Mason L. Wong 王樂知
@masonlwong.bsky.social
PhD in progress on modern China, Sinophone studies, global Asias at NYU. Hoya Saxa, go Ephs. 「生命是一襲華美的袍，爬滿了蚤子。」
Reposted by Mason L. Wong 王樂知
i feel like the reason people would fall for this is if they’re conservative-culture aligned Christians who don’t read the bible and so are imagining what it’s like, who believe somewhat sensibly from context that a lot of Christianity is about extolling the virtues of heterosexual marriage
AI slop now making up saccharine Bible verses that do not exist
November 14, 2025 at 10:44 PM
i feel like the reason people would fall for this is if they’re conservative-culture aligned Christians who don’t read the bible and so are imagining what it’s like, who believe somewhat sensibly from context that a lot of Christianity is about extolling the virtues of heterosexual marriage
Reposted by Mason L. Wong 王樂知
please don't do this. MAGA hats are made from an acrylic blend, which will release toxic chemicals when set on fire, potentially harming you and downwind woodland creatures
November 16, 2025 at 1:37 AM
please don't do this. MAGA hats are made from an acrylic blend, which will release toxic chemicals when set on fire, potentially harming you and downwind woodland creatures
Reposted by Mason L. Wong 王樂知
I hope one day that someone will call my translations "scuzzy."
Throwback to when a Japanese publisher sent me endorsements of Yamamoto and Dilemmas to use in pitching the collection, and included DeepL AI translations of them for my convenience.
I, uh, decided to translate them myself instead
I, uh, decided to translate them myself instead
![[Original]:
田辺聖子Seiko Tanabe
天衣無縫。天馬空を行く。文章にリズムがあって、現代の匂いがぷんぷんしていて面白い。スカスカと読めるが、底の岩盤、つまり人生と人間の洞察力はガッチリしている。それが文学的な肺活量を大きくしている。これは大人が楽しめる短編集だ。
[AI/DeepL]:
This is artlessness and loveliness, and the Creator’s flying horse! The writing has a rhythm, and it's interesting, with a whiff of modernity. It reads scuzzy, but the bedrock at the bottom - the insight into life and humanity - is stout. It makes for a great literary lung capacity. This is a real short story collection for adults to enjoy.
[Me]:
What artless beauty! What clarity of vision! The rhythm of the sentences couldn’t be more modern, or fascinating. Even when describing shabby realities, the bedrock beneath the writing—its deep understanding of the human condition—is so solid. This is work that broadens what literature can do, a collection of stories truly made for an adult readership.
Seiko Tanabe, prizewinning author of Sentimental Journey and Flowergathering
[Original]:
黒岩重吾 Jugo Kuroiwa
山本文緒の「プラナリア」を読み、その新鮮さに眼が洗われるような思いがした。蝶もいれば毒虫もいる。ガラスの破片があれば、本物の玉もある。登場人物たちが何度もセックスしても気にならないし、若い女性が公園で寝ていても、不潔な感じがしない。人間を影裏な刃物で抉りながらも、小気味がよい。時には詩的でさえもある。しかも、どの短編も新鮮だから、感心したという以外にない。
[AI/DeepL]:
When I read this collection, I felt as if my eyes were being washed clean by its freshness. There are butterflies and there are poisonous insects. There are shards of glass and there are real diamonds. It doesn't bother me when the characters have sex repeatedly, nor do I feel unclean when the young women sleep in the park. It is small and creepy, even while gouging out human beings with shadowy blades. At times, it is even poetic. Moreover, each short story is fresh, and I can only say that I am impressed.
[Me]:
The freshness of this collection made me feel as if my eyes were being washed clean as I read it. It contains both beautiful butterflies and stinging, venomous bugs; both real gems and glittering shards of glass. The characters have sex again and again, lovelessly; one young woman spends her nights sleeping in…](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:25a4w47mlwtx3vexjg2khyym/bafkreifyb4sp2ayr7w4d4y67adhjtddwukcv42aop5qymvub5tjbqfgmve@jpeg)
![[Original]:
林真理子 Mariko Hayashi
恋愛小説を書く作家にとって、山本文緒の出現は驚きだった。作家は普通、恋愛というゴールに向かって、さまざまな仕掛けをする。美男美女でなくても、登場人物はそれなりの魅力を持たせようと苦労する。いわゆる「説得力」だ。ところが、山本の小説は、最初からそういうことを放棄している。男も女も、これといって美点を持たない。「嫌ではなかった」という理由で、女と男は関係を持つ。このずれ方が、実に現代的で、面白い。今までの恋愛小説に出てくる、恋や仕事に前向きな女性という理想像に、山本は大きなバツ印をつけたような気がする。後半の、居酒屋の主人を主人公にした短編は、作者の著しい成長がわかる。山本の受賞は、我が事のように嬉しい。
[AI / DeepL]:
For writers of romance novels, the emergence of Fumio Yamamoto was a big surprise. Writers usually rely on a variety of tricks to achieve the goal of romance. Even if the characters are not beautiful man and woman, we take pains to make them attractive in their own way. This is what is called "persuasiveness.” However, in Yamamoto's novels, she abandons this from the very beginning. Neither the men nor the women have any particular beauty. The woman and the man enter into a relationship because “I didn't dislike him.” This displacement is very modern and interesting. It is as if Yamamoto has put a big cross on the ideal image of a woman who is positive about love and work that has appeared in romance novels up to now. The short story featuring a tavern owner, shows the author's remarkable growth. I am very happy as if it were my own that Yamamoto won this Naoki award.
