效率地殺滅猶太人，這便是嘔心的惡行，絕無正面意義。所以，下次我們用詞，必須三思而行，才 可用之得宜。我們應該擁有醒目的思維才是上算。
JKHC.
There are many words in the human language that have been grossly misused. Most of them have wrong meanings arbitrarily imprinted on them. Let me show you what I mean.
Logic is always treated as good but, in fact, it is neutral in meaning. Logic simply means being self consistent with no implication with respect to value judgment. For example, the question of how to ration water during extreme shortage in a desert expedition is an interesting proposition. Economic logic relating to efficient distribution of scarce resources will say that it should follow the law of supply and demand. The richest guy gets it for the highest price in auction while everybody else will perish. That is obviously inhumane and a heartless approach. Following things to their logical conclusion may not be good at all because logic is not meant to be good but merely a rule to make our thinking self consistent.
Another notorious wrong usage of words can be found in the use the term quantum leap to describe progress in their policies by politicians. As a matter of fact, quantum is the smallest possible jump in the energy level of an excited atom. It only sounds big and mystical and mainly because of this politicians use it to entice the voters to put them in power.
Other words such as equilibrium, efficiency, stability and the like are usually treated as positive words whereas they are neutral by themselves. Whether they are good or bad depends entirely on the context in which they are used. For example, a sub-optimal equilibrium in the economy would be bad. Being efficient in exterminating people like the evil Nazis in WWII is revolting. The next time when we use such words think twice before assuming that they are all positive in meaning. We must think smart.
在人類的言語和文字中，有很多字或名詞是被錯誤用的。它們被人們強行加上了些錯誤的意思。讓我為你們解釋一下。
邏 輯一辭，經常是被人當作是正面的意思。其實，邏輯本身是中性的，沒有好也沒有壞意思。它只是表示一樣東西沒有自相矛盾吧了， 並無正面或反面的含意。作個比喻，當在沙漠中不足夠水去分配時，應該如何處理？依照有效分配資源的經濟理論，就是以價高者得的原則去處理。最富有的人便可 以得到食水，而其他的人都會給渴死了。這顯然是沒有人性的做法。一承不變地去追求邏輯，並非一件好事。因為，邏輯只是用來確保一件事情，不會自相矛盾吧 了。
另外一個錯誤用辭的例子，便是政客常用的quantum leap或量子級跳。他們用作非常大的進展那個意思。其實quantum leap是最低限度的能量升級，與他們的用意剛好相反。只因為這名詞有神秘感和動聽，政客們便拿來吸引選民，希望自己取得權力吧了。
其他如平衡，效率，穩定等名詞，皆是類似的辭語，本身是中性的，視乎應用的來龍去脈，才可定其性質。但在日常應用時都被用作正面性一般。比如，經濟平衡在 一個不適當的水平便不是好事。或者，如二次大戰時，德國納粹黨有效率地殺滅猶太人，這便是嘔心的惡行，絕無正面意義。所以，下次我們用詞，必須三思而行，才 可用之得宜。我們應該擁有醒目的思維才是上算。
JKHC.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Thoughts to you from yours truly - ( 50 ) - November 25, 2010
Thoughts to You from Yours Truly - ( TYYT ) - ( 50 ) - Strangers ( 陌生人 ) - Nov., 25, 2010
Strangers are in fact friends we have not yet met. There is a Chinese saying that goes like this : - " Within the four seas everyone is a brother ( or sister ) to one another ." Of course, this ancient saying must be modified to include the ladies. That is why I have taken the liberty to include the word sister in parenthesis. Given the fact that all living things have originated from stardust there is no reason why we cannot all be friends. One is always able to find differences if one's mind is set on looking out for them. Once I have heard a friend jokingly say that one can never really repay a financial debt because the money used for repayment is not the same dollar notes that were lent in the first place. On the other hand, another generous friend of mind has said that when a friend forgets to repay him his debt he would consider that the debt no longer counts because it exists no more in his borrower friend's mind. Of course, these are two examples at the extreme ends of the " difference / no difference " scale. Going back to natural science there is a very strange phenomenon at the subatomic level ( i.e. quantum mechanics ). Elementary particles have the mysterious ability to have instant communication with each other across unlimited space and time once the pair have been involved in an interaction originally. Perhaps, this is the strongest cue yet of the true nature of all things. That they are actually one when they were created in nature. So, why look for differences ? Above all, never treat strangers with undue suspicion or apathy.
陌生人其實是我們未認識的朋友。中國古語有言：「 四海之內皆兄弟（ 姐妹 ）也。」在這男女相等的時代，當然要把句子修改一下，所以我在括弧內加上姐妹二字。由於一切生物都是來自星塵，所以我們沒有理由不成為朋友。如果我們存心 要尋找差異，我們必定會尋找得到的。比如，我有一位朋友，他說錢銀債務，是永遠不能真正還得清楚的。為因還錢時的鈔票，並不是借貸時那些鈔票了。這真是雞 蛋裡挑骨頭。相反，另一為朋友卻說，假若他人忘記還錢給他，他會當債務不再存在。因為在他的借錢朋友心中，已等於沒有債務存在了。當然這是兩個極端的例子， 不過在大自然中，亦會給我們一點啟發。在原子以內的世界，亦即是量子物理學中，每一對曾經互相接觸過的粒子，都有離奇的超越時空的即時感應能力。可能這 是大自然給我們最大的暗示。即是說，所有宇宙中的萬物，都是同出一轍的，又何必分彼此呢！ 最重要的是，以後不要以小人之心，和冷漠的態度對待陌生人了。
JKHC.
Strangers are in fact friends we have not yet met. There is a Chinese saying that goes like this : - " Within the four seas everyone is a brother ( or sister ) to one another ." Of course, this ancient saying must be modified to include the ladies. That is why I have taken the liberty to include the word sister in parenthesis. Given the fact that all living things have originated from stardust there is no reason why we cannot all be friends. One is always able to find differences if one's mind is set on looking out for them. Once I have heard a friend jokingly say that one can never really repay a financial debt because the money used for repayment is not the same dollar notes that were lent in the first place. On the other hand, another generous friend of mind has said that when a friend forgets to repay him his debt he would consider that the debt no longer counts because it exists no more in his borrower friend's mind. Of course, these are two examples at the extreme ends of the " difference / no difference " scale. Going back to natural science there is a very strange phenomenon at the subatomic level ( i.e. quantum mechanics ). Elementary particles have the mysterious ability to have instant communication with each other across unlimited space and time once the pair have been involved in an interaction originally. Perhaps, this is the strongest cue yet of the true nature of all things. That they are actually one when they were created in nature. So, why look for differences ? Above all, never treat strangers with undue suspicion or apathy.
陌生人其實是我們未認識的朋友。中國古語有言：「 四海之內皆兄弟（ 姐妹 ）也。」在這男女相等的時代，當然要把句子修改一下，所以我在括弧內加上姐妹二字。由於一切生物都是來自星塵，所以我們沒有理由不成為朋友。如果我們存心 要尋找差異，我們必定會尋找得到的。比如，我有一位朋友，他說錢銀債務，是永遠不能真正還得清楚的。為因還錢時的鈔票，並不是借貸時那些鈔票了。這真是雞 蛋裡挑骨頭。相反，另一為朋友卻說，假若他人忘記還錢給他，他會當債務不再存在。因為在他的借錢朋友心中，已等於沒有債務存在了。當然這是兩個極端的例子， 不過在大自然中，亦會給我們一點啟發。在原子以內的世界，亦即是量子物理學中，每一對曾經互相接觸過的粒子，都有離奇的超越時空的即時感應能力。可能這 是大自然給我們最大的暗示。即是說，所有宇宙中的萬物，都是同出一轍的，又何必分彼此呢！ 最重要的是，以後不要以小人之心，和冷漠的態度對待陌生人了。
JKHC.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Thoughts to you from yours truly - ( 49 ) - November 24, 2010
Thoughts to You from Yours Truly - ( TYYT ) - ( 49 ) - True Self ( 真我 ) - Nov., 24, 2010
One's true character can only be seen either at the best of time or the worst of time ( This is not a quotation from Charles Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities ). During the better times in one's life there is often a tendency for one to indulge in self satisfaction or worst still egotistic expansion. One is used to seeing newly rich people shouting at waiters and their servants as if the newly rich were superior beings from outer space. The same kind of people could also disgrace themselves during the worst hours in their lives such as when they experience a failure in their career or business. In those unfortunate times, people would easily resort to illicit means by hook or by crook to revive their fortune. All scruples will be thrown out of the window so to speak. In between times, it is usually very difficult to see one's true character except when a conflict of interest arises between you and the subject who could be your friends or even relative. We could all chalk it up to human nature but that is not a helpful approach at all. Rather put oneself at a higher perspective and all our troubles will be cut down to size - the right size in the context of our life and better still nature. If one can manage to do this one will amicably restore one's composure and regain one's peace of mind to revert to one's normal self which by and large is not really one's true self. Despite this unsatisfactory situation one must strive to reveal your true self in the best way by acquiring a balanced sense of value so as to create a normal self which will then become your good and true self.
一個人的真性情，只能在本人最佳時刻，或最壞時刻，才會表現出來的（ 這並不是引用狄更斯雙城記中的句子 ）。當一個人在幸運中，往往會得意忘形，只顧追尋自我滿足，甚至自我膨漲。我們經常看到新進的富豪，對侍應或庸人，呼呼喝喝。就好比自己是從外太空而來的 超人一般。同一類的人亦會令自己出醜。比如，他們生意上或在事業上失敗時，十分容易誤入歧途，不顧一切地去搏回自己的財富或事業, 把個人原則，擲出窗外不顧。在一些沒有那麼極端的時候，通常是十分難觀察到一個人的真實性格。也有例外的時候， 比如你和他們存在利益衝突，這時就算是朋友或親戚關係，也會真性情切底表露，爭過不了。我們可以嘆息這是人的劣根性。但是這樣對事情並沒有幫助。寧可將自 己放在一個更高層次，退一步海闊天空。我們的煩惱便會變為小一點，在整個人生和大自然中，佔一個比較合理的大小尺碼了。假如我們能這樣做，我們的心態也會 回復平衡一點。我們便可以回復心境平和，達到正常狀態。但正常可能不是最真和善的自我。雖然如此，我們必須學習達到一個平衡的價值觀，這樣，一個正常的我 便可成為一個真善美的真我了。
JKHC.
One's true character can only be seen either at the best of time or the worst of time ( This is not a quotation from Charles Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities ). During the better times in one's life there is often a tendency for one to indulge in self satisfaction or worst still egotistic expansion. One is used to seeing newly rich people shouting at waiters and their servants as if the newly rich were superior beings from outer space. The same kind of people could also disgrace themselves during the worst hours in their lives such as when they experience a failure in their career or business. In those unfortunate times, people would easily resort to illicit means by hook or by crook to revive their fortune. All scruples will be thrown out of the window so to speak. In between times, it is usually very difficult to see one's true character except when a conflict of interest arises between you and the subject who could be your friends or even relative. We could all chalk it up to human nature but that is not a helpful approach at all. Rather put oneself at a higher perspective and all our troubles will be cut down to size - the right size in the context of our life and better still nature. If one can manage to do this one will amicably restore one's composure and regain one's peace of mind to revert to one's normal self which by and large is not really one's true self. Despite this unsatisfactory situation one must strive to reveal your true self in the best way by acquiring a balanced sense of value so as to create a normal self which will then become your good and true self.
