The "staggered thinking" behind "misplaced marketing"
Recently, I was invited by a media outlet to give a lecture, and during the preparation phase, I reviewed hundreds of online lectures given by Yu Dan. Since I rarely watch TV, I haven't fully caught up with all of his 100 lectures or those of Yi Zhongtian. However, I have seen two of Yu Dan's lectures online, and I was immediately struck by the smooth and eloquent way he presented his ideas. Later, while searching for more information, I accidentally 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 deep, comparing it to fine wine that requires a certain level of understanding to appreciate. Chai Jing, on the other hand, mentioned that many viewers found Yu Dan's work shallow. This sparked a debate between the three of them about whether his work was truly deep or shallow. Although I can't recall the exact details, I felt the discussion lacked clarity. In my view, Yu Dan’s books, such as *The Analects of Confucius* and *Zhuangzi’s Experience*, are not just about his eloquence or professorial image. They use the names of ancient sages to connect with modern minds in a way that may seem out of context, but their main value lies in inspiring people. Therefore, the question of “deep†versus “shallow†should be judged based on how much the audience is inspired. What does it mean for something to be “deep� And what makes it “shallow� In my opinion, the essence of depth lies in the number of layers you can penetrate. A simple idea that is clear at first glance might seem shallow, but if it reveals a deeper truth through observation, it can be profound. True depth doesn’t confuse the audience; instead, it helps them see beyond the surface, understand the underlying principles, and anticipate future trends. If a speaker can move the audience emotionally—whether through realization, surprise, or reflection—then that’s true depth. This concept relates to levels of understanding. Depth isn’t about how far down you go, but how many layers you can uncover. For example, consider McDonald’s. At first glance, it seems like a fast-food chain selling burgers. But its real business model is in real estate. Through strategic location choices and brand power, it creates bustling areas that increase local property values, leading to higher rents for franchisees. That’s why McDonald’s is often called “a real estate company in disguise.†Depth comes from peeling back layers, not just jumping to conclusions. A story or fable becomes timeless because it touches on universal human truths—things that resonate on a subconscious level. The layman sees the surface, while the expert sees the deeper meaning. True depth turns the “following†of the crowd into a “gateway†of insight. Take Andersen’s *The Emperor’s New Clothes* as an example. The emperor realizes he’s naked but continues the parade, saying, “Since the parade has begun, let it continue.†Why? Because changing course would risk his dignity and face. Psychologically, people often avoid change to maintain safety, even when they know something is wrong. They may make bigger mistakes to cover up smaller ones rather than admit they were deceived. So, how can the emperor be convinced to stop? You can’t directly tell him he’s naked. Instead, you have to approach it indirectly—say the weather is too hot, or suggest he return to the palace. Persuasion works best when you meet people where they are, not by forcing them to change from the start. This idea resonates with the lessons from Yu Dan’s *The Analects of Confucius*. While his work may not be deeply philosophical in the traditional sense, it serves a purpose: to inspire and guide. In this sense, his lectures are not deep in the academic sense, but they are effective in reaching people and sparking thought. Bags Canvas,China Bags Canvas,Bags Canvas Fabric,Bags Canvas Material Jinan Golden Bull Canvas Textiles Co.,LTd , https://www.jgbct.com