Applying Overseas in 2010: My Summary (2)

终于在2010年的夏天搞定了所有的事情，敲定了赴英的行程，也确定了我的两位英国导师。可以说，所有的事情都终于告一段落，可以来写点什么了。毕竟为了这个出国PhD，我的研究生生活实在是或多或少经历了太多。不过也好，不经历风雨，何以见彩虹？正是这些曲曲折折，让我学到了很多，而不仅仅是兰卡斯特大学管理学院的录取以及让众人眼红的奖学金数额。本文是该总结的第二部分，第一部分请点击这里。

  1. 选校：英国、美国还是亚洲

    其实这是万里长城第一步，也是最难的一步。毕竟学校茫茫，如何选择一个合适自己的，又能让自己中意的学校实在是非常痛苦的事情。对于美国和香港的学校，由于固有的学术倾向（大陆的商学院一般都会跟从香港的商学院做一些研究热点），我们对美国顶级商学院和香港的商学院还可以说了解，但是对于欧洲和大洋洲的学校基本就一无所知了。甚至于我们都不了解他们的科研系统和期刊出版情况。

    但是2009-2010的申请年度实在不是申请美国的好时候。我曾参加APJAE结识的夏威夷大学会计系主任甚至于跟我说我“生不逢时”。因为金融危机的问题，美国很多高校都开始缩减资金和博士招生计划，甚至有一些项目当年都不招生。同时，如果大伙儿关注下注明的CD论坛的话，就会发现，大多数北美的PhD都不是大陆直接过去，而是通过国外的MSc过去的。倒不是BS国外的MSc，但是这也算是一种对抗信息不对称（Information Asymmetry)的逆向选择（Adverse Selection）吧。

    另一个让我最后不考虑美国的原因是，在Google了一些不同层次的学校教授CV以后我惊奇的发现，其实我们对美国商学院优秀的支持基本仅限于Sloan、Warton、Stern等顶级学校。无容置疑，这些学校的教授的科研成果是非常惊人的，但是呢，一些二流甚至于三流学校的教授是很一般的。事实上，我个人认为，在一个如此的环境下读PhD其实是一个不太值得的行为。毕竟我也要考虑自身的成本。

    考虑再三，我决定申请香港、新加坡、澳洲（包括新西兰）和英国的学校。之所以申请香港，是因为他们有着丰厚的奖学金以及与国内高校深入的合作关系，而申请澳洲，则是看上了澳洲政府奖学金的相对要求以及移民的便利性（如果考虑移民的话）。而申请英国，则是两方面的原因：一则是英国会计学在世界范围内的地位；二则是夏威夷的教授推崇。但事实上，我对英国申请一直没有太上心，因为英国的奖学金真的很少。

  2. 峰回路转：来自英伦的问候

    事实证明，一切没有参考系的决定都是非常不靠谱的。因为财大的前人出国经验寥寥无几，尤其是针对于PhD项目的经验。这种资料缺乏造成了两方面的问题：一是我们学校的国际声誉比较差；二是我申请时候的定位也异常困难。如果说一开始我对这种困难还是比较乐观的话，那么一封接着一封的拒信让我的信心也跌到了低谷。

    但是兰卡的情况似乎很平稳。他们的系统非常完美，会通知申请人每一步申请的进展。很快，在我提交申请大概三周以后，我收到了申请开始受理的通知：

    Your application for the PhD Accounting and Finance programme is now being considered by the Faculty Admissions Officer, Sarah Patterson, and you will hear from us by 10 February, 2010.

    然后在不久以后，我收到了第二份邮件，告诉我申请已经通过了初步审核，正在跟系里协商中。

    Your application for the PhD Accounting and Finance programme is now being considered in consultation with colleagues in the appropriate department/academic unit who may contact you directly.  You should still receive a decision within the timescale stated in our earlier email.

    到底是一个会计和金融出名的学校，呵呵，懂得时不时去调整人们的期望。也就在这时候，我的好友Jenny告诉我，英国的PhD是需要陶瓷的。天哪，我都不知道陶瓷这回事儿，怎么办？申请都提交出去了！

    在兰卡的官网搜索，我终于找到了一个大牛。那就是赫赫有名的Ken Peasnell教授。于是，我就发出了我的陶瓷。然而，结果很戏剧。我收到了另一个教授——Steven Young的邮件。这是一个很客套的邮件，甚至直接可以被解读为拒信的。不过后来的发展都出乎了我们所料：

    Thank you for your interest in applying to the PhD programme in the Department of Accounting and Finance at Lancaster University Management School. I very much look forward to reading your application. Unfortunately, we are unable to read or comment on any research proposals prior to formal consideration of your application. You will receive information concerning the status of your application from our admissions office in due course.

    然而，不知道是这位哥们的大意呢，还是故意给我留了个信号传递，我还看到了老教授给这位年轻教授的邮件。那个邮件也促成了我们认为是拒信的解读：

    I have not replied to this applicant. Can I leave the ball in your court?

    然后很快，在我还没有解开这段谜团的时候，我收到了面试通知：

    Thank you for your email. Please note that your telephone interview will take place at one hour earlier 9.00am GMT (17.00 CHINA) and that Professor Young will call you on the number provided.

    这段面试事实上还是很顺利的,而且我在当时就知道了会给我奖学金,只是当时还不知道是否有ORS。而这个面试官，就是之前给我发“拒信”的那位。怎么样？很有喜感吧。事实上，喜感远没有到此结束。Peansell教授后来成了我导师，哈哈。造化弄人吧！

    为了奖学金，我可真是“不遗余力”。先后不知道骚扰了多少次项目负责人和系秘书。终于在他们忍无可忍之后（我直接怀疑他们很后悔招了我这么个中国穷光蛋），我收到了一个不再是模板的邮件：

    Although a formal decision regarding funding will not be taken for the next month or so, I am writing to let you know that the department has prioritised you in the funding competition as we believe that you are a very strong student. Please therefore work on the principle that a funded offer will be made when making your decision.

    按理说，到此，我应该已经圆满了。但是我实在是被那些学校的拒信折腾疯掉了。所以我还是参加了中山大学的博士入学考试，并奇迹般的进入了复试。而正当我因为复试表现而郁闷时候，我收到了一个正式通知：

    We are pleased to confirm our offer for you to receive a three-year PhD Departmental scholarship.  The scholarship will deliver an annual maintenance allowance of around GBP 13,290 (2009/10 rate, subject to small increase per year to be determined for 2010/11) plus payment of tuition fees.  In return for this, we require students to deliver teaching and/or research assistance to the department – training is available for teaching duties as well as peer and mentor support.  We also supply a small research budget for conference/seminar-related costs.