一個人的真性情，只能在本人最佳時刻，或最壞時刻，才會表現出來的（ 這並不是引用狄更斯雙城記中的句子 ）。當一個人在幸運中，往往會得意忘形，只顧追尋自我滿足，甚至自我膨漲。我們經常看到新進的富豪，對侍應或庸人，呼呼喝喝。就好比自己是從外太空而來的 超人一般。同一類的人亦會令自己出醜。比如，他們生意上或在事業上失敗時，十分容易誤入歧途，不顧一切地去搏回自己的財富或事業, 把個人原則，擲出窗外不顧。在一些沒有那麼極端的時候，通常是十分難觀察到一個人的真實性格。也有例外的時候， 比如你和他們存在利益衝突，這時就算是朋友或親戚關係，也會真性情切底表露，爭過不了。我們可以嘆息這是人的劣根性。但是這樣對事情並沒有幫助。寧可將自 己放在一個更高層次，退一步海闊天空。我們的煩惱便會變為小一點，在整個人生和大自然中，佔一個比較合理的大小尺碼了。假如我們能這樣做，我們的心態也會 回復平衡一點。我們便可以回復心境平和，達到正常狀態。但正常可能不是最真和善的自我。雖然如此，我們必須學習達到一個平衡的價值觀，這樣，一個正常的我 便可成為一個真善美的真我了。
JKHC.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Thoughts to you from yours truly - ( 48 ) - November 23, 2010
Thoughts to You from Yours Truly - ( TYYT ) - ( 48 ) - Star Dust ( 星塵 ) - Nov., 23, 2010
Who says science is a subject with no romance at all ? Such advocates better think again. All living creatures are , in fact, made of star dust. Our destiny has been and will always be found in the spectacular array of stars that twinkle in the night sky like jewels in an open treasure box. That was actually the description of the cosmos I gave to the reporter when I was interviewed by ABC Science ( Australian Broadcasting Corporation - Science Website in April, 2010 on my part in the Galaxy Zoo project - see this link here ( including my comments at the bottom of the report ) :- http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2010/04/15/2872493.htm ). So, it turns out that our destiny is really in the stars after all.
Every star including our sun is a cosmic nuclear fusion cooking pot. The cooking process starts with the most simple atom which is hydrogen composed of one proton ( with positive electric charge ) and one electron ( with negative charge ). When the star heats up nuclear fusion takes place and two hydrogen atoms fuse or " melt " together to form helium composed of two protons and two electrons. This fusion process progresses until carbon is formed which is composed of 14 protons and 14 electrons by a miraculous process known as resonance without which carbon can never be formed. As everyone knows carbon is the basis for all organic matters so that there would be no life without carbon. This is not the end of our life story which is much more intriguing. The fusion process will progress further until the chemical element of iron with 26 protons and a like number of electrons is formed. Then the process ceases because iron is the most stable element. When all the hydrogen in a burning star becomes iron the nuclear fuel is exhausted and the outward pressure exerted by nuclear fusion reaction will be gone and the force of gravity takes over causing the dying star to collapse upon itself under its own iron mass. The gravitational collapse will result in a tremendous explosion know as a supernova ( meaning new star ) because it marks the beginning of the formation of a new star from the debris of dusts and gas scattered around in space by the supernova. These will coalesce eventually because of gravity until the mass of the debris is dense enough to cause the nuclear fusion process to restart. At this stage a new star is born.
There is still another mysterious twist in the recycling of the cosmic debris created by a supernova explosion. For stars bigger than 8 times the size of our sun the gravitational collapse of the iron core at the end of the nuclear fusion process will be unstoppable and a black hole will be formed. It is known as a black hole because it is infinitely dense so that even light cannot escape. For our earth, the escape velocity of a space rocket leaving the grip of the earth's gravity is about 24,000 km per hour. Light has a velocity of 300,000 km per second. So, one can imagine the density of mass in a black hole. Astronomers cannot see a black hole. Its presence can only be detected by faster than normal movements of stars circulating the black hole as if they are circling nothingness. Most galaxies including our own Milky Way harbour a black hole in their centres. Without the gravitational pull of a massive black hole in the centre our galaxy should have disintegrated long ago judging on the speed of the revolution of a billion stars around the Milky Way centre.
This is the romantic story of our life and humble beginning for creatures both big and small, good and bad. Who or what is the most noble person or creature respectively ? All and none ! All things ( including inanimate matters ) cannot be more equal. So, it is not who or what you are that is important but what you do. If your deeds are in line with the greatest law of all which is the law of nature you are a noble being. Otherwise, you are the anti-hero which is synonymous with the devil if you hurt the environment and its creatures. This applies to all creatures whether they believe in the existence of God or not. The eternal law of nature which is that of cause and effect will ultimately catch up with the devils. I have absolutely no doubt about this. Another vital moral lesson to be learned is that death ( like in a supernova ) is the beginning of life and life death. Therefore, we must accept the inevitable and recognize the achievable. May we all have the wisdom to tell one from the other. Apart from valuable knowledge we can also derive a lot of profound insight and inspiration from astronomy. In my humble opinion, it is an essential subject for all people especially those in power because astronomy can confine politicians' inflated ego to an acceptable level.
誰說科學是一門絕不浪漫的學問。這種想法的倡議者，應該重新檢討他們的思維。因為所有的生物，都是始源於星塵。正是那些耀眼地閃爍着的滿天繁星。它們就有 如一個打開了的寶箱，滿載奪目的珍寶。以上的描述，正是我對澳洲廣播局（ ABC SCIENCE ）記者，訪問我有關 Galaxy Zoo 這個天文學研究計劃中的參與時，我對該計劃的吸引力之評語。這訪問是ABC在 今年四月作出的。這是ABC SCIENCE WEBSITE 的全文：http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2010/04/15/2872493.htm 從以下的講述，你們會了解到，我們確確實實是從星塵而來。
每一夥星包括我們的太陽，都是個核聚變（ nuclear fusion ) 的烹調爐。烹調過程是由最簡單的氫原子開始。氫有一夥proton為核心，外邊有一夥負極的電子圍繞着運行。當星星因核聚變而發熱後，兩夥氫原子便融合為 有兩夥protons和兩夥電子的helium ( 氦 ）。由此類推，以致形成有14夥protons和14夥電子的碳原子了。就有如人所共知的事實。碳是一切生命和有機物質的基礎。但這並不是生命由來的整個 故事，因為整個過程是更加曲折奇異。核聚變會繼續直到鐵元素形成為止。鐵有protons和電子各26夥，而且鐵是最穩定的元素。到了這地步，核聚變便停 止下來。當一夥星的氫全都變成鐵的時候，星便再沒有由核反應所產生的向外爆炸力量了。因此，重力（ gravity )便成主要向內壓的能量。最後，這個全是鐵的星星，便會由於重力過大而爆炸， 這巨大無比的爆炸，就是supernova（ 超新星）的奪目耀眼奇觀了。它叫作超新星，是因為這就是另外一夥新星誕生的開始了。過程是這樣的，supernova 爆炸後，餘下的塵和廢物，再度會因 gravity ( 重力 ）而凝聚。到達密度十分高的時間，核聚變又會再度發動。此時，一夥新星便再誕生了。
其實，這故事還有另一個枝節。是有關星塵和其他廢物的循環再用。假如爆炸的星，是比太陽大上八倍或者以上的話，該正在死亡中的星，會不停止地被重力壓縮至 成為黑洞。後者是個極度密集的點，連光線都不能逃跑出來。以地球而言，火箭要有每小時24,000公里的速度，才可脫離地球的吸引力， 亦即是重力。反之， 光的速度是每一秒300,000 公里，所以我們可以想像得到，黑洞的密度和重力有多大。由於黑洞是看不見的，所以科學家只可以觀察星體運行的速度來估計黑洞的存在。按照一般科學家的估 計，許多銀河系統，都有黑洞隱藏在它們的中心。以我們的Milky Way Galaxy 為例，那十億夥星的旋轉速度，不是因為有一個超大的黑洞隱藏在銀河中心，所有星星都應已飛散四方了。
以上便是我們的生命源由，既浪漫亦卑微。誰人是最尊貴？所有人或者沒有人可以說得上是最尊尚。眾生皆平等也。誰都是出於星塵，細微而普通，四處皆是。因 此，你是誰並不重要，而你的行為，卻能肯定你本身的價值。行為失當，作姦犯科等傷天害理的罪行，會令你成為魔鬼。信仰神靈者或無神論者，都逃避不了因果 報應這天然定律。再者，有如超新星的滅亡，不過只是另一生命或新星的開始吧了！何必苦苦追憶，悲痛欲絕。來自塵土，亦歸於塵土。生死循環不盡，何懼之有。只怕沒有好好地，有意義的活過這生。因此， 我們必須接受不可改變的事情，卻要分辨出可以達到的目標。讓我祝願各位，人皆智慧，能把以上的兩種相反的事情，明確地分辨出來。除了可以給我們帶來寶貴的知識外，天文學更能為人帶來無限珍貴的心得，以及深遠的啟示。愚見是，天文學的確是一門必修的學問，尤其是當權者，因為它能夠令他們過份膨脹的自我，抑制在一個可接受的水平。
JKHC.
Who says science is a subject with no romance at all ? Such advocates better think again. All living creatures are , in fact, made of star dust. Our destiny has been and will always be found in the spectacular array of stars that twinkle in the night sky like jewels in an open treasure box. That was actually the description of the cosmos I gave to the reporter when I was interviewed by ABC Science ( Australian Broadcasting Corporation - Science Website in April, 2010 on my part in the Galaxy Zoo project - see this link here ( including my comments at the bottom of the report ) :- http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2010/04/15/2872493.htm ). So, it turns out that our destiny is really in the stars after all.
Every star including our sun is a cosmic nuclear fusion cooking pot. The cooking process starts with the most simple atom which is hydrogen composed of one proton ( with positive electric charge ) and one electron ( with negative charge ). When the star heats up nuclear fusion takes place and two hydrogen atoms fuse or " melt " together to form helium composed of two protons and two electrons. This fusion process progresses until carbon is formed which is composed of 14 protons and 14 electrons by a miraculous process known as resonance without which carbon can never be formed. As everyone knows carbon is the basis for all organic matters so that there would be no life without carbon. This is not the end of our life story which is much more intriguing. The fusion process will progress further until the chemical element of iron with 26 protons and a like number of electrons is formed. Then the process ceases because iron is the most stable element. When all the hydrogen in a burning star becomes iron the nuclear fuel is exhausted and the outward pressure exerted by nuclear fusion reaction will be gone and the force of gravity takes over causing the dying star to collapse upon itself under its own iron mass. The gravitational collapse will result in a tremendous explosion know as a supernova ( meaning new star ) because it marks the beginning of the formation of a new star from the debris of dusts and gas scattered around in space by the supernova. These will coalesce eventually because of gravity until the mass of the debris is dense enough to cause the nuclear fusion process to restart. At this stage a new star is born.
