Speaking Aug 8-11

Describe an interesting old person you have met

Well, I’d like to talk about Professor Li, who supervised my summer research workshop last year. I first met him at a national summer school on quantum field theory in Beijing—he was one of the keynote speakers. After his lecture, I stayed behind and struck up a conversation about non-perturbative techniques. To my surprise, he invited me to join him and two other students for a walking tour of the campus gardens.

During our stroll, Professor Li recounted his early career in the 1970s—how, despite limited resources, he published papers on instantons by hand-drawing Feynman diagrams under candlelight. I mean, the sheer determination he showed blew me away. We spent the afternoon sketching simple path integrals on a whiteboard in the botanical pavilion, alternating between theory discussion and tea from a nearby stall.

What makes him so interesting is his blend of sharp intellect and down-to-earth charm. Although he’s well into his eighties, he still reads the latest journals and quizzes me on my own calculations. At the end of the day, Professor Li embodies both the storied history of Chinese physics and the enduring curiosity that drives scientific discovery.

Well, I’d like to talk about Professor Li, who supervised my summer research workshop last year.
/wel aɪd laɪk tə tɔːk əˈbaʊt prəˈfes.ər liː huː ˈsuː.pə.vaɪzd maɪ ˈsʌm.ər rɪˈsɜːtʃ ˈwɜːk.ʃɒp lɑːst jɪər/

I first met him at a national summer school on quantum field theory in Beijing—he was one of the keynote speakers.
/aɪ fɜːst met hɪm ət ə ˈnæʃ.ən.əl ˈsʌm.ər skuːl ɒn ˈkwɒn.təm fiːld ˈθɪə.ri ɪn beɪˈdʒɪŋ hiː wɒz wʌn əv ðə ˈkiː.nəʊt ˈspiː.kəz/

After his lecture, I stayed behind and struck up a conversation about non-perturbative techniques.
/ˈɑːf.tər hɪz ˈlek.tʃər aɪ steɪd bɪˈhaɪnd ənd strʌk ʌp ə ˌkɒn.vəˈseɪ.ʃən əˈbaʊt ˌnɒn.pəˈtɜː.bə.tɪv tekˈniːks/

To my surprise, he invited me to join him and two other students for a walking tour of the campus gardens.
/tuː maɪ səˈpraɪz hiː ɪnˈvaɪ.tɪd miː tə dʒɔɪn hɪm ənd tuː ˈʌð.ər ˈstjuː.dənts fɔːr ə ˈwɔː.kɪŋ tʊər əv ðə ˈkæm.pəs ˈɡɑː.dənz/

During our stroll, Professor Li recounted his early career in the 1970s—how, despite limited resources, he published papers on instantons by hand-drawing Feynman diagrams under candlelight.
/ˈdjʊə.rɪŋ aʊər strəʊl prəˈfes.ər liː rɪˈkaʊn.tɪd hɪz ˈɜː.li kəˈrɪər ɪn ðə ˌnaɪn.tiːn ˈsev.ən.tiz haʊ dɪˈspaɪt ˈlɪm.ɪ.tɪd rɪˈzɔː.sɪz hiː ˈpʌb.lɪʃt ˈpeɪ.pəz ɒn ˈɪn.stən.tɒnz baɪ ˈhænd ˌdrɔː.ɪŋ ˈfaɪn.mən ˈdaɪ.ə.ɡræmz ˈʌn.dər ˈkæn.dəl.laɪt/

I mean, the sheer determination he showed blew me away.
/aɪ miːn ðə ʃɪər dɪˌtɜː.mɪˈneɪ.ʃən hiː ʃəʊd bluː miː əˈweɪ/

We spent the afternoon sketching simple path integrals on a whiteboard in the botanical pavilion, alternating between theory discussion and tea from a nearby stall.
/wiː spent ðə ˌɑːf.təˈnuːn ˈsketʃ.ɪŋ ˈsɪm.pl̩ pɑːθ ˈɪn.tɪ.ɡrəlz ɒn ə ˈwaɪt.bɔːd ɪn ðə bəˈtæn.ɪ.kəl pəˈvɪl.jən ˈɔːl.tə.neɪ.tɪŋ bɪˈtwiːn ˈθɪə.ri dɪˈskʌʃ.ən ənd tiː frɒm ə ˌnɪəˈbaɪ stɔːl/

