Swimming#
In order to exercise my body, my mother urged me to go swimming. Because I had learned it for a period of time in my childhood, I didn't resist this sport. So I went swimming at the same time every day, until something happened last time that made me heartbroken.
The swimming pool I went to had a swimming class, with about seven or eight coaches. Every time I went swimming, the students would occupy some lanes, which I completely understood. So before I got into the water, I would repeatedly confirm which lane had students training, and then I would swim in other lanes. As for how the coaches trained the students, I never paid attention to it. After swimming about three or four laps this time, I suddenly found that there were students training in my lane. Because I had repeatedly confirmed before getting into the water and there were other external guests in the lane, I was puzzled, so I asked the coach on the shore, "Is this also a lane for student training?" The coach's reply surprised me: "I've said it several times, lanes three, four, and five are for student training." I was astonished, and besides being never informed which lane was for student training, I always confirmed it before getting into the water, so why use foul language? Although I was a little angry, I didn't argue with her. But I have to say that she caught my attention. Here are some things I heard her say to the students during swimming:
"Someone, who looks like a fat flying pig, why don't you swim well?"
"Someone, you swim slower than the oldest and second oldest, isn't that outrageous?"
"You little brat, swim faster..."
This coach constantly scolded the students with vulgar language, and I spent almost the whole day in anger. It really made me angry. What's even more heartbreaking is that after one student was scolded, they replied in a childish voice, "Coach Zhang, my mom said that swimming gets faster little by little, and the body gets better little by little..." These students are probably in the third or fourth grade of elementary school, just a child, is it okay to scold them like this? This coach only dares to behave like this on the premises, and even if parents are present, she wouldn't dare.
Education and Upbringing#
Unfortunately, at that time, there were only students, coaches, and external guests in the venue. I really wanted to have a friendly conversation with this coach, to see if she could improve her way of communicating with the students. Because this teaching method has serious problems. But I knew that if I turned around and left, she would reveal her true colors. At this moment, I really wished that there was an organization in China similar to Social Services, so that I could report this coach for abusing students and make her pay the price, at least requiring her to apologize and reapply for a coaching certificate. Unfortunately, there is no such channel.
I often hear people online saying that China is a cultural wasteland. I do not agree with this statement. Chinese civilization may not be superior to other civilizations, but at least it is not inferior. However, civilization is an abstract concept that needs to be reflected in the details. From an individual perspective, civilization is a person's cultivation and upbringing. Unfortunately, under long-term guidance, our citizens have become restless and have taken self-interest as the moral standard. The most typical example is the concept instilled in us since childhood, "There are no permanent friends, only permanent interests."
In the minds of the Chinese people, this world is always taught to be in an endless zero-sum game, rising in the east and falling in the west... Isn't this sad?
When will the restless heart become peaceful?
Many times, I feel regret for the brilliant Chinese civilization, as if only the seasoning of economic prosperity can make this precious civilization shine. But for me, regardless of the economy, Chinese civilization will always be my pride, and humanistic thinking will always be the guiding principle of my actions.
Music#
Recently, while watching the videos of the YouTuber "吾等益耳，" I accidentally came across the song "群青" (Ultramarine Blue). When I checked out other works by this singer, I discovered that they were actually the singer of the theme song for the anime "The Promised Neverland."
I have to say that the song "群青" is really energetic.
And Juan Diego Flórez's voice is still so charming, it's amazing...