There is still another mysterious twist in the recycling of the cosmic debris created by a supernova explosion. For stars bigger than 8 times the size of our sun the gravitational collapse of the iron core at the end of the nuclear fusion process will be unstoppable and a black hole will be formed. It is known as a black hole because it is infinitely dense so that even light cannot escape. For our earth, the escape velocity of a space rocket leaving the grip of the earth's gravity is about 24,000 km per hour. Light has a velocity of 300,000 km per second. So, one can imagine the density of mass in a black hole. Astronomers cannot see a black hole. Its presence can only be detected by faster than normal movements of stars circulating the black hole as if they are circling nothingness. Most galaxies including our own Milky Way harbour a black hole in their centres. Without the gravitational pull of a massive black hole in the centre our galaxy should have disintegrated long ago judging on the speed of the revolution of a billion stars around the Milky Way centre.
This is the romantic story of our life and humble beginning for creatures both big and small, good and bad. Who or what is the most noble person or creature respectively ? All and none ! All things ( including inanimate matters ) cannot be more equal. So, it is not who or what you are that is important but what you do. If your deeds are in line with the greatest law of all which is the law of nature you are a noble being. Otherwise, you are the anti-hero which is synonymous with the devil if you hurt the environment and its creatures. This applies to all creatures whether they believe in the existence of God or not. The eternal law of nature which is that of cause and effect will ultimately catch up with the devils. I have absolutely no doubt about this. Another vital moral lesson to be learned is that death ( like in a supernova ) is the beginning of life and life death. Therefore, we must accept the inevitable and recognize the achievable. May we all have the wisdom to tell one from the other. Apart from valuable knowledge we can also derive a lot of profound insight and inspiration from astronomy. In my humble opinion, it is an essential subject for all people especially those in power because astronomy can confine politicians' inflated ego to an acceptable level.
誰說科學是一門絕不浪漫的學問。這種想法的倡議者，應該重新檢討他們的思維。因為所有的生物，都是始源於星塵。正是那些耀眼地閃爍着的滿天繁星。它們就有 如一個打開了的寶箱，滿載奪目的珍寶。以上的描述，正是我對澳洲廣播局（ ABC SCIENCE ）記者，訪問我有關 Galaxy Zoo 這個天文學研究計劃中的參與時，我對該計劃的吸引力之評語。這訪問是ABC在 今年四月作出的。這是ABC SCIENCE WEBSITE 的全文：http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2010/04/15/2872493.htm 從以下的講述，你們會了解到，我們確確實實是從星塵而來。
每一夥星包括我們的太陽，都是個核聚變（ nuclear fusion ) 的烹調爐。烹調過程是由最簡單的氫原子開始。氫有一夥proton為核心，外邊有一夥負極的電子圍繞着運行。當星星因核聚變而發熱後，兩夥氫原子便融合為 有兩夥protons和兩夥電子的helium ( 氦 ）。由此類推，以致形成有14夥protons和14夥電子的碳原子了。就有如人所共知的事實。碳是一切生命和有機物質的基礎。但這並不是生命由來的整個 故事，因為整個過程是更加曲折奇異。核聚變會繼續直到鐵元素形成為止。鐵有protons和電子各26夥，而且鐵是最穩定的元素。到了這地步，核聚變便停 止下來。當一夥星的氫全都變成鐵的時候，星便再沒有由核反應所產生的向外爆炸力量了。因此，重力（ gravity )便成主要向內壓的能量。最後，這個全是鐵的星星，便會由於重力過大而爆炸， 這巨大無比的爆炸，就是supernova（ 超新星）的奪目耀眼奇觀了。它叫作超新星，是因為這就是另外一夥新星誕生的開始了。過程是這樣的，supernova 爆炸後，餘下的塵和廢物，再度會因 gravity ( 重力 ）而凝聚。到達密度十分高的時間，核聚變又會再度發動。此時，一夥新星便再誕生了。
其實，這故事還有另一個枝節。是有關星塵和其他廢物的循環再用。假如爆炸的星，是比太陽大上八倍或者以上的話，該正在死亡中的星，會不停止地被重力壓縮至 成為黑洞。後者是個極度密集的點，連光線都不能逃跑出來。以地球而言，火箭要有每小時24,000公里的速度，才可脫離地球的吸引力， 亦即是重力。反之， 光的速度是每一秒300,000 公里，所以我們可以想像得到，黑洞的密度和重力有多大。由於黑洞是看不見的，所以科學家只可以觀察星體運行的速度來估計黑洞的存在。按照一般科學家的估 計，許多銀河系統，都有黑洞隱藏在它們的中心。以我們的Milky Way Galaxy 為例，那十億夥星的旋轉速度，不是因為有一個超大的黑洞隱藏在銀河中心，所有星星都應已飛散四方了。
以上便是我們的生命源由，既浪漫亦卑微。誰人是最尊貴？所有人或者沒有人可以說得上是最尊尚。眾生皆平等也。誰都是出於星塵，細微而普通，四處皆是。因 此，你是誰並不重要，而你的行為，卻能肯定你本身的價值。行為失當，作姦犯科等傷天害理的罪行，會令你成為魔鬼。信仰神靈者或無神論者，都逃避不了因果 報應這天然定律。再者，有如超新星的滅亡，不過只是另一生命或新星的開始吧了！何必苦苦追憶，悲痛欲絕。來自塵土，亦歸於塵土。生死循環不盡，何懼之有。只怕沒有好好地，有意義的活過這生。因此， 我們必須接受不可改變的事情，卻要分辨出可以達到的目標。讓我祝願各位，人皆智慧，能把以上的兩種相反的事情，明確地分辨出來。除了可以給我們帶來寶貴的知識外，天文學更能為人帶來無限珍貴的心得，以及深遠的啟示。愚見是，天文學的確是一門必修的學問，尤其是當權者，因為它能夠令他們過份膨脹的自我，抑制在一個可接受的水平。
JKHC.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Thoughts to you from yours truly - ( 47 ) - November 21, 2010
Thoughts to You from Yours Truly - ( TYYT ) - ( 47 ) - Humour ( 幽默感 ) - Nov., 21, 2010
Humour is a light-hearted approach to things that are generally viewed by the majority as serious matters. Humour may be taken as a positive attitude in times of trial for the individual in question. It provides endless support for an individual's struggle against adversities. For example, I am a poor man but still I will say this : - " I am glad that I am so poor because my children will be spared of the risk of being kidnapped for a ransom. " This would be considered as being a humourous remark. Personally, I regard humour as a sign of self confidence as well as a remarkable ability to view a situation from a out of the ordinary angle or higher perspective. Very often ladies highlight humour as a desirable quality for a man especially partner in life. My wife agrees with this completely. However, it could sometimes be carried too far resulting in verbal or even practical jokes with a bad taste. Once this stage is reached humour becomes black humour which is far from a compliment for the perpetrator. Any measure taken to the extreme will be a demerit. In moderation is usually a sensible approach especially in dealing with human affair.
幽默是對一般人認為嚴肅的事情，以輕鬆的態度視之。幽默可被視為一種正面的態度，在遇到逆境時，可以加強奮鬥心， 可以為人帶來無限的支持力量。比如， 我是個貧窮的人，但我仍打趣地說：「 我喜歡自己貧窮，因為我的子女不怕會被人綁架，以索取贖金。」這可以說是一種幽默的言論。在我個人而言，幽默是自信心的表現，亦是種極度超卓的能力。這種 才能，令人可以用超出平常的角度，和更高層次來看事物。女士每每以幽默這質素，作為挑選伴侶的準則。我的太太會十分贊同這種說法。但是，如果將幽默過度，可以淪為尖酸刻薄的言語，甚至變成作弄他人的玩笑。一旦到達這種情況，幽默便成為所謂黑色幽默。這絕對不是一種標榜，而是貶意。任何一種過份的行為， 都會是歪行，不值得鼓勵。採取中庸之道，才是一種合情理的處事方法。
JKHC.
Humour is a light-hearted approach to things that are generally viewed by the majority as serious matters. Humour may be taken as a positive attitude in times of trial for the individual in question. It provides endless support for an individual's struggle against adversities. For example, I am a poor man but still I will say this : - " I am glad that I am so poor because my children will be spared of the risk of being kidnapped for a ransom. " This would be considered as being a humourous remark. Personally, I regard humour as a sign of self confidence as well as a remarkable ability to view a situation from a out of the ordinary angle or higher perspective. Very often ladies highlight humour as a desirable quality for a man especially partner in life. My wife agrees with this completely. However, it could sometimes be carried too far resulting in verbal or even practical jokes with a bad taste. Once this stage is reached humour becomes black humour which is far from a compliment for the perpetrator. Any measure taken to the extreme will be a demerit. In moderation is usually a sensible approach especially in dealing with human affair.
幽默是對一般人認為嚴肅的事情，以輕鬆的態度視之。幽默可被視為一種正面的態度，在遇到逆境時，可以加強奮鬥心， 可以為人帶來無限的支持力量。比如， 我是個貧窮的人，但我仍打趣地說：「 我喜歡自己貧窮，因為我的子女不怕會被人綁架，以索取贖金。」這可以說是一種幽默的言論。在我個人而言，幽默是自信心的表現，亦是種極度超卓的能力。這種 才能，令人可以用超出平常的角度，和更高層次來看事物。女士每每以幽默這質素，作為挑選伴侶的準則。我的太太會十分贊同這種說法。但是，如果將幽默過度，可以淪為尖酸刻薄的言語，甚至變成作弄他人的玩笑。一旦到達這種情況，幽默便成為所謂黑色幽默。這絕對不是一種標榜，而是貶意。任何一種過份的行為， 都會是歪行，不值得鼓勵。採取中庸之道，才是一種合情理的處事方法。
JKHC.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Thoughts to you from yours truly - ( 46 ) - November 19, 2010
Thoughts to You from Yours Truly - ( TYYT ) - ( 46 ) - The Basis of Democracy ( 民主制度的根基 ) - Nov., 19, 2010
The most reliable basis of democracy is an unfaltering, ethical and compassionate intelligentsia. The ultimate weapon to fight for a better world is a righteous and empathetic mind in a duty bound citizen. All else is a waste of time and energy. Violence begets violence. That is the invariant law of cause and effect ( which I discussed early in my blog here :- http://jkhcforum.blogspot.com/2010_11_16_archive.html ). Build ourselves such an invincible force and we can forget about wars, social injustice and even the much dreaded financial tsunami. How ? By means of a better and fairer education system ( for which I am indebted for life hence here I am ). But that is not so easy. Right you are, again ! Every tortuous and great journey starts with the first step as our great and eternal teacher Confucius had most profoundly observed. Don't start due to fear of obstacles and you will be nowhere. Am I just a talker ? You can bet your bottom dollar that I am anything other than that. If a preacher starts by personal example the gospel he or she preaches is half way to heaven already. To be more specific, I have made an intellectual journey through the universe of 13.7 billion light years across and back again using 5 years from the start of my retirement in 2005 ( please click on this link if you are interested : https://sites.google.com/site/jkhcastronomy/Home/the-universe---a-personal-view-my-book-in-pdf ). Why fight for democracy ? It is because as E.M. Forster the famous English author ( 1879-1970 ) had proclaimed : - " Two cheers for democracy ! " Why only two cheers and not three ? The answer is simple. Democracy is the second best political system and way of life in any civilized society. Which is the number one system then ? Unfortunately, it has not yet been discovered ! I suspect it will never be given human nature being what it is.