What makes him so interesting is his blend of sharp intellect and down-to-earth charm.
/wɒt meɪks hɪm səʊ ˈɪn.trəs.tɪŋ ɪz hɪz blend əv ʃɑːp ˈɪn.təl.ekt ənd ˌdaʊn.tuːˈɜːθ tʃɑːm/

Although he’s well into his eighties, he still reads the latest journals and quizzes me on my own calculations.
/ɔːlˈðəʊ hiːz wel ˈɪn.tuː hɪz ˈeɪ.tiz hiː stɪl riːdz ðə ˈleɪ.tɪst ˈdʒɜː.nəlz ənd ˈkwɪz.ɪz miː ɒn maɪ əʊn ˌkælkjuˈleɪʃ(ə)n/

At the end of the day, Professor Li embodies both the storied history of Chinese physics and the enduring curiosity that drives scientific discovery.
/ət ði end əv ðə deɪ prəˈfes.ər liː ɪmˈbɒd.iz bəʊθ ðə ˈstɔː.rid ˈhɪs.tər.i əv ˌtʃaɪˈniːz ˈfɪz.ɪks ənd ði ɪnˈdjʊə.rɪŋ ˌkjʊə.riˈɒs.ə.ti ðæt draɪvz ˌsaɪ.ənˈtɪf.ɪk dɪˈskʌv.ər.i/

part 3

1. Do you think old people and young people can share interests?
2. What can old people teach young people?
3. Is it easy for young people and old people to make friends with each other?
4. Are there benefits when one person is interested in another person? Why?
5. Do you think people are more selfish or self-centered now than in the past?
6. What benefits can people get if they are self-centered?

Do you think old people and young people can share interests?

Well, I’d say they absolutely can, especially when the interest revolves around something universal, like science or art. In my own field—theoretical physics—I’ve often seen retired professors and fresh graduate students get equally excited over, say, a newly published paper on string theory. You know, the age gap kind of disappears when both sides are genuinely curious.

From my perspective, the benefit is twofold: older people bring historical insight and a sense of context, while younger ones contribute fresh ideas and maybe a willingness to challenge established thinking. So, basically, the shared interest becomes a bridge, not just for exchanging knowledge, but also for forming real friendships across generations. At the end of the day, enthusiasm doesn’t age—it just changes shape.

Well, I’d say they absolutely can, especially when the interest revolves around something universal, like science or art.
/wel aɪd seɪ ðeɪ ˈæb.sə.luːt.li kæn ɪˈspeʃ.ə.li wen ðə ˈɪn.trəst rɪˈvɒlvz əˈraʊnd ˈsʌm.θɪŋ ˌjuː.nɪˈvɜː.səl laɪk ˈsaɪ.əns ɔːr ɑːt/

In my own field—theoretical physics—I’ve often seen retired professors and fresh graduate students get equally excited over, say, a newly published paper on string theory.
/ɪn maɪ əʊn fiːld ˌθɪəˈret.ɪ.kəl ˈfɪz.ɪks aɪv ˈɒf.ən siːn rɪˈtaɪəd prəˈfes.əz ənd freʃ ˈɡræd.ju.ət ˈstjuː.dənts ɡet ˈiː.kwə.li ɪkˈsaɪ.tɪd ˈəʊ.vər seɪ ə ˈnjuː.li ˈpʌb.lɪʃt ˈpeɪ.pər ɒn strɪŋ ˈθɪə.ri/

You know, the age gap kind of disappears when both sides are genuinely curious.
/juː nəʊ ðə eɪdʒ ɡæp kaɪnd əv ˌdɪs.əˈpɪəz wen bəʊθ saɪdz ɑːr ˈdʒen.ju.ɪn.li ˈkjʊə.ri.əs/

