Summary of Key Points
This article begins with the common phenomenon of children returning to their hometowns during the summer vacation, known as "little migratory birds," and compares the holiday choices of urban and rural children. It then explores the widespread sentiment of nostalgia among middle-aged people, reflecting on the process of "de-ruralization" in urbanization. The article also discusses the underlying connections between agricultural and digital civilizations in the age of technology. Finally, it examines the invisible stratification within large cities, questioning whether cities have truly achieved inclusivity and cultural compatibility. The central message is that hometowns are not symbols of backwardness but represent our spiritual roots; urban and rural civilizations do not need to be in opposition. Instead, the digital age is reconnecting these two aspects. Large cities should pay attention to the real needs of different groups to avoid creating a sense of identity disparity.
I. The Summer Vacation Migration of "Little Migratory Birds": What Are the Differences in Choices Between Urban and Rural Children?
Children from other places returning to their hometowns for the summer, while local children going on trips or attending tutoring classes—this is not just a matter of personal preference; there are two underlying reasons:
1. Real differences in resources and playmates: Families from other areas often have limited social circles in the city, consisting mainly of fellow townspeople, whereas local children have stable friends nearby. Local families can afford travel and tutoring, while children from other places may have to rely on electronic devices when staying in the city, lacking the companionship of nature, friends, and family that they find at home.
2. The natural bonds of rural life: The hometowns of these children offer a lively atmosphere with multiple generations living together, as well as natural amenities like rivers and local businesses (such as ice cream shops), which cities cannot provide. As the author says, "The places where local children go on trips might be the old homes of children from other areas"—urban and rural areas are not in a hierarchical relationship but represent complementary lifestyles.
II. The Middle-Aged People's Obsession with Returning Home: Why Do They Want to Go Back More as They Get Busier?
The middle-aged individuals mentioned in the article (the author, his cousin, and childhood friends), no matter how successful or busy they are, make time to return home:
- Some visit their elderly relatives, others drive 700 kilometers to bring fruits, and some simply sit outside their homes and smoke, even if there is no one there. This is more than just a sense of nostalgia:
- A spiritual recharge station: Cities are like lighthouses (bright but distant and often costly), while hometowns are like lamps (left on for you, not necessarily bright but comforting). Returning home allows them to relax without having to please others or weigh pros and cons; simply sitting under a familiar roof brings a sense of security.
- A way to escape the fate of being "urban farmers": Although city dwellers seem to have escaped rural life, they still face a repetitive routine of working tirelessly, similar to farmers. Returning home is a brief escape from this cycle and a confirmation of their roots.
III. From "Migrant Workers" to "Urban Farmers": Identity Is No Longer a Dividing Line
In the industrial era, farmers moving to cities were called "migrant workers," implying a contrast between urban and rural life. However, in the digital age, there is a new category: "urban farmers":
- The contrast between industrial and agricultural civilizations: Industrial civilization emphasizes centralization, division of labor, and competition, turning farmers into factory workers; agricultural civilization values diversity and self-sufficiency (e.g., growing multiple crops to withstand disasters).
- The digital age's connection to rural traditions: Digital nomads (who don't need to work in one place permanently) and blockchain technology (which is decentralized) share similarities with the decentralized and autonomous nature of agriculture. Therefore, "urban farmers" are no longer a derogatory term; they represent people who live in cities but maintain a connection to their rural roots.
IV. The Invisible Stratification in Large Cities: Who Really Belongs Here?
The article divides city residents into three groups, each with a vastly different sense of belonging:
1. Native urban residents: Those who are born and raised in the city, for whom traveling or attending tutoring classes during summer is normal.
2. New urban residents:
- Migrants from other cities, who often have more resources and can settle easily.
- Young people from smaller towns, struggling to find opportunities between big cities and their hometowns (e.g., those who consider leaving Beijing, Shanghai, or Guangzhou).
- Teenagers from small towns who struggle to establish themselves in the city and cannot return to their rural homes.
- "Urban farmers": Those who come from rural backgrounds, have a clear sense of home, and retain their rural values (like the author).
3. Migrant workers: For whom the city is just a place to work; they face high barriers to buying property and settling down, and many eventually return to their rural areas.
The question raised is whether large cities truly accommodate all these groups, considering issues such as the education of migrant workers' children and the spiritual needs of urban farmers.
V. The Implications of the Digital Age: Urban and Rural Civilizations Do Not Have to Be in Opposition
The article concludes that thousands of years of agricultural civilization have supported industrial civilization, which in turn gave rise to digital civilization—civilizations are interwoven, not opposed. Today's young people prefer a lifestyle similar to that of digital nomads, and the return of middle-class individuals to rural areas is a form of resistance to urban hustle and bustle.
Therefore, the future relationship between urban and rural areas should not be one of replacement but of complementarity: cities provide opportunities, while rural areas offer spiritual support. In the digital age, we can enjoy the conveniences of cities while preserving the freedom of rural life. The author hopes that when his daughter grows up, she will remember her hometown as a source of comfort and support in times of difficulty.
In conclusion, a hometown is not a "past that cannot be returned to" but a place where one can always find refuge, no matter how far they have gone. The progress of urban civilization should not lead to the loss of roots but rather enable everyone to find their own "lamp" (a source of guidance and connection).