民主制度的最可靠根基，就是一個不退縮，有道德操守和充滿憐憫心的智識份子階層。為一 個更好的世界而作戰的終極武器，就是一個有正義感，慈悲為懷和具有責任感的公民。其他一切技倆都是白費功夫，費時失事的。暴力只會引起更多連續不斷, 連綿不 盡的暴力。這是恆久不變的歷史因果定律（ 我曾經在這裡討論過 這問題 : http://jkhcforum.blogspot.com/2010_11_16_archive.html )。 假若我們能成功地建立起這樣的一些不敗之師，我們便可以永遠忘記戰爭，社會中的不公義，甚至我們極度恐懼的金融海嘯了。那麼如何去付諸實行呢？愚見認為是要通過一 個更好和更公平的教育制度才成（ 我也是這樣的一個教育制度下的受益者，我終生感激不盡，因此引致我做現在進行中的事 ) 。但你們會說這不是容易完成的工作呀！這說法絕對是正確的。每一 段痛苦和艱辛的旅程，都要從第一步開始。這是我們萬分敬佩的萬世師表，孔夫子的偉大觀察。因為害怕障礙和困難而卻步不前，我們便永遠停滯在原地不變了。我 是否只是一個空談者 ？我可以肯定地說，除了空談者以外，我什麼都可以做。一位傳道者，如想他人信服他傳播的福音，首先便是能以身作則。那樣，他所說的教便已成功了一半。說實 在一點，我曾經用了五年時間，從2005 年至今，作了一個知識上的魂遊太虛，對這個橫越13.7億光年的宇宙，昨了個普通的理論探討 （ 我的結論已在我的這本書描述， 請參現: http://sites.google.com/site/jkhcastronomy/Home/the-universe---a-personal-view-my-book-in-pdf ）在下以此證明，我並不是個空談者。那麼為什麼要為達到一個真正民主制度而奮鬥呢？這都是因為有如聞名的英國作家 霍士特（ E.M. Forster ) ( 1879-1970 ) 所說:「為民主作兩次歡呼吧！」那又為什麼只歡呼兩次而不是三次呢？這問題的答案十分簡單, 就是因為民主制度, 只是第二佳的政治制度, 以及在一個文明的社會中為第二佳的生活方式。那麼最佳的政治和社會制度又在那裡？答案是，正在尋找中。非常不幸地，基於人類的劣根性，我十分懷疑，最佳的制度，就算找到了，也是沒法實施的。
JKHC.
The most reliable basis of democracy is an unfaltering, ethical and compassionate intelligentsia. The ultimate weapon to fight for a better world is a righteous and empathetic mind in a duty bound citizen. All else is a waste of time and energy. Violence begets violence. That is the invariant law of cause and effect ( which I discussed early in my blog here :- http://jkhcforum.blogspot.com/2010_11_16_archive.html ). Build ourselves such an invincible force and we can forget about wars, social injustice and even the much dreaded financial tsunami. How ? By means of a better and fairer education system ( for which I am indebted for life hence here I am ). But that is not so easy. Right you are, again ! Every tortuous and great journey starts with the first step as our great and eternal teacher Confucius had most profoundly observed. Don't start due to fear of obstacles and you will be nowhere. Am I just a talker ? You can bet your bottom dollar that I am anything other than that. If a preacher starts by personal example the gospel he or she preaches is half way to heaven already. To be more specific, I have made an intellectual journey through the universe of 13.7 billion light years across and back again using 5 years from the start of my retirement in 2005 ( please click on this link if you are interested : https://sites.google.com/site/jkhcastronomy/Home/the-universe---a-personal-view-my-book-in-pdf ). Why fight for democracy ? It is because as E.M. Forster the famous English author ( 1879-1970 ) had proclaimed : - " Two cheers for democracy ! " Why only two cheers and not three ? The answer is simple. Democracy is the second best political system and way of life in any civilized society. Which is the number one system then ? Unfortunately, it has not yet been discovered ! I suspect it will never be given human nature being what it is.
民主制度的最可靠根基，就是一個不退縮，有道德操守和充滿憐憫心的智識份子階層。為一 個更好的世界而作戰的終極武器，就是一個有正義感，慈悲為懷和具有責任感的公民。其他一切技倆都是白費功夫，費時失事的。暴力只會引起更多連續不斷, 連綿不 盡的暴力。這是恆久不變的歷史因果定律（ 我曾經在這裡討論過 這問題 : http://jkhcforum.blogspot.com/2010_11_16_archive.html )。 假若我們能成功地建立起這樣的一些不敗之師，我們便可以永遠忘記戰爭，社會中的不公義，甚至我們極度恐懼的金融海嘯了。那麼如何去付諸實行呢？愚見認為是要通過一 個更好和更公平的教育制度才成（ 我也是這樣的一個教育制度下的受益者，我終生感激不盡，因此引致我做現在進行中的事 ) 。但你們會說這不是容易完成的工作呀！這說法絕對是正確的。每一 段痛苦和艱辛的旅程，都要從第一步開始。這是我們萬分敬佩的萬世師表，孔夫子的偉大觀察。因為害怕障礙和困難而卻步不前，我們便永遠停滯在原地不變了。我 是否只是一個空談者 ？我可以肯定地說，除了空談者以外，我什麼都可以做。一位傳道者，如想他人信服他傳播的福音，首先便是能以身作則。那樣，他所說的教便已成功了一半。說實 在一點，我曾經用了五年時間，從2005 年至今，作了一個知識上的魂遊太虛，對這個橫越13.7億光年的宇宙，昨了個普通的理論探討 （ 我的結論已在我的這本書描述， 請參現: http://sites.google.com/site/jkhcastronomy/Home/the-universe---a-personal-view-my-book-in-pdf ）在下以此證明，我並不是個空談者。那麼為什麼要為達到一個真正民主制度而奮鬥呢？這都是因為有如聞名的英國作家 霍士特（ E.M. Forster ) ( 1879-1970 ) 所說:「為民主作兩次歡呼吧！」那又為什麼只歡呼兩次而不是三次呢？這問題的答案十分簡單, 就是因為民主制度, 只是第二佳的政治制度, 以及在一個文明的社會中為第二佳的生活方式。那麼最佳的政治和社會制度又在那裡？答案是，正在尋找中。非常不幸地，基於人類的劣根性，我十分懷疑，最佳的制度，就算找到了，也是沒法實施的。
JKHC.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Thoughts to you from yours truly - ( 45 ) - November 18, 2010
Thoughts to You from Yours Truly - ( TYYT ) - ( 45 ) - Teaching ( 教與導 ) - Nov., 18, 2010
Teaching is of course a very noble profession. In Chinese the word teaching has two elements in its meaning - instruct and guide. I like the latter element much more than the former simply because it is far more effective than the former. " To instruct " implies more of a one way traffic like from teacher to student or the learned to the unlearned. On the other hand, " to guide " is more personal and implies giving more weight to the feeling and perspective of the student. In short, " to guide " is a more human approach and in most cases more effective. The reason is easy to understand because the latter element keeps the student relaxed and hence he or she will be more receptive to information and, therefore, more conducive to intellectual reasoning. Treat people, anyone as a human being and everything falls in its right place.
教育當然是一行高尚的專業。在中文裡，to teach 包含教與導兩種元素。我喜歡後者多於前者，全因為後者比較前者有效多了。教暗示單向的交通，知識由老師傳授到學生，由有識之士給予無知者。在令一方面，導則 較近人情，以學生的感受和觀點為基礎。換言之，導是較人性化，因此亦比較有效。這是很容易理解的。學生精神鬆弛了，他們對認識的吸收，以及思考的運作也會 更有效率，自然事半功倍了。把每一個人都作為一個有血肉和感受的人看待，所有的事情都易辦了。
JKHC.
Teaching is of course a very noble profession. In Chinese the word teaching has two elements in its meaning - instruct and guide. I like the latter element much more than the former simply because it is far more effective than the former. " To instruct " implies more of a one way traffic like from teacher to student or the learned to the unlearned. On the other hand, " to guide " is more personal and implies giving more weight to the feeling and perspective of the student. In short, " to guide " is a more human approach and in most cases more effective. The reason is easy to understand because the latter element keeps the student relaxed and hence he or she will be more receptive to information and, therefore, more conducive to intellectual reasoning. Treat people, anyone as a human being and everything falls in its right place.
教育當然是一行高尚的專業。在中文裡，to teach 包含教與導兩種元素。我喜歡後者多於前者，全因為後者比較前者有效多了。教暗示單向的交通，知識由老師傳授到學生，由有識之士給予無知者。在令一方面，導則 較近人情，以學生的感受和觀點為基礎。換言之，導是較人性化，因此亦比較有效。這是很容易理解的。學生精神鬆弛了，他們對認識的吸收，以及思考的運作也會 更有效率，自然事半功倍了。把每一個人都作為一個有血肉和感受的人看待，所有的事情都易辦了。
JKHC.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Thoughts to you from yours truly - ( 44 ) - November 17, 2010
Thoughts to You from Yours Truly - ( TYYT ) - ( 44 ) - Cause & Effect ( 因果定律 ) - Nov., 16/11/10
The law of cause and effect is the corner stone of science, logic, our sanity as well as basis of most religious beliefs. It also appeals to our revered value of justice based on the triumph of good over evil. It is the law of hope and comfort. It's tenet is pretty simple. Nothing happens without a cause. But is it that simple when applied to human affairs ? Definitely not. Most people are wary of the unfathomable and profound mysteries in science. In fact, things are not always what they appear to be. Based on my humble experience from a personal intellectual journey through 250 or so popular science books starting with Professor Stephen Hawking's " A Brief History of Time " ( a pocket book of only 197 pages which I took 3 months to finish ) and ending with his most recent book - " The Grand Design " ( published on 16th October, 2010 of 187 pages which I took 3 days to finish ) over a period of 5 years I have found to my utmost surprise that scientific laws and theories are far simpler than human and everyday affairs such as economics and human relationships. Ask me about Einstein's Special Relativity ( basis of time and even space travel ) and the strange implications of Quantum Mechanics ( basis of our beloved computers ). I can explain their basic tenets and principles in a decently understandable manner ( which I did in my book - " The Universe - A Personal View " freely available on my website ). That is why Einstein had famously said that :- " That most incomprehensible thing about the universe is that it is comprehensible. "
I also most presumptuously think that I have found or correctly speculated the reason for this apparent anomaly to my pleasant surprise and elation. It is our mind and consciousness that are the culprits for causing complications in human affairs. Stated more scientifically, natural and theoretical science deal with matters without a mind. Therefore, there is by and large only one to one relationships without any feed back loop to deal with. Kick a rock with a certain force and your pain will be proportional to the force applied. This is Newton's Third Law of Motion :- " Action and reaction are equal and opposite ." On the contrary, human affairs deal with subjects who all have a mind of their own. Each person reacts to external stimuli differently and worse still differently at different times depending on their mood and a given environment. There are multiple feed back loops that create a new situation after each round of interaction that can go on endlessly like the vicious circle phenomenon in macroeconomics. Take a simple everyday example. Say, you run into a lamp pole in a hurry. To correct your inadvertent mistake you simply step sideways and carry on. If you run into a person in a hurry you may not be able to rectify your " misbehavior " that easily. I am sure you have the painful experience of your victim moving to a same side to which you have chosen to divert in your desperate attempt to avoid collision. This unpleasant blocking game could go on for a few rounds before communication can ultimately be established and physical collision finally avoided. In more unfortunate cases, nasty confrontation could ensue ending with very unpleasant results.