From my perspective, the benefit is twofold: older people bring historical insight and a sense of context, while younger ones contribute fresh ideas and maybe a willingness to challenge established thinking.
/frɒm maɪ pəˈspek.tɪv ðə ˈben.ɪ.fɪt ɪz ˈtuː.fəʊld ˈəʊl.dər ˈpiː.pəl brɪŋ hɪˈstɒr.ɪ.kəl ˈɪn.saɪt ənd ə sens əv ˈkɒn.tekst waɪl ˈjʌŋ.ɡər wʌnz kənˈtrɪb.juːt freʃ aɪˈdɪəz ənd ˈmeɪ.bi ə ˈwɪl.ɪŋ.nəs tə ˈtʃæl.ɪndʒ ɪˈstæb.lɪʃt ˈθɪŋ.kɪŋ/

So, basically, the shared interest becomes a bridge, not just for exchanging knowledge, but also for forming real friendships across generations.
/səʊ ˈbeɪ.sɪk.li ðə ʃeəd ˈɪn.trəst bɪˈkʌmz ə brɪdʒ nɒt dʒʌst fɔːr ɪksˈtʃeɪndʒ.ɪŋ ˈnɒl.ɪdʒ bʌt ˈɔːl.səʊ fɔːr ˈfɔː.mɪŋ rɪəl ˈfrend.ʃɪps əˈkrɒs ˌdʒen.əˈreɪ.ʃənz/

At the end of the day, enthusiasm doesn’t age—it just changes shape.
/ət ði end əv ðə deɪ ɪnˈθjuː.zi.æz.əm ˈdʌz.ənt eɪdʒ ɪt dʒʌst ˈtʃeɪn.dʒɪz ʃeɪp/

What can old people teach young people?

Well, I’d say one of the most valuable things older people can teach the younger generation is how to navigate life beyond textbooks. You know, in my own experience as a theoretical physics student, I sometimes get caught up in abstract equations and forget about the bigger picture. Older mentors—whether professors or family members—often remind me to be patient, to see setbacks as temporary, and to focus on long-term growth rather than instant results.

What I’m trying to say is, these lessons aren’t the kind you find in an academic syllabus, but they shape how you approach challenges, relationships, and even career choices. At the end of the day, their experience acts like a compass, helping us avoid mistakes they once made.

Well, I’d say one of the most valuable things older people can teach the younger generation is how to navigate life beyond textbooks.
/wel aɪd seɪ wʌn əv ðə məʊst ˈvæl.jə.bəl θɪŋz ˈəʊl.də ˈpiː.pəl kən tiːtʃ ðə ˈjʌŋ.ɡə ˌdʒen.əˈreɪ.ʃən ɪz haʊ tə ˈnæv.ɪ.ɡeɪt laɪf bɪˈjɒnd ˈtekst.bʊks/

You know, in my own experience as a theoretical physics student, I sometimes get caught up in abstract equations and forget about the bigger picture.
/jə nəʊ ɪn maɪ əʊn ɪkˈspɪə.ri.əns əz ə ˌθɪəˈret.ɪ.kəl ˈfɪz.ɪks ˈstjuː.dənt aɪ ˈsʌm.taɪmz ɡet kɔːt ʌp ɪn ˈæb.strækt ɪˈkweɪ.ʒənz ənd fəˈɡet əˈbaʊt ðə ˈbɪɡ.ə ˈpɪk.tʃə/

Older mentors—whether professors or family members—often remind me to be patient, to see setbacks as temporary, and to focus on long-term growth rather than instant results.
/ˈəʊl.də ˈmen.tɔːz ˈweð.ə prəˈfes.əz ɔː ˈfæm.əl.i ˈmem.bəz ˈɒf.ən rɪˈmaɪnd mi tə bi ˈpeɪ.ʃənt tə siː ˈset.bæks əz ˈtem.pər.ər.i ənd tə ˈfəʊ.kəs ɒn ˌlɒŋˈtɜːm ɡrəʊθ ˈrɑː.ðə ðən ˈɪn.stənt rɪˈzʌlts/

What I’m trying to say is, these lessons aren’t the kind you find in an academic syllabus, but they shape how you approach challenges, relationships, and even career choices.
/wɒt aɪm ˈtraɪ.ɪŋ tə seɪ ɪz ðiːz ˈles.ənz ɑːnt ðə kaɪnd jə faɪnd ɪn ən ˌæk.əˈdem.ɪk ˈsɪl.ə.bəs bət ðeɪ ʃeɪp haʊ jə əˈprəʊtʃ ˈtʃæl.ɪn.dʒɪz rɪˈleɪ.ʃən.ʃɪps ənd ˈiː.vən kəˈrɪə ˈtʃɔɪ.sɪz/

