The Useless Tree

Media

  • Ancient Chinese Philosophy in the New York Times

    As you have probably noticed, I regularly complain that ancient Chinese thought rarely breaks through into contemporary American consciousness. So, I was pleasantly surprised this morning when I sat down with my second cup of coffee and took up my… Continue reading

  • Sudo Genki Solves Japanese-South Korean Problems

    I've got to say, I love these guys.  And, what the hell, why not make a play for better relations between Japan and South Korea with their motto (you'll see it at the very end):   Oh, and somehow I… Continue reading

  • The Form and Content of Soft Power

    I am working on a paper, which I will present in Beijing and Shanghai in March, on the limitations to using Confucianism as a tool of the PRCs “soft power.” (I am building upon, and extending beyond, this post from… Continue reading