[Me]:
Yamamoto’s emergence has really shaken up the world of romance literature. Writers of romance usually rely on a series of well-worn devices to propel their stories toward love. They work to demonstrate their characters’ attractiveness to the reader even if they aren’t conventionally attractive. This is thought to constitute a romance’s “believability.” But Yamamoto throws this conventional wisdom out entirely. Neither her men nor her women are presented with an eye to their attractiveness. They’re shown falling into relationships simply because they “don’t hate” each other. This destabilizes the reader, and constitutes the stories’ interest, their modern flair. It’s as if Yamamoto looked at the typical heroine of romance literature—the ideal worki…](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:25a4w47mlwtx3vexjg2khyym/bafkreihm2kucc6wjbsayyimhm2ia7znw7jdhaciiybgjsh2tpjyenajj5e@jpeg)
November 15, 2025 at 10:45 PM
I hope one day that someone will call my translations "scuzzy."
Reposted by Mason L. Wong 王樂知
"Dasha got dropped by Gersh," I say to the elerly woman sitting next to me on the bus. "Can you believe that?" She empties an entire can of mace directly into my face instantly.
November 15, 2025 at 10:54 PM
"Dasha got dropped by Gersh," I say to the elerly woman sitting next to me on the bus. "Can you believe that?" She empties an entire can of mace directly into my face instantly.
Reposted by Mason L. Wong 王樂知
this world now is almost nothing like i would want! i would like being generally honest and scrupulous to be valued. i would like art to be a kind of human communication. i would like it if police weren't brutalizing my neighbors. i would like affordable coffee, stable meaningful work for people
November 15, 2025 at 7:09 PM
this world now is almost nothing like i would want! i would like being generally honest and scrupulous to be valued. i would like art to be a kind of human communication. i would like it if police weren't brutalizing my neighbors. i would like affordable coffee, stable meaningful work for people
Reposted by Mason L. Wong 王樂知
i wouldn't mind AI if it was "here's a way to automate some extremely basic stuff" or "look at this goofy shit you can do here to dick around on your computer" - afaik but no one is asking for "we want to make a trillion dollars hopefully by destroying everything that makes life worth living"
November 15, 2025 at 6:54 PM
i wouldn't mind AI if it was "here's a way to automate some extremely basic stuff" or "look at this goofy shit you can do here to dick around on your computer" - afaik but no one is asking for "we want to make a trillion dollars hopefully by destroying everything that makes life worth living"
Reposted by Mason L. Wong 王樂知
going to beg trump to tariff podcast equipment to keep it out of the hands of these brain dead degenerates
"Nekrasova has made controversial statements in the past. In a 2023 New Yorker story, she was quoted as saying, “Francis is not the real Pope, we all know it. … You’re not gonna get rid of the Freemasons. You’re not gonna get rid of the Jews. They infiltrated the Church a long time ago.”"
Gersh Drops ‘Succession’ Actress Dasha Nekrasova After Podcast With White Nationalist Nick Fuentes
"Succession" actress Dasha Nekrasova has been fired by her talent agency, Gersh, after a podcast featured white nationalist Nick Fuentes.
variety.com
November 15, 2025 at 4:07 PM
going to beg trump to tariff podcast equipment to keep it out of the hands of these brain dead degenerates
Reposted by Mason L. Wong 王樂知
“In filling that role, the Yeomen may lack the Burghers’ articulacy, but they make up for it in brute fury. Their own new ideology is Dirt Thought (‘Words lie, dirt is true!’)”
joe buck: oh my god yes
joe buck: oh my god yes
in the actual real world secret police are disappearing americans on behalf of an openly white nationalist government but george packer’s latest is a novel about a world beset by woke totalitarianism
What Happens When an Empire Falls? This Novel Has Some Ideas.
www.nytimes.com
November 15, 2025 at 5:57 PM
“In filling that role, the Yeomen may lack the Burghers’ articulacy, but they make up for it in brute fury. Their own new ideology is Dirt Thought (‘Words lie, dirt is true!’)”
joe buck: oh my god yes
joe buck: oh my god yes
Reposted by Mason L. Wong 王樂知
Literary Chinese you can use, from Zhang Yanghao (1270-1329) on history:
興，百姓苦，亡，百姓苦
“Rise: the little people suffer.
