Think for Yourself: Why Independent Thought Matters More Than Conformity

Since I came to China for business trips, now in my third year, I have gained a deeper understanding of Chinese culture.

Every day, I see a lot of information on China’s Douyin. Yesterday, I saw a video of a little girl riding a bike across the street. Because she didn’t have an electric bike license plate, she was fined 500 RMB. In China, 500 RMB is roughly three days’ salary for an average person. The police said it was for the child’s safety.

But I was thinking, what does having a license plate have to do with safety? Isn’t it just another way to make money?

Throughout China’s thousands of years of history, ordinary people have always struggled at the subsistence level. Even in the most prosperous Tang Dynasty, they could barely get enough to eat. When the government runs out of money, it starts squeezing the people. Why don’t they confiscate wealth from corrupt officials instead?

Isn’t it because ordinary people are easier to exploit?

Since Enzo came to China, I have indeed seen China’s prosperity, but I have also seen its hypocrisy.

For example, if you get into a fight with a Chinese person—even if they aren’t seriously injured—they may deliberately lie down and call a doctor to examine them. They might claim dizziness, headaches, and all sorts of imaginary symptoms—all just to blackmail your wallet.

The positive way to describe it: they are clever.

The negative way: they have no moral boundaries.

Moreover, news in China is heavily controlled. Any speech that is unfavorable to the government is usually not visible, and even if it does appear, it will soon be deleted by official media. That’s why it is difficult to hear the truth here.

Once my contract with the company ends, I will leave China. There is no hope to be seen here at all.