Roy Wei

  

Volume 8 | Issue IV | December 2024

YK Pao School ’26

Shanghai, China

  

Born and raised in China, with a profound interest in US politics and a fervent enthusiasm for philosophy, I aspire to be a data scientist. My quest is to explore the flip side – the neglected aspects of human existence – and to delve into their essence. I am particularly drawn to examining humanity’s role in our ever-ambiguous and tumultuous world. It’s an endless journey where I’ve found a passion for challenging, and sometimes humorously engaging with, life’s complexities, all while being deeply engrossed in them. My curiosity drew me to Michel Foucault’s works last summer, where I found his analysis of power, genealogical approach to knowledge and truth, and his intellectual humility – marked by his refusal to claim absolute certainty – utterly captivating. His work inspired me to explore how mechanisms of social control trace back to historical origins and continue to shape social relations and influence my subjectivity in modern society. These musings culminated in a paper I wrote titled “The Persistence of Foucauldian Discipline in Contemporary Society,” which documents the steps I’ve taken to uncover and critique the prevailing norms. Outside of academia, I delight in puns, power naps, and playing frisbee. These simple pleasures not only distract me from onerous tasks but also serve as a reminder that life is a spontaneous adventure rather than a problem needing a solution.