The "staggered thinking" behind "misplaced marketing"
Recently, I was invited by a media outlet to give a lecture, which led me to explore the hundreds of online forums featuring Yu Dan’s talks. As someone who rarely watches TV, I haven’t seen all of his lectures on Yu Dan and Yi Zhongtian, but I have watched a couple of his videos online. I was immediately impressed by the smooth and eloquent way he presented his ideas. Later, while searching for more information, I came across a special episode of "Hundreds of Lectures" where Chai Jing interviewed Yu Dan, with Yi Zhongtian as a guest. During the discussion, Yi Zhongtian praised Yu Dan’s interpretation of *The Analects* as profound, comparing it to high-quality wine—something that requires a certain level of understanding to truly appreciate. However, Chai Jing noted that many viewers found Yu Dan’s approach too simple or superficial. This sparked a debate between the three of them about whether Yu Dan’s work was deep or shallow. Although I can't recall the exact details, I felt the discussion lacked clarity. In my view, Yu Dan's works, such as *The Analects of Confucius* and *Zhuangzi's Experience*, are not just about his eloquence or academic image. They use the names of ancient sages to connect with modern minds in a way that sometimes feels out of context. But their main value lies in inspiring people to think more deeply. Therefore, the question of “deep†versus “shallow†should be judged based on the inspiration it provides to the audience. What does it mean for something to be “deepâ€? And what is “shallowâ€? A true depth isn’t about how complex or obscure the content is, but rather about the ability to reveal the essence behind surface-level phenomena. It’s about helping people see beyond what they normally notice, uncovering patterns, predicting trends, and ultimately evoking a strong emotional or intellectual response. If a lecture or article can make people feel, reflect, or even be stunned, then it’s truly deep. This concept involves layers of understanding. The deeper the insight, the more levels you can penetrate. Without those layers, even if something appears complex, it’s still shallow. For example, consider McDonald’s. At first glance, it seems like a fast-food company selling burgers. But if you dig deeper, you realize it’s actually an entertainment business, and even deeper, it’s a real estate empire. This kind of layered thinking—what I call “staggered thinkingâ€â€”allows us to uncover hidden truths that aren’t immediately obvious. Stories and fables, like Andersen’s *The Emperor’s New Clothes*, also demonstrate this idea. We’ve all heard the tale, but few stop to ask why the emperor continued the parade despite knowing he was naked. The answer lies in psychological safety. Changing behavior mid-action is risky, and people often prefer to maintain the status quo, even if it means continuing a lie. This is why the emperor chose to keep walking instead of admitting he was tricked. It wasn’t just stubbornness—it was fear of losing face, pressure from the crowd, and the comfort of routine. The key takeaway here is that knowing the truth isn’t enough; we must find ways to help others accept it. In persuasion, it’s often more effective to meet people where they are, rather than forcing them to change from the start. This is the essence of what I learned from Yu Dan’s *The Analects of Confucius*—not necessarily its depth, but its power to inspire reflection and understanding. Rainproof Tarpaulin,Rainproof Tarpaulin Fabric,Rainproof Tarpaulin Material,Rainproof Tarpaulin Customized Jinan Golden Bull Canvas Textiles Co.,LTd , https://www.jgbct.com