Big Questions
Generally, I am driven by a broad range of interests. I am very curious about almost everything, ranging from physics to biology, from politics to economics, from arts to music, from history to philosophy, and from anthropology to religion.
I am interested in the questions of where we come from, how and why social and cultural change happened, and where we are heading.
Below are some big questions that keep me awakened at night and motivated: they also guide me in designing my specific research projects and programmes.
1) Why do conflicts happen throughout human history, between and among people, states, religions, communities and individuals? Can we find ways to mitigate conflicts and live peacefully together and then even better cooperate?
2) What makes a country rise or decline? What makes an individual or a firm rise or decline?
Can different entities rise or decline peacefully?
3) What drives economic growth and development which are crucial to the livelihood of the vast majority of humanity? How can we grow economics in a sustainable, just and inclusive way that co-exists with the environment and other species peacefully and benefit the entire humanity?
4) Why and how does change and evolution of human societies happen? In particular, what are the driving forces that have propelled the different waves of profound economic, social and cultural, romantic and sexual transformations between the late 19th and 21st centuries?
5) How could we improve the existing research methods to tackle these big questions? How can we present these questions and issues more effectively via music and arts?
To tackle these big questions, I break them down into smaller, manageable questions and research areas.