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Welcome to the First TE Blog of 2025!
This post marks the beginning of the TE Weekly Series on Pulp & Poetry, where I share insights and highlights from The Economist.
As the first issue of 2025, this edition dives into key global topics, from America's economic challenges to China's ambitious goals for the year ahead. Whether you're a regular reader of The Economist or a curious newcomer, this series aims to provide valuable perspectives and easy access to the magazine's key stories.
Stay tuned for weekly updates, and let's explore the world together!
This Week’s Economist: Insights & Highlights (January 4, 2025)
Cover Story: The Fight Over America's Economy
This week’s cover story explores the turbulent dynamics shaping America’s economy. With a new federal government under Trump’s leadership, tensions between conservative mainstreamers and economic tycoons are at an all-time high. What lies ahead for American businesses and global trade? Dive into the in-depth analysis and forecasts on page 7.
Key Highlights from This Week’s Issue
The January 4th edition of The Economist brings a wealth of insights across various regions and topics. Here are some highlights you shouldn’t miss:
🌍 The World This Week
- A snapshot of major political and business news, from Xi Jinping’s ambitious agenda for 2025 to Russia’s geopolitical challenges. (Pages 5-6)
🇺🇲 United States
- The Bourbon Street Attack: Examining the aftermath of a tragic event in New Orleans. (Page 15)
- Tocqueville updated: Fresh perspectives on democracy in America. (Page 17)
🌏 Asia
- Climate in India: Balancing environmental challenges with economic growth. (Page 33)
- Thailand's economy: A deep dive into the region’s financial shifts. (Page 34)
🌐 Business & Technology
- Tech’s top talent spotters: Analyzing recruitment trends in a fast-evolving sector. (Page 47)
- China’s quantum leap: Innovations that are reshaping global tech. (Page 48)
📊 Economic and Financial Indicators
- Detailed statistics on 42 economies worldwide. (Page 65)
📰 Special Features
- Haruki Murakami’s novel: A cultural exploration of his latest work. (Page 64)
- Oldies behaving badly: What does aging mean for societal norms? (Page 42)
My Two Cents
🌠 关于村上春树的新作：《小城与不确定性的墙》
“文字是村上的逃离，也是我们的慰藉。”
已经很久很久没谈起村上春树了，没想到重谈村上居然是在经济学人的分享博客中，算得十分意外了。村上的作品是我的文学启蒙，陪伴我走过悸动的青春期。初识春树，是在《且听风吟》里的杰氏酒吧和加利福尼亚女孩，简洁轻快的语言深深地吸引了我，以至那时的我在周记中也拙劣地模仿着他的叙事风格，并且迫不及待地购买或者借阅了他的一些其他作品，许多个晚自习里我的遨游在《1Q84》和《挪威的森林》的世界里，在情感上产生了深深的共鸣。我开始喜欢上长跑也离不开他的作品《当我谈跑步时，我谈些什么》，对我的影响可谓深远。
《小城与不确定性的墙》是村上时隔六年的新长篇，同时也是他对1980年同名中篇的重塑。这本书的核心依然是那个小城，那个被高墙环绕、由门卫守护的神秘之地。主角游走在现实与梦境之间，那种既熟悉又陌生的叙事风格，瞬间把我拉回到了当年读《海边的卡夫卡》的感觉。
书中的一句话让我印象深刻：
“墙的另一边，或许藏着我们想象之外的真相。”
我不禁在想，这是不是村上对我们每个人内心那堵“墙”的隐喻？这些年来，我也有过类似的感受，我们每个人心里或多或少都筑起了一堵墙，有时为了保护自己，有时却阻碍了自我探索。
这本书和他以前的作品有些不同。它的节奏慢了许多，更多是内心的探索，而非外在的剧情冲突。但我想，这种风格上的变化或许正是村上在75岁这个年纪想告诉我们的。他不再是那个年轻的旁观者，而是用更沉淀的笔触书写内心。他在一次访谈中说道：
“到了这个年纪，我只想安静地写，写一些与时间相关的故事。”
这种沉稳的叙述让我感到安心，甚至有点温暖，就像老朋友在轻声讲述他的故事。
我想，2025年阅读清单中的第二本已经悄然选定了。
Get Your Copy
Access this issue of The Economist in multiple formats:
- Digital versions (PDF, EPUB, MOBI, AZW3) are available on GitHub.
- Audio versions can be requested via email at chriswang001121@gmail.com. Future updates will include direct links via cloud storage for easier access.
Closing Thoughts
This week’s edition brings critical perspectives on politics, business, and culture from across the globe. I look forward to hearing your thoughts and discussions on these topics. Happy reading!