A friend ask me if I find any meaning in my work. Here’s my reply.
Please forgive me for answering your question in English. I find it easier to express myself clearly in English, especially on more complex topics.
You ask if I find it “meaningful” to write papers that few people might read. The short answer is “Yes.” The long answer, as usual, is more complicated.
Will my research cure cancer, bring world peace, or entertain millions? No. Will it contribute to a technological breakthrough one day? It’s unlikely, though possible.
But that does not mean my work lacks meaning. From a personal perspective, I’m constantly learning new things and growing intellectually. And beyond that, the job provides me with the financial stability to support my mother, which in itself brings a sense of purpose and gratitude. It’s also been a blessing for us to spend more time together, now that I’m back in China.
The financial stability also enables me to contribute to charities. While the amounts I can donate may seem modest, I trust that even small contributions can make a difference. It doesn’t take much to save a life, and that thought, however simple, gives my work and my earnings added meaning.
Moreover, I teach. When I stand in front of my students, I aim to inspire more than just rote knowledge. In today’s world, it’s not the specifics of the content that matter most. I try to nurture curiosity, seriousness, and a love for learning. I want them to see that even a subject like mathematics, often viewed as difficult or tedious, can be an exciting challenge. I aim to instill persistence in the face of obstacles, and I hope that, in time, some of these seeds will grow into a lifelong passion for learning and problem-solving.
My role also allows me to be involved in activism. As an advisor to a student club that promotes plant-based diets, I hope to encourage more sustainable living. I also started a community garden to foster an appreciation for nature and raise awareness about climate change.
Even if none of these efforts were to yield direct, immediate results, I still believe that having a job that does no harm, and which enables self-sufficiency, is inherently meaningful. It grants me the time and space to search for lasting peace in a world that often seems to be headed in the wrong direction. Wittgenstein, for example, found meaning in his time as a hospital orderly during the war—not in any grand intellectual contribution, but in the simple act of supporting others through difficult times. In much the same way, I find purpose in work that allows me to contribute, however modestly, to the well-being of those around me.
So yes, I find meaning in my work - not just in the research itself, but in how it enables me to make small positive contributions to the world around me.