At the end of the day, their experience acts like a compass, helping us avoid mistakes they once made.
/ət ði end əv ðə deɪ ðeər ɪkˈspɪə.ri.əns ækts laɪk ə ˈkʌm.pəs ˈhelp.ɪŋ əs əˈvɔɪd mɪˈsteɪks ðeɪ wʌns meɪd/

Is it easy for young people and old people to make friends with each other?

I’d put it this way: intergenerational relationships often start as mentorships rather than friendships. On campus or in a lab, an older professor or alum might guide you through career choices or research pitfalls. Over time—after you graduate, grab coffee as equals, swap book recommendations—that hierarchy softens. Friendship happens when there’s mutual respect and a bit of vulnerability on both sides, not just one person giving advice. So is it easy? Maybe not at the beginning. But if boundaries are clear and conversations go beyond “assignments and advice,” the mentor–mentee bridge can turn into a genuine friendship.

I’d put it this way: intergenerational relationships often start as mentorships rather than friendships.
/aɪd pʊt ɪt ðɪs weɪ ˌɪn.tə.dʒen.əˈreɪ.ʃən.əl rɪˈleɪ.ʃən.ʃɪps ˈɒf.ən stɑːt əz ˈmen.tə.ʃɪps ˈrɑː.ðə ðæn ˈfrend.ʃɪps/

On campus or in a lab, an older professor or alum might guide you through career choices or research pitfalls.
/ɒn ˈkæm.pəs ɔːr ɪn ə læb ən ˈəʊl.də prəˈfes.ər ɔːr əˈlʌm maɪt ɡaɪd juː θruː kəˈrɪə ˈtʃɔɪ.sɪz ɔːr rɪˈsɜːtʃ ˈpɪt.fɔːlz/

Over time—after you graduate, grab coffee as equals, swap book recommendations—that hierarchy softens.
/ˈəʊ.və taɪm ˈɑːf.tə juː ˈɡræd.ju.eɪt ɡræb ˈkɒf.i əz ˈiː.kwəlz swɒp bʊk ˌrek.ə.menˈdeɪ.ʃənz ðæt ˈhaɪə.rɑː.ki ˈsɒf.ənz/

Friendship happens when there’s mutual respect and a bit of vulnerability on both sides, not just one person giving advice.
/ˈfrend.ʃɪp ˈhæp.ənz wen ðeəz ˈmjuː.tʃu.əl rɪˈspekt ænd ə bɪt əv ˌvʌl.nər.əˈbɪl.ə.ti ɒn bəʊθ saɪdz nɒt dʒʌst wʌn ˈpɜː.sən ˈɡɪv.ɪŋ ədˈvaɪs/

So is it easy?
/səʊ ɪz ɪt ˈiː.zi/

Maybe not at the beginning.
/ˈmeɪ.bi nɒt ət ðə bɪˈɡɪn.ɪŋ/

But if boundaries are clear and conversations go beyond “assignments and advice,” the mentor–mentee bridge can turn into a genuine friendship.
/bʌt ɪf ˈbaʊn.dər.iz ɑː klɪə ənd ˌkɒn.vəˈseɪ.ʃənz ɡəʊ bɪˈjɒnd əˈsaɪn.mənts ənd ədˈvaɪs ðə ˈmen.tɔː menˈtiː brɪdʒ kæn tɜːn ˈɪn.tuː ə ˈdʒen.ju.ɪn ˈfrend.ʃɪp/

Are there benefits when one person is interested in another person? Why?

Definitely. I mean, sincere interest builds trust, and trust oils the gears of collaboration. When you care about a teammate’s strengths and constraints, feedback becomes specific rather than superficial, conflicts cool down faster, and coordination improves. Come to think of it, that’s how opportunities travel: people recommend those who’ve shown real engagement with their work and values. In other words, interest creates social capital—you get invited into circles, projects, even internships—because others feel seen, not used. So, basically, it’s a career multiplier as much as a social one.

