Core Summary of the Analysis
This article connects three seemingly unrelated events—Mo Yan’s refusal to offer life advice to young people, Shanghai’s flexible approach to managing the aftermath of a concert attended by 70,000 people, and the controversies surrounding the Baihua Awards—to convey a central theme: society’s attitude towards young people is shifting from condescending preaching or overprotective adoration to equal respect. However, this change comes with its concerns. The effort to please young people may lead to new forms of prejudice, and algorithms, with their seemingly parental-like influence, continue to shape our experiences. True cultural respect should extend to all members of society, including the silent majority.
1. Three Events Reveal: Young People Are No Longer Being Preached At
The three scenarios described in the article are all examples of this new approach of equal treatment:
- Mo Yan’s Refusal to Guide: The Nobel Prize winner Mo Yan stated that he had no advice to offer and did not wish to act as a “teacher”. In the past, the experiences of older generations were seen as a guide for the younger (e.g., “I’ve walked more roads than you have eaten salt”), but with rapid social changes (technology evolving every three years, careers changing every five), the older generation’s knowledge no longer applies. Acknowledging one’s own ignorance can be a sign of kindness.
- Shanghai’s Patient Management: During the concert, subway services were delayed by 34 minutes, but the stadium lights remained on and small shops stayed open; there was no traffic congestion or stern faces from authorities. Urban management has shifted from an “ parental” style (“I know what’s best for you”) to a more service-oriented one (“I’ll help you get what you need”), focusing on the happiness of the young people rather than just maintaining order.
- The Power of the Audience at the Baihua Awards: The award for Best Actor went to Yi Yangqianxi, a post-2000s artist, and the Best Actress to Wei Shiya (a Hong Kong actress), with the winners chosen by 101 judges from the public rather than by a panel of experts. This shift signifies that the power to judge now lies with the general audience, reflecting their preferences.
2. Why Do the Older Generation Suddenly Stop Preaching to Young People?
In the past, elders were more inclined to give advice because society changed slowly; what grandparents experienced was likely to be repeated by their grandchildren. But today:
- Obsolescence of Experience: Young people face technologies like AI and the metaverse, as well as flexible employment models that the older generation has not encountered. Their knowledge can only help them navigate their own paths, not the unknown territories ahead.
- Shift in Power: Information dissemination has moved from one-way indoctrination to two-way interaction. For example, in film-making, it used to be the director’s choice, but now audiences use voting and ratings to influence what is produced. Neither the speakers nor the listeners are in a position of absolute authority.
- A Change in Attitude: People like Mo Yan are moving from a dominant role to one of observation, recognizing that advice from the past may not be suitable for today’s context—this is not rudeness, but a sign of maturity.
3. Be Careful: “Equal Treatment” Can Turn into “Pleasing”
Despite this positive trend, there are potential pitfalls:
- New Prejudices: The effort to please young people can sometimes appear as “political correctness”. At the Baihua Awards, actors with large fan bases (like Wang Baoqiang) received zero votes, suggesting that certain types of entertainment are still not favored. The disconnect between the opinions of a small group of judges and the broader public highlights how pleasing popular idols may replace traditional forms of guidance.
- The Influence of Algorithms: Algorithms seem to understand us better than our elders; we dislike the “well-meaning” control exerted by older generations, yet we willingly fall for their seemingly gentle manipulations (e.g., recommended content on social media that makes us believe we see the whole world). Authority has merely shifted from humans to code.
4. True Respect: It’s About Understanding Without Dictating
The article draws on the concept of humility from the I Ching (“The Mountain Within the Earth”—the mountain is hidden beneath the surface) to illustrate true respect:
- Mo Yan’s Approach: With decades of literary experience, Mo Yan downplayed his achievements and participated as an ordinary audience member, showing that one can be influential without dominating.
- Liang Jiahui’s Gesture: As a senior, he chose to give Yi Yangqianxi a hug rather than direct advice—a gesture of blessing, not instruction.
- The Foundation of Civilization: True respect means treating everyone fairly. This includes being considerate of all people, whether they are in the spotlight or not (e.g., ensuring subway services for large crowds and providing street lights for those returning home alone).
5. The Cycle of Time: Each Generation Shapes Civilization
Today’s young people will one day become the older generation of tomorrow. Yi Yangqianxi won the Best New Actor award six years ago; in six more years, there will be even younger individuals on that stage. What remains unchanged is the continuous evolution of civilization:
- The Legacy of the Past: The wisdom of the older generation does not disappear but influences the present (e.g., Mo Yan’s works continue to inspire new artistic movements).
- The Silent Majority: While young people in the spotlight are often celebrated, those who read in silence, work after hours, or conduct research also contribute to society. Civilization should reach every corner of society.
In conclusion, the real question is not “who should be pleased?” but “how should we treat everyone fairly?” Bowing down does not mean weakness; it signifies that what we stand for is worth protecting. This is the best response society can offer to its younger members.