What are all these mumble jumble leading to in terms of cause and effect ? Please bear with me a little longer and all will be revealed to you in good time. There are two important moral lessons to be learned here. Firstly, causes of natural phenomena which obey invariant laws can somehow be found. Many of these can unfortunately be traced to human misbehaviour such as global warming and deforestation. We can reduce the probability of their occurrence if we are to blame or predict and protect ourselves accordingly if we are not responsible. Green house gas emission leads to global warming. This is simple one to one cause and effect relationship. Second moral lesson, in dealing with human affairs take extra care when you initial an action. There could be multiple feed back reactions that could easily get out of control like cry wolf about a nonexistent fire in a crowded place leading to panic that could cost valuable lives. The same argument is equally applicable to not so proper love affairs. In summary, natural phenomena and human affairs are two different types of " truths " which I called objective and subjective truths respectively. The former has a definite and predictable response to stimulus while the latter responds unpredictably. Notwithstanding this general characteristic the law of cause and effect still holds true for both. Hence, natural justice will somehow be served ultimately if not immediately. Beware evil doers. Even if you do not believe in God or the spiritual. This is the invariant law of nature. The same warning is also applicable to all materialism advocates and supporters of akin political regimes. I am not talking about superstitious myths and mysteries. This is solid science of nature. It pays to heed my humble warning.
( Note : Those interested in Einstein's Special Relativity please click on the following link to see my explanation ( agreed to by the professors of astrophysics in Cambridge and Harvard ) to the younger citizen astronomers in the most successful online science research project GALAXY ZOO official forum. This project has also given rise to the term CITIZEN SCIENCE which is specifically singled out by the US National Science Council 2010 report as the new scientific research trend for the next decade :- http://www.galaxyzooforum.org/index.php?topic=270816.0 )
因果定律， 是邏輯，科學和我們正常精神狀態的基石，更加是很多宗教的不異教條。這定律更加對我們產生吸引力，因為它和我們所尊崇的公義，以及好人會戰勝壞人，這種充 滿希望和安慰的信念符合。它的基本信念是簡單而直接的。這便是有果必有因。但用於人與人之間的事情，便不是那麼簡單了。大多數人都對神秘和莫測高深的科學理論，會感到迷失和 有戒心。其實，事情並不像表面那麼單純。在下曾經花了五年多的時間，看了多於二百五十多本科學叢書，從 Professor Stephen Hawking 的 A Brief History of Time ( 這只有197頁的小書，我卻需要用三個月的時間才讀完）開始，以至他最新的書 The Grand Design ( 在本年十月十六日才出版，有187頁的書，而我只用了三天便讀完了), 總共花了五年多的時間才完成私下的研究。以在下這 謙卑的經驗，我察覺到科學的定律和理論，竟然比人與人之間的事情，比方說經濟和人際關係，要來得簡單。假若你問我有關愛因斯坦的狹義相對論（ 我們理解時間與空間，甚至使應用於太空探索的基礎 ）或者量子力學的神秘暗藏玄機 （ 這是我們極度寵愛的數碼電腦的根基所在 ），我都能夠以單純易明的解釋，給各位來作一個簡易說明。而實際上，我已經在我的弊作，一本叫The Universe - A Personal View ( 翻譯作:我個人的宇宙觀）書內試圖作出了。所以，愛因斯坦曾經發表過以下聞名的講話:「 宇宙中最令人費解的事，實屬這宇宙是可以為人所理解的。」
我更加對以上令人費解的事，作了某些大膽的假設和推論。就是我們的思想和意識，便是罪魁禍首。這發現令我十分驚喜和雀躍。以科學化一點來說，自然界的事物 和現象，都是沒有自我和意識的。因此，大多數情況都是單一的回響，沒有複雜的互動元素。比如你以某一力度用腳去踢一塊石頭，你的痛楚必與你發出的腳力成正 比。這是牛頓動力學的第三定律。相反，人與人之間的交往，卻是關乎兩者或更多的有着自我和意識的個體，互相交流。每人對從外界來的刺激，有不同的反應。再 者， 不同的人更加會在不同的時間以及環境，作出不同的反應。這樣就會形成了複雜的互動回響。這互往的反應在理論上是可以無限的。就有如宏觀經濟中的惡性循環一 般。就拿一般日常的例子，如果你在匆忙中不慎走向一條燈柱，你只要踏步則邊避過便成。但是如果你不慎衝向一個人，那便麻煩得多了。我肯定地說，每一個人都 曾經試過這般的不快經驗。被你險些碰撞的人，向左或右避開，而那邊正是你試圖避開他的那一方。這麼一來，大家都尷尬地再次避往令一方，重滔覆轍。幾經辛苦才 找對了不相撞的那邊過路。如果情況更不幸，可能會導致衝突。
讀者會問，究竟以上的討論， 和因果定律有什麼關係呢？請耐心稍候一會，我便會完完本本地給你們答案。以上的討論有兩個值得引以為鑑的警惕。一是大自然的現象，是有着恆久不變和單一互 動，而沒有複雜的惡性循環式互動交替的情況。因此，事發的原因比較容易尋找。很不幸地，很多天災的起因，都可歸根於人為因素。比如地球暖化和森林消失等， 都可尋找原因而加以避免。第二個可用來引以為鑑的警告，就是需要十分小心處理人與人的交往。因為有如以上闡述，人有自己的意識和自我，會由互動產生十分複 雜的惡毒性循環，一發不可收拾的可能效果。比如在人群中惡作劇場，高呼沒發生的火警。這極度可能引起恐慌，以致互相踐踏，引致人命傷亡。同樣的道理，處理 人與人之間的感情，也是適用的。我的總結，是我們的世界裡，存在着自然界的簡單客觀真理，以及人與人之間較為複雜的主觀真理。雖然有這般分類，但這不會影 響因與果的定律，它仍然是有效的。否則我們便喪失了邏輯和正常精神狀態的操作。這也代表着自然公理的不會變易。善惡到頭終有報，只是遲或早的問題吧了！因 此，作姦犯科之類，應以此作為警惕才對。就算你們不相信鬼神，也難逃自然的因果定律。同一警告，也可應用於唯物主義者，以及類似的政治黨派人士。我作重新 警告，這定律不是迷信，而是不會變易的永恆自然界真理，不可挑戰的事實。切記！切記！
JKHC. ( 鄭冠合 )
註： 我對有關愛因斯坦的狹義相對論的解釋 ：http://www.galaxyzooforum.org/index.php?topic=270816.0
The law of cause and effect is the corner stone of science, logic, our sanity as well as basis of most religious beliefs. It also appeals to our revered value of justice based on the triumph of good over evil. It is the law of hope and comfort. It's tenet is pretty simple. Nothing happens without a cause. But is it that simple when applied to human affairs ? Definitely not. Most people are wary of the unfathomable and profound mysteries in science. In fact, things are not always what they appear to be. Based on my humble experience from a personal intellectual journey through 250 or so popular science books starting with Professor Stephen Hawking's " A Brief History of Time " ( a pocket book of only 197 pages which I took 3 months to finish ) and ending with his most recent book - " The Grand Design " ( published on 16th October, 2010 of 187 pages which I took 3 days to finish ) over a period of 5 years I have found to my utmost surprise that scientific laws and theories are far simpler than human and everyday affairs such as economics and human relationships. Ask me about Einstein's Special Relativity ( basis of time and even space travel ) and the strange implications of Quantum Mechanics ( basis of our beloved computers ). I can explain their basic tenets and principles in a decently understandable manner ( which I did in my book - " The Universe - A Personal View " freely available on my website ). That is why Einstein had famously said that :- " That most incomprehensible thing about the universe is that it is comprehensible. "
I also most presumptuously think that I have found or correctly speculated the reason for this apparent anomaly to my pleasant surprise and elation. It is our mind and consciousness that are the culprits for causing complications in human affairs. Stated more scientifically, natural and theoretical science deal with matters without a mind. Therefore, there is by and large only one to one relationships without any feed back loop to deal with. Kick a rock with a certain force and your pain will be proportional to the force applied. This is Newton's Third Law of Motion :- " Action and reaction are equal and opposite ." On the contrary, human affairs deal with subjects who all have a mind of their own. Each person reacts to external stimuli differently and worse still differently at different times depending on their mood and a given environment. There are multiple feed back loops that create a new situation after each round of interaction that can go on endlessly like the vicious circle phenomenon in macroeconomics. Take a simple everyday example. Say, you run into a lamp pole in a hurry. To correct your inadvertent mistake you simply step sideways and carry on. If you run into a person in a hurry you may not be able to rectify your " misbehavior " that easily. I am sure you have the painful experience of your victim moving to a same side to which you have chosen to divert in your desperate attempt to avoid collision. This unpleasant blocking game could go on for a few rounds before communication can ultimately be established and physical collision finally avoided. In more unfortunate cases, nasty confrontation could ensue ending with very unpleasant results.
What are all these mumble jumble leading to in terms of cause and effect ? Please bear with me a little longer and all will be revealed to you in good time. There are two important moral lessons to be learned here. Firstly, causes of natural phenomena which obey invariant laws can somehow be found. Many of these can unfortunately be traced to human misbehaviour such as global warming and deforestation. We can reduce the probability of their occurrence if we are to blame or predict and protect ourselves accordingly if we are not responsible. Green house gas emission leads to global warming. This is simple one to one cause and effect relationship. Second moral lesson, in dealing with human affairs take extra care when you initial an action. There could be multiple feed back reactions that could easily get out of control like cry wolf about a nonexistent fire in a crowded place leading to panic that could cost valuable lives. The same argument is equally applicable to not so proper love affairs. In summary, natural phenomena and human affairs are two different types of " truths " which I called objective and subjective truths respectively. The former has a definite and predictable response to stimulus while the latter responds unpredictably. Notwithstanding this general characteristic the law of cause and effect still holds true for both. Hence, natural justice will somehow be served ultimately if not immediately. Beware evil doers. Even if you do not believe in God or the spiritual. This is the invariant law of nature. The same warning is also applicable to all materialism advocates and supporters of akin political regimes. I am not talking about superstitious myths and mysteries. This is solid science of nature. It pays to heed my humble warning.
