In-Depth Analysis: When “Lao Deng” Becomes a Social Label, How Should We View This Generation’s Wealth and Anxiety?
Hello everyone, I’m your financial journalist. Recently, the term “Lao Deng” has become a viral phenomenon on Chinese internet. It’s no longer just a dialectal word; it has turned into a social trend, even a form of collective “trial” for entrepreneurs and successful individuals over middle age.
Today, instead of engaging in dry academic analysis, we’ll use plain language and draw parallels with the “Gilded Age” in the United States over a hundred years ago to understand the logic behind this phenomenon. We need to answer three key questions: Why is it popular to criticize “Lao Deng” nowadays? What exactly are these people anxious about? And what will this generation ultimately leave behind?
I. Summary of Key Points
This article reveals a profound shift in social psychology by comparing the current “Lao Deng” phenomenon in China with the wealthy class of the late 19th century in the United States.
1. Essence of the Phenomenon: “Lao Deng” refers not only to age but also to a style that is out of touch with the times. It reflects the younger generation’s rejection and deconstruction of the ways their parents accumulated wealth, their consumption habits, and their values.
2. Historical Reflection: The wealthy of the American Gilded Age were also criticized for 20 years. Their hobbies (golf, philanthropy, collecting) and their struggles (identity anxiety, being exploited, public scrutiny) are strikingly similar to those of today’s Chinese “Lao Deng”.
3. Guidelines for Survival: The article suggests that the way out for “Lao Deng” is not to avoid aging but to shift from “showy consumption” to “constructive contributions”. True “non-Lao Deng” behavior involves maintaining curiosity and letting one’s wealth continue to have a positive impact long after one’s death.
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II. Detailed Analysis: Five Dimensions of In-Depth Interpretation
1. The Labeling of Criticism: Why Has “Lao Deng” Become a Risky Term?
[Plain Language Explanation]
In the past, saying someone was “greasy” was just a joke; now, calling them “Lao Deng” is like a condemnation.
The danger of this term lies in its generalization and contextual detachment. It no longer refers to a specific person but has become a negative label that makes people cringe. This label stems from:
- Arrogance of power: Those accustomed to giving orders fail to engage in equal dialogue.
- Cognitive lag: Using outdated methods to deal with new situations.
- Aesthetic mismatch: Preference for luxury items (gold watches, Maotai, etc.) while the younger generation favors simplicity, technology, and individuality.
[Deeper Logic]
This is actually a painful transition during generational power shifts:
- Economic Background: Wealth was primarily created by the older generation over the past three decades. Now, the younger generation is gaining more influence, but the distribution of wealth has not yet changed. They use verbal attacks to assert their cultural authority.
- Social Emotions: It’s a form of compensatory behavior: The younger generation may feel pressured in the workplace and economy, but they hold the dominant position in cultural consumption and values. Calling others “Lao Deng” is their way of asserting, “I am the new mainstream.”
- Legal Implications: The case of post-00s generations suing former bosses shows that online mockery is starting to cross into legal realms, turning this label from a meme into a powerful social tool.
[Advice for Everyone]
If you are a manager or an elder, the first step to reducing the negative impact of this label is to avoid an overbearing attitude. Don’t try to impose your views based on age. It’s more respectable to acknowledge differences and accept your own potential obsolescence.
2. The “Six Hobbies” and the Sense of Loss in Middle Age: Hobbies as Painkillers and Identity Anchors
[Plain Language Explanation]
Why do wealthy and leisurely “Lao Deng” have such “old-fashioned” hobbies? Games like Guan Dan, Maotai, marathon running, traditional Chinese medicine, and interest in Confucian studies? The younger generation wonders: Why don’t they enjoy skiing, esports, or more niche arts?
[Deeper Logic]
These hobbies are part of a reconstruction of identity after middle-aged crises:
- Social Need: The 60s and 70s generations didn’t have the concept of hobbies; they spent the first 30 years of their lives struggling to survive. When they have time, they seek group activities. These hobbies provide companionship and a sense of belonging.
- Identity Anxiety: After retirement, titles and company affiliations disappear, leaving them with a sense of uncertainty. Hobbies become new markers of identity: “Marathon finisher,” “Golf player,” “Confucian enthusiast.”
