Jeff Pepper Posted February 15, 2018 Hi everyone, new member here, Jeff Pepper from Pittsburgh PA. I'm a writer, publisher, and a slow but determined student of the Chinese language. My publishing company, Imagin8 Press (www.imagin8press.com) started up a year ago, focusing initially on creating easy-to-read books for English speakers learning Chinese. We've published 7 books in our first year. Now I'm working on a major project, creating (yet another) new translation of the Dao De Jing. I've visited this forum a few times and have found it to be incredibly helpful. I love the serious scholarship that goes into these discussions, and the positive vibes. Looking forward to contributing! Jeff 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dawei Posted February 21, 2018 Nice to have you and hear from you. Look forward to future discussions 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thelerner Posted February 22, 2018 Welcome, your products are very timely. I hope you'll give your insights in our discussions on the Dao De Jing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Limahong Posted February 22, 2018 On 2/15/2018 at 10:11 PM, Jeff Pepper said: I'm a writer Hi Jeff, As a writer - are you a wordsmith, truth seeker, business researcher or...? I am not critical as a person. But as seeker/researcher I like to embrace critical realism as a philosophy. On 2/15/2018 at 10:11 PM, Jeff Pepper said: Now I'm working on a major project, creating (yet another) new translation of the Dao De Jing. I joined TDB in March last year. At the start, I wanted to read the Dao De Jing (DDJ) to have myself better placed as an intended Taoist - philosophically. But to-date I have yet to read any DDJ translation in English. Why? I am a third generation overseas Chinese who cannot read Mandarin text. As a critical realist, I am concerned about loss in translation. So? I choose to be a nobody - like an apple tree growing well in Nature underlined by the DDJ. But I am more than such a tree - I like to explore/exploit experientially. And I also like to share experiential learning/knowing with trusted friends. Why? Each road less traveled is different. On 2/15/2018 at 10:11 PM, Jeff Pepper said: We've published 7 books in our first year. Best wishes to you as a publisher. - LimA Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jeff Pepper Posted February 22, 2018 What am I? Tough question, LimA, but I guess it's an appropriate question on this forum... I guess I like to identify interesting and worthwhile problems, and then solve them creatively. That's taken many forms in my life -- mostly in business, where I've started, built up and managed several tech companies. But I also spent 30 years as a student on a spiritual path (though I'm currently unaffiliated), trying to solve that pesky "meaning of life" problem. From my background as an entrepreneur, I tend to see problems as interesting opportunities. So, I got involved in writing and publishing books because (a) it looked like fun, and (b) I saw an unsolved problem; ie, grownups like me looking for books to help them learn Chinese. So I spent a year writing and publishing a series of six books. As that was wrapping up, I started looking for another challenge. Collaborating with my friend Xiao Hui, I decided to translate the DDJ, but I decided to do it in a novel way. I wanted to find a way for people to see through the translation and understand how the verses were originally written and how they are transformed, for better or worse, into English. That's how I got involved in this project, which as become pretty much all-consuming! OK, that's my true confession for today. Whew. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Limahong Posted February 22, 2018 (edited) 53 minutes ago, Jeff Pepper said: What am I? Tough question, LimA, but I guess it's an appropriate question on this forum... Hi Jeff, Thank you for coming across as very human. My apology for the tough question. 53 minutes ago, Jeff Pepper said: I guess I like to identify interesting and worthwhile problems, and then solve them creatively. That's taken many forms in my life -- mostly in business, where I've started, built up and managed several tech companies. But I also spent 30 years as a student on a spiritual path (though I'm currently unaffiliated), trying to solve that pesky "meaning of life" problem. From my background as an entrepreneur, I tend to see problems as interesting opportunities. We are on the same page when it comes to problems. They are potential platforms/springboards for more "meaning of life". Nestled in problems are latent lessons and knowledge. 53 minutes ago, Jeff Pepper said: So, I got involved in writing and publishing books because (a) it looked like fun, and (b) I saw an unsolved problem; ie, grownups like me looking for books to help them learn Chinese. So I spent a year writing and publishing a series of six books. As that was wrapping up, I started looking for another challenge. Challenges spur us on to find more "meaning of life"? 53 minutes ago, Jeff Pepper said: ... for better or worse... 53 minutes ago, Jeff Pepper said: OK, that's my true confession for today. Whew. No confession needed - when one human crosses path honestly with another. - LimA Edited February 22, 2018 by Limahong Enhance ... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Limahong Posted February 24, 2018 On 2/23/2018 at 6:39 AM, Jeff Pepper said: I guess I like to identify interesting and worthwhile problems... On 2/23/2018 at 6:39 AM, Jeff Pepper said: I tend to see problems as interesting opportunities. Hi Jeff, More problems. - LimA Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Limahong Posted February 24, 2018 On 2/23/2018 at 6:39 AM, Jeff Pepper said: Worthwhile problems Good morning Jeff, How do we promote the celebration of solving worthwhile problems? - LimA Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Marblehead Posted February 24, 2018 A pat on the back is always helpful. But then, a pay raise might be even better. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Limahong Posted February 24, 2018 2 minutes ago, Marblehead said: A pay raise might be even better But of course. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Limahong Posted February 27, 2018 On 2/23/2018 at 6:39 AM, Jeff Pepper said: I tend to see problems as interesting opportunities. PROBLEMS - LimA Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Limahong Posted February 27, 2018 (edited) DELETED - duplicate posting. Edited February 27, 2018 by Limahong Correct errors. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Marblehead Posted February 28, 2018 I like that last one. It has been my unspoken attitude for some time now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Limahong Posted February 28, 2018 1 hour ago, Marblehead said: I like that last one. It has been my unspoken attitude for some time now. Hi Dada-da, The last one was specially chosen with you in mind. Once a stone, always a stone. - LimA 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wandelaar Posted October 1, 2018 (edited) On 22-2-2018 at 11:39 PM, Jeff Pepper said: Collaborating with my friend Xiao Hui, I decided to translate the DDJ, but I decided to do it in a novel way. I wanted to find a way for people to see through the translation and understand how the verses were originally written and how they are transformed, for better or worse, into English. That's how I got involved in this project, which as become pretty much all-consuming! That looks very interesting. I will open a special topic about your book. Unhappily on Bol.com (in the Netherlands that's where I live) only the e-book version is sold. See: https://www.bol.com/nl/p/dao-de-jing-in-clear-english/9200000094395548 But I'm an old school guy loving to hold a real book in my hands. Edited October 1, 2018 by wandelaar Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
