13 Invitations 3: “We are all providing footnotes to big issues”

◎ Editor's Recommendation★ More than 10 writers and intellectuals who have profoundly influenced the times appear collectively in the phenomenal interview program "13 Invitations" annual special edition - Intellectuals; planned and created by Xu Zhiyuan, with a preface by Chen Chong. Recommended:
"13 Invitations" has amassed over 1.3 billion views and has sparked widespread discussion, making it one of the most influential and highly regarded interview programs in China. The book version of "13 Invitations" is the first complete compilation of all four seasons, breaking down the four seasons and reorganizing the themes.
The characters featured in this album include more than 10 writers and scholars such as Xu Zhuoyun, Bai Xianyong, Chen Jiaying, Wang Xiaobo, Jin Yucheng, Tang Nuo, Chen Zhiwu, Xi Chuan, Xu Hong, Xiang Biao, and Yuval Noah Harari, which can be called an intellectual feast of the era.
★ When intellectuals meet Xu Zhiyuan, from aesthetic resonance to the reconstruction of the knowledge community, the observation of the times is presented as a broader and deeper expression. The interviewees are all in our era. They have their own unique life experiences and insights, so they are informative; from the interviews, we can see that they are humble, free and easy, or affectionate, with different styles, so it is interesting; they sigh for the same passing and rejoice for the same spirit, so they have the same warmth: they all care about the vast destiny of mankind and devote themselves to it without hesitation.
★ Establish a new paradigm for character interviews, using individuals as samples to explore the infinite possibilities of intellectual life:
As an "intellectual fellow traveler", Xu Zhiyuan dialogues with more than 10 iconic intellectuals of our time, covering fields such as literature, history, philosophy, archaeology, economics, anthropology, etc., exploring humanities and truth-seeking, questioning meaning and value; and also through constant dialogue, he settles himself, observes the world, and finds the power of spiritual life.
★ "13 Invitations" rebuilt the spirit of dialogue in a divided era and greatly expanded the possibilities for intellectuals:
What does dialogue really mean? In "13 Invitations," Xu Zhiyuan skillfully weaves his personal thoughts, the spirit of the times, and numerous characters through dialogue. This cross-disciplinary and free-flowing narrative creates the most grand dialogue feast of our time: from each character's perspective, he delves into historical and current issues, and from each precious personal experience, he reaches a broader world.
★ A completely different reading aesthetic from the video: The conversation took four years, and the manuscript polishing took one year, with the content volume far exceeding the presentation of the program;
Compared to the edited video, the book version of "13 Invitations" presents the interview content in a more detailed and comprehensive manner, recording many wonderful moments that were not captured in the video.
The guest's personal chronology + interview video QR code + a large number of new annotations + on-site photos create a more in-depth reading scene;
Xu Zhiyuan examines his relationship with each interlocutor and writes a key character profile, which can also be seen as a guide before entering the interview. Through books, a more humane medium, readers will no longer be just spectators of the dialogue, but in-depth participants.
★ Easter egg! Wang Xiaobo special episode, Li Yinhe and others fondly remember Xiaobo;
Special edition on Tan Sitong, historians and young people’s moving interpretations of Tan Sitong from various angles!
Xu Zhuoyun’s wife Sun Manli talks about interesting things in her married life. The 6,000-word article is released for the first time, taking you to know a different Xu Zhuoyun.
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◎【Celebrity/Media Recommendation】
The program you're producing ("13 Invitations"), disseminating through the internet, can replace school education. I hope more people will do it, spreading knowledge, stimulating thought, and guiding public opinion.
——Xu Zhuoyun (historian)
As a viewer, 13 Invitations allowed me to see a series of interesting minds; as an interviewee, 13 Invitations allowed me to directly enter public discussions and opened up new space for thinking.
——Xiang Biao (anthropologist)
13 Invitations has had a huge impact, and it's also received a lot of criticism, which is normal. I like that Xu Zhiyuan isn't afraid to expose himself, including his weaknesses, which I think is part of any genuine conversation.
——Chen Jiaying (philosopher)
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◎【Content Introduction】
How to save ourselves in contemporary life? Historian Xu Zhuoyun discusses the freedom of the human heart;
How can we rediscover the lost “nearby” in our lives? Anthropologist Xiang Biao offers new insights and suggestions.
What is it like to be a philosopher in this era? Chen Jiaying reveals her personal experience and her desire for truth;
What to do when you feel powerless in the face of reality? Tang Nuo recounts his own struggles and the eternity of writing.
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Xu Zhiyuan engaged in in-depth conversations with over ten prominent writers and scholars from around the world, compiling this invaluable collection of interviews on contemporary humanities. From Xu Zhuoyun to Pai Hsien-yung, from Jin Yucheng to Yuval Noah Harari, these speakers span nationalities and eras, encompassing literature, history, philosophy, archaeology, economics, anthropology, and other fields, exploring a wide range of topics from the individual to the societal, resulting in a rich, engaging, and heartwarming collection. Their wisdom, anger, and radical ideas all emanate from a common pulse: a concern for the broader destiny of humanity. In today's world, where data reigns supreme, technology dominates, and humanism is in retreat, this unconventional spirit is long overdue.
——"When do you say this confusion of values ​​will pass?
——"You need to be able to breathe freely inside, to be able to hold your head high and say, 'I'm not afraid of this, I'm not afraid of that.' You need to have a free heart and an open mind."

2020-12-01

广西师范大学出版社

368

9787559833457