  3. 补充内容

    很多人问我是如何申请的奖学金，如何被录取。说真的，我无法回答。因为这个事情实在是太复杂，往往无法说清楚。招生委员会和学术委员会的标准我也无从知晓。我只能说，这或许是上天眷顾，给我提供了一个学习的机会。而我能做的，就只能是把整个过程给罗列出来。

    关于材料的准备，请参见我写的另一个帖子。

    最后，我希望大家不要随意转贴，这个帖子中所涉及的邮件内容本人和邮件发送者保留所有的版权，如需转贴，请先征得本作者的同意。

    最后祝大家在新的一年里申请顺利！

Blog Crashed: A Mandatory Move

估计是000webhost知道我最近生活单调，没有什么东西可写，故而找点事情给我做做。自从11月16日早上我发现没有收到例行的WordPress DB Backup的邮件，我就知道要坏事儿。直到我准备使用Live Writer来更新博客时候，才发现悲剧已经降临了。Live Writer提示找不到博客，然后我尝试登录000webhost后台，结果看到：

  1. 000webhost的霸王行为

    早就听坊间传言说000webhost喜欢无端关闭中国人的站点，身为中国人，我非常悲哀，不过，中国网民的热情实在是太“给力”了。事实上，好像我的站点可以存活1年4个月，应该已经属于“万寿无疆”了。真不知道是该庆幸还是悲哀呢？既然他说要我去看看服务条款，Okay，那我就去看看，反正我英文也不差。

    注意我用红圈画出来的那句话，看后感觉如何？学英文的朋友一定要记住这句超级给力的话，英文耍无赖估计大伙儿都没学过吧？尤其要记住这个短语：for any reason or no reason at all.

    其实要我理解，这个服务条款更像是在推销自己的付费服务。如果一定要给一个理由，我想估计是我最近中文写的多了点吧。或者就如它所言，姐我就看你不爽，no reason at all!

  2. 一点不深不浅的教训

    要说到体味到这种做站的不顺和杯具，我的挚友Bill可谓是“深知其中各滋味”了。因为多次遭遇连续不断的杯具，他曾作出了关站的决定。好在此后不久他便东山再起了。事实上，如果这次不是Bill哥们仗义，出手相救，那么这会儿读者们也不会看到别的东西，而只是我挂在某地方的一纸静态HTML的关站声明了。

    如果说教训，那这次是不深不浅的。事实上，我没有Bill那种计算机专家的严谨作风。我经常不懂得去全站备份，于是乎，我丢掉了站点建立以来所有的没有外链的图片。好在有Bill的建议，我利用WP-DB-Backup做了数据库定期自动备份，要不，我这一年半的功夫可真就算白费了。至于那些原始图片，我将视其严重性和重要性而加以选择性恢复。毕竟回复所有的图片需要大量的时间和精力。如果说深刻，那就是我的站点丢失了不少图片，找回他们费时费力；如果说不深刻，那是因为毕竟这不是商业站点～

    但是事实上，我也不是完全不懂得备份的。比如我会使用MozyHome服务来备份我的硬盘，同时用Live Mesh来双重备份我的工作。但是我怎么就忘了我自己的站点呢？

  3. 感受Hostmonster：完全不同的体验

    由于Bill目前使用的是Hostmonster服务，我也就有机会来感受下这个号称业界最好的虚拟主机服务。如果说在此之前我还不为Bill的劝说所动的话，那么昨天Hostmonster服务器的高效和稳定给我的恢复提供了莫大的帮助。事实上，如果不是它的一流稳定性，按照000webhost的效率，我的恢复工作大概需要很久。因为我手头只有核心数据库的备份，所有的插件和主题都需要重新安装。

    下图是Hostmonster的主页面。与大多数虚拟主机提供商不同的是，Hostmonster只提供一种服务，而且很少有优惠。价格似乎是永远不变的5.95美元/月。

    如果说页面的内容给你一种高傲的感觉的话，那么我要说，当你真的使用他们的服务时，你会有一种畅快淋漓的感受。我不再会看到数据库连接错误，我不再会看到Wordpress的自动更新错误而导致我一次次的使用FTP上传，更不会因为突然的传输错误而导致我的博客崩溃，更不会需要我去手工更新.htaccess。所有的主题和插件下载都在瞬间完成。如果说要我支付5.95美元的月使用费，我也是会毫不犹豫的。毕竟它的稳定对得起对得起这个价格。当然，现在说这个话还太早，Bill显然比我有发言权的多，呵呵。

  4. 最后的感谢

    如果说要感谢，那么首先我就要感谢Bill，尽管我从未当面说过（话说：君子之交淡如水嘛）。他手把手的教会了我如何建立自己的博客，一次次地利用他娴熟的技巧为我的博客排忧解难，更是在这次我的博客遭到灭顶之灾的时候慷慨相助，提供给我服务器空间。如果大家需要一些计算机方面的阅读，那就请光临他的博客——风云阁。博客如其人，我想你在那里会收获良多。

    同时我也感谢广大阅读我博客的朋友们，是你们一直以来的默默支持和鼓励给予了我写作和维护的动力。

Revisiting CSLG: A Two-day Trip

It can never be amazed for one, who are quite familiar with me, of knowing the Changshu Institute of Technology.  It is a small school focusing on engineering and science majors, locating in a small town near Suzhou. To mention it here in my blog means nothing to its contribution to the academic and industrial world, but purely that as my mother school where I spent my first two years of college life.

  1. An Invited Presentation

    This revisit, unlike a self-conducted behavior that I used to adapt, is following somewhat informal invitation from the Department of Mathematics. The vice dean, Mr. Yu, who, at that time, was my lecturer for calculus, posted this invitation to me. In fact, this invitation has been done for years while it never came into practice. Things are that curious since the invitation were mostly received when I had been in Wuhan, and one time in US for an academic symposium.

    The timing this time, unlike those previous instances, is quite appropriate. It is fortunately arranged on the time before my leave for Lancaster.  However, the topic that I shall promote for the presentation make me paralyzed. According to the basic need and willing from Mr. Yu, a presentation on my personal experience, focusing on my life from leaving this school in 2005, to the present stage, as a coming PhD student at Lancaster with fully funded offer. Anyway, such willing can hardly be satisfied since, it greatly conflicts the basic principle that a scholar should carry, and the necessary calm a student should have.