( Note : Those interested in Einstein's Special Relativity please click on the following link to see my explanation ( agreed to by the professors of astrophysics in Cambridge and Harvard ) to the younger citizen astronomers in the most successful online science research project GALAXY ZOO official forum. This project has also given rise to the term CITIZEN SCIENCE which is specifically singled out by the US National Science Council 2010 report as the new scientific research trend for the next decade :- http://www.galaxyzooforum.org/index.php?topic=270816.0 )
因果定律， 是邏輯，科學和我們正常精神狀態的基石，更加是很多宗教的不異教條。這定律更加對我們產生吸引力，因為它和我們所尊崇的公義，以及好人會戰勝壞人，這種充 滿希望和安慰的信念符合。它的基本信念是簡單而直接的。這便是有果必有因。但用於人與人之間的事情，便不是那麼簡單了。大多數人都對神秘和莫測高深的科學理論，會感到迷失和 有戒心。其實，事情並不像表面那麼單純。在下曾經花了五年多的時間，看了多於二百五十多本科學叢書，從 Professor Stephen Hawking 的 A Brief History of Time ( 這只有197頁的小書，我卻需要用三個月的時間才讀完）開始，以至他最新的書 The Grand Design ( 在本年十月十六日才出版，有187頁的書，而我只用了三天便讀完了), 總共花了五年多的時間才完成私下的研究。以在下這 謙卑的經驗，我察覺到科學的定律和理論，竟然比人與人之間的事情，比方說經濟和人際關係，要來得簡單。假若你問我有關愛因斯坦的狹義相對論（ 我們理解時間與空間，甚至使應用於太空探索的基礎 ）或者量子力學的神秘暗藏玄機 （ 這是我們極度寵愛的數碼電腦的根基所在 ），我都能夠以單純易明的解釋，給各位來作一個簡易說明。而實際上，我已經在我的弊作，一本叫The Universe - A Personal View ( 翻譯作:我個人的宇宙觀）書內試圖作出了。所以，愛因斯坦曾經發表過以下聞名的講話:「 宇宙中最令人費解的事，實屬這宇宙是可以為人所理解的。」
我更加對以上令人費解的事，作了某些大膽的假設和推論。就是我們的思想和意識，便是罪魁禍首。這發現令我十分驚喜和雀躍。以科學化一點來說，自然界的事物 和現象，都是沒有自我和意識的。因此，大多數情況都是單一的回響，沒有複雜的互動元素。比如你以某一力度用腳去踢一塊石頭，你的痛楚必與你發出的腳力成正 比。這是牛頓動力學的第三定律。相反，人與人之間的交往，卻是關乎兩者或更多的有着自我和意識的個體，互相交流。每人對從外界來的刺激，有不同的反應。再 者， 不同的人更加會在不同的時間以及環境，作出不同的反應。這樣就會形成了複雜的互動回響。這互往的反應在理論上是可以無限的。就有如宏觀經濟中的惡性循環一 般。就拿一般日常的例子，如果你在匆忙中不慎走向一條燈柱，你只要踏步則邊避過便成。但是如果你不慎衝向一個人，那便麻煩得多了。我肯定地說，每一個人都 曾經試過這般的不快經驗。被你險些碰撞的人，向左或右避開，而那邊正是你試圖避開他的那一方。這麼一來，大家都尷尬地再次避往令一方，重滔覆轍。幾經辛苦才 找對了不相撞的那邊過路。如果情況更不幸，可能會導致衝突。
讀者會問，究竟以上的討論， 和因果定律有什麼關係呢？請耐心稍候一會，我便會完完本本地給你們答案。以上的討論有兩個值得引以為鑑的警惕。一是大自然的現象，是有着恆久不變和單一互 動，而沒有複雜的惡性循環式互動交替的情況。因此，事發的原因比較容易尋找。很不幸地，很多天災的起因，都可歸根於人為因素。比如地球暖化和森林消失等， 都可尋找原因而加以避免。第二個可用來引以為鑑的警告，就是需要十分小心處理人與人的交往。因為有如以上闡述，人有自己的意識和自我，會由互動產生十分複 雜的惡毒性循環，一發不可收拾的可能效果。比如在人群中惡作劇場，高呼沒發生的火警。這極度可能引起恐慌，以致互相踐踏，引致人命傷亡。同樣的道理，處理 人與人之間的感情，也是適用的。我的總結，是我們的世界裡，存在着自然界的簡單客觀真理，以及人與人之間較為複雜的主觀真理。雖然有這般分類，但這不會影 響因與果的定律，它仍然是有效的。否則我們便喪失了邏輯和正常精神狀態的操作。這也代表着自然公理的不會變易。善惡到頭終有報，只是遲或早的問題吧了！因 此，作姦犯科之類，應以此作為警惕才對。就算你們不相信鬼神，也難逃自然的因果定律。同一警告，也可應用於唯物主義者，以及類似的政治黨派人士。我作重新 警告，這定律不是迷信，而是不會變易的永恆自然界真理，不可挑戰的事實。切記！切記！
JKHC. ( 鄭冠合 )
註： 我對有關愛因斯坦的狹義相對論的解釋 ：http://www.galaxyzooforum.org/index.php?topic=270816.0
Monday, November 15, 2010
Thoughts to you from yours truly - ( 43 ) - November 16, 2010
Thoughts to You from Yours Truly - ( TYYT ) - ( 43 ) - The Problem with Money ( 錢的問題 ) - Nov., 16, 2010
People say money is no problem. Only no money is the problem. I say problems that can be solved by money are really no problem. The only problem is that we usually create the problems because of money in the first place. Is money the problem then or are we the real problem ? If you don't know the answer to this question then you really have a problem !
人們說錢不成問題，沒有錢才是問題。我說錢可以解決的問題不成問題，問題在於多數的問題，都是我們自己為了錢, 以至鋌而走險所造成的。那麼問題是出於錢，還是我們自己才是問題所在呢？如果你不懂得這問題的答案，那麼你的腦袋真正出了問題啦！
JKHC.
People say money is no problem. Only no money is the problem. I say problems that can be solved by money are really no problem. The only problem is that we usually create the problems because of money in the first place. Is money the problem then or are we the real problem ? If you don't know the answer to this question then you really have a problem !
人們說錢不成問題，沒有錢才是問題。我說錢可以解決的問題不成問題，問題在於多數的問題，都是我們自己為了錢, 以至鋌而走險所造成的。那麼問題是出於錢，還是我們自己才是問題所在呢？如果你不懂得這問題的答案，那麼你的腦袋真正出了問題啦！
JKHC.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Thoughts to you from yours truly - ( 42 ) - November 15, 2010
Thoughts to You from Yours Truly - ( TYYT ) - ( 42 ) - Subjective and Objective ( 主觀與客觀 ) - Nov., 15, 2010
I studied science as I love to be logical and objective as if these qualities equated with intelligence and fairness. As I grew older I found that abiding by such standards rendered me less than human. There was a cold spell in my heart as though it were not functioning properly. So, I changed to studying art subjects. Literature and philosophy were my pets. With more subjective values coming into my life I felt more human and I even began to enjoy changes in my emotions whence most of my inspiration originates. I started to use my heart more than just my head and I love it even more. Come university I became more down to earth out of financial necessity and took the commercial subjects. That paid off handsomely but only in financial terms. Now that I am retired I revert to my old wilful ways of being subjective but in an objective way meaning more seasoned and flexible approach in my interpersonal relationships. In short, I am still stubborn but in an empathetic manner. Come to think of it. There is subjectivity in being objective and vice versa. After all, we always depend on our consciousness to make judgment calls based on our intellect which is again interacting with our feelings. Therefore, both elements must be present. We cannot have one without the other. Life is mostly shades of gray. Hence, there is really no absolute truth. Treat people with empathy and one will not be far from the truth of nature that is !
我曾經攻讀理科，這是因為我喜歡自己邏輯與客觀。我一向認為這些質素是等同智慧和公平。長大了卻感到純粹持這些態度做人，會流於不近人情。心中會存在着一 種冷漠，有如心臟操作不靈一般，因此我轉讀了文科。文藝和哲學，是我的寵兒。多了些主觀性價值的浸淫，令我更有人情味，而且也學會享受自己的情緒起伏，這 亦是我的靈感來源。我學會用心中感受而不單用腦袋去處理事情, 我更喜歡自己這般做人的態度。進入大學後，我變得實際了，所以選擇讀商科。這選擇的確令我得到很可觀的經濟回報, 不過只限於此而已。現在退休了一陣只，我又故態復萌了，再度重投主觀的懷抱， 但是在待人接物方面，多了點彈性和少許客觀的成份。換言之，我仍然是固執，但是略帶同情心罷了。回心細想， 我們用意識去作出判斷和抉擇，情感和理智都在互動地運作，所以主觀和客觀的元素, 兩者都必然存在，缺一不能成事。生命就是充滿着灰色地帶的，不要再說什麼是絕對真理了。以慈悲之心待人，這必定離大自然的真理不遠了。
JKHC.
I studied science as I love to be logical and objective as if these qualities equated with intelligence and fairness. As I grew older I found that abiding by such standards rendered me less than human. There was a cold spell in my heart as though it were not functioning properly. So, I changed to studying art subjects. Literature and philosophy were my pets. With more subjective values coming into my life I felt more human and I even began to enjoy changes in my emotions whence most of my inspiration originates. I started to use my heart more than just my head and I love it even more. Come university I became more down to earth out of financial necessity and took the commercial subjects. That paid off handsomely but only in financial terms. Now that I am retired I revert to my old wilful ways of being subjective but in an objective way meaning more seasoned and flexible approach in my interpersonal relationships. In short, I am still stubborn but in an empathetic manner. Come to think of it. There is subjectivity in being objective and vice versa. After all, we always depend on our consciousness to make judgment calls based on our intellect which is again interacting with our feelings. Therefore, both elements must be present. We cannot have one without the other. Life is mostly shades of gray. Hence, there is really no absolute truth. Treat people with empathy and one will not be far from the truth of nature that is !
我曾經攻讀理科，這是因為我喜歡自己邏輯與客觀。我一向認為這些質素是等同智慧和公平。長大了卻感到純粹持這些態度做人，會流於不近人情。心中會存在着一 種冷漠，有如心臟操作不靈一般，因此我轉讀了文科。文藝和哲學，是我的寵兒。多了些主觀性價值的浸淫，令我更有人情味，而且也學會享受自己的情緒起伏，這 亦是我的靈感來源。我學會用心中感受而不單用腦袋去處理事情, 我更喜歡自己這般做人的態度。進入大學後，我變得實際了，所以選擇讀商科。這選擇的確令我得到很可觀的經濟回報, 不過只限於此而已。現在退休了一陣只，我又故態復萌了，再度重投主觀的懷抱， 但是在待人接物方面，多了點彈性和少許客觀的成份。換言之，我仍然是固執，但是略帶同情心罷了。回心細想， 我們用意識去作出判斷和抉擇，情感和理智都在互動地運作，所以主觀和客觀的元素, 兩者都必然存在，缺一不能成事。生命就是充滿着灰色地帶的，不要再說什麼是絕對真理了。以慈悲之心待人，這必定離大自然的真理不遠了。
JKHC.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Thoughts to you from yours truly - ( 41 ) - November 14, 2010
Thoughts to You from Yours Truly - ( TYYT ) - ( 41 ) - Politics and Politicians ( 政治與政客 ) - Nov., 14, 2010
Politics is business of the people. Therefore, no one can afford to ignore it. On the other hand, politicians are necessary pains that we have to tolerate because they could be so destructive. This is at odds with what they are enjoying. Despite all these misfortunes we need them nevertheless. Politics is the only profession I know in which one is remunerated by money as well as the rare privilege of a chance to get into the history books in a significant way. That simply means immortality. Politicians heed this warning. Be grateful for this great privilege to serve and so you must act decently. Power to the people always !
