Loud Thoughts

The Thirteenth Tale: A Novel Diane Setterfield ISBN: 0743298020 Pub. Date: September 12, 2006 Publisher: Atria

“Dad, do you ever read books with a plot?,” asked my smart-tongued kid. She concluded that my books are all boring. I must admit not having read a good story for a while now. That's why I picked up this one from the best-seller table at Barnes & Noble.

Unlike Rowling, Diane Setterfield wrote for adults. I have not been helplessly kept awake since Harry Potter #3.

Formulaic it is not. Setterfield focused on imprinting the characters so that you can see and hear them. The story is original and well structured. I found myself having to continue, knowing that I won't be able to sleep anyway.

Setterfield wrote for book lovers. Her definition, however, extends beyond the love of reading and into the fondness of book's physical attributes. Main characters all share this passion and are amateur library curators. They collect, categorize, and store books.

And what's the point of collecting multiple versions of the same book? I do appreciate a well constructed book. It will be easy to hold, to turn, and most importantly, for these pair of aging eyeballs to read. I would have possess the spirit of the book after reading it. Ink and paper do not constitute books. I generally do not read a book more than once, and definitely not for the different printing quality or binding style.

The Diamond Cutter: The Buddha on Strategies for Managing Your Business and Your Life Geshe Michael Roach ISBN: 0385497911 Pub. Date: Reprint edition (July 15, 2003) Publisher: Doubleday

“grok.” Jargon File 4.2.0. 18 Nov. 2006. Dictionary.com
/grok/, var. /grohk/ vt. [from the novel “Stranger in a
Strange Land”, by Robert A. Heinlein, where it is a Martian word
meaning literally `to drink' and metaphorically `to be one with']
The emphatic form is `grok in fullness'. 1. To understand, usually
in a global sense. Connotes intimate and exhaustive knowledge.
Contrast zen, which is similar supernal understanding experienced
as a single brief flash. See also glark. 2. Used of programs,
may connote merely sufficient understanding. “Almost all C
compilers grok the `void' type these days.”

Someone close to me insisted that I read this book. He gave me a copy right before I embarked on one of those trips over a large body of water.

Must be a gimmick. Buddhism and business? I have read enough books that try to link ancient philosophies — I-Jing, Arts of War, Confucism, Taoism, etc. — with business management. Those books cheapened the ancient wisdoms which should be seriously studied as philosophical heritages, not turned into few aphorismic catch phrases and managerial quick tricks.

Michael Roach appears to be genuine. According to his book, he studied Buddhism in Tibet for years. His guru wanted him to enter business so he could become a better monk. Yes, he is a Tibetan monk, shaved and chanting, the whole sh-bang. “Geshe” is not part of his name. It is an honorific title bestowed only after passing some vigorous tests after years of studies.

Buddhism originated from India. During the Tang (618~907 AD) dynasty, it flourished in China and became the dominant religion here. All “denominations” use the same Buddhism scriptures that were translated from ancient Indian. Unlike the Bible, these translated versions stayed in the same form for over a thousand years. Scholars and gurus re-interpreted them all the time, but one could always go back to the original version. This book is based on one single scripture whose title is roughly translated into Diamond Sutra. It records one of the most important lectures from Buddha himself.

Geshe Roach first laid a foundation on his managerial approach. He then provided a recipe for 46 common managerial situations (Chapter 7). He could have ended there, but part 3 is where the real message lies.

In part 3, he revealed a few methodologies of Tibetan Buddhism studies that placed equal emphasis on bodily control, mind concentration, and theological studies. This approach is sensible. A weak body weakens the mind. If one cannot concentrate, there will be no higher understandings or progress in one's physical skills. Only with both can one achieve the ultimate level of understanding.

Geshe Roach described the simple trick of meditation. I happened to practice a version of it when I was quite young. So many people swear that this is a miracle cure for everything. I know, personally, that it works for insomnia. Meditation first clears your mind. It then allows you to think on one subject, or to plan on one project. With a clear mind, you don't need to write your thoughts down. You remember them. Geshe Roach recommends meditation every morning before the day starts. You would then have a plan for that day. The plan would be aligned with the overall plan for your life.

Simply put, meditation is to grok.

Thanks to WANG HaiLan who made this entry easier to read.

In China's Shadow: The Crisis of American Entrepreneurship Reed Hundt ISBN: 0300108524 Pub. Date: October 16, 2006 Publisher: Yale University Press

Reed Hundt was Chairman of FCC during the Clinton administration. This book has a good thesis. It is well researched and eloquently put together. But it reads like a politician's long public speech. Long.

Make no mistake about it. This book is not about China. It is about America politics. Mr. Hundt would have picked a different topic that threatens some elements of American life-style or value-system. Just that it is easier to set poeple's blood boiling with China, or the aspect of America losing to them.

Don't you see. The crisis is upon us. Draconia actions. Congress must pass laws and allocate huge budget. Administration must enact policies. Citizens must behave differently. Everyone! Everyone! Rally behind me. This is the only way for us to avert the crisis. If you don't, you will certainly regret it. You will no longer be the leader. You will become 2nd class. You will make less money. And I would have said, “I told you so.” Here is the book.

Yes, he hit where it hurts — your pocket book. He sees China as both the threat and the means to America's continued prosperity; defined by taking over 70% of the value-add in the world. It can't be 70%, you see, if China is taking half of it. The only way, he stated, is to think like Cisco where John Chamber wanted to base his company's strategy entirely for China — how to sell there; how to beat the competitors from there; how to procure from there.

The description of government's invisble hand behind many events was scary. According to Hundt, Japan's decade-long depression was carefully designed by US, so was Internet and all those huge successes, like AOL, Google, eBay, etc. Government was so good that even those enterpreurs do not realize the helps government gave them. Proof? Bush administration stopped helping and we are losing the leadership in IT. Yes, he gave the government way too much credit, in both directions.

The general thesis is sound. No companies, or individual, can ignore China for the next 20 years. Only those with a clear strategy and execution strength can continue to prosper. Do you? Do we?