This is really sad, but it's also understandable that people would choose to "lie flat" (what a descriptive phrase!). I think there are similar things happening in other countries like Japan, Korea, and even the United States.
Yea I think there are similar things happening in other counties too. Hope to discover more firsthand stories when we interview people in other countries
Next story is coming up in a day. Also a sad story about the upper middle class stuck in the “perfect trap”.
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Good post, interesting topic. I wonder, in China, is there an emerging class consciousness or class solidarity emerging among tech workers, that inspires the use of bleak language (or is it self-deprecating / black humor also)? "Lying Flat" is basically the same individual resistance as "Quiet Quitting" or the older "Work to Rule" but more evocative.
And there's a hint of Maoist influence in the words (especially 'code peasants') maybe?
In corporate America, there's basically zero solidarity, everyone is just a temporarily embarrassed millionaire.
>> I wonder, in China, is there an emerging class consciousness or class solidarity emerging among tech workers, that inspires the use of bleak language (or is it self-deprecating / black humor also)?
In China, not too long ago (30-40 years ago), there was once a shared narrative that we were building a society that would benefit all. The narrative went, some people would become rich sooner, but they would lend a hand to the rest of the society to move the poor up to middle class. Utopian for sure, but people once believed it.
For people in my age (~40) who grew up in middle-class families, our parents worked at public sectors, salary was low, but enough to cover life expenses. Schools were almost free, and non-monetary benefits were pretty good. They didn't have to work long hours. Everyone was equally poor but had a descent life. But if you look at the middle class in China now, they are making more money, living in high-rise apartments, with cars in their garage. But the stress of life is just going out of control. They may have a bigger number on their asset sheet, but life is simply miserable. The Chinese version of middle-class squeeze, I guess... I can't stop typing. We should write another post on this topic.
Going back to your question, I think the collective memory of the past has fostered the solidarity.
>> And there's a hint of Maoist influence in the words (especially 'code peasants') maybe?
Haha I never thought of that but I think you may be right!
This is really sad, but it's also understandable that people would choose to "lie flat" (what a descriptive phrase!). I think there are similar things happening in other countries like Japan, Korea, and even the United States.
Hey Nate!
Yea I think there are similar things happening in other counties too. Hope to discover more firsthand stories when we interview people in other countries
Next story is coming up in a day. Also a sad story about the upper middle class stuck in the “perfect trap”.
Thank you for reading our newsletter. Do let us know what you wanna hear!
I'm amazed such blatant age discrimination is legal. There must be so many people over 35 who just can't get a good opportunity right now.
Yea. Even you can even find age discrimination happening for government jobs
Good post, interesting topic. I wonder, in China, is there an emerging class consciousness or class solidarity emerging among tech workers, that inspires the use of bleak language (or is it self-deprecating / black humor also)? "Lying Flat" is basically the same individual resistance as "Quiet Quitting" or the older "Work to Rule" but more evocative.
And there's a hint of Maoist influence in the words (especially 'code peasants') maybe?
In corporate America, there's basically zero solidarity, everyone is just a temporarily embarrassed millionaire.
>> I wonder, in China, is there an emerging class consciousness or class solidarity emerging among tech workers, that inspires the use of bleak language (or is it self-deprecating / black humor also)?
In China, not too long ago (30-40 years ago), there was once a shared narrative that we were building a society that would benefit all. The narrative went, some people would become rich sooner, but they would lend a hand to the rest of the society to move the poor up to middle class. Utopian for sure, but people once believed it.
For people in my age (~40) who grew up in middle-class families, our parents worked at public sectors, salary was low, but enough to cover life expenses. Schools were almost free, and non-monetary benefits were pretty good. They didn't have to work long hours. Everyone was equally poor but had a descent life. But if you look at the middle class in China now, they are making more money, living in high-rise apartments, with cars in their garage. But the stress of life is just going out of control. They may have a bigger number on their asset sheet, but life is simply miserable. The Chinese version of middle-class squeeze, I guess... I can't stop typing. We should write another post on this topic.
Going back to your question, I think the collective memory of the past has fostered the solidarity.
>> And there's a hint of Maoist influence in the words (especially 'code peasants') maybe?
Haha I never thought of that but I think you may be right!