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On social reality in China

255 points · 261 comments · thicTurtlLverXX

  1. johnsmith1840 · · focus · HN ↗
    I do feel a certain sadness in isolation of China. I wish I could learn and experience the culture but it's seemingly hidden from us. The insecurity angle here if true is very enlightening.

    I think of the absurdity of "RRR" or gangnam style those may embarass stuffy people but much like drinking does to social situations seeing the dumb of society actually humanizes you. I think it's also the reason american culture is so pervasive.

    I have never experienced a chinese show, movie, song, or played a video game but have experienced the culture from most other countries in some form. Even average chinese food is barely chinese! It was only when I moved to bay area I had real chinese food. Even their history requires effort to learn about, it's there but the depth is harder to learn about than others.

    It's so easy to boogyman a country when you know nothing about them. All of their direct neighbors cozying up with USA is evident of their failure to spread a relatable cultural narrative. From this perspective China is more like the socially awkward kid that says and does weird things on top of being rude.

    1. jackyinger · · focus · HN ↗
      Once, on a flight back from China I happened to sit next to an old Chinese man watching a serial drama show set about 150?? years ago in China. It was the best in flight entertainment I’ve ever had. He noticed me watching and offered an earbud. Tho my enjoyment was probably amplified by not really knowing what was going on.
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