Folio V · Annual favorites
Things that moved me.
A short list of one article, four books, and three films that quietly rearranged something inside me this year.
Article of the year
PNAS · 2024
PNAS: An exploration of basic human values in 38 million obituaries over 30 years
Being remembered is a truly blessed thing. What do you hope to be remembered for? What is it that you've always wanted to show others, that you've been waiting for? I think the best moment is actually right now.
Read the full article →
Books of the year
Jerry Colonna
Reboot: Leadership and the Art of Growing Up
This book helped me get through the darkest moments of my life, no longer afraid of injustice and evil people. Thank you Alice Li for recommending it. It made me a better mentor afterwards.
Anna Lowenhaupt Tsing
The Mushroom at the End of the World
A profound reflection on progressivism and neoliberalism. Anyone interested in cultural psychology will love this. I'm still re-reading it. ‘Dreams wake us up.’ I hope we can all live abundant, boundless lives.
Lao Tzu
Tao Te Ching
Essential reading for the path from art to Tao. If you're interested in Chinese language or culture, this is a must-read. Be effortless — focus only on what's in front of you, just do it well.
W. Timothy Gallwey
The Inner Game of Tennis
My first introduction to sports psychology — closely tied to my first independent research. My mantra is: there's no one else on the court.
Movies of the year
Spike Jonze
Her
“The past is just a story we tell ourselves.” — I would call this a prophecy of the future. The director is so good at directing.
DreamWorks Animation
Kung Fu Panda Series
“Your story may not have such a happy beginning, but that doesn't make you who you are. It is the rest of your story, who you choose to be.” Hard to believe this was made by non-Chinese creators — it's really Chinese.
Denis Villeneuve
Arrival
Saw this in 2016 — it has run through my life ever since. I began to believe time might not exist. Language is the boundary of how we perceive the world.