CNBC AI News, July 7th – In a recent viral interview segment, esteemed Peking University professor Qian Liqun, now 86, offered candid advice to young people navigating their career paths and life choices.
Observing generations from the 1980s onwards, Professor Qian noted a tendency for them to have been overly compliant since childhood, lacking independent convictions and personal aspirations. Now, he suggests, they are at a juncture where they must chart their own course.
The interview revisited the timeless wisdom of Lu Xun, who a century ago provided four key pieces of advice for young people. Professor Qian highlighted the most pertinent points:
Firstly, **”Don’t listen to those ‘bird-brain’ mentors.”** This encourages critical thinking rather than blind acceptance of external guidance.
Secondly, he acknowledged that wisdom can be found in the counsel of elders. However, he qualified this by stating that listening is key, even if one doesn’t necessarily follow. “I count myself among those ‘some old people’,” he quipped, “but my words are just for you to consider, not to blindly follow, as I am not precisely a formal mentor.”
Thirdly, the imperative is to **forge your own path**. Quoting Lu Xun, “If you can’t find the way, then sleep on it,” Qian emphasized the value and legitimacy of “lying flat” or taking a pause when feeling overwhelmed. **”Essentially, before you find your path, just sleep on it. This itself is a significant step forward – it’s the ability to rest,”** he articulated. If clarity doesn’t come immediately, putting the decision aside and then seeking a potential route is encouraged. The key is to eventually find a way forward.
Fourthly, and perhaps most crucially, **young people should unite to find their way together.** Professor Qian believes this collective exploration is a vital task for the current generations born in the 80s, 90s, and 2000s. While individual exploration is valid, collaborative efforts are strongly advocated.
Professor Qian elaborated, **”For your generation of young people, the challenges at the survival level are not that significant. In a sense, survival is the first problem, but it’s not the most pressing one you face now.”**
He underscored that, in a broader context, these survival issues are relatively more manageable, backed by a foundation of economic stability and technological advancements.
In summary, **he posited that for educated and culturally aware young individuals, while survival might seem like a current concern, it’s not an insurmountable hurdle, and ultimately, they will find their own way.**
Professor Qian Liqun, born January 30, 1939, is a distinguished scholar. He is a senior professor and doctoral supervisor in Chinese Language and Literature at Peking University, a distinguished professor at Tsinghua University, and has held significant roles in academic societies focused on modern Chinese literature and Lu Xun studies. He served as the third editor-in-chief of the journal “Chinese Modern Literature Chronicle.”
Recognized as one of China’s most influential humanities scholars since the 1980s, he is a seminal figure in the research of modern literary history, the study of the Zhou brothers, and the intellectual history of the 20th century.
His dedication to education was acknowledged when he was named one of Peking University’s “Top Ten Most Popular Teachers.” He has mentored a significant number of outstanding researchers in modern Chinese literature and received accolades for his contributions to the field.
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