    An alternative topic that they can accept, lays on the choice for postgraduate admission exams. It has been quite a long history for this school on high support for these activities. In fact, I have received quite benefit when participating my own exams to Nanjing Normal University in 2005. These benefits includes free material offering, very low price training on specific courses, and mental support from others. Nowadays, the students there are obviously getting more. They even have the usage of air-conditioned meeting rooms during the summer.

    However, this topic is somewhat rigid for me.  The choice on whether to work or to fight for the graduate admissions should never been easily recommended. Such recommendation should be carefully and highly regarded, and taking the individual factors into account. After all, I get a compromising solution. Based on the empirical literatures that I have read in past few years on Chinese stock market, I delivered a professional presentation that covers the advantage that a student with the major of math would have if he/she is devoted into this field.  The result, or say, the feedback, is quite under my expectation. That is, they don’t know what I am talking about, though they have had a good way to announce it. For the news article on their website, please click here.

  2. Its Good & Bad

    Dingding is still always that busy, and taking dinner with him and his wife, including some other friends, has been a tradition for my visit to Changshu. That is, my trip to Changshu has been extended from a one-day trip to a two-day one. The big difference this year is that, Xie, a good friend and teacher of mine, is too busy as well for his new position in League. This time, I would have to travel with my own plan, besides taking meals with him. But such arrangement brings me quite more free time to talk with others.

    In that dinner with Yu, I met some other teachers. And after meal, I took a good talk with Tang in his office. He used to be my calculus during the first semester, and at that time, he was devoting to the books on database management. While later, he became a leader for the modeling team, and received quite some prize nationally. In fact, he used to be a student in computational mathematics, and modeling should be his advantage and interest. Also, I have a good talk with Zhang, who at that time taught me marketing and finance, it is good that his unique foreseeing sight remains, and his courage retained.

    Comparing to the school that I joined five years ago, it has been largely improved, both on its equipment and its environment, including the student’s attitude, though the students obviously have not learned the spirit of questioning. However, most of the lecturers in that school remains to be lecturer for many years, if they are taking a similar position in some other better universities, they would have been associate professors, professors, postgraduate tutors and even doctoral supervisors.

    But the chat with other younger teachers bring me some concern on their perspective. Lacking the environment for academic discussion and cooperation would largely mitigate their competence on coping with the steps of the mainstream within the area that they are interested in, and such mitigation would prevent them from publishing good papers, which is, no matter where you are, are highly regarded as a key criteria for promotion and high salary. Maybe they only want a quiet life rather than such contributions.

  3. My Thanks to This School

    Though not a good school comparing to the later ones that I participated, it provides me good education on mathematics and opportunity of learning necessary computer skills from my roommates. It is what I learned here bring me great convenience on my exploring to the empirical world, and indefinitely promote my admission to Lancaster. Heartedly, wish it goes well.

Applying Overseas in 2010: My Summary (1)

终于在2010年的夏天搞定了所有的事情，敲定了赴英的行程，也确定了我的两位英国导师。可以说，所有的事情都终于告一段落，可以来写点什么了。毕竟为了这个出国PhD，我的研究生生活实在是或多或少经历了太多。不过也好，不经历风雨，何以见彩虹？正是这些曲曲折折，让我学到了很多，而不仅仅是兰卡斯特大学管理学院的录取以及让众人眼红的奖学金数额。

在此之前，我写过一个关于兰卡斯特的博士项目申请介绍。尽管阅读量很大，但是也有很多朋友嫌我写得过于客观。或许这是我最近一直在写学术类东西的习惯吧。这种习惯促成了我写东西强调逻辑和框架，且不过度融入自己主观判断的写作风格。同时，由于当时导师等均尚未确定，也不便说的太多。好在，现在万事俱备，可以来好好写一个总结了。希望各位读者可以喜欢。

考虑到这个总结的篇幅，我将此总结分为两部分。第一部分重点介绍出国这个荒诞想法的来源，而第二部分，则是我为此付出的代价和收获。此处呈现的是第一部分。

  1. 2008年夏天：一个梦开始的地方

    其实要说出国的想法，就得从2008年夏天的第一次托福考试开始。说起报名，其实是很有点喜感。我有个同门，是个才女，英文奇好。在2007年底时突然跟我说她要考托福去美国，而想鼓动我一同参与。事实上，当时的我而言，正被一篇论文的数据结果折腾的心烦意乱，老板一日三个电话的问候已经搞得我快崩溃（尽管后来证明是基础性工作问题，但当时的我哪里知道？），本已无心去考虑此等“大事”。但是禁不住美女的一次次诱惑，外加个人自负心理的不断膨胀，我终于迈出了这让我“抱憾终生”的第一步。

    要说这个新托福的名字一点都没有错。iBT，的确是非常BT。什么综合性听写，人机对话。反正是让我很不爽。更何况，当时我从中国会计学会年会回来的时候，离考试也就两周时间了。前面的复习不得法让我浪费了太多时间。不过后来事实证明，老外的考试制度的确很合理，如果你有足够的英文水平，不复习都能考的不太差。

    正是这种盲目的自信让我继续挺进了GRE。事实证明，这一步比托福更加凶险。不说红宝书的单词百年一遇，就那些长难句救助可以让我焦头烂额。我老板也感受到了此种难度，替我推掉了所有的科研任务，不过可悲的是，我的GRE绝对是个大大的杯具。正是因为这个GRE让我情绪走向了低谷。

    不过GRE也有一个好处。那就是，我终于学到了如何写正式的书面英语，第一次在不借助中文母语的帮助下，以一种语言的亲和力感受到了英文写作的那种逻辑。至此，我告别了First，Second这种大学英语四六级时代的简单逻辑过度，进而开始挑战那种依靠内容和段首强制性过度的新时代。

  2. 2008年秋冬：我走向了鉴定

    1. 北大之行，开拓了我的视野

      如果说托福和GRE考试属于常规的技术准备的话，那么2008年9-12月这段时间对我来说就弥足珍贵了。应老板的要求和安排，在2008年中秋节的前一晚，我踏上了去往北京的火车，开始了我在北大2个月不到的“非正式友好访问”。借助着我姐（其实是我师姐）在北大读博的便利，以及我舅舅舅妈和家人的照顾，我开始了在北大的听课经历。尽管说在北京并不是一个很美好的经历，甚至于我有时候都不知道在北大干嘛。走在北京的大街上，我第一次有了一种没有归属感的感觉。但是，北大光华的一些课程却坚定了我的信心。我越发坚信：即使是北大这样的学校，也没法让我受到严格而正式的学术训练。

