Preface#
2024 has passed just like that. It feels like another year, yet it seems no different, everything remains the same. Time flows endlessly.
I want to look back at 2024 through my eyes and share my thoughts, so I will write four articles from the perspectives of people, events, objects, and reading.
The "People" section will describe my evaluations of those around me. In the "Events" section, I will recount significant happenings and current affairs in society. The "Objects" section will focus on noteworthy consumer behaviors and symbolic meanings.
Simply reflecting on my own life seems "uninteresting" to others and not worth sharing. Only by "seeing others" and having a global perspective can one write truly interesting words.
Writing and art are not solitary pleasures.
People#
People are called "humans" only when they live in society. In this context, individuals recognize and transform themselves while continuously influencing others. As the ancients said: "Using bronze as a mirror can correct clothing and hats; using history as a mirror can understand rise and fall; using people as a mirror can clarify gains and losses." (Did Emperor Taizong of Tang say this somewhere?) Without comparing oneself to others, one cannot fully understand oneself; through comparison, one can provoke thoughts about one's strengths and weaknesses.
Below are my evaluations of several friends who left a deep impression on me in 2024. I hope to glimpse my own reflections and demands from them; otherwise, what significance is there in merely flattering or pleasing others?
Mobius#
Mobius is a blogger I got to know this year. I had previously encountered his blog and thought of him as a high-cold big shot. Later in 2024, I came across Mobius's blog again through Cyrus and found myself "recognized," listed among his "friend links," which surprised and delighted me. In private conversations with Mobius, I discovered he is not "unapproachable" but rather open and welcoming to communication. Mobius is knowledgeable and aware that his time, energy, and attention are limited, so he must invest these finite resources into more meaningful matters, maintaining and dynamically updating a certain scale of social and information networks. After spending some time together, Mobius has become both a mentor and a friend, discussing issues with me and sharing experiences from which I have greatly benefited.
Cyrus#
Cyrus is a new blogger friend I met this year. He is a graduate student in a science and engineering field, and his writing reflects a calm analysis and unique insights into society and surrounding affairs, likely honed by his academic training. Although we do not communicate much, CC uses scheduling tools to organize tasks by "priority," treating them seriously; despite being busy with studies, his emphasis on interpersonal relationships and proactive socializing left a deep impression on me. Considering his status as an international graduate student, I believe he will undoubtedly achieve certain accomplishments and find his own happiness in the future. I also look forward to CC writing more insights about the world.
Rolen#
Rolen is a blogger I met by chance through the "Ten-Year Appointment." He mentioned that he writes blogs inspired by others; blogging is his way of observing and analyzing the world and himself, and writing promotes his thinking. I find his method of "public thinking" worth learning; it is both a selfless sharing and a signal to like-minded individuals, as well as a spur to self-reflection. Besides thinking, he also has action plans and puts them into practice, which is quite rare. Rolen's writing showcases an attitude of "living seriously" and "seeing the big picture in small things." Perhaps he is destined not to be mediocre or unwilling to settle for the mundane—eternally exploring the world and himself.
Yuni#
Yuni is a girl I met through online volunteer activities. She has been working for many years and fell into psychological trauma due to being hurt by someone close to her. Later, through reading, companionship from friends and family, and self-reflection, she finally climbed over the mountains in her heart and entered a new stage of life. She is a very kind person; like a mirror, she reflects a possibility of self-awareness: after enduring hardships and painfully contemplating suffering, one finds answers. Unfortunately, after our offline communication, I was cut off without explanation.
World#
World is an online friend I got to know early on through writing related to the Minecraft community. He is studying abroad and has a wide range of interests, sharing many personal thoughts and experiences from overseas, providing valuable diverse and international perspectives. What is precious is that World is disciplined, goal-oriented, and has a plan, dedicating his life to the vision he has envisioned; he takes important matters seriously and strives for perfection, which I admire. I have made many plans and ideas, but either lacked a roadmap or action plan, or gave up halfway, leaving me feeling ashamed. World is also one of the rare people who brings me a sense of "certainty": he is confident in himself and possesses the will and ability to influence others. The future is promising.