- Health Concerns: Health becomes a priority. Many of these hobbies (marathon, traditional Chinese medicine, golf) are related to wellness, reflecting fears of aging.
[Precautions]
Due to high demand and anxiety, there are many scams targeting this group:
- Information Asymmetry: The elderly often lack the expertise to discern the authenticity of products and services.
- Vague Promises: Terms like “master,” “authentic,” “energy,” and “vision” are easily used to exploit their anxiety.
- Historical parallels: The American Gilded Age elites were also deceived. Today’s “masters” in related fields may sell fake products or offer unproven solutions.
[Advice for Everyone]
If you or your parents are engaged in these hobbies, don’t laugh at them, but be cautious. Support them if it’s for social or health reasons. Be wary of scams. True hobbies are long-term, challenging, and require effort, not quick fixes from so-called experts.
3. Learning from History: The Mistakes of the American Gilded Age as a Warning
**[Plain Language Explanation】
History doesn’t repeat itself exactly, but patterns recur. In the 19th century, there were wealthy individuals like Carnegie, Rockefeller, and Pullman who were criticized for 20 years.
**[Deeper Logic】
Several common mistakes of the wealthy back then are still relevant today:
- Discrepancy between Words and Actions: Leaders who preach one thing but treat their employees unfairly lose credibility.
- Control Under the Pretense of Love: Trying to control employees through “family values” only breeds resentment.
- Materialism Over Substance: Buying expensive items without genuine appreciation is a sign of superficiality.
[Advice for Everyone]
- For businesses: Avoid empty internal communications and offer tangible rewards. Practice genuine respect and freedom for your employees.
- For individuals: Ask yourself: Do you really like something, or do you just want to show off your wealth? If it’s for show, consider more practical choices.
4. From “Showy Consumption” to “Contribution”: The Highest Form of Survival for “Lao Deng”
[Plain Language Explanation】
The article mentions the concept of becoming a “provider” (someone who contributes to society).
The murals in the Mogao Caves were created by wealthy individuals who sought blessings or fame. A thousand years later, their names are forgotten, but the art remains a cultural treasure.
**[Deeper Logic】
This represents the ultimate evolution from a consumer to a contributor:
- Low Level: Showy consumption (luxury cars, watches, houses) aims for immediate recognition.
- Middle Level: Collecting and investing (art, antiques) aims for value preservation.
- High Level: Making public contributions (building libraries, museums, restoring heritage) ensures lasting impact.
[Key Difference:
- Curiosity vs. Accounting: Morgan Huntley bought manuscripts and medieval Bibles out of genuine curiosity; many elderly people buy art for investment.
- Time Dimension: Showy consumption is for the present; contributing creates lasting value.
[Advice for Everyone]
You don’t need to be a billionaire to be a contributor:
- Micro-level: Save for your children’s education, care for your parents, teach in the community.
- Macro-level: Write books, contribute to open-source projects, share knowledge. The key is to contribute to something meaningful, not just for personal gain.
5. The Final Outcome: History Forgives, but It Doesn’t Forget
**[Plain Language Explanation】
Where will those American “Lao Deng” be in 100 years? Some will be forgotten; others will be remembered through their contributions (Stanford University, Carnegie Hall, Frick Collection).
**[Deeper Logic】
“Lao Deng” is about the loss of curiosity and openness. Age is inevitable, but a closed-minded attitude is what truly defines one’s legacy.
[Advice for Everyone:
- For the Young: Don’t judge harshly; their behavior is a result of the times. Be understanding and prepared for similar challenges in the future.
- For the Elderly: Accept aging and avoid becoming rigid. Listen more, create, and contribute to society.
In Conclusion, as Mark Twain said, “History never repeats itself, but the present is often a mosaic of ancient legends.”
Lantern pants have given way to quick-drying clothes, bridge cards to Guan Dan, and showy consumption to charitable foundations. The essence remains the same.
In this era of anxiety and labels, whether you’re “Lao Deng” or “young”, we’re all searching for our place. For the elderly, the best remedy is to contribute. For the young, the best virtue is to be inclusive. May we all live with dignity and longevity in a world free from prejudice.