    2. 中澳研讨会：我与澳洲教授的“邂逅”

      财大举办的中澳国际研讨会的邀请函终于让我于10月底离开了北京。在北京我第一次感受到了家人的温暖。有家的感觉实在是很好。在中澳的会场上，我第一感受到了良好英文能力在这种国际场合下的便利。曾不止一次的，我替我的同学救场，也与澳洲的教授聊得很愉快。更重要的，我第一次用英文做了一个报告，尽管效果可能不好，但是的确给了我一个锻炼的机会。当看到我们学校某些教授在吃力的用英文做报告时，我一方面感受到了他们作为学者的孜孜不倦，也另一方面为他们为什么不给研究生机会而不解（我这样的老板可真不多，哈哈）。

      很快，我引起了Alistair的注意。他是Curtin的会计研究所所长。在晚宴后，我们开始了聊天。他说的第一句话就让我很吃惊“俊，你得出国，知道么？你的英文就告诉了我这个”。我真不知道出国跟英语水平有什么直接的关系。当时我只是觉得这是一个玩笑。此后一直到他离开，他一遍遍的跟我说澳洲的美好，甚至要了我的CV存档，以及在我后来告诉他被兰卡录取时他给我的一份长邮件。我才知道我已经打动了他。但是Curtin实在不是我的梦想。毕竟这只是一个位于澳洲西部以采矿专业闻名的学校。

    3. APJAE年会：踏出国门

      其实这个会议的论文是我在北京期间投出去的。在澳洲会议结束的第二天，我收到了来自遥远夏威夷的邀请函，同时提供了我1500美金的旅行补助。在我老板的鼓励和“威胁”下，我踏上了美利坚的领土。事实证明，这次出去让我感受到了无限的美好。具体情况可参见我以前写的一个帖子。

      也就是在这个会议的午宴上，与我同桌的夏威夷教授在听说了我是硕士以后，开始给我介绍美国大学，比如芝加哥大学擅长什么，宾夕法尼亚大学喜欢什么，伊利诺大学做什么研究的人最多等等，同时用了一堆排比疑问句来告诉我美国情况。比如你想要钱么？你想要很好的科研条件么？你想要一流的学者指导你么？你想参加国际顶级的学术会议么？我们都可以提供给你。我们只需要一样东西：那就是你的头脑和你学习的热情！

      恕我没见过世面，不过这些话的确是打动了我。同时他也告诉了我两个选择，美国或者英国。因为他们一致觉得，这两个国家去读会计学是最理想的选择。说实话，这是我第一次听到英国如此的正评价。

  3. 结语

    上述原因终于促成了我的出国梦想。但是理想终究是理想，事实上，申请之路远非那么容易，在下一部分，我将介绍下我在申请兰卡中的心路历程。事实上，这是我唯一一个真正走到最后的申请。

Obtaining Your Academic Degree in Taiwan?

最近我终于开始了有史以来最宅的一段时间。尽管所作的事情不少，包括新电脑的选择，英国文化的了解和一个国际期刊的审稿。但是真的能够写到博客里的东西实在是少之又少。在我看来，博客尽管是一个个人页面，却不是一个个人生活的汇报表。但是前两天刚公布的相关法案却给了我写一篇新博客的动力。这个相关法案就是最近被国内媒体低调处理的“教育部針對開放招收陸生及採認大陸學歷相關規劃說明”。

随着我国的改革开放，大量的顶级人才已经通过留学通道流向了国外。在国外大学和科研机构的优良条件面前，一切所谓的“爱国主义”教育和“为四化而建设”的教条似乎都显得苍白无力。无论我们是否愿意承认，北大清华等一流的国内高校本科教育基本都成了国外顶级学校和科研机构的培训机构。尽管中国大陆的学生足迹遍布了全世界各个角落，我们却始终没有踏上过台湾的土地。

  1. “留学”台湾：一种意识形态下的尴尬

    之所以加上引号，是因为将赴台湾求学称作“留学”实在是不太恰当。因为这涉及到了意识形态和所谓的国家主权问题。现代汉语词典给留学的解释是：留居外国学习或研究。偏正式。按照这个解释，直接使用“留学台湾”肯定会引起某些敏感人士的不满。我的理解，或许称作“游学台湾”是个不错的替代法。

    其实这种意识形态问题是台湾和大陆学历不互认的根源。其实援引国际惯例，一般高校招收学生时，在学历认证上存在着三种情形：

    • 本国学历：一般这个是最没有争议的。比如我国高校肯定会承认中华人民共和国境内几乎所有的权利。
    • 联盟国学历：这种情况一般在欧洲很常见。欧盟国家通常给欧盟内学生以本国待遇，学历认可自然也如此。这种相互认可度是非常高的。
    • 其他海外学历：这种类型是我们海外留学遇到最多的。其实多年以来香港对大陆学历的认可一直是采用的海外学历认可方式（最近有了直接互认协议）。

    显然，对台湾而言，这几种方式均不可行。为什么？原因很简单，这些方式都假定双方有着没有争议的独立主权，而这对台湾而言，暂时还是个问题。所以台湾的顶级大学，比如台湾大学，尽管每年都会招收为数不少的海外学生，但是去从来不会有大陆学历的持有者。

    所以，采用国际惯例来处理大陆和台湾之间的学历问题只能是南柯一梦而已。最直接有效的方法就只有一个——协议互认。这样上述的所有问题都可以规避。

  2. 开放陆生来台：一种不真诚的经济策略

    其实要求开放大陆学生到台湾求学几年前就开始了。如果没记错，最早还是由台湾提出的。由于80年代以后台湾的教育改革和教育产业化改革问题（是不是跟我们的情况有点似曾相识？），在台湾一个小小的岛上却矗立着170多所大学。以至于近年来台湾高校招生人数和录取人数倒挂，出现了10分上大学之类的喜感事件。

