Death due to Overwork
Because of this voluntary experience with an international conference, I happend
to know some renowned experts in my field. And I have been deeply moved by their respect for work while I have leant a lot alongside with them. Yet I cannot help being concerned about their health.
An instance in point: I was having a hurried supper with one of the most famous
experts, and we were supposed to returmn to work immediately after it (I 'd say
this is more than normal for me these days, and much more for him). My heart could not help aching at his gestures at dinner. He got grains of rice around the corners of his mouth, and had them droping down the table.
They were all very tiny signs. But given the premise that I am someone who has worked in the rehabilitaion department, this arouses memeries of the pre-sign of
stroke. I am sure the chances for him to get this disabling disease is much much
bigger than any other I know around me.
We finished the supper quickly and waved goodbye, and went seperately to our offices.
My thoughts never rest there.
It was reported by the media that one of the young and famous professor in Zhejiang University, a supervisor for doctoral students died early in his life, when
he had just reached 36. And the disease which had put an early end to his relatively young life turned out to be late stage of liver cancer, which is unusual in
people who do not overdrink. The chances are bigger for it to coem from a hepatitis. In case of hepatitis, if one still continues to work his heart out, he riskes speeding the progress of he disease instead of speedind-down it. (We all know that at least now and in China, there is not any drug effective in treating hepatitis, though there are numerous of them in market claiming they can make the
patients "fully recover". It is ironic in some way though.)
I do not really know that professor from Zhejiang, but looking into the life of
this professor besides me who got his title as a vice-professor when he was 30,
and a professor at 33, who is now in charge of the two key departments in this province, I cannot help being concerned. He overworks often, into 2 or 3 o'clock
at midnight all the year round, and has to attend all kinds of meetings and banquets, drinking. What I truly admire is the respect for work in him, that's why I
chose to give up another offer with higher pay and higher status to stay working for his panel meeting.
Health issues, more of a healthy life style, has simply not got enough attention
in China. When I hinted to him that he may be overworking, he looked at me and
said, "Boy, you know it is not easy at all for anyone to reach my position this
early in life". I sighed a secret sigh.
His daughter was setting out to Hongkong for a sight-seeing trip with his wife yesterday, and was just back from another summer camp which also must have cost a
fortune, but her dad cannot see her often even if they live in the same city, and does not know which school is better for her to enter since she is upon her graduation from primary school. I remember my dad bringing me to swim when I was
a very little kid (too little to learn to swim I 'd say:)), and playing badminton with me when I reached 6. He never hesitated to get me what was necessary for
my study and develpoement, even if the income for my family has never been handsome. He played games with me to help develop my intelligence, and even bought me
a computer game machine which helped me to know it more but never have I got addicted to that. He breathed love and curiosity into me, and a love for life as well. That is, looking back into my life now, how can a common girl from a working class family became sufficient in music, calligraphy, writing, and painting. And above them all, a love for nature and life. In other people's eyes, our life
have never been too easy, but I always got those necessiry chances to develp myself, which brought also a grateful attitude, and a sympathy for others. All of a
sudden, I was tempted to feel sorry for that girl. She gets every material thing while her dad cannot even spend a single day with her in a whole summer vacation!
And the life. If living longer, it is more likely for any young professor to make more contribution to their university, and thus to our country. But things just slide.
I am not trying to blame my professor, but this probably has something to do with the time we live in now. Take a look at the life style of Chinese professors.
It is not difficult to find that they have to carry on both the heavy task of academic researches and social activites which is always involved with alcohol and
oily meat. If asked, the mojority of them are likely to shake their heads with
a forced smile and tell you that they wish to go to gym but do not have the time
and energy left after a day's heavy work. Can their families blame them? A talented advancer in one's field and a bread-earner, they should not really be blamed. But that kind of life is so sadistic in the aspect of family, that if it were
me, (I have been considering a career as a university teacher) I'd choose to quit and live a more free life on my own, while still making contribution ot society, to ensure my health and my happy family life.
It is hightime for us to recognize this problem and what's more, work together to solve them.
On side of the professors, it is important for them to realise that health is something they cannot affford to lose. Without health, all is in vain. And it is not really wise to spend time keeping on a tight medical shedule or resting in any hospital than to spend half an hour each day to exercise. With an illness, there comes together a lot of cans and cannots. And your life can never be as free
and easy as before. (Though I once posted that disease is a good way to keep people thankful to health.)
On the otherside, our society, especially the presidents of universities need to
be in this knowledge that no man is allmighty, and stop their attempt of shaping professors into diplomats.
Someone once said, "Art is long; life short." I cannot agree more.So let's contentrate on art in our limited life time, and let's keep healthy, knowing it is an
inevitable guarantee.
