当人们平心静气深入思考过去、当下和未来，其实不难发现，所谓稳定的秩序和格局，从来都充满张力暗流涌动，阶段性扰动乃至重组是常态，"帕累托 改进"你好我好全都好的繁华年代则不常见。 编者按：随着2025年的结束，这个世纪已过去四分之一个年头。这四分之一个世纪给我们留下了什么?或许目前为止，更多的是变化中的措手不及和对未 来的茫然。曾经脚下坚实的地面正在一点点偏移、开裂，所有人都亟需找到新的立足点。 好在还有阅读。任时代如何变化，书籍永远可以给予我们启示，甚至可以说，书籍正是审视变动的产物。一代代写作者都在尝试给出自己的回答。而我 们，作为阅读者，也同时承受着这份考验。 《欧洲告急》把丘吉尔和奥威尔在二战前后的命运交叉展现，乍看之下颇令人不解，二人的政治和职业生涯交叉之处并不算多，顶多算是平行或勉强的前 后脚(比如在印度和缅甸的殖民地时光)关系。政治立场也迹近光谱的两端，一个偏左，一个偏右。 经观书评推出新年特辑"寻找新的立足点"，邀请各界读书人分享他们在2025年的阅读与思考。本期作者是作家邓安庆，他说： "我相信，时间的确有如此淘洗的伟力。当时间之河毫不留情地流向2026年时，每一个普通人都将继续努力过好自己的 ...

据法新社1月13日报道，唐纳德·特朗普接下来的一周（1月19日至23日）在达沃斯论坛上将成为焦点人 物。这是一个多边主义和自由贸易的盛会，而特朗普重返白宫以来却在实施破坏，也让贸易和地缘政治 局势变得紧张。 在美国总统第二任期开始一年之后，特朗普将于6年后再次赶往达沃斯。达沃斯论坛组织者13日宣布， 他会发表备受关注的讲话。不过当着全球经济和政治精英们的面，他可能会更在意那些不满其削弱购买 力政策的美国选民，此时距离关键的美国中期选举只有不到一年的时间了。 达沃斯论坛总裁博尔格·布伦德在线上新闻发布会上称，他（特朗普）将会率领达沃斯论坛史上"最大的 美国代表团"，成员将包括国务卿马尔科·鲁比奥、财政部长斯科特·贝森特、商务部长霍华德·卢特尼 克，以及包括英伟达和微软在内的高科技巨头高管。 审核 | 卢长银 编辑 | 徐璐明 校对 | 郭炜桐 在2025年春季发动关税战之后，特朗普的参会正值美国外交甚至军事局势升级之际。在军事干预委内瑞 拉之后，他最近还不顾欧洲盟友的反对要拿下格陵兰岛。 美国咨询机构贝恩公司的经济学家卡伦·哈里斯表示："2025年无疑是历史上新自由主义全球化结束的一 年……让人们进入了后全球化 ...

Core Viewpoint - The novel "Flesh" by David Szalay presents the life of István, a character who experiences a series of bizarre and transformative events, contrasting with typical "dragon-slaying" narratives where protagonists triumphantly overcome adversity. Instead, István remains largely silent and passive, embodying a sense of emotional numbness and acceptance of his role as a "tool" in life [5][6][9]. Summary by Sections Character Development - István's journey begins in a Hungarian apartment with his mother, leading to a tragic incident that lands him in a juvenile detention center. After his release, he engages in various low-level jobs and eventually becomes a private driver for a wealthy family in London, marking a significant turn in his fortune [5][6]. - Despite achieving wealth and status, István's character is marked by silence and emotional detachment, often responding with "OK," which symbolizes his acceptance of life's changes and his numbness to his circumstances [6][9]. Themes of Desire and Identity - The novel explores the themes of desire and identity, illustrating how István's life is shaped by his physical experiences and societal expectations. His actions are often driven by instinct rather than conscious choice, leading to a disconnect between his emotional state and his actions [10][11]. - Szalay critiques the notion of male heroism in literature, presenting István as a character who does not fight against fate but rather reacts to it, highlighting the limitations of personal agency in the face of larger societal forces [10][12]. Societal Commentary - "Flesh" serves as a reflection on the impact of societal structures, such as war and economic disparity, on individual lives. Szalay suggests that István's fate is influenced by external events beyond his control, including the Iraq War and the financial crises of the early 21st century [15][16]. - The narrative emphasizes the isolation and loneliness experienced by individuals as they navigate their desires within the constraints of societal expectations, portraying a stark contrast to the more triumphant narratives prevalent in contemporary literature [17][18].