    但是台湾真的是真诚欢迎大陆学生去台湾么？我认为是否定的。以几个限制性条款为例

    • 不编列奖学金：在其他学校提供高额奖学金，而台湾却不提供奖学金，还需要支付高额学费之时，你会选择哪一个？
    • 不允许打工和就业：这个问题不需多言。其实很多赴台湾的学生并不会留下。毕竟台湾所谓的民主和社会安定性并不好。但是这种条款就具有鲜明歧视了。
    • 只承认41所高校的学历：用意很明确，他们希望招收中国大陆的顶级学生。问题是，这些学生会选择台湾么？

    在我看来，在上述限制条件下，台湾把招收大陆学生作为了一种赚钱的买卖，而不是在真心实意办教育了。其实我很想问问台湾的当局者，教育到底是什么？教育的意义何在？

  3. 支持与反对：台湾人的YY

    网上搜索下，我们就可以很容易得到台湾当局民众各界对这个事件的看法。其实在我看来，与香港澳门等相比，台湾人显然不具有国际化意识。更多的，其实他们是生活在自己的YY中。殊不知，YY太多可是会走火入魔的，哈哈。如下是我所做的一个简单归纳。

    支持方观点认为：

    • 大陆学生更用功，可以产生鲶鱼效应。
    • 大陆学生来台，可以促进台湾的消费，提升台湾的GDP（如意算盘真不错）
    • 优秀学生可以促进台湾大学的科研能力。（此话不假，问题是，牛人会去么？）

    而反对方则观点更一致，也更实际：

    • 大陆学生会瓜分台湾学生的资源。他们认为教育资源均是来自于纳税人。大陆学生无资格享受。
    • 大陆学生会对台湾学生的就业造成冲击，无论是近期的还是远期的。

    从上述观点我们可以看到，其实台湾当局，无论是支持方还是反对方都显示出了一种局限性。而这种局限性在我看来，其实更多的是一种对自身的不自信。试想，美国和欧洲的教育也都是基于纳税人的贡献，但是却不怕全世界的求学者带来的竞争。所以，资源分配并不是因素，不自信才是核心。

  4. 哪些人会去台湾：个人观点兼结论

    其实在我看来，台湾的这种看着非常“小家子气”的行为肯定会大大阻碍大陆学生的选择。我觉得，未来去台湾的学生或许有如下几部分：

    • 公派交流学生：这个早已有之，但是非常小的一部分；
    • 富二代：如新西兰和澳洲的一些烂校一样，台湾或许会成为他们又一个腐败的地方。毕竟，台湾有着林立的野鸡大学

    而对大多数的学生而言，目前的条款几乎阻止了他们的脚步。毕竟更优的选择实在是有很多很多。

Is Higher Price Deserved? The “G” Train of China

近日一好友问我为何最近不再更新博客，我笑而不语。其实并非我懒惰，而是我最近在家天天研究多元统计、数学分析以及Matlab和Mathematica两个软件，实在是没有什么东西可以往博客上写。与在学校的时候相比，家里的日子的确是清闲了很多。清闲的日子固然很好，但是也却给了我一个难题。那就是，平淡的日子下实在是没有什么特别的事情可以让我来写博客。

然而今天我却有了一个不错的话题。那就是新近开放的高铁。由于打算周五去上海办理赴英签证，我便下载了一个极品时刻表来查看火车时间和车次。不看则以，一看却被着实吓了一跳。说真的，我太高估“铁道部”的仁慈了。为了在沪宁线上，这个所谓的中国最富庶的地方推广所谓的VIP火车（姑且这么称之），几乎所有的沪宁间的动车都被停开，而以高铁取代之。于是立即，网上网下骂声一片。而我也来了兴趣。现在的网络技术如此发达，何不通过网络技术来对火车票价做一个简单的实证分析呢？

  1. 样本选择

    1. 票价时间

      为了能够充分显示近三年来的票价变动情况，笔者分别以2007年4月（动车组开放前），2009年7月（动车组大行其道），和2010年7月（高铁出现）三个时间段的票价和列车运行情况为依据。票价数据则来源于极品列车时刻表和盛名列车时刻表的不同历史版本。尽管软件声明其票价系软件计算结果，就本人经验而言，其票价与真实票价基本一致，具有一定的参考价值。

    2. 区间选择

      在区间选择方面，笔者选择了三条线路分别作为短、中、长旅程的参考。他们分别是：苏州-上海（<100KM），南京-上海（约300公里），武汉-广州（>1000KM）。之所以选择这三条线路，是因为前两条线路系笔者非常熟悉的线路，而最后一条线路则是笔者好友们经常光顾的。

  2. 比较结果

    下文给出了笔者初步比较的结果。由于本文系一篇博文，故而并未作出严格的分析和验证，请广大读者注意。

    1. 区间一：苏州-上海

      这条线路是笔者最为熟悉的线路，也是写这篇博文的出发点之所在。如图为高铁的票价和运行时间。

      上图的结果表明，目前苏州到上海的高铁价格（二等座）为41元，运行时间在34分钟左右。而下图则显示7月1日高铁运行前的价格情况。传统的动车在苏州-上海的运行区间内的时间为45分钟左右，二等座价格为26元。

      两者比较不难发现，作为一个普通消费者，我们为了10分钟的提速而多支付了15元。对于这个十分钟的增量而言，我们支付的单价为1.5元/分。试问，这个价格合理么？难道大多数人的10分钟真的价值15元？我看不见得。

    2. 区间二：南京-上海

      与区间一相比较，区间二的距离更长，运行时间更久，而票价的差异也更大。如果说苏州-上海的票价增幅还能接受的话，那么上海-南京的票价涨幅就令人略感囊中羞涩了。下图是最新的高铁价格表。

      上图显示高铁从南京到上海的价格约为146元（二等座），其运行时间为1小时40分钟左右。让我们再来看看D字头车的价格和运行时间：

      上图的动车组列车表告诉我们，D字头列车从南京开到上海的时间在两个半小时左右，二等座价格为93元。两者相较，乘客为省下的50分钟多支付了52元。与苏州-上海的价格波动相比，此区间的增幅略小。同时这52元的增幅似乎也更值得。为了更充分显示，我同时给出最早的T字头列车价格：

      上图结果表明：T字头车从南京开到上海的时间略为3个半小时，硬座票价为47，软座票价为72。我们发现，三年前的动车组票价提升与今日的高铁价格提升有着惊人的相似之处（略缩短一小时的路程，增加50元左右的票价）。但是我们也注意到，短短3年内，这个区间的票价已经上升了100元，为原来票价的两倍！

