Generalization is a fool's errand

We like to make generalizations, we like to make general, summary judgments about things, always satisfied with the surface of the cognition, to borrow the concept of Qian Zhongshu in the "talk about Chinese poetry", we like to stay in the "general impression" of things, enjoy.

For example, diet. "South sweet and north salty", a so general and broad, very not strict generalization, but actually y rooted in people's hearts. We can completely regardless of tofu flower, the essence of the dumplings, and in the sweet or salty condiments to eat, a big fight. Cantonese food is light, but Szechuan food, well, it's all about the spice. A local chef who runs a Sichuan restaurant, complained to me: guests look at the spice is small, then beat the table, "no chili, you are not the authentic Sichuan cuisine?" I now cook with twice as many chili peppers as I did in Chongqing! What's going on?

Germany is strict, France is romantic, the north is bold, the south is delicate. The first time in Changchun, the performance of the wine table is not good, the local people are so complimented: brother, you can be like our Northeast people ah! Well, although awkward, after all, it is a compliment. It's better than having someone say, "Why do you look like a Henanese?" The first thing you need to do is to get a good deal of money from the government.

The woman in charge of the woman's heart, the woman is responsible for the love, the man is ungrateful people; if the situation is reversed, it is a good show for the country to revel in. Wearing a bracelet with a thermos cup, are greasy middle-aged men; the ladies do not dance on the square, in the attractions draped in a variety of colors of sarongs selfie. Flooding the network, all of these articles: "Women, must know ......"

The word is divided into bold, euphemistic, in fact, just a summary of the "general impression", it is Yanshu, some elegant; Wei Zhuang, some clear. We look at Westerners, naturally, blonde hair, blue eyes, all the same. Westerners look at us, I'm sure it is also confused, stupid, can not distinguish. National people look at the people, and infiltrated the Song for decades of experts and no difference: Guangxi people's forehead is this, Jiangsu and Zhejiang people's cheekbones are this, Inner Mongolia people's eyebrows are this, Henan people, even more, even the flavor of their bones, are sniffing out.

Su Shi is still not bold? You read: "Ten years of life and death, do not think about it, since unforgettable." Than Liu Yong also miserable. Li Qingzhao should be the authentic Wanjiao, right? "The winds of 90,000 leagues are lifting the roc, but the winds are still blowing, and the boat is blowing away from the three mountains." I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to get a good look at it, but I'm sure I'll be able to.

In the high ceiling, you can only see the forest but not the trees; deep inside, you can only see the trees but not the forest. Originally each has its own advantages and disadvantages, but as a generalization will be more marketable. Because of the differences in understanding each tree, spend time, effort. Generalizations once compiled into a clear and concise slogan, catchy, popular.

A lot of people say "comparative literature", in fact, is "comparative literature". Focused on the discovery of the slightest difference, ignoring so many **** the same point, as if the popular game of "find fault". These are two ways of thinking: comparison, which is more about seeking similarities; and contrast, which tends to seek differences. Qian Zhongshu on the characteristics of Chinese poetry, this sentence is the key: Chinese poetry is just poetry, it should be poetry, than it is "Chinese" is more important. The tofu flower dumplings, Germany, France, elegance and boldness, into this sentence, the reason is common.

The generalization is easy to form stereotypes, prejudice, and then become cultural nativism. Making generalizations often fails to see the ****similarities, which is not conducive to integration, and even evolves into discrimination. So let's remember Blake's quick words:

Generalizing is stupid.