Unpacking low fertility in East Asia through social media insights

We will explore the intriguing phenomenon of low fertility rates in East Asia, focusing specifically on China, Japan, and South Korea. We will present a novel approach that leverages social media data to analyze online discussions surrounding childbirth and parenting in these countries. Using advanced natural language processing and machine learning techniques, we will conduct thematic and sentiment analyses to uncover the key topics and emotional tones present in these online conversations. Our findings reveal that discussions primarily revolve around the financial burden of raising children, the perceived benefits of having children, and the tension between modem individualistic values and traditional collective values, including gender roles. Notable differences among the three countries exist and regional socioeconomic indicators are connected to those different sentiments towards childbirth and parenthood

這，不是一個愛情故事

香港在歷史上曾經歷了多次大規模移民潮，這反映了社會和政治環境的變遷，以及人們對未來的憂慮和不安，包括：1945年香港重光後、1967年六七暴動後、1997年香港主權移交前等。近些年來，尤其是2019年「反修例運動」和2020年《港區國安法》實施後，促使許多香港人對未來的預期、對家庭的考量以及對個人身份和歸屬感重新思考，推動了新一輪的移民潮，又以台灣和英國為港人主要的移民地。 本研究旨在探討移民決策背後的複雜考量，包括生活成本、就業前景和語言障礙等，並反映出個人在面對未來選擇時的孤獨、挑戰和成長。小說以「我」與朋友聚會的閒談為主軸，藉由與朋友的對話，帶出「我」作為香港人與台灣男生的戀愛故事，呈現對台灣生活的真實感受以及兩地文化的差異與碰撞。故事將聚焦於「我」面臨移民抉擇時所遭遇的外在和內在衝突，以及這些因素如何影響其生活和人際關係。透過角色的經歷和成長，探索和呈現各種主題，如身份認同、文化碰撞、人際關係等，以期引發讀者的深思

Talks on Happiness | 快樂講：「風吹不倒」積極人生分享講座

香港傷健協會的培訓導師高小亮先生於2024年4月19日蒞臨嶺南大學圖書館分享他對快樂的見解。高先生透過自己的人生經驗，分享他如何面對逆境和了解快樂。 提起傷殘人士，主流印象往往只有兩個：生命鬥士或弱勢社群。其實傷殘人士的角色身份一樣多姿多釆，亦可以透過自己的方式去貢獻社會。透過講座分享，分享者呈現精彩人生，參加者可以立體地了解傷殘人士的生命，體會分享者樂觀積極的精神﹑不亢不卑的態度。https://commons.ln.edu.hk/video_photos/1305/thumbnail.jp

Essays on product mix strategies in influencer livestream commerce and personal pronoun use in crowdfunding

Essay 1: The past decade has witnessed a dramatic rise in influencer marketing, with its value expected to hit 24 billion U.S. dollars by 2024. A key emerging contributor driving this growth is live stream commerce, which combines influencer live stream and e-commerce. Yet, the knowledge of influencers developing product mix strategies to maximize sales remains limited. In this trend, influencers often promote or sell multiple products that are similar or even substitutes. While this may increase the likelihood of consumers purchasing multiple items, it may also result in competition among similar products. To accurately identify the effectiveness of various product mix strategies, I utilize unique data from over 2 million live streams on TikTok to identify the potential competition (or synergy) of similar products promoted during live streams. The findings suggest that presenting similar products in a live stream overall increases sales performance. We propose that the product sales of a livestream depend on the perceived credibility. Promoting multiple similar items increases credibility by showing the expertise of the influencer and thereby increasing sales. Furthermore, the synergy of similar products will be weakened when the perceived credibility is already high, for instance, when the influencer possesses extensive promotional expertise in the product category being promoted or when the influencers have intensive product/brand promotion activity. This study is the first to (1) empirically investigate the impact of introducing similar products on live stream sales performance, and (2) provide specific guidelines for developing product mix strategies for live streams. Essay 2: Language is the currency of human communication, we use words to interact with others. Particularly, personal pronouns are among the most used words according to the Oxford English Corpus. The extant literature suggests that even subtle variations in language use can significantly affect consumers’ perceptions/behaviors. However, although substantial research shows that personal pronoun usage reflects the writer\u27s mindset or traits, it is unclear how pronoun usage impacts the reader. This study tries to bridge this knowledge gap and investigates how pronoun usage (third-person versus first-person) affects funding behavior in the increasingly important domain of crowdfunding (donation-based versus reward-based). Specifically, we find that using third- (first-) person pronouns increases the funded amount of donation- (reward-) based crowdfunding. For donation-based crowdfunding, funders contribute primarily out of altruism and are more likely to trust a fundraiser who writes objectively using third-person pronouns. For reward-based crowdfunding, funders expect rewards and the using first-person pronouns signals the fundraiser’s expertise in product development. We combine empirical analyses with experiments. Empirical analyses based on population-scale data verify the proposed effects. Field and lab experiments strengthen the causal inference. This study is among the first that (1) demonstrates that a subtle variation in language use can influence funding behavior, (2) offers an integrated perspective of donation- (reward-) based crowdfunding, and (3) causally reveals a psychological process that has significant funding implications for crowdfunding. The managerial implications are substantial as currently 88% of donation-based crowdfunding overwhelmingly uses first-person pronouns

