Reading journal –The Gay Genius
20171212 Chapter 7 Experiment in State Capitalism
1 Outstanding Question
This chapter mainly talked about the reformof Wang Anshih and Su Tungpo’s opinion about it. Also, there are some commentsfrom Mr.Lin, the author.
Interesting Sentence?
It would not be doing business according to supply and demand but instead would make transactions on the merit of commissions, distributing favors and contracts according to personal connections
原本出發(fā)點好的政策，到了執(zhí)行環(huán)節(jié)，尤其是執(zhí)行到下層的時候，越是離出發(fā)點遠了。因為有定量的考核，所以很多時候執(zhí)行任務的被考核者，往往要為了達到這個標準而做出違反初心的事情。
就跟我們說應試教育一樣，我們覺得這樣不好，但要對這么多人進行考核，定型考核難免顯得力不從心，定量考核在操作層面上比較易于執(zhí)行并且相對公平。
My thoughts
讀完這章腦海里出現(xiàn)一個詞：愛屋及烏。不知道林先生是因為喜歡蘇東坡而贊同他的觀點，從而不喜歡王安石。還是因為本身就不喜歡王安石，加之蘇東坡也不喜歡他，因此對蘇東坡的喜歡又加深了。大概兩者相輔相成吧。
三年前第一次讀這章的時候覺得很震撼，怎么這跟歷史書上講的不一樣??？三年后重讀，對傳記和歷史兩種體裁本身的特點有了把握之后，沒有那么激動了，就當看了另一個人眼中的世界，更加能懂得那句“一千個讀者有一千個哈姆雷特“。
Words and expressions
1.discrepancy
原文：In the draftexemption tax also, there was a great discrepancy between officialintentions and actual practice.
釋義：n. a difference between two amounts, details, reports etc that should be the same兩個本該一樣的數量、細節(jié)、報告等不一致
用法: discrepancy in
造句：Police found discrepancies in the twomen’s testimony.
2. in abeyance
原文：The Emperor was inclined to agree with Szema Kuang, and for a month or two the measures were held in abeyance.
釋義：something such as a custom, rule, orsystem that is in abeyance is not being used at the present time.擱置、終止、暫緩
拓展: fall into abeyance = no longer be used
造句：This plan has actually fallen intoabeyance.
3. overweening (formal) (貶義)
原文：Given the earnest desire of an ambitious young ruler to make his country powerful and strong, and a premier who had an overweening confidence in his ownpolitical and financial theories.
釋義：adj. too proud and confident – used toshow disapproval
同義詞：arrogant
造句：The man is of overweening ambition.
4. look askance at
原文：…and others, who were inclined to look askance at any radical reforms and who commandedsufficient popular prestige to discourage any young man with newfangled ideas.
釋義：If you look askance at someone or something,you do not approve of them orthink they are good.
例句：My grandpa always looks askance at myjeans.
5. forgery
釋義：n. a document, painting, or piece ofpaper money that has been copied illegally
同義詞：fake
例句：This picture was a very clever forgery.
