On the afternoon of June 1st, the forum "Geometry and Life --Dialogue with the Well-known Mathematician Mr.Shing-Tung Yau" was held in the press studio of the Press Building of Renmin University of China. The forum is jointly organized by the Qiuzhen College of Tsinghua University and the School of Sociology and Population Studies , and co-organized by Yilin Publishing Group. Professor Feng Shizheng, the dean of School of Sociology and Population Studies , Renmin University of China, Professor Liu Wei, a vice dean of Mingde College and a professor of the Department of Philosophy, Professor Gong xinqi of Institute of Mathematical Sciences, in Renmin University of China and Professor Zhao Baisheng, the director of World Biography Research Center of the School of Foreign Studies in Peking University , had a dialogue with Mr.Yau in the forum. Liu Wei presided over the forum.
Picture: Have a group photo.
Before the forum, Lin Shangli, President of Renmin University of China, met with Mr.Yau and the participants, and exchanged views on the development of mathematics and the exchange and integration of mathematics, sociology, big data, artificial intelligence and other disciplines. Hu Baijing, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Committee and Vice President of the National People's Congress, Lin Yong, Vice President of Qiuzhen College, Wang Xiaofang, Vice President of Tsinghua University, Wu Rongrong, Vice President of Beijing Yanqi Lake Institute of Applied Mathematics, and Fu Baohua, a researcher of the Institute of Mathematics and Systems Science of Chinese Academy of Sciences attended the meeting.
Picture: Lin Shangli, President of Renmin University of China, talked with Mr.Yau.
Hu Baijing made an opening speech for the forum. He said that not everyone has to study mathematics and can reach the realm of Mr. Yau, but everyone should include the study of learning and the pursuit of truth in their own life system, so that they will not feel that learning is difficult, learning is heavy, or truth is remote. He hoped that everyone would make use of this rare opportunity to get a close look at the master's style, and constantly improve the ability to learn, and constantly improve the realm of life.
Picture: Hu Baijing Spoke.
In the dialogue, Feng Shizheng, Gong xinqi, Zhao Baisheng and other guests shared their experiences on Mr.Yau's autobiography —— My Geometry Life from the perspectives of sociology, mathematics, biography and other disciplines, and at the same time, they had an in-depth exchange and discussion with Mr.Yau from the aspect of talent training.
Picture: The dialogue guests.
Feng Shizheng said, " When Mr.Yau has faced with many major choices in his life, he has his own judgment and can make choices in line with his heart, which is inseparable from his social experience and unique personality charm. For the cultivation of top innovative talents, students should be allowed to experience more in the society, experience the test of social openness and two sides, and form a unique personality and temperament, so that learning can be truly done. Temperament is a quality of integrating experience, knowledge, emotion, will, wisdom and so on. The essence of education is not only to teach knowledge, but also to make students develop such temperament ".
Picture: Feng Shicheng shared his ideas.
"Mr.Yau has rich and deep feelings of knowledge, and there are many specific examples which I remember", Gong Xinqi worked with Mr.Yau and under his lead of the experience of academic research. He introduced the touching story of how Mr.Yau devoted his own heart and soul to nurture his students and how he exchanged views with Mr. Yau on the topic of how a scholar can improve himself and nurture his students to go from struggle to excellence.
Picture: Gong xinqi shared his ideas.
Zhao Baisheng talked about his views and evaluation of Mr.Yau's autobiography from three dimensions of "3C", namely Career, Character and Charisma. In Zhao opinion, Mr.Yau's autobiography not only depicts his career so far, but the most distinctive is that it shows his unique temperament and personality of integrity, frankness, wisdom and courage.
Picture: Mr.Zhao shared.
Professor Liu Wei said that Mr.Yau's discussion on genius, taking nature, learning basic skills well, listening with heart and taking notes carefully is a great incentive for every student and young teacher present. The day of the dialogue is just the 1st June (Children's Day), and in front of knowledge everyone is a child, where we always have to face such a broad and grand world, in which to learn knowledge.
Picture: Liu Wei presided over the dialogue.
In the dialogue, Mr.Yau talked about the things he experienced in his life and the experience he gained in the society, which made him know how to study. As a philosopher, his father had a great influence on him. He taught him history, philosophy and literature, provided him with an environment for learning, and taught him how to be a man and work in society, and keep the idea of seeking truth and beauty. At the same time, Mr.Yau mentioned two great works that had a great influence on his life, namely Zuo Zhuan and Shi Ji. He shared his experience of reading these two works with great interest, and said that when he was free, he often read them and often have new experiences.
Picture: Mr.Yau had a cordial exchange with everyone.
Mr.Yau has trained more than 70 doctors so far. He hopes to train more doctors and scholars who can do research in China. In his opinion, it is very pleasant to talk to students and teachers, and he is happiest to see students grow and achieve. He said, " My goal in life is not for money, but to pursue a more noble realm."Mr.Yau quoted the thought of Master Lu Shang," Flow with the nature", encouraging students and scholars to hold rich and deep feelings in learning, not to be too much utilitarian, pay attention to the schools and rules of learning, listen more to what others are doing, and establish their own ideas. Mr.Yau stressed that taking nature take its course is not to let everyone get something for nothing. On the contrary, we should work hard for the meaningful life they pursue. The results obtained through the hard work are the unforgettable real enjoyment.
