When the Muse extends her golden finger

Author: Shen Shanzeng
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-06-01
Features: This is a very "alternative" novel; but if anyone truly reads it as a novel, they will surely feel cheated. It actually uses the shell of a story to express the author's rational reflections on current economic issues. On a macro level, the book attempts to establish a "cultural economics" parallel to political economy; on a micro level, it contains numerous "golden ideas" dedicated to rural enterprises. The publication of this extraordinary book at least proves that in this era of reform and opening up, economic issues have become the focal point of public attention. Moreover, the active thinking of an author from outside the economic circle holds an irreplaceable reference value for economic experts. As the writer Zhao Changtian said, this book is merely "using the form of a novel, wearing the cloak of a novel," and is essentially an "economic essay." This novel is both similar to and different from novels in the conventional sense. It is similar in that it has characters, narration, and plot, while the difference lies in the fact that the main part of the novel is about a ten-hour lecture. The lecturer, the main character of the novel, is the "Fax Master," and the listeners are mainly several entrepreneurs from Wuli Ding Town. The theme of the lecture is aimed at the current situation where the market for daily consumer goods is largely saturated, advocating that enterprises should adopt the concept of "conceptual consumption," seeking wealth from culture and artistic aesthetics, and striving to enhance the high added value of cultural and aesthetic aspects of products or services. When cultural traditions and the goddess of art extend their golden fingers to the economy, "cultural economics" is born.
The uniqueness of The Golden Finger lies in its approach, which uses the "small" perspective of a novel to "discuss" it, employing more vivid, accessible, and engaging language to focus on how Chinese enterprises can tap into their national cultural potential to elevate their development to a higher level. In the novel, the "Fax Master" formally gives lectures to several entrepreneurs in Wuli Ding Town, but in essence, he is delivering a lesson to Chinese entrepreneurs. Explaining theories through the form and mindset of a novel, this attempt not only holds innovative significance in form but also helps the author articulate his theoretical viewpoints more deeply, thoroughly, and enlighteningly. During the lecture, the "Fax Master" often makes startling statements, and the entrepreneurs occasionally question and challenge him, raising issues that may also be the readers' doubts. The "Fax Master," with his open-mindedness, solid academic foundation, and unique insights, repeatedly resolves the entrepreneurs' questions and challenges, even those deliberately set traps. As the lecture progresses, the various characters in the novel also become vivid and lively, leaving readers with unforgettable impressions.