    3. 区间三：武汉（武昌）-广州

      这个区间的高铁开通相比较京沪线略早。之所以提出这条线路，是因为笔者有很多朋友经常往返于这条路上（他们家在湖北，却在广州深圳工作）。在毕业前夕的聚餐时，经常会听到朋友们对该线路“被高铁”的抱怨和无奈。通过数据的比较发现，与前两个笔者相对熟悉的区间相比，这条线路上的价格变化到了令人瞠目结舌的地步。首先让我们来看下武汉-广州的高铁价格：

      上图表明，武汉-广州的高铁票价为490元（硬座）。而笔者当时参加完中山大学博士入学复试飞回武汉的价格也不过如此（含税）。为了进一步说明高铁价格与航空机票价格（不含税）之间的差异，笔者找来了一个武汉-广州的航空票价走势图。数据来源为“去哪儿”网站。

      上图走势表明，武汉飞往广州的票价最低基本在300元左右。这样价格加上机场建设费和燃油附加税，其价格仍然未能高过高铁价格。更重要的是，航空服务的档次和级别远非铁道部那些“大姨大爷”所能比拟。试想，这样的价格，高铁的竞争优势何在？

      然而，笔者的朋友们的哀怨并非来源于此。下图显示了高铁通车以前来往于武汉与广州之间的T字头列车的价格。通过对比，笔者也了解了朋友们的苦衷。

      通过上图我们发现，在高铁开通前，武汉-广州的硬卧（下铺）的价格约为240元，仅有现在高铁的一半都不到。尽管说高铁的运行时间大大缩短，但两倍的票价实在是令人难以接受。更重要的是，武汉的高铁车站远在青山，远不如武昌站和汉口站来的方便。然而可悲的是，为了突出高铁，原来的T字头列车被停开了好多趟。以至于现在的T字头列车可谓是一票难求！

  3. 结论

    1. 涨幅与收入不配比

      上述的分析表明，在2007-2010年间，我国的火车通过两个阶段的发展从普通的T字头列车上升到了G字头，而票价的涨幅也超过了100%。在获得了更快的旅行速度的同时，旅客的低价需求与铁道部的垄断行为之间的矛盾愈演愈烈。事实上，铁路票价的涨幅已经远远超过了这三年中的职工工资总额的增长幅度。下图系笔者通过中国统计年鉴的数据制作的一个我国文革后30年来的工资增长情况。

    2. 强制性更新 vs 消费者自主选择

      如2007年时动车组开行广大的旅客所担心的那样，动车组的开行是否会让消费者难以承受。而铁道部则信誓旦旦的表明，广大旅客可以依然选择普通列车乘坐。事实上却并不如此。以上文区间二：南京-上海为例，我们不难发现原来的T字头短途列车均被D字头，而后G字头列车替换。这是一种赤裸裸的强制性更新行为。

      另一个观点也可以说明类似的问题。由于动车组的列车行驶速度超过了200公里/小时，当时铁道部要求动车组均不得售卖站票。但是您现在去二等座的车厢看看？尽管说现在的高铁不允许售卖站票（时速超过了300公里/小时，且加速不稳定），但是在当部门利益与消费者利益冲突时候，铁道部又会做何选择？这实在是个难以预料的问题。毕竟这些现象总是有一个官方的解释理由——“我国铁路运力非常不足”。 

      上面两图均为动车组车厢。前者是笔者屡见不鲜的，而后者的服务，本人只在宣传材料上见过。或许笔者社会地位不够吧？

    3. 制度因素：发展的最大瓶颈

      港中大的TJ和Joseph给了我们一个研究中国问题很好的框架，那就是Top-down Framework。的确，几乎所有的问题都可以归结到制度层面上。从前阶段的强制拆迁问题，到躲猫猫事件，甚至于浙江的70码，我们总是看到媒体或多或少的进行不同角度的讨论。不可否认的是，相比较30年前民众的愚昧，今天的人们的思想层次已经进步了很多。或许是一种刻意，也或许是一种无意，鲜有人对制度提出质疑。当然，这是一个敏感话题，笔者在此也不可多言。只是制度约束，会是中国发展的一大瓶颈。

  • 免责声明

    本文纯属个人娱乐所作，所有数据和资料均来源于网络。本人不对文中涉及的观点和数据作任何真实性和公允性保证，同时也不承担因为本文分析所引起的任何法律后果。另外，本文谢绝任何媒体未经授权的转载或引用。文中观点不代表任何官方和个人，请广大读者自酌。

    • Raining of Midnight: Random Thoughts

    For quite a long period I did not write anything for this blog, until recently I posted an article as a general farewell to my past three years. Anyway, a particular review for myself is under consideration and is expected to be published in weeks, i don’t want to talk about that in this mid night, especially when accompanying with the thunder and raining outside.

    1. Writing in Midnight: A Picture of My Past Life

      It has, also, though not fully calculated, been quite long that I did not write anything in such mid night when I can fully enjoy the silence, a good environment for random thinking and free writing. For years, I am getting accustomed to the life of running programs and writing academic papers with such silence. However, at present at least, I won’t have to abuse myself in this way. To say something like abusing is quite ordinary, for anyone who are experienced in research, running some programs with statistical packages can never be a pleasant life!

    2. Greetings from Friends: Boring but Warming

      It is now hard to be reminded of, rather it is telling the truth that, you pay what you want to earn, and you lead a life that is consistent to your dream. I don’t know if this principle works for me. Under most understandings, being admitted to a school in UK with fully funded offer can be regarded as great honor.  However, can that really be the case? I smiled again and again these days, I tell this ‘good news’ again and again, and I explained what the funded offer like from minute to minute. In fact, doing a duplicating job is really too boring to bear! For many days, I even cannot help writing a post that explains all these questions, just like what I did some months ago for questions on empirical research.

      Anyway, I am quite delighted and somewhat pleasant with such king of duplication. Receiving numerous congratulations can also be explained as good personal connections. Without these good friends, i can hardly imagine how my life would be. They do offer me good mental support. I don’t know if it is my lucky or somewhat innocence, I do meet so many kind people from one school to another. It is too seldom that I would have to face the potential rules directly.

    3. Romance on Campus: Unsuccessful but Deserved

      Another reason that made me feel somewhat disappointed, besides the friends, is the romance. Though I never make that to the public, it is known to many friends. Enjoying the romance is really a necessary step of college life. I hate I experienced that too late, later than 3 years comparing to the average level of my age. Admittedly, such experience, no matter whether it is a good news or not, made me understood quite a lot of questions about human beings, which, in fact, can hardly be find from any book.

