matt's research page

The Tao Te Ching

Topic

I will be doing my research on the Tao Te Ching. I have been reading the Tao Te Ching on and off since high school, but never examined it at any great depth. I know that the texts were written by Lao Tsu approximately 2500 years ago, and that there is a focus on "the way" (Tao). I want to answer in greater detail what exactly the history of the Tao Te Ching is, and find out more about the life and works of Lao Tsu. I want to apply what I find in some terms of people in their late teens/early twenties-especially students. I think that there is a problem with depression and anxiety in this age group, and that a lot of it stems from the lifestyle associated with the student today. I think that the teachings of the Tao can provide comfort and purpose for this type of person.

(click on the image to learn more about the tao te ching)

Section II: Print Sources

1. The Yin-Yang Journal: An Alternative Reading of the Tao Te Ching

call number: BL1900 L35 A86 1996

2. Lao-Tzu, My Words Are Very Easy To Understand: Lectures on the Tao Te Ching

call number: BL1900 L35 C54513 1981

Non-Print: The Long Search call number: 65-V4396

Section III: Academic Universe Lexis-Nexis Sources

1. Coxon, Kate. (2001, May 8). The Stress of Exams Can Precipitate Student Mental Health Problems. The Guardian [Online], one page. Available: LEXIS-NEXIS [2001, May 25].

2. CP. (2001, March 11). Sleep Deprived Teens Run Risk of Depression. Toronto Sun [Online], one page. Available: LEXIS-NEXIS [2001, May 26].

3. Hodges, Lucy. (2001, May 10). Lucy Hodges. The Independent [Online], two pages. Available: LEXIS-NEXIS [2001, May 26].

4. Matheson, Jean. (2001, February 8). High Number of Teens Tell Suicidal Thoughts. Milwaukee Journal Sentinal [Online], one page. Available: LEXIS-NEXIS [2001, May 26].

5. Nava-Fiorio, Kim and Bill Zimmerman. (2001, May 24). Student Briefing Page On the News. Newsday [Online], one page. Available: LEXIS-NEXIS [2001, May 26].

6. Woo, Alex. (2001, April 19). Students Made To Think University Place All That Matters. South China Morning Post [Online], one page. Available: LEXIS- NEXIS [2001, May 26].

Section IV: Web Pages

1. Title of Web Page: English Translations of the Tao Te Ching

Web address: http://www.clas.ufl.edu/users/gthursby/taoism/ttc-list.htm

Brief Description: Provides multiple translations of the Tao Te Ching text. Some of the translations are more difficult while others are written for first time readers. The ones for new readers include introductions to the material, background information on the text, and more.

Source of Web site: The World Wide Web Virtual Library

2. Title of Web Page: The Illustrated Tao Te Ching

Web address: http://www.teleport.com/~cooler/TAO/tao_index.html

Brief Description: This site has a set of slides that help the reader get a sense of the different translations. The presentation of the text along with the imagery and remarks gives a different sense than the text does alone. This site also has links to other translations.

Source of Web site: cooler@teleport.com

3. Title of Web Page: Comments on the Tao Te Ching

Web address: http://www.friesian.com/taote.htm

Brief Description: This site includes commentary on passages from the Tao Te Ching, and has explanations that accompany various parts. The site features analysis of certain passages as well.

Source of Web site: D.C. Lau translation (Penguin Books, 1963) and Kelly L. Ross,Ph. D

4. Title of Web Page: Tao Te Ching

Web address: http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Bridge/76871/

Brief Description: This is the author's person opinion of the text. It gives insight on the passages and includes a slightly different translation by the author.

Source of Web Site: Yahoo! Geocities

5. Title of Web Page: none

Web address: http://www.i5ive.com/article.cfm/taoism/36101

Brief Description: This page gives a History of the Tao Te Ching with background information on Lao Tzu, author of the Tao Te Ching. This is the one of the few sites I found that had a good amount of background and history included in it, rather than just translations of the text.

Source of Web Site: suite101.com

Section V: .com Company Fraud

(Net People and Places)

ThePayLine.com seemed like a great deal for those who heard of it and registered their names. After making a payment of two hundred dollars and registering two others, members were promised fifty percent of all money received from future members, along with a free travel mile for every member who joined afterwards (1). However, there was a catch.

More than 290,000 pre-registered for PayLine by email, sending their two hundred dollar payment to the company's private mailbox. Luckily for these people, suspicions arose, and the Postal Inspection Service sent a notice to PayLine officials seeking proper identification (2). Though the company confirmed receiving the request for identification, none was ever sent.

After being tipped off by readers, columnist Brian Livingston of InfoWorld printed a piece on ThePayLine.com, which resulted in an investigation by the U.S. Postal Service. The USPS recently seized all contents of the company's Florida mailbox, and the investigation revealed the company was actually headquartered in St. Kitts and Nevis, two towns in the Caribbean notorious for activities involving money laundering (1).

To make matters worse, the seemingly too-good-to-be-true benefits of joining PayLine were just that. According to an article published by Livingston after the seizure of the company's private Florida mailbox, the guarantees made to PayLine's members were mathematically impossible. Now that the contents have been confiscated by the U.S. Postal Service, some of 290,000 people who sent two hundred dollars to ThePayline.com will get their money back, and officials are publicizing the company's obscurity (2).

Section V: Notes

(1) Brian Livingston, "Postal Authorities Seize the Cash Flow of the Internet Outfit Known As PayLine.com," InfoWorld, 2 April 2001, p.56 Also Available [Online]: InfoTrac [Accessed: 27 May, 2001].

(2) Jo-Ann Johnston, "Jo-Ann Johnston," The Tampa Tribune, 13 February 2001, p.1 Also Available [Online]: InfoTrac [Accessed: 27 May, 2001].

Three Web Sites:

(1) Title of Web page: The Payline…Flight or Fancy?

Web address: http://www.report-scams.cc/payline.htm

Brief Description: Report on fraud, and a warning for people. Also excerpt from a member of the MLM Truth Coalition.

Source of Web site: The Scam Reporter

(2) Title of Web page: Payline

Web address: http://www.yourcashathome.com/payline.htm

Brief Description: Article about Payline, and a warning not to send money in to it.

Source of Web site: Internet Fraud Center

(3) Title of Web page: Vice Squad

Web address: http://detlefmp.com/vicesquad.htm

Brief Description: A site to report Con Artists among other things. Article about various fraud, including the Payline.

Source of Web site: Link Exchange

minchew@email.unc.edu

*page last updated June 13, 2001