Mr. Qian Helped to Foster My Research Attitude
Wang Chengwei, Academician of Chinese Academy of Engineering
In 1985, my work changed from Chinese Ministry of Aviation to the Ministry of State Commission of Science and Technology for National Defense Industry and worked directly with Mr. Qian. I was so fortunate to receive his guidance and feel his rigorous research attitude.
Resolutely implementing the "three rigorousness" working style
Mr. Qian had been very strict with himself since he was young. After Marshal Nie Rongzhen proposed the "three rigorousness" working style, Mr. Qian showed his full support and implemented it in person. He became a role model.
Once, Mr. Qian asked me to write an essay about the development trend of computer software. As computer software was a field that I was familiar with, I finished it in only a couple of days and submitted it to Mr. Qian with complete confidence. On the beginning of the next working day, Mr. Qian came to me with my essay and said to me with a smile, "Let me show you a poem." The poem said that it's not easy to write about what you think into a poem; you need to revise a thousand times before you're satisfied with it. Writing a poem is like a lady who does her hair, she won't let anybody see her before she's happy with her hair. He asked me, "Do you know the poet?"
I blushed and said, "I know it's written by the poet Yuan Mei and I completely get your point. Please return my essay." Mr. Qian laughed and tapped on my shoulder, "Don't show it to me before you're happy with it."
Inspired by Mr. Qian, I deliberated on the essay repeatedly and gradually realized that the perspective of computer software will be part of human culture. Mr. Qian was finally satisfied with my essay and said: "It looks good now. Enhance your understanding from daily practice."
Respect truth more than authority
Mr. Qian had said to me many times that if I study systematic science and information science, I should study Norbert Wiener's theory and his contribution to the development of systematic science. Following his advice, I started to read Wiener's book carefully.
When Mr. Qian discovered that I was too self-absorbed in "Wiener's neural network theory" and tried to solve some complicated system problems with this theory, he reminded and criticized me in time. In 1989, I wrote a short essay called "Our Purpose is to Develop an Extremely Parallel Non-programmed Self-adapted Information Disposal System- Starting from Neural Network Computer” and gave it to Mr. Qian for review. Mr. Qian did some revisions on the essay and changed the subtitle "starting from neural network computer" to "starting from the so-called neural network computer". In his comments, he said, "Note: human brain is an open and complicated giant system. In the future, the development of computer science and technology will advance together from low level to high level and finally reach extreme parallel rather than simulated neural network."
Then Mr. Qian pointed out in his letter, "I hope you could completely eliminate the illusion about neural network simulated computer. Wiener and his fellows are mechanics materialist so they are far from reality and will definitely turn to idealism. You definitely need to be a dialectical materialist."
Focus more on research about strategic problems
In September 1991, Scientific American magazine published a feature and on the cover; it read "The future is about working, recreating and growing in Cyberspace." As sensitive as Mr. Qian was, he realized that it was a signal that America was preparing to broaden the meaning of "information". He asked me to write an essay of the abstract and background of the author of each article in the featured magazine. I was asked to analyze the background and reason why the magazine didn't use the word "information space" but "cyberspace". He also gave me some advice on the Chinese translation of the word "cyberspace". There was no Internet in China at that time and only very limited foreign documents and magazines were available. After one week, I had only finished the abstracts of only a few articles.
On August 21,1995,Times published a feature story about Cyber War. Holding the magazine, Mr. Qian approached me, "Look, the cyberspace four years ago has turned into a cyber war today. Your negligence in strategic thinking has affected your further development in technology." I tried to explain that it was due to my lacking of military knowledge. Mr. Qian said seriously, "No, it's actually a matter of sense of mission. Mozi （China's traditional philosopher) stated that if you don't have strong will, you can't be wise. You should always keep a high standard for yourself and enhance your sense of mission and responsibility.
That is how Mr. Qian educated and inspired me. He was strict but patient, always extending hope for the growth of the younger generation. He was my idol and his every act has influenced me in a profound way.
(Published in Guangming Daily, P13, December 12, 2011)