    PS: The raining is getting even more heavily, well, it’s time for a sleep. Goodbye, my readers!

    Farewell: Say Goodbye to ZNUFE

    前言：终于毕业了，拿到了毕业证书回到了家。感谢铁路局终于开通了武昌到苏州的动车组，使我可以在6个小时内完成了点对点的旅行（宿舍-家）。在火车的轰鸣中，我依次给我的恩师，大哥，宿舍哥们和其他好友一一道别。终于，我结束了三年的研究生生活。这三年，有欢笑，有眼泪，有歌声，有失意。总之，一切都结束了，现在也是时候来给我的三年写一个总结了。

    1. 首义：一个美丽的地方

      不得不说，首义是个美丽的地方。在武汉三个春秋，尽管早已熟悉了城市的喧嚣和嘈杂，首义，一片地处闹市的孤岛，却给予了我内心的平静。无论你身在紫阳路还是武珞路，轻轻一拐进入校园，就可以让你立即有如置身世外的幻觉。一切嘈杂和喧闹，一切烦恼和痛苦如风般瞬间飞逝，留下的只有一片宁静。尽管在这里，你无法听到朗朗的读书声，也很少能见到晨间苦读的人们，你却可以感受到一种来自于学校本身的厚重感和沧桑感。

      我喜欢这个地方，并不仅仅是因它的宁静，更是因为这是我的母校。母校是什么？母校就是“一个你一天可以骂它千百回，却不容许别人骂”的地方。情侣吵架，别人常以“打是情，骂是爱”来相劝。而对于母校之情，有何故不是如此呢？曾有多次，我们对“今天我以母校为荣，明天母校以我为荣”嗤之以鼻。我们大骂学校不懂得投入却要学生来回报；我们大骂后勤部门的无能，把好好的食堂愣是整成了全武汉“倒数第一”；我们也大骂楼管，乘着我们搬家发财，还从不管事情；我们更骂那些行政人员，一个个不学无术却蛮横不讲理；我们也骂过学校的补助只有区区两百大洋，尚不够一天一份热干面。但是有一天你真的要离开了，你是记得了它的宁静和美丽，还是记得了这些该死的事情呢？

    2. 研究生：烟酒生，哈哈

      我们注定是革命性的一代。我也很荣幸的成为了首义最后一届研究生。这种特殊的使命让我见识了首义的回光返照和没落。由于学校的“战略转移”，我开始跟师弟师妹分在两个校区。为了找老板，为了办事，甚至为了参加最后的毕业典礼，来回奔波似乎成了家常便饭。这种来回奔波让我俄明年渐渐发现，我们老了。我们渐渐开始习惯于首义的宁静，而不再是新校区的“文化大革命”。我们习惯了首义的郁郁葱葱，而无法忍受南湖那几百米不见大树的不毛之地。我们开始变得宅了，在首义的校园里，总是那么宁静，总是只有那么几个稀稀拉拉的人在走。跟南湖滚滚的车流，帅哥流和美女流相比，我们这里人太少了。我们大多躲在宿舍里，玩着Dota，吃着不太好吃的零食，或者看着韩剧。实在无聊了，就看点Paper吧？再不行，找哥们喝酒去吧～，谁让我们是“烟酒生”呢？

      与本科生相比，我们无疑是自由的。我们没有熄灯时间，我们也没有网络限制。得益于首义的人少，我们的网络一直比南湖要快些。我们天天上网，除了上网还是上网，从QQ到偷菜，从Dota到三国杀。我们慢慢都戒掉了各自的网瘾。我们不再有年轻时候那种对待电脑的狂热。我们看到IE窗口的第一感觉是想吐，而不是再去爽一把。我们看到某些曾经为之极品的电影也开始厌恶，毕竟这些都是本科时代的玩意儿。以至于有人开玩笑说，要戒除网瘾何须“羊叫兽”，只需让这个孩子来上研究生。保管不出三年，此病彻底根除！

    3. 首义：让我学术研究启航的地方

      曾记得专科时候对研究生毕业的老师们的崇拜，也曾记得本科时候对某位教授的“大作”的崇拜，更曾记得第一次踏入中南财大大门时候的彷徨，但这一切都在瞬间改变了。由于宿舍好友的一句“戏言”，我成了现在老板的入室弟子。从此，我的人生轨迹开始了偏移。我放弃了大玩三年的宏伟想法，放弃了三年过掉CPA的疯狂梦想，更放掉了尝试ACCA的冲动。因为，仅仅是因为，我开始“学术”了！这一切来得那么不可思议，却又来得那么轻松。难道，这就是命运？不过我也更深的理解到，为人师，原来是可以那么容易改变一个人的命运的。尽管说这是“本分”，但是又有几个老师敢说“我尽到了一个老师的本分”呢？

      其实很多时候，我们遇到的事情都是对等的。用经济学的行话来说，这个叫做Substitution（看不懂者，请自觉绕道）。在我同学们经历了几次CPA考场的历练之时，我跑了几个会议。尽管说每次的演讲都不是那么成功（开玩笑，下面坐了一堆教授博导，你试试？），尽管说很多时候听不懂别人的讨论，我知道了学习的方向，记住了学术界的规范，同时也记住了美食（天，我真喜欢吃）。我知道了被人痛批论文的沮丧，知道了说一口流利英语时候的得意，知道了听不懂别人报告时候的无所事事，更是知道了我到底是否喜欢学术研究。当然，作为代价，我老板也付出了不小的代价。只可惜，现在的师弟师妹恐难有这类机会了。

    4. 结语

      之所以要感谢这个学校，是因为它促使了我一次华丽转身。在这里，我遇到了最好的朋友；在这里，我遇到了人生的知己；在这里，我也遇到了改变了我的恩师；更重要的，我领略到了湖北朋友的热情和好客。尽管说，这只是我人生旅途中的一个点，但它却是一个完美的驻点。

    2010年7月2日 苏州家中

    Quality or Quantity: A Puzzle for Researchers

    Frankly, this is not a suitable topic for me due to my limited experience on both research and academic given my present education as only a graduating master’s student. However, my limited experience, as well as my coming PhD life in Lancaster, do bring me an opportunity to think about: when doing some research, given two dimensions as measurement of the work as quality and quantity, which shall I prefer?

