Author Of “A Solution of the Cosmological Equations in Scalar-Tensor Theory, with Mass and Blackbody Radiation” Dies

Fang Lizhi
Via University of Arizona Fang Lizhi isn’t best known for his seminal paper on the Big Bang theory, however. As the New York Times’ obituary states: Fang Lizhi, whose advocacy of economic and democratic freedoms shaped China’s brief era of student dissent that ended with the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests and his exile, died on Friday... Read more » Read more »

Son Of County-Level Cadre In Henan Province Allegedly Shoots And Kills Street Vendor

Street food vendor shot
Here’s something you don’t see every day in China: an apparent manslaughter/homicide involving a gun. Unfortunately, what’s disturbingly common are disputes involving the relative of a government official and the laobaixing – “the people” – and this story’s got that. Last Thursday, the son of a county-level cadre in Dancheng county, Henan province shot and killed a mutton... Read more » Read more »

The Most Expensive iPad And iPhone In The World: It Cost A Boy A Kidney He Now Wants — But Can’t Have — Back

Boy sells kidney for iPad featured image
We're about a day late with this story that's tearing up the Chinese Internet: a 17-year-old boy sold his kidney for 22,000 yuan in Anhui province, then used the money to buy an iPad2 and iPhone (model unspecified). The AP writes, rather understatedly, "The case has prompted an outpouring of concern that not enough is being done to guard against the negative impact of increasing consumerism in Chinese society." Read more »

To Serve People: What Exactly Is “Western Media”?

To Serve People
A few may notice a name change for this week’s column. That’s because everything I think about the Chinese media is wrong, and I simply bask in the freedom given to me by the glorious motherland. Anyway, it has been a slim week for Chinese editorials, as they took a break from America bashing, CCP asslicking and Tomb-Sweeping Day banality. Still, we carry on the best we can. Read more »

And Finally: CBA Game 5 Highlight Video, With Music From Gladiator And Queen

CBA Game 5 Highlight Video, With Music From Gladiator And Queen featured image
I don't think we'll be posting any more CBA videos for a while after this. It's fitting, then, that the above video is a highlight package of the final game of the season, played last Friday. The video after the jump is a segment that BTV put together for team translator and sometimes equipment manager Wang Lan (lots of people get very emotional during these six minutes). Both of the clips are from the BTV show 一赛季, 一生情, very roughly translated as "One Season, One Lifetime of Passion." After watching, I can unabashedly say that I like these Beijing Ducks, champions, more than ever. (You may also be interested in the 22-minute part featuring Stephon Marbury.) Read more »

On This Gorgeous Day, Let Us Listen To The Erhu

Chinese erhu featured image
I'm not usually one to talk about weather, but today is one of those perfect spring days you could, with a straight face, call redolent. Have yourself a walk and see if good memories don't find a way into your mind. Not to mention dreams of a good year, a bountiful harvest of the spirit. Read more »