1996年5月,尽管国有企业的改革进行得如火如荼,但对我而言,生活依然平静如旧:无大喜、无大悲,无获鲜花之得意,无虑荆棘之愁苦。即便是席卷全国的下岗分流、减员增效的大潮也没能触动我懈怠的神经。也许因为有一张本科文凭,我压根儿就没觉察到自己面临的危机,直到我成为八一二厂首批下岗职工队伍中的一员时,我才发觉,文凭并非万能的护身符。 In May 1996, although the reform of state-owned enterprises was in full swing, for me, life is still as calm as ever: no disappointment, no compassion, no pride of flowers, no worries of thorns. Even the laid-off workers who swept across the country have not been able to touch the slack nerves of downsizing and efficiency enhancement. Perhaps because of a bachelor’s diploma, I was not at all aware of the crisis I faced. It was not until I became one of the first laid-off workers in the 812 factory that I realized diplomas are not omnipotent amulets.