One More Thought: Lying Flat

Summary

The transcript highlights the transformative journey of China over the past 50 years, beginning with Henry Kissinger's historic 1971 trip that marked the start of U.S.-China relations. From a modest GDP under $100 billion, China's economy has surged over 100 times to more than $10 trillion, becoming the world's second-largest. However, modern China's youth are shifting focus, with many adopting 'lying flat'—a movement against the relentless work culture. The government's resistance to this shift emphasizes the country's dramatic evolution from poverty to a demand for a better quality of life, illustrating the complex relationship between China’s past, present, and future.

Takeaways

• 😀 Henry Kissinger's historic trip to China in 1971 marked the beginning of President Nixon's opening to China.
• 😀 At the time of the trip, China's GDP was under 100 billion dollars, far behind the United States at nearly 1.2 trillion dollars.
• 😀 Over 50 years, China's economy has grown over 100 times to become the second-largest economy in the world, with a GDP surpassing 10 trillion dollars.
• 😀 China's rise to economic power has been fueled by hard work, ambition, and the migration of people from rural areas to urban centers.
• 😀 In contrast to the hard-working ethos of previous generations, a new movement in China called 'lying flat' (Tang Ping) has emerged among the youth.
• 😀 'Lying flat' advocates for taking a more relaxed approach to life, where young people give up their jobs and live modestly off savings or their parents' support.
• 😀 This cultural shift toward 'lying flat' has been met with resistance from the older generation and the Chinese government, which views it as shameful.
• 😀 President Xi Jinping and government officials promote the idea of struggle and hard work as the path to a prosperous life.
• 😀 Online groups supporting the 'lying flat' movement are being shut down by the government, which is actively discouraging the idea.
• 😀 The rise of the 'lying flat' movement highlights the growing desire among younger generations in China for more than just basic survival, underscoring the country's dramatic shift from subsistence living to a more aspirational culture.

Q & A

What was the significance of Henry Kissinger's trip to China in 1971?

Henry Kissinger's trip to China in 1971 marked the beginning of President Nixon's policy of opening relations with China, a significant moment in Cold War diplomacy that helped bridge the divide between the United States and China.

How much did China's GDP grow in the 50 years after 1971?

China's GDP grew over 100 times, reaching more than 10 trillion dollars annually, making it the second-largest economy in the world, fast approaching the United States in the number one position.

What were the key factors behind China's economic growth?

China's economic growth was driven by hard work, the ambition of its people, and the migration of people from rural areas to urban centers, which contributed to industrialization and development.

What is the meaning of the term 'tang ping' or 'lying flat' in China?

'Tang ping' or 'lying flat' refers to a movement among young people in China, where individuals opt to live more modest lives, rejecting the pressures of long working hours and excessive ambition, instead relying on savings or parental support.

How did the 'lying flat' movement start?

The 'lying flat' movement began five years ago with a 25-year-old factory worker named Woe Hua Zhong, who popularized the concept as a way to resist the pressures of modern Chinese society.

What is the Chinese government's stance on the 'lying flat' movement?

The Chinese government strongly opposes the 'lying flat' movement, viewing it as detrimental to national progress and economic growth. It has shut down online groups advocating for this lifestyle and condemns it as unjust and shameful.

What was the main criticism of the 'lying flat' movement from the older generation in China?

The older generation in China, including government officials, believes that the 'lying flat' movement undermines traditional values of hard work and struggle, which they see as the path to personal and national success.

What is the underlying message of the 'lying flat' movement?

The 'lying flat' movement reflects a desire among some Chinese youth for a different approach to life, prioritizing mental and emotional well-being over the relentless pursuit of career success and material wealth.

How does the 'lying flat' movement reflect changes in Chinese society?

The 'lying flat' movement underscores how far China has come from its days of subsistence living to a society where people, especially youth, are now demanding more from life than basic needs such as a house and a car.

How does the experience of the 'lying flat' movement compare to Western cultural movements?

The 'lying flat' movement is somewhat similar to Western cultural movements, such as the counterculture of the 1960s, which rejected traditional norms. However, it lacks the same social rebellion associated with the Western movements of the past, focusing instead on a personal, quieter form of resistance.