The Useless Tree

Current Affairs

  • Did Chuang Tzu Make A Will?

        The short answer is "no."  Chuang Tzu almost certainly did not make a will because he knew that when his life ended he would be swept back into the limitless Way and that his worldly loved ones and… Continue reading

  • Taoism in the News

        Call me skeptical.  But I get a bit nervous when I see stories like this (Xinhua version):  LANZHOU, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) — The first international forum on Lao Tzu, known as China’s "father of philosophy", opened Tuesday in… Continue reading

  • Le Mariage N’est Pas Necessaire

          A couple of weeks ago I asked the question "is marriage necessary?" in reference to the US.  Today I found a story in the WaPo in which the French provide a resounding answer: Non! In France, the country… Continue reading

  • Confucian Conservatives

        In his critique of what conservatism has become in contemporary America, Andrew Sullivan argues that Christian values should not be imposed upon society by the government.  Rather, conservatives of a Christian bent, if they want their values to… Continue reading

  • Sperms and Fathers and Ashes

        Two stories today about fatherhood and family.  The first is the Sunday Modern Love column in the NYT, by Victoria Loustalot, in which she reflects upon her gay father, who left the family and then died when she… Continue reading

  • Chinese Characteristics

        Dan, over at the excellent China Law Blog, has asked me to comment on a discussion they are having there.  The general question is: Is there a Chinese mindset, and so what if there is?  This is an… Continue reading

  • The Root of Humanity

        If, as Confucius tells us, caring for older persons is the "root of humanity," then American society is surely failing.   That is what I come away with after reading this interview with Dr. Robert N. Butler.  Here’s one… Continue reading

  • Vamping for the Venerable Sage

        OK, I guess I have to comment on this (from Danwei): The movement to revitalize traditional learning is well on its way to success now that it has a pin-up girl. Bai Luming, a 19-year-old student at the… Continue reading

  • The Tao of Execution

        We have been on quite a run of Confucian commentary here at The Useless Tree; so, it is about time for a Taoist post.  And we have the perfect story: the death sentence of Saddam Hussein.     … Continue reading

  • President Chen, It’s Time to be a Gentleman and Resign

        Back from Beijing and reading the news from Taiwan.  I follow politics there fairly closely but have not commented much (any?) on Taiwan here.  Well, the issue of the corruption allegations against President Chen Shui-bian has reached a… Continue reading