Picture: The realistic students listened carefully.
In the interactive session, Mr.Yau replied to the cultivation of young mathematics talents that mathematics is an independent knowledge, and all science, including sociology and physics, are based on mathematics. It is necessary for children to learn mathematics well from the age of 12 or 13 years old. They can choose to take different directions."Now both AI and big data technology need some math training. There is no contradiction for all the people to learn mathematics well. Not necessarily all the people must learn biology and chemistry well, but it is necessary for all the people to learn mathematics well, " Yau said.
Picture: On-site questions and interaction.
Picture: More than 200 teachers and students from various colleges of Renmin University of China, Qiuzhen College of Tsinghua University and the High School Affiliated to Renmin University of China participated in the dialogue.
After listening to the dialogue, the students benefited a lot. They deeply understand the way of living and learning of the masters, and have a clearer understanding of their goals and methods in studying and learning. Let's listen to their reflections.
When Mr.Yau answers a question about the philosophy of mathematics, his passage deeply touched me: " Don't think of this question until you have proved your own first theorem."It made me focus on the practical problems; it also made me stop writing, abandon my words, and enter into the world of mathematics.
--Bai Mingyu, No. 31 preparatory class of Qiuzhen.
Today I listened to Mr.Qiu's talk program and learned a lot. First of all, I understand that learning mathematics needs to have a lot of knowledge reserves, to learn extensively, more to listen to lectures, this is the basis of learning. Second, take notes diligently. Learning should follow their own heart, to do what they want to do. Lay a good foundation in mathematics, to accumulate and thin hair, to make a good knowledge.
--Zhang Peifeng, No. 33 preparatory class of Qiuzhen.
In the course of the communication, Mr.Yau told us the idea of "flow with the nature" many times. This may seem obvious at first, but Mr.Yau explained that after students have laid a good foundation, they should follow their interest in learning mathematics and put themselves into the research they are interested in. After a long period of accumulated efforts, naturally to make meaningful learning. I have benefited a lot from this.
--Qu Zhongjin, No. 33 preparatory class of Qiuzhen.
On June 1st, I was lucky to go to visit Mr.Yau's lecture. I saw the invited students, the consciousness of history, the wisdom of life, the comment of all, while the gentleman sat in the middle, laughing freely. Confucius once said, "a gentleman's ability is not confined to any one thing."And Mr.Yau is a so-called gentleman. Or that we should call him Master, for which I think so. His knowledge is deep, when he was young he had independently climbed academic mountains without fear; his ability is extensive, when he successful returned home, he made every effort to invigorate the Chinese knowledge. The so-called master, should refine in the profession and help the world. Mr.Yau is such a man.
-- Lian Zihan, No. 31 preparatory class of Qiuzhen.
This activity gave me a chance to enjoy the conversation between the masters and understand their unique understanding of Mr.Yau's biography. After the activity, I combined the comments of the masters to read the relevant content of the biography again alone, and have a new view and opinions on it. As the masters said, Mr.Yau is not only a great mathematician, but also a great philosopher, and a great thinker.
--Nie Zijie, No. 31 preparatory class of Qiuzhen.
What is for seeking the truth? We should learn for the truth. Truth-seeking means a kind of study through which Every little makes a mickle; and a good thinking, where we should learn from others; and we should also explore the ancient, poor search, can integrate, then we could open up a new way. Truth-seeking means your love. Do true learning, keep the cold bench until its becomes warm. Although the heart is lonely you should keep sincere feelings, only to overcome difficulties, burning youth and dedication of the truth of the pure specificity. Truth-seeking means your personality. Mr.Yau keeps sincere and frank to spread mathematics to China and he overcomes the distant oceans and make Chinese math education prosperous, which has represents his spirit like a mountain or a river. I can feel the truth, and our responsibility to spread it further.
--Zhou Ruizhe, No. 32 preparatory class of Qiuzhen.
I had the honor to read Mr.Yau's autobiography, and I have always admired Mr.Qiu's state of humanity and learning. Mr.Yau's dedication to Calabi Conjecture is the spirit that we should uphold, and his appreciation and love for culture should also be respected by us. What impressed me most in the conversation was Mr.Yau's "flow with the nature", indifferent and calm, but can do everything, which is the calm and wisdom after experiencing the wind and rain. For us, we should uphold the purest and most indifferent attitude in life and learning, and should not have a utilitarian heart.
--Wang Yifan, No. 32 preparatory class of Qiuzhen.
Life is like geometry, and geometric is also like human life. As Professor Zhao Baisheng said, the book is reflecting the owner, and Mr.Yau's charming personality and his courage to do his careers are all vividly displayed on the paper. Instead of boring biographies that only record their profession, this book reveals more aspects of a scientist from his "career", "character", and "charisma" which are all included. It was also because of the chance that we had the opportunity to attend such a rewarding lecture.
--Liu Yingxi, No. 32 preparatory class of Qiuzhen.
Text | Xie Lufang
Audit | Wang Xiaofang, Zhou Zhi, Guo Youran
Translation | Gao Xudong