政治是眾人之事，所以沒人能對它置之不理。在令一方面，政客卻是我們必須容忍的痛楚。這是因為他們擁有着極度破壞性的潛力。這情況與 他們享受的優待絕對不成正比。話雖如此，我們仍然需要他們來管治國家。政治這行專業，是我所知道的唯一有雙重報酬的工作。政客有薪金，亦有可以達到留名清 史的罕有良機。後者等同永垂不朽的最高榮譽。政客必須以此為鑑，以感恩之心服務老百姓，並且要慎重行事才對。權力永遠歸於人民！
JKHC.
Politics is business of the people. Therefore, no one can afford to ignore it. On the other hand, politicians are necessary pains that we have to tolerate because they could be so destructive. This is at odds with what they are enjoying. Despite all these misfortunes we need them nevertheless. Politics is the only profession I know in which one is remunerated by money as well as the rare privilege of a chance to get into the history books in a significant way. That simply means immortality. Politicians heed this warning. Be grateful for this great privilege to serve and so you must act decently. Power to the people always !
政治是眾人之事，所以沒人能對它置之不理。在令一方面，政客卻是我們必須容忍的痛楚。這是因為他們擁有着極度破壞性的潛力。這情況與 他們享受的優待絕對不成正比。話雖如此，我們仍然需要他們來管治國家。政治這行專業，是我所知道的唯一有雙重報酬的工作。政客有薪金，亦有可以達到留名清 史的罕有良機。後者等同永垂不朽的最高榮譽。政客必須以此為鑑，以感恩之心服務老百姓，並且要慎重行事才對。權力永遠歸於人民！
JKHC.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Prose ( 散文 ) - Staring at the Stars ( 看星星 ) - Poetry & Prose ( 3 ) - Nov.,13, 2010
Prose ( 散文 ) - Staring at the Stars ( 看星星 ) - Poetry & Prose ( 3 ) - Nov.,13, 2010
Staring at the Stars ( 看星星 )
More stars than sand to be gazed upon they are really spectacular and cool.
繁星多越恆河沙數，燦爛而有性格，更可任人觀賞。
In my life time they have given me endless comfort and showed me the eternal truth.
在我一生中，它們給予我無限安慰和為我展示了永恆的真理。
Start staring at the stars to learn your life story, too.
你們也不防試試看星，或許也可以如我一般獲得些人生的啟示。
Start staring at them especially when you feel blue.
正當你感覺繁亂之際，這也正好是開始觀星的適當時候。
So, let us start what we must do from here and now until you know what to do.
那麼就讓我們開始做我們必須做的事， 直到我們學會怎樣做為止。
When you are born stare at the stars. Their mystical omnipresence will symbolize you.
當你誕生時，請看着星星。它們神秘地無處不在，正像徵着你生命的存在。
When you are young stare at the stars. Their illusive twinkling will mesmerize you.
當你仍年輕的時候，請看看繁星，它們虛幻的閃爍， 令你切底地着了迷。
When you are lost stare at the stars. Their lasting brightness will guide you.
當你感到迷失和落魄的時候，請看看星空， 它們的永恆光芒會指引你的路途。
When you are successful stare at the stars. Their profound grandeur will humble you.
當你成功之際，更要看看星星，因為它們的偉大壯觀，使你感覺謙卑。
When you are angry stare at the stars. Their soothing tranquility will clam you.
當你忿怒時，也得看看繁星，它們有着令人心情舒緩的寧靜， 會使你悄悄地安靜下來。
When you are down stare at the stars. Their glamorous beauty will lift you.
當你心情沮喪的時候，請看看星星，它們的優美和燦爛，令你情緒提昇。
When you are happy stare at the stars. Their constant wonders will excite you.
當你快樂時， 也應舉頭看星，它們有着經常性的奇妙， 會令你更加興奮。
When you are wavering stare at the stars. Their great steadfastness will inspire you.
當你舉棋不定時，你需要看看星星，它們的永固不移，會給予你深刻的啟發。
When you are tired stare at the stars. Their endless energy will revitalize you.
當你疲倦之際，你也得仰首觀星，因它們無盡的能量，能使你活力得予重振。
When you are in love stare at the stars. Their unfathomable eternity will reassure you.
當你沐浴愛河時， 你可以舉頭看星， 它們無法量度的永恆存在，令你得到愛的保證。
When you are old stare at the stars. Their everlasting myths will provide dreams for you.
當你年老的時候，你更加要看看星星，它們的不死傳說，令你可以繼續造你的長生夢。
When you are dead stare at the stars, too, for they will all be around you !
當你不幸死去，希望你仍能看着所有陪伴在你左右的繁星，因為這樣的話，你已經身處天堂了！
For all the above reasons, I love astronomy dearly and would gladly introduce it to all of you.
由於以上諸因，我浩愛天文學，更十分樂意將它推薦給各位仁兄仁姐，予以分享, 奇景共賞。
JKHC.
鄭冠合
Staring at the Stars ( 看星星 )
More stars than sand to be gazed upon they are really spectacular and cool.
繁星多越恆河沙數，燦爛而有性格，更可任人觀賞。
In my life time they have given me endless comfort and showed me the eternal truth.
在我一生中，它們給予我無限安慰和為我展示了永恆的真理。
Start staring at the stars to learn your life story, too.
你們也不防試試看星，或許也可以如我一般獲得些人生的啟示。
Start staring at them especially when you feel blue.
正當你感覺繁亂之際，這也正好是開始觀星的適當時候。
So, let us start what we must do from here and now until you know what to do.
那麼就讓我們開始做我們必須做的事， 直到我們學會怎樣做為止。
When you are born stare at the stars. Their mystical omnipresence will symbolize you.
當你誕生時，請看着星星。它們神秘地無處不在，正像徵着你生命的存在。
When you are young stare at the stars. Their illusive twinkling will mesmerize you.
當你仍年輕的時候，請看看繁星，它們虛幻的閃爍， 令你切底地着了迷。
When you are lost stare at the stars. Their lasting brightness will guide you.
當你感到迷失和落魄的時候，請看看星空， 它們的永恆光芒會指引你的路途。
When you are successful stare at the stars. Their profound grandeur will humble you.
當你成功之際，更要看看星星，因為它們的偉大壯觀，使你感覺謙卑。
When you are angry stare at the stars. Their soothing tranquility will clam you.
當你忿怒時，也得看看繁星，它們有着令人心情舒緩的寧靜， 會使你悄悄地安靜下來。
When you are down stare at the stars. Their glamorous beauty will lift you.
當你心情沮喪的時候，請看看星星，它們的優美和燦爛，令你情緒提昇。
When you are happy stare at the stars. Their constant wonders will excite you.
當你快樂時， 也應舉頭看星，它們有着經常性的奇妙， 會令你更加興奮。
When you are wavering stare at the stars. Their great steadfastness will inspire you.
當你舉棋不定時，你需要看看星星，它們的永固不移，會給予你深刻的啟發。
When you are tired stare at the stars. Their endless energy will revitalize you.
當你疲倦之際，你也得仰首觀星，因它們無盡的能量，能使你活力得予重振。
When you are in love stare at the stars. Their unfathomable eternity will reassure you.
當你沐浴愛河時， 你可以舉頭看星， 它們無法量度的永恆存在，令你得到愛的保證。
When you are old stare at the stars. Their everlasting myths will provide dreams for you.
當你年老的時候，你更加要看看星星，它們的不死傳說，令你可以繼續造你的長生夢。
When you are dead stare at the stars, too, for they will all be around you !
當你不幸死去，希望你仍能看着所有陪伴在你左右的繁星，因為這樣的話，你已經身處天堂了！
For all the above reasons, I love astronomy dearly and would gladly introduce it to all of you.
由於以上諸因，我浩愛天文學，更十分樂意將它推薦給各位仁兄仁姐，予以分享, 奇景共賞。
JKHC.
鄭冠合
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Thoughts to you from yours truly - ( 40 ) - November 12, 2010
Thoughts to You from Yours Truly - ( YTTY ) - ( 40 ) - Inspiration ( 靈感 ) - Nov., 12, 2010
Inspiration is a sudden flash of intellectual brilliance that enables one to see the world and oneself from a higher perspective. One cannot be sure whence it will come. Suffice it to say that maintaining a tranquil mindset will enhance the chances of its emergence. Needless to say, inspiration must be supported by knowledge and preferably wisdom to make it fruitful.
靈感是一團突然閃耀的智慧光芒。它會令人耳目一新，能在更高的一個層次察覺和理解自己以及這世界。我們不能肯定它從那裡來。只可以說一件事，保持一個平靜的心境，便能大大增加靈感降臨的可能性。當然，如要它能開花結果，我們必須以學識和智慧去扶持它。
JKHC.
Inspiration is a sudden flash of intellectual brilliance that enables one to see the world and oneself from a higher perspective. One cannot be sure whence it will come. Suffice it to say that maintaining a tranquil mindset will enhance the chances of its emergence. Needless to say, inspiration must be supported by knowledge and preferably wisdom to make it fruitful.
靈感是一團突然閃耀的智慧光芒。它會令人耳目一新，能在更高的一個層次察覺和理解自己以及這世界。我們不能肯定它從那裡來。只可以說一件事，保持一個平靜的心境，便能大大增加靈感降臨的可能性。當然，如要它能開花結果，我們必須以學識和智慧去扶持它。
JKHC.
Thoughts to you from yours truly - ( 39 ) - November 11, 2010
Thoughts to You from Yours Truly - ( TYYT ) - ( 39 ) - The Matter of Age ( 有關年齡問題 ) - Nov. 11, 2010
I have always admired ladies who choose to be open about their age. It shows great self confidence and defiance of an accepted but nonsensical taboo. To me, age is entirely a matter of the heart. One can be aged at 20 or youthful at 60. Optimism and pessimism define young and old respectively.
我一向都敬佩對自己年齡持開放態度的女士。這展露了她們的自信，和藐視不合情理的禁忌。在我而言，年齡純粹是心境問題。一個人可以是二十歲便心境蒼老，或者六十歲還是心境年輕。就是積極和消極兩種不同的態度，便分別主宰着年輕和年老的心境了。
JKHC.
I have always admired ladies who choose to be open about their age. It shows great self confidence and defiance of an accepted but nonsensical taboo. To me, age is entirely a matter of the heart. One can be aged at 20 or youthful at 60. Optimism and pessimism define young and old respectively.