    1. Approaching

      I got to know the importance of publication when I was a student in Nanjing Normal University, where there was a professor that used to be, and is still devoting much to publish his so-called papers to various journals. He was quite fond of this, and take pride of his ‘works’. In fact, I was totally misunderstand by him that in my mind at that time, publication means everything related to money. You get your paper published since you paid for that. This misunderstanding is only partially recovered when i continued my study in Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, a present school of mine, and participated some conferences.

      I learned much more on the essentials of publication when taking part in the research work, following my supervisor, who is quite a determined researcher at that time. Gradually I find that , more than 99% of the papers that the professor, whom I met in Nanjing Normal University, are totally junks. Neither contemporary research methodology nor the standard research framework is adapted. Thanks for the supervision of Professor Wang, my master’s supervisor, that taught me both the methodology and framework that a contemporary researcher should be able to master.

      Three years study following Professor Wang does broaden my horizon. I learned he cuteness of publication, the benefit that may bring you through the publication. for me, writing papers do bring me great opportunity of travelling and talking to the professors outside. the 20008 trip to Honolulu is still admired by many of my classmates even today. What’s more, it is the publication and its attraction promoted me another chance, i participated the training camp for young researchers in business school of mainland China. it is in that speech I got to know two famous professors, Joseph and TJ. Their two-week lecture that summer bring me better understanding of this field. Though I can hardly use that freely at present.

    2. Quality or Quantity: Two Different Principles

      In fact there has been contradictions following the words of Joseph and TJ, and the styles that most Chinese scholars adapt. If it is not the online discussion with Li this afternoon, I won’t write this post. Li is both a faculty of jinan University and a post-doctoral fellow in CEIBS, a top business school in China. Thanks to Li that I learned, the routine that Joseph and TJ suggested should be regarded as a fitness for those who are willing to publish on top journals. but, it is necessary to aware that publishing on top journals can be time consuming, and what’s more, it is fully risky. I don’t know much about publications in UK, but in China, a faculty without any publication for a couple of years would mean quite a lot, much more than the publication itself.

      so the questions following this discussion raised. Quantity or quality, which do you prefer? I suppose there is no scholar, no matter whether he/she is a world renowned professor or a fresh PhD candidate, would reject the willing of publish high-quality paper, given no consideration on particular capability here. A widely accepted publication with good reference recording can significantly promote your reputation within the field of study, and, you would be able to contact with good scholars. However, you have to pay for that.

      The pride for such a paper, indeed, includes years of hard working, good understanding of classical papers and fundamental theory, as well as the risk of rejection by the editorial board. Can you afford that? Frankly speaking, i don’t think I would afford this, especially when I am working for an academic institution in China. Only adequate publications can help bring you promotion, which means higher social status and better income. In my opinion, the policy on publication may also contribute a lot to the reduction of education quality nowadays of most universities in China. Do you think the students can be offered good education when their teachers are busying with the publication and have no time to prepare for the courses?

    3. An Unanswered Question

      For my own preference, it is hard to tell here. I do want some of my own works with good quality and reputation within my field of study. However, it is quite ideal to talk about that with my present knowledge as well as my unexpected future. As is suggested by a ‘Top-down’ framework that indicates the high priority of institutional background, obeying the rule is, though sometimes contradicting your willing but undoubtedly, an optimized choice.

    Saying Goodbye With Tears

    It is in fact quite curious, that I have not made my tears dropped since the failure of my college entrance exams. Obviously, the failure that time is dramatically beating to me, that I can even not forget the ache in my heart when hearing the score and ranking from the telephone. It was quite a harsh time, that I was deeply, without any exceptions, dropped into the trap of depression. There were only thunder and storm, but not the sunshine and gentle wind in heart.

    1. What is the greatest depression?

      For many days I have been asserted of fully experienced on bad days. I didn’t feel much disappointed when I had to give up my hope of applying for the graduate school of Rennin University of China, I also feel okay when I was suffering from the beating of the GRE performance, and thus I would have  to, again, drop my hope of studying in US. And even when I heard about the death of my grandma, who brought me up during the whole childhood, I recovered myself in two weeks. However, I don’t know for how many days I would make myself recovered this time.

      In my friends’ eyes, I am, without any doubt, an ambitious man, who is willing to devote himself to the ideal world. It is in fact hard to tell, whether the determination is doing its good in my life, even though it is fully encouraged by different levels of educations, ranging from kindergarten to PhD program. Admittedly, determination can teach you quite a lot. With its help, you can learn more, read more and publish more as well as better off. However, over devoting in a specific work, a direct definition of determination, can also ask for your payment. What would you pay for that? It is, under most occasions, love!

    2. Can nature be contradicted?

      Young man, if you are considering of rejecting a piece of love, and meanwhile, you are lucky enough reading this post, I would try to persuade you of accepting it. Rejecting such staff can be much more difficult than anything else, especially when it contradicts your psychological indication. I started to think about taking my PhD study overseas from the second year, when participating my first-time international conference and talked to some faculties there, though at that time, I was still quite unaware of what I was willing to do and what I was interested in. I am always quite a man that considers reality as fully prioritized, and never believe in romance. For me, any romance that was built on the assumption that one party is willing to go overseas can be tricky and thus lead to unpleasant consequence. It is this good belief, though I cannot tell whether it is good or not indeed, helped me delayed the love.

      But things are always holding the preference of contradiction. Just count how many unexpected issues has you been come across? Tens? Hundreds? Or even more?  Though rejection is apparently a preferred answer following my logics that I discussed above, it failed on the determination from the other party. It is the first time that I learned that as an ordinary man, I should never expect controlling too much. Being over confident on your controlling, under some occasions, can cause disaster. If I would be able to make a new choice for all these I have experienced, I would give it up. Taking it can, undoubtedly, bring you good feeling for those honey days. It can, however, make you good depression when reaching its end of life.

    3. Saying Goodbye

      Saying goodbye with tears, the topic of this article, indicates the ending of this experience, that used to bring me days with sunshine, is now sounds like thunder and storm. Establish any promise in this period, though seems pleasant, is actually meaningless. For people that you are, or used to love, pray for her honey in future. Staying together or not, comparing to this fundamental assumption, is far less concrete.

      So guess the hidden head for this post? Well, you are quite right. It is not a post for you, but for someone else. Any other hidden head? Yeah, you are quite patient and cautious. This paper is written by a man whose native language is not English!

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