The future of Chinese language learning

July 4, 2014 by Jason Li

Victor Mair has some compelling thoughts on the Language Log on the future of Chinese language learning, and how we might soon be rid of brute force “rote memorization (sǐbèi/jì 死背/記 [lit., “deadly memorization”]).”

When I began learning Mandarin nearly half a century ago, I knew exactly how I wanted to acquire proficiency in the language. Nobody had to tell…

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Art Basel Hong Kong: What I Saw

May 20, 2014 by Jason Li

Art Basel Hong Kong ran from May 15-18. Here’s an absolutely subjective take on what I saw when I visited. Apologies for those works I’m unable to credit; it was a hectic Sunday and I didn’t have the time to note down the artist and gallery for every piece that I photographed.

First, the fun stuff.

ArtBaselHK2014KidsOnLeashes

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A sneak peek from China’s new animation-house upstart

April 23, 2014 by Jason Li

From its Youtube page:

“Little Yeyos” is the first short film from Light Chaser Animation, a startup animation studio based in Beijing. Light Chaser was founded in 2013 by Gary Wang, the founder and ex-CEO of Tudou.com, China’s leading video sharing website. Its goal is to produce top quality animated films.

Via…

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Maker City: Hong Kong

April 15, 2014 by Jason Li

Reposted from my personal blog.

JasonLiAtMakerCitiesShenzhenMeetup

Last Sunday, I was invited by the Institute for the Future as part of its Maker Cities program to speak about how makers are working to improve the future of Hong Kong. I was joined by other representatives from all over (New York, Kathmandu, Tel Aviv,…

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Back the new edition of the Kowloon Walled City book!

April 2, 2014 by Jason Li

We posted some of photographer Greg Girard’s photos a while ago, and it looks like they’re ready to jet set a new edition of their book along with previously-unseen photographs and research.

Back out their Kickstarter now.

A new blog on “moving images & digital creativity in and around China”

February 21, 2014 by Jason Li

Helmed by our friend Sam Culp, the POV by P.I.G. blog gives us a fascinating look at the worlds of film, digital advertising, and (for lack of a better term) art in China. Below are some highlights from their recent posts.

An interview with Shanghai-based designer Francis Lam, who made an iOS app that lets you…

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The Sticker Wars: WeChat’s creatives go up against Line (updated)

February 5, 2014 by Jason Li

ICYMI, the background for this story:

“Line” is a chat app for iOS/Android.
It’s from Japan.
It sells different sets of stickers, well-illustrated emoticons.
Line is probably the first chat app to find a booming revenue model. (See TNW.)
Other…

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Father-child reality TV show also a hit in China

December 30, 2013 by Jason Li

Where Are We Going, Dad? (爸爸去哪儿) is a reality TV show starring celebrity fathers and their kids, the latest Korean import that’s a huge hit in China. In it, father-child duos compete with one another on tasks assigned by show organizers. We get to watch as awkward fathers try their hand at parenting, a practice that, in China and in South Korea, typically…

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