Jinxin#
Jinxin is a senior from my university. We often exchange views on certain people and matters. She has continued to learn and explore both the internal and external worlds after university and graduation, sharing many valuable insights and information with me. She presents a lively, cheerful, and positive image to the outside world, yet she occasionally perceives the darker side of her inner self. From Jinxin, one can glimpse the contradictory self of modern individuals; the anxiety brought by life pressures; the courage and determination to rise and strive against mediocrity; the "small happiness" in ordinary people's lives; the sweetness and reliance in love; and the hidden worries and explorations about the future. In my eyes, Jinxin is like a kaleidoscope, from which I can observe parts of the future awaiting me—the process of a girl gradually growing into a woman—a real-life case of a person transitioning from relative immaturity to relative maturity, and how one is forced and consciously faces and recognizes their true self.
Some Reflections#
Behind Mobius lies my contemplation of interpersonal relationships (social networks) and information overload (information networks). In recent years, I have deeply realized that one cannot live without socializing, and social circles cannot stagnate like a stagnant pond; excessive socializing is also not good, as it is impossible to maintain them all. Mobius's approach to managing his social circle is decisive and effective: since one cannot have both fish and bear's paw, one must sacrifice life for righteousness—abandon outdated and useless relationships and keep only those that truly matter. Although this approach may seem ruthless, it is a self-preservation strategy and a helpless move. In the pre-internet era, people did not need to worry about maintaining hundreds or thousands of social relationships; modern social media is eager to push information about people, events, and things they think you like from all corners of the world, forcing you to understand people and their thoughts that are irrelevant or insignificant to you— the benefit is that "scholars can know the affairs of the world without leaving their homes"; the downside is that it deprives you of your choice, shoving various social relationships at you, occupying scarce time, energy, and attention, and disrupting life. Similarly, in the modern internet age, a massive flow of information rushes towards everyone through personalized algorithms, leaving people overwhelmed and dizzy. Determining which information is useful, of higher quality, and which sources are more important requires resources for judgment and filtering; reading a large amount of information also leads to fatigue. In the past, I would maintain some stagnant relationships out of social obligation, but now I carefully reconsider before choosing to keep or say goodbye. People crave dialogues on the same intellectual level, rather than "lists lying dead."
Behind Cyrus lies my desire for knowledge and progress, a calm and composed attitude towards handling matters. Placing life matters in their appropriate positions, not accumulating them, nor being led by them, completing them in an orderly and phased manner. However, I often procrastinate on important tasks, rushing to finish them only as deadlines approach, resulting in poor outcomes that are far from expectations. CC also maintains close contact with friends both online and offline, participating in various social activities. Perhaps this is what true university life looks like. I envy this close and polite social circle, yet I also worry about the encroachment on personal time, energy, and privacy, which creates a deep conflict.
Behind Rolen and World lies my hatred for laziness. They build action plans through repeated reflections, while I seem to embody the well-known anecdote from Hu Shi's diary—playing cards, playing cards, playing cards—neglecting important matters while indulging in entertainment. However, the real Hu Shi played cards after doing important work, not endlessly playing cards. I set a goal or reflect on an issue, often proposing solutions, yet I repeatedly experience "three-minute enthusiasm," giving up halfway; or there is no possibility of implementation. The vast distance between "what ought to be" and "what is"!
Behind Yuni lies my concern for the theme of "personal growth." Growing up from childhood to adulthood, I have also experienced setbacks and torment from parents, elders, and peers. I have emerged from it, but many people are still suffering or left with psychological scars. I often catch glimpses of my own shadow in others. Caring for others is, in fact, caring for the past, present, and future self. So why not lend a helping hand? Some people may only need a little help to escape a muddy phase of life; otherwise, they will spend a long time resolving their pain, or even remain stagnant forever.
Behind Jinxin lies my hidden worries and anxieties about life after university graduation. Graduating from university is indeed an important milestone in life. Where to go next and how to walk well remains shrouded in fog. Society seems to need college graduates, yet also seems not to need them. Economic recession leads to employment difficulties; graduation may mean immediate unemployment. There are indeed too few companies that comply with labor laws—Fat Donglai shines brightly in this dim sky. This is a great irony for socialism. Moreover, what significant contributions can college students, or "intellectuals," truly make in society? Or are they merely "high-quality labor," "advanced human resources"?