ChinaTalk US-China Science Relations and the PhDs Caught in the Middle
Dec 13, 2021
Yangyang Cheng, a Yale Law School postdoc and particle physicist, shares her insights on the complexities of US-China scientific relations. She discusses the emotional toll of geopolitical tensions, the challenges faced by Chinese scientists, and the implications of language in this discourse. Cheng critiques terms like 'brain drain' and examines the need for ethical considerations in science. Together with Alex Liang, they advocate for recognizing the humanity behind the politics, stressing the importance of collaboration over competition.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Mother's Request
- Yangyang Cheng's mother urged her to get baptized and join the Chinese Communist Party for protection abroad.
- Cheng, a scientist and writer, rejected both, choosing to question simple answers.
Shift in Focus
- Cheng's physics career provided an escape from pressing issues, but her writing now demands full attention.
- Global conditions and US-China relations require her focus.
Seeing People as People
- Recognizing shared humanity is crucial, going beyond US-China relations.
- This challenges the need to define oneself by othering others.