Summary of the Key Points
This article criticizes the phenomenon in contemporary society where "jungle rules" and a "utilitarian survival logic" are imposed on children and employees through four dimensions: the proliferation of pseudo-childhood books, the predatory behavior in adult society, the utilitarian education of parents, and the "wolfish" corporate culture. Pseudo-childhood books package cunning and aggressive strategies as suitable reading material for children; anxious parents teach their kids to exploit loopholes and adopt a "wolfish" mindset; companies use humiliating "wolfish" practices to exploit their employees. The author calls for a return to civilization and humanity, opposing the substitution of basic human virtues with animalistic behaviors.
1. Pseudo-childhood Books: Packaging Adult Cunning as Children's "Essential Reading"
Have you ever seen these books on e-commerce platforms? Titles like "Let Kids Have Some Thuggishness," "Children Need to Understand the Ways of the World," and "The Way of the Wolf" are very popular, thanks to claims that they help children become more discerning and "wolfish." However, these are not genuine children's books. They lack coherent stories and any humanistic values such as kindness or bravery; instead, they merely gather fragments of adult-world cunning and survival tactics, essentially feeding children "spiritual junk."
Why do parents buy them? Because children don't have the power to choose their own books, and parents fear that their kids will be at a disadvantage from the start. They believe these "survival skills" can protect them from harm. But in reality, this imposes adult anxiety on children, causing them to lose their innocence early on and learn to replace kindness with cunning.
2. The "Jungle" of Adult Society, Forcing Parents to Teach Children to Be "Wolfish"
Parents' anxiety is not unfounded. In adult society, "civilized rules" sometimes fail:
- College students setting up stalls are bullied by aggressive individuals who only target the weak;
- During charity events, well-mannered girls are outcompeted by rude adults;
- At bus peaks, you can't get on without fighting for a seat, and some even boast about their parents' ability to do so.
These situations lead parents to believe that being too honest will put their children at a disadvantage, so they teach them to be opportunistic and competitive. But the author asks: If reading is meant to promote civilization, why should we expect children to fight like beasts? If bitten by a dog, do we have to bite back? It's normal for civilized people not to outperform barbarians—yet that doesn't mean children should become barbarians themselves.
3. The Contradictory Education: Wanting "Wolfishness" but Not允许 "Resistance"
Parents and companies have a double standard when it comes to "wolfishness":
- Parents teach their kids to be opportunistic, but if they challenge the parents' opinions, they are called disobedient;
- Companies encourage employees to mistreat each other (e.g., slapping each other or drinking from the toilet) as part of a "wolfish" culture, and any resistance is met with immediate dismissal.
This double standard fosters hypocrites: children have to be competitive outside but obedient at home; employees have to work hard but submit to their bosses. In the end, both children and employees lose their identity, unsure whether to act like wolves or dogs.
4. The Truth About the "Wolfish" Culture: Bosses Want You to Work Like a Wolf, Obey Like a Dog
The "wolfish" culture in companies is not about a spirit of struggle but about ruthless competition, leaving no room for rivals and exploiting employees to the fullest. For example, making female employees kneel and slap each other or forcing them to drink from the toilet if their performance doesn't meet standards—these actions are simply ways for bosses to make employees work harder and obey absolutely.
The author argues that primitive people imitated animals out of ignorance, but if modern society still emulates wolves, it shows that some have not truly evolved. A true corporate culture should respect employees and promote innovation, rather than treating them like beasts.
5. Isn't It Better to Be a Good Person? Don't Make Children into "Beasts"
The author concludes by asking: Why do we insist on teaching children to be wolves or dogs? Isn't it better to be kind and dignified? The girl in the charity event showed a bright smile after receiving kindness, demonstrating that civilization still exists. It's admirable for someone to remain pure throughout their life—this is what should be celebrated, not the ability to exploit others.
The core message of this article is: The meaning of civilization is to free us from the laws of the jungle and become warm, dignified individuals. Let's prevent children and employees from becoming "beasts in human skin."