Book Circle Discussion Preview: April 18, 2026
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On April 18, the US-China Catholic Association Book Circle will discuss chapters 4–5 (pages 95–170) of Dan Wang's book, Breakneck: China's Quest to Engineer the Future.
In preparation for the discussion, Book Circle participants have been considering the following discussion prompts from Book Circle facilitator Dr. Kathy Stout:
This month we are reading chapters 4 and 5 of Dan Wang's book, which deal with two very difficult topics of modern Chinese politics: the one-child birth control policy and the "zero Covid" pandemic control that agonized the country only a few years ago. The close-up observations of these two phenomena reveal the "merits and madnesses" (page 129) of the engineering state. You are invited to ponder the following questions as you read:
1) The one-child policy was inspired by the modern Western science of cybernetics (100-103), which contained an early version of dogmatic faith in artificial intelligence. How do the stories of this policy and of "zero Covid" help you understand the allures and perils of scientific promise? How do they help you negotiate the relationship between science and moral/spiritual matters that are closer to the heart?
2) On page 118, Dan Wang comments that at the most critical juncture, the country lacked "intellectual antibodies" to resist the adoption of the one-child policy. How will you interpret this very interesting phrase, "intellectual antibodies?" How important are they? What, if any, types of "intellectual antibodies" are available to Chinese society as it continues to face its particular challenges?
3) What questions do you have based on this reading?
If you know anyone who might be interested in our Book Circle discussions, please invite them to sign up for Book Circle email updates today! For in-person opportunities to learn about theology, history, and the life of the Church in China, we invite you to register for our upcoming 30th International Conference.
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