Join MIT Professor Yasheng Huang, an expert on modern China and author of influential works, as he dives into fascinating aspects of Chinese history. He tackles the Needham Question, revealing the paradox of ancient innovations and modern stagnation. Discover how footbinding links to technological decline and why increased Buddhism spurred inventions. Huang shares personal reflections from the Tiananmen Square protests and discusses economic reforms versus political setbacks in the 1980s, shedding light on contemporary China's ongoing challenges.
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insights INSIGHT
The Needham Question
Joseph Needham, a British biochemist, documented Chinese inventions, changing Western perceptions of China's scientific history.
His work revealed that China had been technologically advanced, leading him to question why it didn't have its own industrial revolution.
insights INSIGHT
Rethinking the Needham Question
Huang's upcoming book revisits the Needham Question, focusing on why China rose technologically and then declined relative to its own past, not just the West.
This approach provides a more accurate understanding of China's technological trajectory.
insights INSIGHT
Data-Driven History
Huang's research uses a database of over 10,000 Chinese inventions, digitized from Needham's work.
This quantitative approach allows for precise analysis of China's technological rise and decline.
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This monumental series, initiated in 1954, surveys the history of Chinese chemistry, mechanics, navigation, medicine, and other scientific disciplines. It examines the relationship between Confucian and Taoist traditions and Chinese scientific innovation, and it contrasts Chinese and Western philosophies of scientific inquiry. The series, which has been recognized as one of the 100 Best Nonfiction books of the 20th century by the Modern Library Board, continues to be updated under the guidance of the Needham Research Institute. Needham's work challenges Eurocentric historiography by highlighting the significant contributions of Chinese science and technology to global knowledge.
Romance of the three kingdoms
Luo Guanzhong
Set from 184 AD to 280 AD, this epic novel combines historical and fictional elements to tell the story of the decline of the Han dynasty and the formation of the three kingdoms of Cao Wei, Shu Han, and Eastern Wu. The novel follows hundreds of characters, including notable figures like Liu Bei, Cao Cao, Zhang Fei, Guan Yu, and Zhuge Liang, and details their plots, battles, intrigues, and struggles for dominance. It is based on historical records such as the 'Records of the Three Kingdoms' by Chen Shou and incorporates popular folk tales and legends.
Zero to One
Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future
Peter Thiel
In 'Zero to One,' Peter Thiel argues that true innovation comes from creating something entirely new, going from 'zero to one,' rather than incrementally improving existing ideas. He emphasizes the importance of vertical progress through technology and the benefits of monopoly in driving innovation. Thiel also discusses the need for long-term planning, the importance of finding the right co-founders, and the power law in startup success. The book challenges conventional wisdom and encourages readers to think critically and aim big to build the future[2][3][5].
This was fun!
Last Wednesday saw the first-ever live recording of On Humans. The event was held at the London Business School, courtesy of the LBS's China Club. My guest was MIT Professor Yasheng Huang, familiar to regular listeners from the China trilogy published earlier this fall.
In this new episode, we keep tackling the origins of modern China. This time, we draw insights from Huang's two upcoming books: Revisiting the Needham Question and Statism With Chinese Characteristics. The conversation is structured around five themes: 1) the "Needham Question"; 2) Keju exams; 3) Scale; 4) Scope; and 5) The Eighties. Expect juicy insights to questions such as:
Why was more Buddhism linked to more inventions in ancient China?
How does footbinding relate to China's technological decline?
Has China's GDP growth stopped serving Chinese workers?
Towards the end of the conversation, Huang also shared his memories of working in China through the 1989 crackdown at Tiananmen Square.
On Humans 
