2008 Jun 13 Recommended Listening: Reith Lectures 2008 – China Vista
In many ways the BBC's Reith Lectures are a classic example of the British public broadcaster's penchant for busying itself with the moral improvement and edification of their listeners. Inviting serious intellectuals and public figures to talk about the "big issues" of the day, the lectures often take on a didactic tone. However, this year's series of five lectures, presented by eminent China scholar Jonathan Spence, manages to do a better job of upholding the institution's stated mission of informing, educating and entertaining (though a few people on our forum disagree). The first two lectures in the China Vista series have already been broadcast and are available on the BBC's website here. We especially recommend the second episode, English Lessons, and also the Q and A sessions that follow both of the talks.
Professor Spence is one of the most well-known Sinologists in the English speaking world. He has published many influential works, including The Search of Modern China (you can read the full text selected excerpts here), which, even today, still serves as a popular choice of textbook for undergraduate courses on modern China. His latest work, Return to Dragon Mountain: Memories of a Late Ming Man, is similar to many of his earlier works in that it draws on the writings of a historical figure to offer broader insights into a particular phase of Chinese history. In this case Spence focuses on the writings of essayist and historian Zhang Dai (1597–1689) and uses them to reveal details about the tumultuous period of Chinese history during which the Qing replaced the Ming Dynasty.
Links and Sources
The Official Site of the Reith Lectures
Yale University: Professor Jonathan Spence
Wikipedia: Jonathan Spence
Wikipedia: Reith Lectures
Guardian: Reith Lectures 2008: Chinese Vistas
NYTimes Sunday Book Review: Profile of Spence
NYTimes Sunday Book Review: Born Again (Spence’s review of Mo Yan’s Life And Death Are Wearing Me Out
New York Review of Books: Collection of reviews and articles written by Spence
Foreign Affairs: Review of Return to Dragon Mountain
The Beijinger: Jonathan Spence gives this year's Reith Lectures
You might also be interested in :
Beijing Blender: Return of the Wes
Join us for part two of our interview with Wes the Truthseeker, who talks more about life outside of Earth and Beijing's reaction to it. We also touch upon other popular conspiracy theories, and urge anyone who has any info about famous assassinations to come forth! Julilu predicts a Happy Ending, and travel deal hunter Chris Cook discovers a cheap route to the sunny skies of Yunnan.
Beijing Blender: Calling All Truthseekers
Question: How many recognized species of Alien are there? Beijing Blender has the answer! Meet Wes, a self-proclaimed "Truthseeker," who comes on this week's show to shed some light on myths, legends and/or conspiracy theories Beijingers have been chatting about; then, let the musical stylings of Beijing-based band Made of Sound take your ears on a wild wide. It takes two," says Julilu, and the Queen of the Quasi-Employed reminds us all that 'tis the season for giving.
Beijing Blender: Talking Turkey
Thinking turkey thoughts? You're not the only one! Special guests Shannon Vaughn and Noah Purcell hop in the booth to pay homage to this feast-centered holiday with a hip-hop inspired song, and if that gets your mouth watering, the Blender's got a list of restaurants you can go to where you can eat yourself into a coma. Julilu brings together two lonely hearts, Chris Cook has a deal for fellow Brits, and Margo speaks her mind, as always.
What podcast would be complete without a sound engineer to make sure that every edition sounds absolutely perfect? Before each Beijing Blender podcast is made public, Wayne and his Sniper Sounds Post Production team seclude themselves in the studio, finding refuge only in their heavy duty headphones.
Beijing Blender: Punning Obama, Love Guru and Travel Specials
Listen in for the third episode of the Beijing Blender Podcast. Kor-E, AliKlay, ChrisCook, Juliluu the Beijing Love Guru and Margovera as the Beijing Blender Allstars play a little pun fun with the new president-elect Barack Obama. Juliluu, the Beijing Love Guru pairs up two beautiful Beijingers seeking to fall hopelessly in love while Aliklay, the Queen of the Quasi-employed opens eyes to opportunities at making bank. Chriscook sheds light on some travel deals planned for playing possum with the pandas, MargoVera gives Nonameatall a little bit of advice on dating in the Chinese capital city, and Kor-E concludes this release of the Beijing Blender with recommendations for the weekend's hottest parties.
Beijing Blender: Kanye West, Hot Jobs and Flight Specials
Listen in for the second episode of The Beijing Blender Podcast. With Juliluu the Beijing Love Guru away on business at the Lovemaster2008 Conference, Kor-E, AliKlay, ChrisCook, and Margo hold down the kitchen mixing up some post-Halloween goodies. Starting the show off, the Beijing Blender Allstars give a review on Kanye West's performance at Beijing's Worker's Gymnasium. AliKlay covers some good and humorous job offers, ChrisCook covers some incredible getaway deals in China and a practical tip of the week, while Margo explains why, although its a man's duty to please that booty, there's still an additional price to pay.
The Beijing Blender is produced by a talented team of people working outside our office, the Blender offers you a rich mix of the best events, classifieds and other great stuff taking place on our site. Below we let the Beijing Blender team introduce themselves:
Guest
Re: Recommended Listening: Reith Lectures 2008 – China Vista
Eric Havaby
"you can read the full text here"
Only if you register and pay.
Guest
Re: Recommended Listening: Reith Lectures 2008 – China Vista
yeah - sorry about that - seemed to all be available for free.
Guest
Re: Recommended Listening: Reith Lectures 2008 – China Vista
Eric Havaby
You seem to have a problem with our comment system.
I entered my correct email address and it said it wasn't valid.
Then I tried a made up one and it accepted that!