Definitely.
/ˈdef.ɪ.nət.li/

I mean, sincere interest builds trust, and trust oils the gears of collaboration.
/aɪ miːn sɪnˈsɪə ˈɪn.trəst bɪldz trʌst ənd trʌst ɔɪlz ðə ɡɪəz əv kəˌlæb.əˈreɪ.ʃən/

When you care about a teammate’s strengths and constraints, feedback becomes specific rather than superficial, conflicts cool down faster, and coordination improves.
/wen jə keər əˈbaʊt ə ˈtiːm.meɪts streŋθs ənd kənˈstreɪnts ˈfiːd.bæk bɪˈkʌmz spəˈsɪf.ɪk ˈrɑː.ðə ðæn ˌsuː.pəˈfɪʃ.əl ˈkɒn.flɪkts kuːl daʊn ˈfɑː.stə ənd kəʊˌɔː.dɪˈneɪ.ʃən ɪmˈpruːvz/

Come to think of it, that’s how opportunities travel: people recommend those who’ve shown real engagement with their work and values.
/kʌm tə θɪŋk əv ɪt ðæts haʊ ˌɒp.əˈtjuː.nə.tiz ˈtræv.əl ˈpiː.pəl ˌrek.əˈmend ðəʊz huːv ʃəʊn rɪəl ɪnˈɡeɪdʒ.mənt wɪð ðeə wɜːk ənd ˈvæl.juːz/

In other words, interest creates social capital—you get invited into circles, projects, even internships—because others feel seen, not used.
/ɪn ˈʌð.ə wɜːdz ˈɪn.trəst kriˈeɪts ˈsəʊ.ʃəl ˈkæp.ɪ.təl jə ɡet ɪnˈvaɪ.tɪd ˈɪn.tə ˈsɜː.kəlz ˈprɒdʒ.ekts ˈiː.vən ˈɪn.tɜːn.ʃɪps bɪˈkɒz ˈʌð.əz fiːl siːn nɒt juːzd/

So, basically, it’s a career multiplier as much as a social one.
/səʊ ˈbeɪ.sɪk.li ɪts ə kəˈrɪə ˈmʌl.tɪ.plaɪ.ər əz mʌtʃ əz ə ˈsəʊ.ʃəl wʌn/

Do you think people are more selfish or self-centered now than in the past?

I don’t think people have suddenly become more selfish; what’s changed is the incentive structure and, you know, the visibility of self-promotion. Social media rewards performative individualism—likes, follower counts—so self-centered behavior is amplified and archived. That can make the age feel narcissistic. But, to be honest, I also see the opposite on campus: mutual-aid groups during exam weeks, students sharing code on open-source repositories, lab mates who stay late to help debug simulations. In other words, our tools broadcast vanity more loudly than they broadcast quiet generosity. At the end of the day, we’re not necessarily worse; we’re just more observable.

I don’t think people have suddenly become more selfish; what’s changed is the incentive structure and, you know, the visibility of self-promotion.
/aɪ dəʊnt θɪŋk ˈpiː.pəl həv ˈsʌd.ən.li bɪˈkʌm mɔː ˈself.ɪʃ wɒts tʃeɪndʒd ɪz ði ɪnˈsen.tɪv ˈstrʌk.tʃər ənd jə nəʊ ðə ˌvɪz.əˈbɪl.ə.ti əv ˌself.prəˈməʊ.ʃən/

Social media rewards performative individualism—likes, follower counts—so self-centered behavior is amplified and archived.
/ˈsəʊ.ʃəl ˈmiː.di.ə rɪˈwɔːdz pəˈfɔː.mə.tɪv ˌɪn.dɪˈvɪd.ju.ə.lɪz.əm laɪks ˈfɒl.əʊ.ə kaʊnts səʊ ˌselfˈsen.təd bɪˈheɪv.jər ɪz ˈæm.plɪ.faɪd ənd ˈɑː.kaɪvd/

That can make the age feel narcissistic.
/ðæt kən meɪk ði eɪdʒ fiːl ˌnɑː.sɪˈsɪs.tɪk/

