Summary of the Core Content
This news article discusses how, due to a lack of energy and high consumer pressures, it has become popular among contemporary young people to "raise bricks"—picking up red or coarse pottery bricks from the roadside or riverbanks, soaking them in water, and then spraying them daily. After a while, moss or small flowers begin to grow on them. These low-cost, low-maintenance "pets" have become a source of comfort for these young people, reflecting their desire for a life with less stress and lower expectations, as well as their sense of exhaustion from work.
Detailed Analysis
1. Why Raise Bricks? — A Compromise Between Cost and Energy
Young people nowadays can't afford (or simply don't have the energy to care for) traditional pets.
- Financially: Raising cats or dogs is like raising "human babies"—costing hundreds or even thousands of yuan per month on food, vaccines, toys, and medical expenses; even growing succulents can be expensive due to the need for pots and fertilizers. Bricks, on the other hand, are free to obtain, and there's no emotional investment if they fail.
- Energy-wise: Young people are exhausted from commuting and working long hours, and all they want to do when they get home is to relax. Cats and dogs require walking, playtime, and regular care; plants need proper lighting and protection from pests. Bricks, however, only require a quick spray of water twice a day (which takes about 10 seconds), and you don't even have to think about them if you forget. It's like the article says: "It's not that we can't afford pets, but we just don't have the time or energy to take care of them; if growing succulents is too much effort, why not try raising bricks?"
2. The Joy of Raising Bricks: A High Sense of Satisfaction with Low Expectations
Raising bricks is like opening a "natural surprise box"—the rewards are simple and unexpected.
- Low-Stress Waiting: If nothing happens for the first two weeks (it's like there's no progress with hair growth), the sudden appearance of green moss can be as satisfying as seeing new hair growing. Some people even get to see small flowers or ferns, which brings even more joy than carefully cultivated plants.
- No Guilt: Even if after six months the brick remains just a silent stone, it doesn't matter—since no money was invested, there's no need to feel guilty about being a "plant killer." In the words of the young people: "You can win big or lose little with bricks."
This "low investment, high reward (mentally)" approach aligns with their current mindset: they don't want to be tied down by anything but still need something to look forward to.
3. Bricks as a Spiritual Anchor for Low-Energy Young People
Bricks are more than just bricks—they become companions in rented apartments.
- Not Feeling Lonely While Living Alone: For example, Kai Kai in Shanghai, who lives alone without a pet, finds comfort in his bricks: "Even if they don't move or make noise, at least I don't feel completely alone." Bricks serve as a small weapon against loneliness.
- A Connection to Nature: People who enjoy moss can create a "mini forest" with these bricks; for those who can't be outdoors, the greenery on the bricks reminds them of rainforests or the countryside. Kai Kai brought a brick from his hometown to Guangzhou and placed it in a miniature model, turning his rented apartment into a more lively space.
Bricks don't require much from you, but they give you a sense of being needed—a thought like "I don't need to water the bricks today" on rainy days, or the pleasure of checking on them upon returning from a business trip. These small acts of care serve as a source of spiritual energy.
4. The Philosophy Behind Raising Bricks: A Shift in Young People's Lifestyle
The shift from growing succulents to raising bricks represents a move from complexity to simplicity.
- A Decline in Consumption: From caring for expensive plants like succulents and air plants, young people have moved on to something even more effortless, like picking up discarded bricks—essentially a rejection of the high-cost lifestyle.
- Reduced Expectations for Emotional Return: Pets may get sick, plants may wither, but bricks will survive with just a little water. Young people no longer seek highly interactive companionship; they simply want something that doesn't require much from them.
As the article states: "It's about moving towards things with the lowest cost, minimum maintenance, and lowest expectations. The slow growth of moss on the bricks—just seeing a bit more green every day—is enough."
Conclusion
Raising bricks may seem absurd, but it's actually a clever way for young people to cope with their current pressures. It's a way to find comfort in the simplest form possible. It's not about being frivolous; rather, it reflects a sense of helplessness when energy is low and a desire for a simpler life. After all, in days spent exhausted by work, a brick that can grow greenery can be a small source of happiness in their lives.