Issue No.21 - Polo De’Marco Magazine Issue No.21 - SPECIAL EDITON(clone) | Page 178

Q12. The Confucian “golden rule” is “Do
not do unto others what you would not want
others to do unto you.” In your opinion, is this
still the most important rule we should be
following?
JK: For me, I don’t think so. This saying constitutes
the idea of how not to behave rather than how to
develop and cultivate yourself to be better. However,
the importance of the word “not” in this saying is
large. If this saying were “Do unto others what you
would want others to do to you” it would imply
doing good for selfish reasons. The best way to think
would be to reflect on what you can do better for the
reasons of doing good for its own sake. This to me is
“ren” or benevolence. Just as Confucius said, “Do not
ask yourself why you are not known, but ask yourself
why you would be worthy to be known.”
Q13. If Confucius was alive today, what
aspect(s) of modern society do you think
would be most surprising to him?
JK: In terms of technology, I think smart phones,
the Internet, typing and printing would shock
him most. Though probably smart phones and the
Internet would shock anyone from those days, and
even people from 100 years ago. However, typing and
printing would be something I think he would never
have been able to imagine in terms of how he taught.
As someone who travelled around teaching and
writing on bamboo strips, I imagine being able to
write your ideas so quickly by typing and then to be
able to print them or share them online with many
people is something he would be most excited about.
In terms of society, I believe equality of opportunity,
the globalism of the current world, and of course,
that his sayings are still around today. He would
have been so excited to see that anyone in a modern
society nowadays can have an education.
Q14. What are some of your favorite activities
to do in your free time when your not working
or traveling?
JK: I am lucky to be surround by a wonderful family
and fantastic friends. I thoroughly enjoy spending
time with them. I think it is incredibly important
to surround yourself with good people. However,
apart from that, I enjoy being back on the pitch and
playing football and funnily enough writing rap
songs about the complexities of life and people. I
enjoy exploring the different ways and lessons people
can learn through life experiences and putting them
into a story with rhyme and rhythm.
Q15. What do you want people to know about
you?
JK: I am definitely a man of tradition being from a
traditional background. I love my family. I currently
have three dogs. I also have a few learning difficulties
such as ADHD and Dyslexia. That has made
academia very difficult for me in my life. I suppose
the least traditional thing about me is how I went
against the grain in terms of university studies. I did
study in Beijing, Florence and London for university,
but decided to leave university to set up my own
business. I hope others with similar problems realise
that there are many different paths you can take
in your future and jobs, and to work towards their
dreams even under difficult circumstances.
Q16. Who has been an important influence in
your life?
JK: My mother. My mum was among the first
foreign students to study in China after the Cultural
Revolution. She speaks many languages, but Chinese
is the most important language for her. She loves
China, its language and culture, and so has always
done her best to teach me everything she could about
my Chinese and Confucian heritage. She has been
there to help me figure out who I am and to support
me in my choices and decisions, including reminding
me of my responsibilities for the family. I would not
be who I am today without her as she is without
doubt the biggest influence in my life.