vstars Chapter 103 Fatal Blow
Chapter 103 Fatal Blow
"There was no unified written language; Latin was the language of religion and academia, and dialects varied from country to country. There was no large, stable, and unified national organization that lasted for thousands of years. The Holy Roman Empire was neither holy nor Roman, nor an empire. There were hundreds of large and small states and city-states, and fighting was the norm. Religious divisions and frequent wars occurred."
Wang Bo spoke faster, but enunciated each word clearly: "In such a fragmented state, how can we systematically observe nature, accumulate data, pass on knowledge, and organize major scientific discoveries that require long-term investment and collaboration and transcend an individual's lifespan?"
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the thoughtful audience, before launching into that striking example: "Take, Professor Chen, one of the discoveries you extol as a symbol of the Western scientific spirit—Halley's Comet. Sir Edmund Halley predicted in 1705 that a comet would return in 1758, and the comet was later named after him. This was considered a great victory for scientific prediction. However,..."
Wang Bo's voice suddenly rose, carrying an undeniable force: "Halley's Comet has an orbital period of approximately 76 years! Tell me, in a fragmented Europe without a systematic historical record of astronomy, without a unified academic institution across dynasties and states to conduct continuous observations, how did Edmond Halley independently discover and confirm this 76-year cycle? He would have had to start observing from at least the previous cycle, that is, at least 76 years ago, and live to verify it in the next cycle—that would require a lifespan of at least 152 years! Is that even possible?"
The scene erupted in uproar!
This simple mathematical problem and historical logic, like a sharp dagger, instantly pierced through a certain narrative that was held in high esteem.
Wang Bo gave his opponent no chance to breathe, pressing his advantage: "The fact is, China has the world's earliest and most systematic record of Halley's Comet since the Spring and Autumn Period. The Spring and Autumn Annals records that 'in the seventh month of autumn in the fourteenth year of Duke Wen of Lu, a comet entered the Big Dipper,' which has been verified as Halley's Comet. In the more than two thousand years since then, Chinese historical books and astronomical records have recorded its return more than thirty times, almost without missing a single one, forming a continuous and accurate time series data."
"Sir Halley's predictions were built upon the foundations of China's long history of astronomical observation, and involved outstanding calculations and inductions. However, in many accounts of the history of science, the former is downplayed, while the latter is mythologized. Isn't this a selective narrative?"
Professor Chen opened his mouth, his face turning bright red, wanting to refute but unable to find a starting point.
Dr. Li also frowned.
Editor-in-Chief Zhang tried to deflect the question indirectly: "Wang Bo, are you questioning the entire history of modern science? This is too subversive."
"Correct! The history of modern science was compiled by the West; they are the 'victors,' holding a purely Western-centric view of history!" Wang Bo stated firmly. "Acknowledging the global flow and inheritance of knowledge does not diminish the greatness of any individual. On the contrary, it allows us to see more clearly how human wisdom, like a river, converges from all streams and ultimately flows forward. Some people, however, cling to the 'Western inherent superiority' theory, insisting on forcibly cutting off this shared river of human knowledge and then claiming that they alone have excavated a particular section. What kind of behavior is this?"
He looked intently at the three experts and said, word by word, "This reminds me of an old Chinese saying, which I'd like to share with you all: 'You can't talk about ice to a summer insect, you can't talk about the sea to a frog in a well, and you can't talk about the Way to an ordinary person.'"
The scene fell completely silent; everyone held their breath, waiting for his explanation.
Wang Bo's voice echoed in the studio: "How can an insect whose life is limited to summer describe the crystalline beauty and frigid cold of ice and snow? It's utter nonsense!"
He looked at Professor Chen and the others, whose faces had turned pale, and his words were like knives: "Some scholars cling to Western theories as the sole yardstick to measure, distort, and even deny the long history and intrinsic value of other civilizations. Isn't this just like 'judging the seasons with the limited perspective of a summer insect; laughing at the smallness of the sky from the perspective of a frog in a well'? Failing to live through a complete cycle of civilization—for example, failing to deeply understand the complex logic of the continuous development of a super-large-scale civilization like China over thousands of years—yet they presumptuously claim it is 'unsuitable for modern times'; failing to transcend the limitations of their own culture to view the global knowledge spectrum, yet asserting the inherent superiority of a certain culture—isn't this academic 'summer insect discussing ice' and 'frog in a well discussing the sea'?"
"boom--!"
Applause, gasps, and cheers instantly ignited the entire studio!
The audience stood up excitedly, many with expressions of pure joy on their faces.
Wang Bo's words were not only reasonable and well-founded, but also rose to the philosophical and cognitive level, providing a merciless analysis and lashing out at the arrogant and self-imposed limitations of those experts!
Su Xiaoxiao was stunned in the audience, her eyes wide open. She never expected Wang Bo's "firepower" to be so fierce. This was no longer a debate, but a dimensional attack on the academic level!
Su Yiyi also forgot her reserve, clasped her hands tightly in front of her chest, and looked at the eloquent and radiant young man on the stage. Her heart was surging and her eyes were filled with admiration.
On the stage, Professor Chen swayed, as if all his strength had been drained, and slumped back into the sofa, unable to utter another word in rebuttal.
Dr. Li and Editor-in-Chief Zhang also looked ashen-faced, their eyes darting around, having completely lost the courage to continue the conversation.
Wang Bo's final analogy not only destroyed their argument but also directly pointed to their academic integrity and cognitive limitations, making it extremely damaging.
Lin Wan was also taken aback by this sudden climax, but as a professional host, she immediately seized the opportunity and summarized in a deeply moving tone: "Truly...a thought-provoking speech. Thank you, Professor Wang Bo, for this intellectually stimulating experience. I think today's discussion has given us many profound insights into cultural confidence, mutual learning among civilizations, and how to truly understand history and ourselves. Due to time constraints, our exchange will conclude here. Thank you again to our four guests!"
The recording ended amidst prolonged and enthusiastic applause from the audience.
Backstage, Wang Bo appeared completely at ease, as if he had simply completed a routine performance.
Professor Chen and his two companions left in a hurry, their backs even appearing somewhat flustered.
"Wang Bo!" Su Xiaoxiao was the first to rush up, slapping his shoulder hard, her excitement bordering on incoherent. "You...you're a monster! How did you come up with that 'summer insects and well frogs' segment at the end? Those old guys turned green with envy. If the show airs, it'll definitely be a bombshell!"
Su Yiyi also walked over, her eyes gentle and filled with deep admiration: "Wang Bo, your depth and sharpness in music and thought are astonishing."
Wang Bo stretched his stiff neck: "Actually, it's nothing. It's just explaining some overlooked common sense and logic in a way they can understand. Some people have been kneeling for too long, and someone has to remind them to stand up and see the real world."