我一向都敬佩對自己年齡持開放態度的女士。這展露了她們的自信，和藐視不合情理的禁忌。在我而言，年齡純粹是心境問題。一個人可以是二十歲便心境蒼老，或者六十歲還是心境年輕。就是積極和消極兩種不同的態度，便分別主宰着年輕和年老的心境了。
JKHC.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Thoughts to you from yours truly - ( 38 ) - November 10, 2010
Thoughts to You from Yours Truly ( TYYT ) - ( 38 ) - Love and Commitment ( 愛情與承諾 ) - Nov., 10, 2010
True love must entail commitment. However, there is a nasty catch here. Being fully committed also means being fully exposed to the risk of trauma from betrayal. To be totally committed and enjoy perfect love or to withhold commitment and be safe. It is , indeed, a very mind boggling personal call. Personally, I am a risk taker at heart. I totally agree with what Shakespeare said :- " It is better to have loved and lost, than not to have loved at all ! "
真愛必定包含承諾，但承諾卻蘊藏着一種可怕的危機。付出了絕對的承諾, 亦意味到可以受到絕對的傷害。應該以絕對承諾換取完美的愛情，還是獨善其身以保安全呢？這真是個令人費盡思量的個人抉擇。以我個人而言，在內心我是個風險承受者。我完全同意莎士比亞所說:「曾經愛過而失戀，比從沒有愛過更好！」
JKHC.
True love must entail commitment. However, there is a nasty catch here. Being fully committed also means being fully exposed to the risk of trauma from betrayal. To be totally committed and enjoy perfect love or to withhold commitment and be safe. It is , indeed, a very mind boggling personal call. Personally, I am a risk taker at heart. I totally agree with what Shakespeare said :- " It is better to have loved and lost, than not to have loved at all ! "
真愛必定包含承諾，但承諾卻蘊藏着一種可怕的危機。付出了絕對的承諾, 亦意味到可以受到絕對的傷害。應該以絕對承諾換取完美的愛情，還是獨善其身以保安全呢？這真是個令人費盡思量的個人抉擇。以我個人而言，在內心我是個風險承受者。我完全同意莎士比亞所說:「曾經愛過而失戀，比從沒有愛過更好！」
JKHC.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Thoughts to you from yours truly - ( 37 ) - November 9, 2010
Thoughts to You from Yours Truly ( TYYT ) - ( 37 ) - Temptation ( 誘惑 ) - Nov., 9, 2010
No one is immune to temptation. Therefore, the best way to combat temptation is to avoid putting oneself in a vulnerable position in the first place. This is especially relevant to gentlemen.
沒有人是不為誘惑所動的。因此，對付誘惑的最佳辦法，就是避免將自己處於一個危險的境地。這策略對男仕尤其恰當。
JKHC.
No one is immune to temptation. Therefore, the best way to combat temptation is to avoid putting oneself in a vulnerable position in the first place. This is especially relevant to gentlemen.
沒有人是不為誘惑所動的。因此，對付誘惑的最佳辦法，就是避免將自己處於一個危險的境地。這策略對男仕尤其恰當。
JKHC.
Thoughts to you from yours truly - ( 36 ) - November 8, 2010
Thoughts to You from Yours Truly ( TYYT ) - ( 36 ) - Acquiring Wisdom ( 吸取智慧 ) - Nov., 8, 2010
Wisdom is acquired through numerous foolish fumbles. Only geniuses are born with it. Most of us are not that well endowed. Therefore, be tolerant of your own mistakes as well as those of others.
智慧是要經過無數愚蠢的失誤，才會續漸形成的。只有天才才擁有與生俱來的智慧。因此， 對自己的和別人的失誤都應給予忍耐才對。
JKHC.
Wisdom is acquired through numerous foolish fumbles. Only geniuses are born with it. Most of us are not that well endowed. Therefore, be tolerant of your own mistakes as well as those of others.
智慧是要經過無數愚蠢的失誤，才會續漸形成的。只有天才才擁有與生俱來的智慧。因此， 對自己的和別人的失誤都應給予忍耐才對。
JKHC.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Thoughts to you from yours truly - ( 35 ) - November 7, 2010
Thoughts to You from Yours Truly ( TYYT ) - ( 35 ) - My Fervour for Life ( 我對生命的熱情 ) - Nov., 7, 2010
My fervour for life is born of the realization that there are too many meaningful things to do but too little time to get them all done.
我對生命的熱情, 是建基於我了解到有太多有意義的事情要做, 但卻沒有足夠的時間去把它們全部完成。
JKHC.
My fervour for life is born of the realization that there are too many meaningful things to do but too little time to get them all done.
我對生命的熱情, 是建基於我了解到有太多有意義的事情要做, 但卻沒有足夠的時間去把它們全部完成。
JKHC.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Thoughts to you from yours truly - ( 34 ) - November 3, 2010
Thoughts to You from Yours Truly ( TYYT ) - ( 34 ) - Humility ( 謙遜 ) - Nov., 3, 2010
Humility is a virtue so long as it does not adversely affect one's self confidence. It is generally accepted that one always has much to learn from others. Not that one is inferior to others. Unfortunately, many oriental cultures tend to over indulge in humility. So much so that their young usually tend to be less outspoken and thus disadvantaged in their learning process.
如果謙遜的態度不深至影響自信，這是一種美德。其實正面的謙卑，是指接納自己有很多向別人學習的地方， 而不是比他人遜色。不幸地，許多東方的文化，都過於標榜謙卑，引至年輕人不敢發問，因而影響了學習過程。此乃極端不幸也。
JKHC.
Humility is a virtue so long as it does not adversely affect one's self confidence. It is generally accepted that one always has much to learn from others. Not that one is inferior to others. Unfortunately, many oriental cultures tend to over indulge in humility. So much so that their young usually tend to be less outspoken and thus disadvantaged in their learning process.
如果謙遜的態度不深至影響自信，這是一種美德。其實正面的謙卑，是指接納自己有很多向別人學習的地方， 而不是比他人遜色。不幸地，許多東方的文化，都過於標榜謙卑，引至年輕人不敢發問，因而影響了學習過程。此乃極端不幸也。
JKHC.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Thoughts to you from yours truly - ( 33 ) - November 2, 2010
Thoughts to You from Yours Truly ( TYYT ) - ( 33 ) - Knowledge Is Not Wisdom ( 學識與智慧 ) - Nov., 2 , 2010
Don't equate knowledge with wisdom. The former is useful information while the latter is knowing when and how to apply the former in an appropriate manner. Skillful and sophisticated mental process must be applied.
學識不等同智慧。前者只是有用的資訊，而後者則是知道何時和怎去適當地運用那些資訊，必須運用精密巧妙的思維才行。
JKHC.
Don't equate knowledge with wisdom. The former is useful information while the latter is knowing when and how to apply the former in an appropriate manner. Skillful and sophisticated mental process must be applied.
學識不等同智慧。前者只是有用的資訊，而後者則是知道何時和怎去適當地運用那些資訊，必須運用精密巧妙的思維才行。
JKHC.
Happy Birthday to My Wife - Entry # 2 of Nov, 1, 2010
A Birthday ( so-called 打油詩 ) Poem to My Wife ( 獻給太太的生日賀詩 ) - Poetry & Prose ( 2 ) - Entry # 2 of Nov., 1, 2010
Happy Birthday, Darling !
Best wishes and blessings on your happy day
無限祝福在今天
Your happiness is here to stay
幸福永遠伴身邊
Enjoy good health and have no fear
健康無恙樂年年
Cheers ! And many happy returns , dear .
飲勝！壽比南山全
JKHC.
Happy Birthday, Darling !
Best wishes and blessings on your happy day
無限祝福在今天
Your happiness is here to stay
幸福永遠伴身邊
Enjoy good health and have no fear
健康無恙樂年年
Cheers ! And many happy returns , dear .
飲勝！壽比南山全
JKHC.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Thoughts to you from yours truly - ( 32 ) - Entry # 1 of November 1, 2010
Thoughts to You from Yours Truly ( TYYT ) - ( 32 ) - Ethical Education ( 德育 ) - Entry # 1 of Nov., 1, 2010
In my humble opinion, the foremost goal in education is to impart the virtue of empathy on the young. People will do good if they are empathetic with others' feeling even if the former are not learned. On the other hand, a learned person devoid of empathy is the most dangerous animal that walks the earth.
對教育的首要目標，愚見認為是引導後輩慈悲為懷，推己及人。一個慈悲而沒有學問的人，他仍會做好事。相反，一個有學問而缺德的人，卻會成為世上最危險的動物。
JKHC.
In my humble opinion, the foremost goal in education is to impart the virtue of empathy on the young. People will do good if they are empathetic with others' feeling even if the former are not learned. On the other hand, a learned person devoid of empathy is the most dangerous animal that walks the earth.
對教育的首要目標，愚見認為是引導後輩慈悲為懷，推己及人。一個慈悲而沒有學問的人，他仍會做好事。相反，一個有學問而缺德的人，卻會成為世上最危險的動物。
JKHC.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Poem - A Friendly Morale Booster - Entry # 2 of Oct., 31, 2010
Poem on mutual support for friends - A Friendly Morale Booster - Poetry & Prose ( 1 ) - Entry # 2 of Oct., 31, 2010
I composed this so-called poem while in transit flight from Hong Kong last week. You are cordially invited to suggest modifications as you see fit. 敬請指正
by Joseph K. H. Cheng ( 鄭冠合 )
莫懼慘淡深沉夜
懇祈真愛導你行
雖逢風霜驗壯志
I composed this so-called poem while in transit flight from Hong Kong last week. You are cordially invited to suggest modifications as you see fit. 敬請指正
by Joseph K. H. Cheng ( 鄭冠合 )
Friendly Morale Booster
友誼之共勉
Fear ye not the darkest night
莫懼慘淡深沉夜
May true love be thy guiding light
懇祈真愛導你行
Untimely sleet may burden thy plight
雖逢風霜驗壯志
Somehow thou shall see a morning bright
那怕晨光吐艷遲
Thoughts to you from yours truly - ( 31 ) - Entry # 1 of Oct., 31, 2010
Thoughts to You from Yours Truly ( TYYT ) - ( 31 ) - The True Love Story ( 真正的愛情故事 ) - Entry # 1 of Oct., 31, 2010.
Love is anything other than " not having to say you're sorry " as the movie ( made in 1970 based on Erich Segal 's book ) said. This is called taking for granted. Love is having to say your are sorry and your partner being able to forgive and forget.
愛不是如那齣電影愛情故事所說：愛是不需要說對不起的。這叫做肆無忌憚。真愛是有勇氣承認錯誤，而伴侶卻能原諒和忘記。
JKHC.
Love is anything other than " not having to say you're sorry " as the movie ( made in 1970 based on Erich Segal 's book ) said. This is called taking for granted. Love is having to say your are sorry and your partner being able to forgive and forget.
愛不是如那齣電影愛情故事所說：愛是不需要說對不起的。這叫做肆無忌憚。真愛是有勇氣承認錯誤，而伴侶卻能原諒和忘記。
JKHC.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