But, to be honest, I also see the opposite on campus: mutual-aid groups during exam weeks, students sharing code on open-source repositories, lab mates who stay late to help debug simulations.
/bʌt tə bi ˈɒn.ɪst aɪ ˈɔːl.səʊ siː ði ˈɒp.ə.zɪt ɒn ˈkæm.pəs ˈmjuː.tʃu.əl eɪd ɡruːps ˈdjʊə.rɪŋ ɪɡˈzæm wiːks ˈstjuː.dənts ˈʃeə.rɪŋ kəʊd ɒn ˌəʊ.pənˈsɔːs rɪˈpɒzətriz læb meɪts huː steɪ leɪt tə help ˌdiːˈbʌɡ ˌsɪmjuˈleɪʃ(ə)nz/

In other words, our tools broadcast vanity more loudly than they broadcast quiet generosity.
/ɪn ˈʌð.ə wɜːdz ˈaʊə tuːlz ˈbrɔːd.kɑːst ˈvæn.ə.ti mɔː ˈlaʊd.li ðən ðeɪ ˈbrɔːd.kɑːst ˈkwaɪ.ət ˌdʒen.əˈrɒs.ə.ti/

At the end of the day, we’re not necessarily worse; we’re just more observable.
/ət ði end əv ðə deɪ wɪə nɒt ˌnes.əˈser.ə.li wɜːs wɪə dʒʌst mɔːr əbˈzɜː.və.bəl/

What benefits can people get if they are self-centered?

I’d say a measured amount of self-centredness can be protective. When people set clear boundaries, they conserve energy for what actually matters, which—well—often improves performance. In my theoretical-physics group, the classmates who can politely say no to endless side projects typically read more deeply, sleep better, and deliver cleaner proofs. You know, guarding your time also reduces burnout and second-guessing. In other words, a bit of self-focus streamlines priorities and raises quality. At the end of the day, it’s self-respect rather than selfishness—provided they still meet commitments.

I’d say a measured amount of self-centredness can be protective.
/aɪd seɪ ə ˈmeʒ.əd əˈmaʊnt əv ˌselfˈsen.təd.nəs kən bi prəˈtek.tɪv/

When people set clear boundaries, they conserve energy for what actually matters, which—well—often improves performance.
/wen ˈpiː.pəl set klɪə ˈbaʊn.dər.iz ðeɪ kənˈsɜːv ˈen.ə.dʒi fɔː wɒt ˈæk.tʃu.ə.li ˈmæt.əz wɪtʃ wel ˈɒf.ən ɪmˈpruːvz pəˈfɔː.məns/

In my theoretical-physics group, the classmates who can politely say no to endless side projects typically read more deeply, sleep better, and deliver cleaner proofs.
/ɪn maɪ ˌθɪəˈret.ɪ.kəlˈfɪz.ɪks ɡruːp ðə ˈklɑːs.meɪts huː kən pəˈlaɪt.li seɪ nəʊ tə ˈend.ləs saɪd ˈprɒdʒ.ekts ˈtɪp.ɪ.kli riːd mɔː ˈdiːp.li sliːp ˈbet.ər ənd dɪˈlɪv.ə ˈkliː.nə pruːfs/

You know, guarding your time also reduces burnout and second-guessing.
/jə nəʊ ˈɡɑː.dɪŋ jɔː taɪm ˈɔːl.səʊ rɪˈdjuː.sɪz ˈbɜːn.aʊt ənd ˌsek.əndˈɡes.ɪŋ/

In other words, a bit of self-focus streamlines priorities and raises quality.
/ɪn ˈʌð.ə wɜːdz ə bɪt əv selfˈfəʊ.kəs ˈstriːm.laɪnz praɪˈɒr.ə.tiz ənd ˈreɪ.zɪz ˈkwɒl.ə.ti/

At the end of the day, it’s self-respect rather than selfishness—provided they still meet commitments.
/ət ði end əv ðə deɪ ɪts ˌself.rɪˈspekt ˈrɑː.ðə ðən ˈself.ɪʃ.nəs prəˈvaɪ.dɪd ðeɪ stɪl miːt kəˈmɪt.mənts/