A letter from Tianqiao Chen and Chrissy Luo

In 1999, we established the very first virtual community for online gaming users. Within five years, it had blossomed into an online community with hundreds of millions of users and it afforded us a unique perspective into how this microcosm of society functioned. With our business success came wealth, a deeper understanding of the world around us and many philosophical questions that we still ponder today: Why do some things lead to drastically different perceptions and reactions in different people? Why are some people hijacked by their own emotions, causing them to suffer despite their ability to analyze and make rational judgments?

In today’s world, we are surrounded by material abundance. We can fly into space or dive deep into the sea, but do we feel freer? We can enjoy exotic cuisine from all corners of the world, but do we feel happier? How much does the world around us exist in reality versus our mind’s perceptions? As we entered our forties, we examined these questions through the lens of philosophy and religion but soon realized that some answers might be found in science.

In this new phase of our lives, we continue to be driven by curiosity and a desire to innovate. However, we are now focusing our efforts and passion on giving back to society and contributing to the advancement of humanity. We are excited, and humbled, to devote ourselves to mankind’s never-ending effort to deepen our understanding of the human brain and mind. The study of the brain is both alluring and daunting. Making this dream a reality will be difficult but we are determined and dedicated to this mission.