In an era of TikTok diplomacy and AI-driven news cycles, Princeton University Press director Christie Henry argues that books remain humanity’s quiet superpower for fostering global understanding. Speaking to CGTN this week, she emphasized collaboration as "the oxygen of progress" in 2026’s polarized climate. 📖✨
The Quiet Power of Books
While algorithms push us into echo chambers, Henry notes that academic publishing "moves like water" – flowing across borders to connect thinkers from Beijing to Boston. She spotlighted Chinese classics like the I Ching (Yijing) as proof that ideas outlive political tensions, with ancient wisdom finding new relevance in climate debates and AI ethics discussions today.
Chinese Philosophy’s Global Reach
From university seminars to Silicon Valley boardrooms, Henry observes growing interest in Chinese literature and philosophy among young professionals. "When you see tech CEOs quoting Confucius next to Steve Jobs, that’s cultural exchange in action," she laughed. 📈 The Press plans to expand its Chinese philosophy catalog this year, calling it "essential reading for 21st-century problem-solving."
As AI reshapes how we learn, Henry remains bullish on physical books: "They’re the original slow media – no notifications, just pure human curiosity." For Gen Z navigating misinformation overload, that might be the ultimate flex. 💪🧠