Fall: the little people suffer.”
興，百姓苦，亡，百姓苦
“Rise: the little people suffer.
Fall: the little people suffer.”
April 22, 2025 at 7:50 PM
Literary Chinese you can use, from Zhang Yanghao (1270-1329) on history:
興，百姓苦，亡，百姓苦
“Rise: the little people suffer.
Fall: the little people suffer.”
興，百姓苦，亡，百姓苦
“Rise: the little people suffer.
Fall: the little people suffer.”
Reposted by Mason L. Wong 王樂知
Anyways. Apropos of this. Wondering about buying a piece of land next to her and keeping the computer in a faraday cage. Shes got a dog and a Chevy suburban. Dog nice. bsky.app/profile/sky....
god will judge us and im not sure we have a good answer meetrobyn.com
November 15, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Anyways. Apropos of this. Wondering about buying a piece of land next to her and keeping the computer in a faraday cage. Shes got a dog and a Chevy suburban. Dog nice. bsky.app/profile/sky....
Reposted by Mason L. Wong 王樂知
they spent 4 years studiously avoiding confrontations with the supreme court because they have no interest in court reform. they’re quiet about ICE because they do not want to a single thing about it when they have power. it’s a shitty reality to confront but it is the reality.
November 15, 2025 at 5:37 PM
they spent 4 years studiously avoiding confrontations with the supreme court because they have no interest in court reform. they’re quiet about ICE because they do not want to a single thing about it when they have power. it’s a shitty reality to confront but it is the reality.
Reposted by Mason L. Wong 王樂知
not to beat a dead horse but they do this not out of some belief about maximizing electoral returns but out of an aversion to rhetorically committing themselves to doing something about epstein/corruption/ICE/whatever other issue they’re avoiding, should they win power back
The usual suspects are telling Dems that Epstein won’t win elections, get back to “affordability” and I think my head might explode. www.offmessage.net/p/force-a-re...
Force A Referendum On The Epstein Coverup
It divides Republicans much more than "affordability" or any other economic issue.
www.offmessage.net
November 15, 2025 at 5:29 PM
not to beat a dead horse but they do this not out of some belief about maximizing electoral returns but out of an aversion to rhetorically committing themselves to doing something about epstein/corruption/ICE/whatever other issue they’re avoiding, should they win power back
Reposted by Mason L. Wong 王樂知
🧵Corruption, kleptocracy, and oligarchy should be the unifying theme of progressive policy — and, for that matter, center-left and liberal policy — and that’s been true for a very very long time.
Toward a Neo-Progressive Foreign Policy
In foreign policy, progressives are adrift, caught between dated paradigms that have not yet come to terms with the current geopolitical moment.
www.foreignaffairs.com
November 13, 2025 at 3:04 PM
🧵Corruption, kleptocracy, and oligarchy should be the unifying theme of progressive policy — and, for that matter, center-left and liberal policy — and that’s been true for a very very long time.
Reposted by Mason L. Wong 王樂知
This is what sent him into a week long crashout
November 14, 2025 at 9:16 PM
This is what sent him into a week long crashout
Reposted by Mason L. Wong 王樂知
Important to understand that sexual violence is political violence, enacted specifically to enforce class, race, and, yes, gender hierarchies.
I sometimes feel like they don’t want to end poverty or reduce inequality because they believe they’re entitled to a class of people they can prey upon
November 14, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Important to understand that sexual violence is political violence, enacted specifically to enforce class, race, and, yes, gender hierarchies.
Reposted by Mason L. Wong 王樂知
Clergy outside the Broadview ICE detention center
“Standing for our neighbors, we shall not be moved”
November 14, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Clergy outside the Broadview ICE detention center
Reposted by Mason L. Wong 王樂知
you know, it's not the only thing going on here, but how the fuck does an english professor at harvard misread lolita this badly
did not have Harvard English professor Elisa New emailing Jeffrey Epstein about Lolita on my 2025 bingo card
November 14, 2025 at 6:26 PM
you know, it's not the only thing going on here, but how the fuck does an english professor at harvard misread lolita this badly
Reposted by Mason L. Wong 王樂知
who's the parasite?
November 14, 2025 at 6:36 PM
who's the parasite?