The impact of perceived self-connection on possession-based placebo analgesia : an investigation using implicit and explicit measures

Previous study found merely possessing a placebo analgesic cream (without using) has similar pain outcomes when it is compared with using a placebo analgesic cream, but the underlying mechanism is unclear (Yeung et al., 2019). Yeung et al. (2020) proposed that an object-to-self expectancy can be a possible mechanism underlying a possession-based placebo effect, which means people believe that the owned object will benefit them. The present study aimed to examine this hypothetical mechanism and investigate how forming a cognitive connection between the analgesic cream and the self affects the possession-based placebo effect. We demonstrated the effect existed and observed how an explicit self-object association (high vs. low) affects pain outcomes (Study 1), and the implicit nature of self-object association tendency (Study 2). In Study 1, participants were randomly assigned to either the experimental (EXP) conditions (EXP1: possessed a placebo analgesic cream with high self-object connection; EXP2: possessed a placebo analgesic cream with low self-object connection) or control (CO) conditions (CO1: possessed a pain-irrelevant cream; CO2: no-possession). Participants in EXP1 and EXP2 were manipulated to form a high or low cognitive association with the analgesic cream. All participants completed a cold pressor test (CPT) and their pain outcomes were recorded such as pain threshold, pain tolerance, and pain intensity. Our study 1 results showed a significant difference between EXP1 and EXP2, which means the manipulation task was successful. Also, EXP1 condition showed significantly better pain outcomes (participants enjoyed higher pain threshold and longer pain tolerance) than the other three conditions (EXP2, CO1 and CO2), while no significant differences were observed among EX2, CO1 and CO2. Thus, Study 1 suggested merely possessing a placebo analgesic with high perceived self-connection enhances pain experiences. In Study 2, participants were randomly assigned to either EXP condition (possessed a placebo analgesic cream) or CO condition (no-possession). An implicit association test (IAT) was designed to measure whether there is an implicit cognitive association between the self and the owned object after people owned (vs. not own) the analgesic cream. All participants underwent a CPT. Results showed that participants in the EXP condition reported higher levels of object-to-self expectancy and experienced greater placebo analgesic than those in the CO condition. Additionally, the IAT results indicated that participants who merely possessed an analgesic cream were more likely to form an implicit association with it. In conclusion, our study investigated an implicit and explicit self-object association underlying a possession-based placebo framework. The findings suggest that a strong explicit self-object association can enhance placebo analgesia, and there is a possibility of an implicit self-object association existing within the context of possession-based placebo effects

後現代與九七回歸：論董啟章《地圖集》中的文化身分

董啟章是香港重要的嚴肅文學作家，小說多反映其對於他所生所長的香港的探索與思考。本文分析的《地圖集》正正寫於九七回歸以前，當下文化身分的熱切討論恰恰為了回應九七回歸此一重大歷史事件 董啟章承接八十年代後現代主義文學引入香港的風潮，以五十一篇學術風格的文章解構小說，同時思考及回應九十年代這一波文化身分論爭有關雅與俗、邊緣與中心的部分。 本文分為三部分。第一章先介紹作家，然後略述後現代文學在香港的發展及九七前香港文化身分討論的部分面向；第二章分析文本中對雅與俗、邊緣與中心的回應；第三章為結語，總結全文重點

