Abstract

An ancient and provocative Chinese expression of well-wishing suggests that one is fortunate to live in interesting times. What makes this expression provocative is that it leaves us on our own to work out what counts as “interesting.” Susan Sontag once remarked that the only persons whom she found interesting were those who were engaged in a process of self-transformation. Historians would readily agree with Sontag, although their embrace of the principle might take the collective form: the most “interesting times” in history are those involving dramatic cultural transformations. William James, too, had things to say about the interest factor: the most interesting and important thing about a person is his or her worldview.