New Books in Anthropology Xiang Biao and Wu Qi, "Self as Method: Thinking Through China and the World" (Palgrave Macmillan, 2022)
Sep 22, 2025
Professor Xiang Biao, a social anthropologist and director at the Max Planck Institute, is joined by journalist Wu Qi to discuss their book 'Self as Method: Thinking Through China and the World.' They delve into the power of intellectual activism and the importance of self-thought for Chinese youth. The conversation touches on the interplay between conflict and systemic change, the value of bridging academia with public engagement, and how local observations can shift perspectives. Their insights aim to inspire a new generation to engage critically with their surroundings.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
From Academic Hibernation To Public Conversation
- Xiang describes how his editor invited him to write for Chinese youth and introduced Wu Qi to format the book as conversations.
- He had been an academic in 'hibernation' and only gradually realized his public influence after 2014 interviews.
Use Conversation To Avoid Academic Jargon
- Use conversational interview formats to reach a public audience and avoid academic jargon traps.
- Let interlocutors ask concrete questions so your writing stays direct and relevant.
Polarization Grows When Details Are Ignored
- Xiang argues polarization comes from losing the habit of examining concrete, local details of problems.
- He urges focusing on step-by-step implementation and local consequences instead of ideological labeling.
