in the office,
Lu Shi tapped the table with his fingers.
At the same time, the shouts of the group of female students came from outside: "I want to see Professor Lu!"
The two echo each other.
George Bernard Shaw smiled bitterly and walked to the window to close it, but he stopped and leaned against the window sill instead, enjoying the calmness brought by the cold winter wind.
Lu Shi said: "Mr. School Superintendent, what do you think about the public opinion polls?"
How else to watch?
Of course I am very optimistic about it.
George Bernard Shaw said: "Although you describe polls as media tools, I think tools are just tools, and the people who use them are good and bad."
This is very insightful.
Lu Shi whispered: "So, I still hope that the opinion polls will be as independent as possible."
George Bernard Shaw asked: "What independent law?"
Lu Shi said: "Is this what I am talking about? For example, recording facts and developing history independently and objectively; another example: having an absolutely independent stance and not being influenced by political leaders of any party..."
George Bernard Shaw laughed loudly,
"When it comes to sarcasm, I'm really not as good as you."
What Lu Shi just said,
"Independently and objectively record facts and record developing history" is the newspaper's policy;
"An absolutely independent position, not influenced by political leaders of any party," is the newspaper policy of the Manchester Guardian.
But the two are not at all independent.
Bernard Shaw turned his head and looked out the window.
Silence falls.
Time passed by, and Lu Shi asked, "Mr. Superintendent, what are you thinking about?"
George Bernard Shaw put it succinctly: "Money."
Just one word, but it expresses the difficulty of Lu Shi's attempt to do public opinion polls.
Lu Shi couldn't help but nod,
"The source of money is nothing more than..."
George Bernard Shaw interrupted: "Bring me my pipe."
Lu Shi smiled,
"What? You want to tell me a story?"
As he spoke, he handed over the pipe.
The corner of George Bernard Shaw's mouth curled up, and he said to himself that Lu Shi's thoughts were so exquisite and clear that others could not match them.
It was a serious problem for the Qing government to allow such talented people to leave their hometown.
George Bernard Shaw puffed on his pipe,
"Professor Lu, have you ever heard of Fabianism?"
Fabian's idea has two main contents:
1. Intellectuals maintain their independent identity. This kind of independence is not about being independent from the world, but about maintaining an independent identity and participating in the improvement of society;
2. Gradualism. Use rational thinking to arrive at solutions, but at the same time adopt a progressive attitude.
Lu Shi said: "Fabia, the great general of ancient Rome~"
In the last Punic War, Fabian faced Hannibal, the famous general of the century from Carthage. He adopted a strategy of avoiding his sharpness and switched to a rapid, small-scale attack. After eight years of war, he was able to win with difficulty.
Therefore, Fabianism became synonymous with advancing slowly and taking action before planning.
Bernard Shaw was not surprised by Lu Shi's erudition. He had long been used to it.
He said: "Then you should know who LSE was funded by when it was first established."
Lu Shi nodded,
"The Webbers of the Fabian Society."
It is precisely because of this that many graduates of London Economics and Political Science have become believers in Fabianism.
And this continues into modern times.
It's natural to collect money from people and help people promote it.
Bernard Shaw smiled and said: "I personally believe in Fabianism, so I am willing to serve as school supervisor. Lu, the reason why I am talking about this is to tell you that you and your business must carefully consider the issue of investors, otherwise... Humph...things are difficult to handle~"
Bernard Shaw called Lu Shi more affectionately than before.
Lu Shi said: "I know."
Bernard Shaw asked: "I have just thought about it carefully. There are three types of investors. First, the newspapers in Fleet Street, such as the Manchester Guardian. The editor-in-chief, Mr. Scott, is familiar with you and is the most worthy of priority. "
This is no problem,
However, I only talked about the first half.
The second half is based on the political leanings of the Manchester Guardian. Scott will probably make some demands that are beneficial to the Liberal Party.
Bernard Shaw continued: "The second type of funders are various universities. Taking King's College as an example, various social disciplines have always had the habit of investigation, and the students are all veterans, so asking the college for help can control costs. However, the University of London Alliance Honorary principal...heh...you know."
John Wodehouse, 1st Earl of Kimberley,
He is also a backbone of the Liberal Party.
If you really rely on the academy, I'm afraid you will also be asked some "small" requirements.
Bernard Shaw added: "As for the last category, free investors. Accepting their gifts naturally comes with a price, but if you can be like-minded, then it doesn't matter, just like my relationship with Mr. Weber and his wife."
The three types of investors have been summarized.
To put it bluntly, it’s just two words——
politics.
In a country with a voting system, it is basically a pipe dream for the media and media tools to remain independent.
But the exchange of benefits is not without benefits.
As the saying goes, "It's better to lean against a big tree to enjoy the shade." Only when there are people above do you dare to move around below.
George Bernard Shaw took off his pipe, put it on the windowsill and blew it.
The ash fell like falling snow.
He said: "Lu, this is Britain. Compared with your hometown, the people and things here are not simple at all. Some situations are even more complicated."
Lu Shi said, "What about my own investment?"
Bernard Shaw looked over and saw a cunning light in Lu Shi's eyes, and said, "You know everything clearly, but you like to ask questions. There is only one result of personal investment, and that is to be excluded and destroyed."
This is inevitable.
For example, the previous book review page of the Manchester Guardian used only five words in the entire page, which was very effective.
But this model was copied by other newspapers the next day. Whether it was headlines or advertisements, they were all used very skillfully, and even outdid others.
There was no intellectual property protection in 1900;
Even if there is, such imitation cannot be considered infringement.
If Lu Shi invested money on his own without the protection of a big boss, he would definitely be surrounded and suppressed by people from all walks of life, which would basically mean giving away his life.
The evaluation of later generations may only have one sentence: "Although Lu Shi was the first to propose the concept of public opinion polls, because he was not good at management, he was forced to close the public opinion polling project after X months of persistence, which became the tears of history."
George Bernard Shaw said: "The main thing is that the opinion poll you came up with is so powerful. If those people in the Palace of Westminster know what it is, it is impossible not to take advantage of it."
Lu Shi nodded,
"I also know that I am powerful."
Bernard Shaw couldn't help but rolled his eyes at Lu Shi, then held his pipe in his mouth and fell into deep thought.
After about half a minute, he took off his pipe and said, "Mr. Wodehouse might be able to think of a way. He is someone we can still have a good conversation with."
What "have a good chat"?
The implication is that Wodehouse is easy to fool?
Lu Shi laughed.
Bernard Shaw also had a knowing smile on his face,
"Lu, you really should create realistic satirical dramas. Take the example of conscription you gave before. If public opinion polls are really popular in the future, it will definitely be a good joke, both funny and profound."
Lu was speechless for a while.
Because that is indeed "Yes!" A joke from Prime Minister.
He said: "It's not like drama... no, let's solve the problem at hand first. Let me think about drama."
Upon hearing that Lu Shi was going to create, George Bernard Shaw's eyes lit up.
"In order to gain the possibility of you being a guest, I promise to write a realistic script for Sir Wodehouse. If you are interested in writing, you might as well consider that direction."