Process-oriented explanation of institutional changes : comparative cases of national health and pension system reforms in Indonesia

This dissertation compares the causal mechanisms by which healthcare and pension systems in Indonesia have been developed. Despite their shared historical trajectories, the health reform emerged successful, while the pension reform faltered. The study employs process tracing to dissect the specific processes through which the Indonesian production regime and political bargains in 1998–2015 influenced these reforms. It commences with the generation of ideal-type mechanisms based on relevant studies, which are then tested in different cases. The researcher then connects the theoretically expected causality with fieldwork data, reconstructing a revised graph of causal mechanisms that links the crisis and reforms/inertia for theory-building. Findings suggest that healthcare and pension reforms largely fail to satisfy ideal-type mechanisms based on the power resources logic. Instead, this study identifies causal pathways driven by the policy entrepreneurs\u27 cooperation as the core explanatory mechanism for studied cases. This mechanism highlights the interaction of welfare bureaucrats and Academic Administrative Entrepreneurs (AAE), who hold secure positions within public administration institutions regardless of political-economic changes, in facilitating policy solutions that align with political interests. While the policy entrepreneur cooperation mechanism represented a causal reform process, there needed to be an explanation for how policy entrepreneurs could (not) effectively convince policymakers to adopt reform. The modularization analysis fills the gap by identifying additional mechanisms that outline the causal relationship between key actors\u27 activities and the institutional context that enabled or constrained policy entrepreneurs\u27 space for action. The modularization analysis uncovers fascinating dynamics in the case of Indonesian healthcare reform. It reveals that the successful implementation of health reform in the United States, which bolstered President Obama\u27s political credibility, played a pivotal role in the Indonesian healthcare reform advocated by AAE. Citing Obamacare as a reference during the lobbying process, AAE convinced relevant stakeholders to adopt the healthcare reform as a solution to diminish persistent unfavorable perceptions of the ruling right-center wing party because of corruption scandals. These tactics effectively enhanced the party\u27s popularity in preparation for the 2014 election. This case serves as a compelling example of how policy reform experiences from external contexts can be assimilated domestically to address a domestic political concern, demonstrating a policy learning-driven interest-interdependence mechanism. In the meantime, the success of health reform, which notably does not yield a bandwagon effect for pension reform, has illustrated the window of resistance opportunity mechanism. It explains how the inability of the AAE, who has a public health background, to resolve the deadlock between opposing parties has increased the power of stakeholders who oppose pension reform, allowing potential losers to effectively block the pension reform plans. The other variance of additional mechanisms stimulating the outcomes is detailed in section 8.3. This study has several significant contributions to social policy and process tracing literature. Not only does a comparative and process-oriented analysis of Indonesian healthcare and pension offer new perspectives on the factors contributing to policy reform, but the case studies also showcase the diverse causal mechanisms across different pillars of social policy within the same historical context

Booktalk at Library : 文化管理是做什麼的? What Exactly is Cultural Management?

