The well-known author Po Yang is a man of insight and incisive writing skills, with countless readers worldwide. I often wonder where his ideas come from, and how he-now over 70-has yet to exhaust his creativity.
Once we were discussing how animals stay cute as they get older, unlike people, who always regret lost youth and hate to see heroic heads turn grey and beauty fade. Speaking of his beloved cat Xiongxiong, he said "In fact I've found that when cats age, though their outward appearance changes little, they are decidedly less curious!" At that moment I realized how Po Yang has been able to hold his readers: He is always searching for answers!
All animals are by nature curious-just look at any kitten or puppy sticking its nose in everywhere. Cats are especially curious, leaping up to see whether or not that vase will topple, or running around to see just how far that yarn will run. And small children of two or three are, if not grabbing this and pulling at that, asking questions left and right. Their constant stream of "whys" and "whats" can be exasperating, Yet, when you give them an answer that satisfies them, that look of happiness and that glint of admiration for you in their eyes makes you not want to be anyone but who you are right then.
Human curiosity is the fount of learning. Scientists who keep asking "what" and "why" have taken us into space and into the earth, repeatedly transcending nature's restraints. And writers and artists who always ask "what" and "why" can see the world in a grain of sand, and heaven in a flower. Every individual who retains boundless curiosity can likewise swim happily in the seven seas of knowledge, and never get old.
I often think that those who read general interest magazines are lucky, because such periodicals discuss a variety of issues of immediate relevance to their lives. These magazines ask "what" and "why" about such matters, and then seek answers. A good article can give a reader a sense of satisfaction and discovery: "So that's the way it is! Now I know!"
In school, every teacher knows that the first task is to "stimulate the desire to learn"-to spark students' natural curiosity to know answers. If that could always be done, schools would not be far from the ideal of "happy learning." As it is, limited access to higher education and traditional notions that "nothing is more respectable than mastering the classics" (an ideal that has led to an emphasis on rote memorization of a narrow range of texts) have pulled us far from the ideal, so that it seems we are only free to happily indulge our curiosity after leaving school.
In this information age where distance is no longer an obstacle, the gap between the ideal of "lifetime education" and the reality is closing. In this issue we report on "distance education." What is the substance behind this trendy phrase? How is it being applied in Taiwan? Who currently uses it? What technology and equipment is necessary? What is its potential? Can everyone gain access to it?
In this issue we also ask about maps. Lately there has been much attention given to maps, so we asked: Which maps are most closely related to our daily lives? Though many types might fit the bill, certainly land survey maps would be high on the list. These are intimately related to land distribution, private and public land use, and property values. Taiwan's earliest survey maps date back to the Liu Mingchuan era (late 19th century); the Japanese colonialists also produced land survey maps. After the ROC government moved to Taiwan in 1949, for various reasons it only began re-surveying in 1976, and enormous changes have taken place in the past half-century. How far has the re-surveying progressed? When can it be completed? How can the maps be kept up to date? When there are disputes over land ownership or property size, is there a fair method of arbitration? Read our article and find out!
The pine has long been celebrated in Chinese literature, and it is a core element in Taiwan's scenic beauty. But pine tree varieties introduced from abroad have become infested with the pine wood nematode, and this deadly pest has spread to many pine forests below 2500 meters. It's hard to imagine what Taiwan would be like without its pine trees. So we wanted to know: What are the forestry authorities and experts doing in response?
Chinese have long understood how to listen to the natural music of the soughing pines. This is especially so for those ancient literati who learned that it was their duty to serve their nation, but who could find no ruler who would listen to their criticisms of official corruption and inefficiency. Disappointed by the mundane world, these literati found in pines a salve, admiring how, even in the most remote places, they grew strong. Listening to the song they make with the wind, what need was there to win approbation from men?
For modern people, urban bustle, demanding jobs, and superficial social relationships make many wonder if it would not be better to return to something simpler. But return where? One cannot avoid one's responsibilities in life. But perhaps, while the pines are still around, one can reclaim a little of oneself by taking a weekend to go to Auwanta, Huisun, or Wuling Farm to listen to the song of the pines.
The desire to find oneself and the thirst for knowledge are part of human nature. Even if these are stifled in our modern consumer society, they can never disappear. That is why many people today are seeking a simpler life, including vegetarian culture. We are also responding to this hunger, so, on the eve of Chinese New Year, we have provided some vegetarian holiday recipes and some helpful hints for everyday vegetarian cooking. There are also stories on the rising vegetarian tide in Taiwan and on one woman's quest via Asian monasteries for the finest vegetarian cuisine. We hope that, as the Year of the Ox approaches, we can remind you of "the farmer's spirit." We also want to wake up our inner selves, the selves that can sing with the pines and cranes, and be in harmony with the great earth.