Core Insights - The novel "Flesh" by David Szalay presents the life of István, a character who experiences a series of bizarre and transformative events, ultimately rising from a life of poverty in Hungary to becoming a wealthy figure in London, only to return to his roots in the end [1][7][10] Character Development - István's character is portrayed as passive and emotionally detached, often responding to life's challenges with a simple "OK," which symbolizes his acceptance of his role as a "tool" in society [2][3] - Unlike typical "dragon-slaying" protagonists, István does not actively fight against fate; instead, he is driven by his physical instincts and circumstances, leading to a life marked by external actions rather than internal emotional engagement [3][4] Themes of Desire and Materialism - The novel explores the raw and naked desires of humanity, particularly focusing on the dual forces of love and money, which Szalay argues are central to modern existence [5][6] - István's journey reflects the complexities of human desire, where his youthful pursuits lead to dire consequences, and his later obsession with wealth and status results in a loss of identity and fulfillment [4][5] Social Commentary - Szalay's narrative suggests that István's life is shaped by larger societal forces such as war, immigration, and economic imbalance, indicating that personal destinies are often intertwined with public events [8][9] - The story critiques the notion of achieving happiness through wealth and status, illustrating that reaching the pinnacle of success can lead to isolation and disconnection from one's true self [6][7] Conclusion - The ending of István's story, where he returns to Hungary and takes a lowly job, serves as a poignant reminder of the transient nature of wealth and the enduring impact of personal history [7][10] - Szalay's work ultimately reflects on the human condition in a globalized world, where individuals navigate their lives amidst uncontrollable external forces, leading to a profound sense of loneliness and existential questioning [9][10]

Group 1 - The core point of the news is China's announcement to negotiate and sign a new economic agreement with all 52 African countries that have diplomatic relations with China, which will exempt all export tariffs to China [1][3] - China is prepared to welcome high-quality African products into its market, while also committing to additional support for the least developed countries to help them compete in an open market [3][4] - The new measures are seen as particularly beneficial for relatively developed African countries with industrialized manufacturing bases, allowing them to take advantage of the large Chinese market [3][4] Group 2 - The total trade volume between China and Africa has been rapidly increasing, with a trade surplus for China reaching $62 billion in 2024, raising concerns about potential stagnation in bilateral trade as African purchasing power peaks [4] - In the context of a fragmented global supply chain and trade wars, China aims to extend its manufacturing chain into lower-cost labor regions, thereby reducing production costs and expanding its economic influence [4][10] - Analysts suggest that China's strategy is a calculated move to enhance its market base and economic power, positioning itself as a dominant player in Africa [4][10] Group 3 - The U.S. has previously implemented the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which allowed certain African countries to export to the U.S. duty-free, but this program is facing challenges and may not be renewed [5][6] - The recent U.S.-Africa summit was notably smaller in scale, with only five African countries participating, raising questions about the effectiveness of U.S. engagement in Africa [6][7] - Trump's administration has been criticized for its lack of substantial support for African countries, focusing instead on selective partnerships that align with U.S. economic interests [8][9] Group 4 - China has established itself as the largest trading partner for the majority of African countries, with 52 out of 54 countries trading more with China than with the U.S. as of 2023 [12] - China's investments in infrastructure and strategic sectors in Africa have solidified its dominant position, contrasting with the U.S.'s declining influence in the region [12][10] - The ongoing competition between China and the U.S. in Africa highlights the strategic importance of the continent in global economic dynamics [10][12]