茹國烈先生於2024年11月18日蒞臨嶺南大學圖書館分享他的文化管理之旅。 曾任香港藝術學院院長，西九文化區管理局表演藝術行政總監、香港藝術發展局行政總裁和香港藝術中心總幹事，茹先生在他的著作《文化城市之路》記錄他的文化管理之旅。茹先生多年來活躍於香港的文化生態圈，對當中的發展具備深切全面的了解，參加者可以從茹先生的見解中認識到香港的文化藝術及創意產業，而有意投身藝術工作的參加者更可從中加深了解香港未來的文化政策和發展。 We are glad to have Mr. Louis YU, the author of a published book “Towards a Cultural City”, to give a talk about cultural management at Lingnan Library on 18 November 2024. In this book, Mr. YU documents his cultural management journey working as Director of the Hong Kong Art School, Executive Director of Performing Arts of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Arts Development Council, and Executive Director of the Hong Kong Arts Centre. Mr. YU has in-depth and comprehensive participation in Hong Kong’s cultural ecosystem. Participants could learn from Mr. YU\u27s insights to better prepare for their career as managers in the Hong Kong arts industry and contribute towards the future cultural policy of Hong Kong. 茹國烈 MH香港中文大學文化及宗教硏究系客席副教授。 曾任香港藝術學院院長，西九文化區管理局表演藝術行政總監、香港藝術發展局行政總裁和香港藝術中心總幹事。 曾獲香港政府頒授榮譽勳章，及香港演藝學院頒授名譽院士銜。此外亦獲得澳洲皇家墨爾本理工大學（RMIT）頒授客席教授，及武漢江漢大學音樂學院特聘教授。 著作《城市如何文化》和《文化城市之路》，前者於2023年獲香港出版雙年奬。從2021起，以「城市如何文化」為題，演講超過一百二十場。 Louis Kwok Lit Yu MHLouis Yu is the Adjunct Associate Professor of the Cultural and Religious Studies Department of the Chinese University of Hong Kong. His previous roles include the Director of the Hong Kong Art School, Executive Director, Performing Arts of the West Kowloon Cultural District, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Arts Development Council and the Executive Director of the Hong Kong Arts Centre. Served as the adjunct professor of the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) and the Jian Han University of Wuhan, he is also an Honorary Fellow of the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts and was awarded Medal of Honour by the Hong Kong Government. His first book How to Culture a City won the Hong Kong Publishing Biennial Award in 2023. His second book Towards a Cultural City was published in April 2024. Since the beginning of 2021, he has conducted city cultural talk for more than 120 times. Photo Gallery: https://gallery.ln.edu.hk/lib/booktalk-20241118

“韻”範疇的衍化脉絡與“神韻説”的近世展開

“韻”從最開始表示聲音和諧的“聲韻”，轉而在魏晉時衍化爲評論人物、繪畫、詩文的涵括性術語，並與其他限定詞組合形成複合型概念，逐漸成爲中國文藝批評的重要範疇。宋人對“韻”作了全面系统的闡釋，並將其提升爲文學藝術的最高境界。尤其是范温在《潛溪詩眼》中以“有餘意之謂韻”和“韻者美之極”爲思想核心，建構了“韻”範疇相對完整的體系。爰至清代，王士旗吸收前人如司空圖、嚴羽、陸時雍等人的詩學資源，高舉“神韻説”的旗幟，成爲“韻”範疇在近世展開的最重要、最有影響力的形態。“韻”所追求的“取之象外，得於言表”的審美理想，不僅見於古代中國，也廣泛存在於其他文化語境中，應被視爲人類審美的一種共同取向。 The term “yun” originally referred to the harmony of sounds. During the Wei and Jin periods, it evolved into an inclusive term for evaluating people, paintings, and literary works. It combined with other qualifiers to form composite concepts and gradually became an important category in Chinese literary criticism. Song Dynasty scholars systematically explained “yun” and elevated it to the highest realm of literary art. Fan Wen, in particular, built a relatively complete system of the category of “yun” in his “Qianxi Poetry Eyes” with “yun as the lingering/extra meaning” and “yun as the ultimate beauty” as his core concepts. From the Yuan Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty, Wang Shizhen absorbed the poetic resources of his predecessors like Sikong Tu, Yan Yu, Lu Shiyong and others, and held high the banner of “shenyun theory”, which became the most important and influential form of the development of the “yun” category in modern times. The aesthetic ideal pursued by “yun” involves deriving meaning from beyond the explicit words, and it is not only evident in ancient China but is also widely present in other cultural contexts. It can be regarded as a common aesthetic orientation of humanity more generally

論李碧華《霸王別姬》對虞姬傳統形象的繼承與顛覆

香港作家李碧華以女性為主角的故事新編小說膾炙人口，但其作品之淺白、意識浮擺不定，飽受學術界批評，更被指控為鞏固父權機制的作品。然而，筆者認為在小說《霸王別姬》中，李碧華藉着顛覆虞姬的傳統形象，瓦解了「霸王別姬」題材中的雙重二元對立結構，把女性從男性設立的限制中解放，衝擊父權機制。本論文以《霸王別姬》作研究對象。第一章會先討論虞姬在千年來角色形象的演化，第二章會討論虞姬形象在《霸》小說中的繼承，並延伸出第三章虞姬形象在小說中的顛覆，並分析作者的寫作策略對文本談及之性別議題賦予的意義