Summary of Key Points
Jin Yong, a 91-year-old academician from the Department of Chemical Engineering at Tsinghua University, has been engaging in science popularization since he was in his seventies and eighties. To date, he has nearly 2 million "online students." His initial motivation for doing this was to express gratitude to society, fulfill his role as a teacher, and also to prevent Alzheimer's disease. His target audience includes not only the general public but also middle school teachers, government officials, and entrepreneurs. The methods he uses range from writing books and producing videos to creating short videos, all with content that is relevant to daily life and emphasizes practical value. He insists on using science popularization to drive technological progress, without promoting products or worrying about negative feedback; his goal is simply to sow the seeds of curiosity.
I. A 91-Year-Old Academician Engages in Science Popularization: Not Out of Boredom, but out of a Desire to Give Back
Jin Yong's reasons for engaging in science popularization are very practical:
1. Repaying a Debt: He is grateful for the opportunities given to him by the era to study in the Soviet Union and feels that he "owes something to society" after 60 years of teaching, so he wants to repay this debt during his lifetime.
2. Fulfilling a Teacher's Responsibility: He has always been educating students and parents, and later realized the need to provide middle school teachers with cutting-edge knowledge.
3. A Selfish Motivation: Although his health is still good, engaging in science popularization allows him to stay active and potentially prevent Alzheimer's disease.
His words are sincere: "Even though I am speaking to a camera, it comes from the heart." There are no grand slogans; he just wants to share his knowledge.
II. Science Popularization Is Not Just for the General Public: It Also Targets Teachers, Officials, and Entrepreneurs
Jin Yong targets three specific groups with different purposes in mind:
1. For Students and Middle School Teachers: In the 1980s and 1990s, people were afraid of the chemical engineering field due to concerns about explosions and poisoning. Parents were worried when sending their children to study chemistry engineering, so Jin Yong had to explain that everyday items like oil, salt, soy sauce, and vinegar also fall under this category. When middle school teachers questioned his role as an academician, he began writing "Exploring the Future World of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering" to provide them with advanced knowledge and teaching materials, hoping to spark their curiosity.
2. For Officials and Entrepreneurs: He believes that cutting-edge technologies need to be implemented, and officials must understand the policy direction, while entrepreneurs need to see the potential for investment. For example, over 20 years ago, he discussed the concept of a circular economy (where your waste can become my resource). Now, he is promoting the idea of using 40 million mu of idle saline-alkali land along the coast for rice and soybean cultivation, which requires an investment of 200 to 300 million yuan. He aims to convince entrepreneurs that the technology is feasible and promising.
3. From Books to Short Videos: Jin Yong has adapted his methods over time:
- Writing Books and Producing Videos: It took him five years to complete "Exploring the Future World of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering," which he released without claiming copyright so that more people could access it.
- Face-to-Face Lectures: He gave a 2.5-hour lecture in a county school in Yunnan, where the students listened attentively and even queued up for autographs afterward. He felt like a movie star, though he regrets not being able to travel as much now due to his age.
- Short Videos: Platforms approach him to collaborate on content selection and filming; he just needs to deliver the presentation. His topics, such as fertilizers, desalination, and plastic mulch, are closely related to people's daily lives, and this approach has helped him gain millions of followers. He jokes that perhaps not so many people actually watch these videos, but he is just following the trend.
His secret to success is staying "grounded" in his content: he avoids using complex terminology and focuses on topics that people care about, such as basic necessities like clothing, food, housing, and transportation.
III. The "Bottom Line" of Science Popularization: It Must Be Useful for Technological Progress
Jin Yong has clear principles for his science popularization efforts:
- Emphasizing Practical Value: When evaluating awards for technological progress, many choose beautifully produced books about dinosaurs, but he chose a simple video made by agricultural technicians because it addresses the real needs of farmers (fertilization, pruning), which can promote agricultural advancement.
- Non-Gainful Motivation: Netizens say that only those who live comfortably can truly engage in science popularization without the intention of selling products, and he agrees with this view.
- Unafraid of Criticism: When asked about negative feedback, he says, "I just ignore it; I've lived for over 90 years and don't care what others think."
His goal is not to show off his knowledge but to make a difference—whether by sparking curiosity in children, facilitating the adoption of technology, or benefiting farmers.
IV. The Purpose of Science Popularization: To Sow Seeds of Curiosity
Jin Yong believes that educating children is about planting the seeds of curiosity, so they will be interested in learning and pursuing careers in related fields. At 91 years old, he continues to work towards this goal. His pure dedication to giving back to society is probably why he has gained millions of followers.
In summary, Jin Yong's approach to science popularization is both practical and effective, focusing on sharing knowledge that is relevant and meaningful to people's lives, whether it's for children, teachers, officials, or entrepreneurs. His passion and commitment are what make his efforts so impactful.