my major is physics. in our dormitories, the most popular topic is about the nobel prize. we fellows often chat on einstein, hawkin in admiration.
but look at their nationalities,german, american, french... sometimes we do find someone of yellow race. well, he must be a japanese or just a "banana man" with yellow skin but an american heart inside. what's the problem? why can't an ancient nation with a population of 1.2 billion produce a nobel prize winner?
we are not dull. in the past, our ancestors made many wonderful achievements. they discovered some math theories hundreds years before western scientists. the reason why we lag behind today lies in our education system. in primary and secondary schools, students are stuffed with piles of knowledge under the pressure of fierce competition. many young people lose their chances to enter college just because of one early failure in a stupid examination. how can they show their true abilities?
we are lacking in creativity in such an education system.when our high school students amaze people all over the world by their gold medals in imo (international math olympians),the computer companies are laughing that they have found the best programmers. our students can perfectly do whatever they are told to, but they are not creative. this is a fatal problem in most professions and academic fields, imagination is more important than knowledge.
fortunately we have learned the point, and many reforms are being carried out. in most schools, students are actively involved in the class activities. they are allowed to show their own thoughts. in some schools, students can choose lessons they are interested in, which offers them more room for self-development. some famous universities search for newton and einstein in remote mountain areas instead of modern cities. maybe the geniuses there are more natural.
let's wait for chinese academic stars full of creativity to rise into the starry sky.