Also, for us, I think we need to acknowledge that we've been in this place for a long time, we've been through the deprogramming process, and we shouldn't take it lightly that people are actually learning things through this little adventure to RedNote. The people at the base of the mountain could not even see it, meanwhile we've been claiming it for years now, many of us for much longer, and I only started unlearning things around 5 years ago.

The thing that I recall before reeducating myself is that China never entered my mind. China was not something that I ever really thought about, until there was some news story about it. I think for many of these people, it's the same. China isn't even background noise. It only exists when the news media reports on it.

So even learning basic facts about China blows their mind. The fact that they're learning these basic facts directly from Chinese people, makes it irrefutable. The Chinese people on the app are so welcoming and friendly and funny that it's also disarming, making the experiences they share that much more acceptable.

This moment will eventually pass. The novelty will likely wear off and new people coming to the platform might drop off. I think for the people who are engaging now, though, this is a massive and collective deprogramming moment.

[–] FunkyStuff@hexbear.net 29 points 8 hours ago (9 children)

I think Chinese media could play a big role in promoting more consciousness of what's going on over there. Americans proved that they're capable of watching foreign films with all the Parasite craze 5 years ago, I think it would serve this group that is learning that China is cool to get involved with the arts and watch Chinese films, listen to their music, etc. etc. Those are memorable things that should help further break down the big cognitive wall that people have that keeps them from engaging with China as a really existing country and not a boogeyman.

[–] themostannoyingmusicproducerofalltime@hexbear.net 22 points 8 hours ago (1 children)

I think Chinese media could play a big role in promoting more consciousness of what's going on over there.

I think in the short term yeah but I wouldn't be surprised if we ban Chinese media eventually for that reason.

[–] FunkyStuff@hexbear.net 13 points 7 hours ago (1 children)

I can't imagine a huge number of people are watching Chinese stuff legally. It might be more of a problem for music, but they're never gonna stop people from torrenting and going to the movie streaming sites that are in that perpetual game of whack-a-mole.

[–] glimmer_twin@hexbear.net 4 points 2 hours ago

I dunno if something could get parasite levels of traction with normies if you could only watch it illegally tbf

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