Reposted by Mason L. Wong 王樂知
To ensure the future of our paywall-free writing, educational workshops, and staff and operations, we’re challenging ourselves to raise $100,000. All gifts are matched through Dec. 31; donate at: https://lareviewofbooks.org/donate/?utm_source=bsky&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=mgfd25&utm_id=mgfd25
November 14, 2025 at 6:03 PM
To ensure the future of our paywall-free writing, educational workshops, and staff and operations, we’re challenging ourselves to raise $100,000. All gifts are matched through Dec. 31; donate at: https://lareviewofbooks.org/donate/?utm_source=bsky&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=mgfd25&utm_id=mgfd25
Reposted by Mason L. Wong 王樂知
the extent to which journalists will circle the wagons around even members of the profession who have serially violated every professional ethical standard possible is astounding
November 14, 2025 at 5:53 PM
the extent to which journalists will circle the wagons around even members of the profession who have serially violated every professional ethical standard possible is astounding
Reposted by Mason L. Wong 王樂知
Ghosts Behind Glass has been officially published by @uchicagopress.bsky.social!
If you are looking for an absolutely gorgeous book that tackles a deeply serious topic, this is a perfect choice. Would make a really thoughtful Christmas gift.
press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/bo...
If you are looking for an absolutely gorgeous book that tackles a deeply serious topic, this is a perfect choice. Would make a really thoughtful Christmas gift.
press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/bo...
Ghosts Behind Glass
How museums display extinct species—and what these exhibits say about us. While it’s no longer possible to encounter a dodo in the wild, we can still come face-to-face with them in museums. The rema...
press.uchicago.edu
November 13, 2025 at 12:33 PM
Ghosts Behind Glass has been officially published by @uchicagopress.bsky.social!
If you are looking for an absolutely gorgeous book that tackles a deeply serious topic, this is a perfect choice. Would make a really thoughtful Christmas gift.
press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/bo...
If you are looking for an absolutely gorgeous book that tackles a deeply serious topic, this is a perfect choice. Would make a really thoughtful Christmas gift.
press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/bo...
Reposted by Mason L. Wong 王樂知
they want to stamp out the entire profession of public health for a generation. same day they announce they’re closing the CDC museum
🚨Dept. of Education proposes to exclude public health degrees from the “professional degree” category.
That means new public health experts could lose access to key higher ed resources, like loan limits & reimbursement.
A bold strategy to let infectious diseases win! 🦠
aspph.org/department-o...
That means new public health experts could lose access to key higher ed resources, like loan limits & reimbursement.
A bold strategy to let infectious diseases win! 🦠
aspph.org/department-o...
Department of Education Proposal Excludes Public Health Degrees from “Professional Degree” Definition
Discover the new results and implications of Dept of Ed consensus regarding professional degree programs and public health education.
aspph.org
November 14, 2025 at 12:38 AM
they want to stamp out the entire profession of public health for a generation. same day they announce they’re closing the CDC museum
Reposted by Mason L. Wong 王樂知
The valve box may not be for everyone and have to see what it coasts but the idea of pc style gaming without windows is probably super compelling for meany right now with windows 11 being what it is.
November 13, 2025 at 12:57 AM
The valve box may not be for everyone and have to see what it coasts but the idea of pc style gaming without windows is probably super compelling for meany right now with windows 11 being what it is.
Reposted by Mason L. Wong 王樂知
According to the car wash owner, agents arrested employees before they could obtain their documentation from their work lockers. So many were likely here legally.
Here's hoping this article on Zac boasting about how he ruined some immigrants' lives follows him around for a very long time.
Here's hoping this article on Zac boasting about how he ruined some immigrants' lives follows him around for a very long time.
BU College Republicans president says he called ICE to ‘detain these criminals’ at Allston Car Wash
The president of Boston University College Republicans wrote on X he called the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement requesting it detain employees at Allston Car Wash, the site of a Nov. 4 raid w...
dailyfreepress.com
November 13, 2025 at 4:03 PM
According to the car wash owner, agents arrested employees before they could obtain their documentation from their work lockers. So many were likely here legally.
Here's hoping this article on Zac boasting about how he ruined some immigrants' lives follows him around for a very long time.
Here's hoping this article on Zac boasting about how he ruined some immigrants' lives follows him around for a very long time.
Reposted by Mason L. Wong 王樂知
More than anything else, powerful men - like the ones who run the NYT - believe in the legitimacy of power itself. Because if it isn’t legitimate, they have to start asking hard questions about the world and themselves.
November 13, 2025 at 6:41 PM
More than anything else, powerful men - like the ones who run the NYT - believe in the legitimacy of power itself. Because if it isn’t legitimate, they have to start asking hard questions about the world and themselves.