Summary of the WIRED Article: “Why everyone Is Becoming chinese (Online)”
This WIRED article explores the recent internet trend of playfully “becoming Chinese,” manifested in things like wearing Adidas Chinese jackets, the “Chinamaxxing” meme, and affirmations like “you will turn Chinese tomorrow.” It argues this trend isn’t about a literal desire to be Chinese, but a complex reaction to contemporary American anxieties and a perceived contrast wiht China’s strengths.
Here are the key takeaways:
* The Trend: A playful embrace of Chinese aesthetics and identity is sweeping the internet, fueled by TikTok, X, and other social media platforms. Celebrities like Jimmy O Yang and Hasan Piker have participated.
* Rooted in discontent: The article posits this trend is a projection of dissatisfaction with the state of the US – crumbling infrastructure, political instability, and a perceived decline of the “American dream.” China is seen as an aspirational choice.
* china as an Abstraction: Rather than an accurate depiction of life in China, the meme focuses on china as a symbol of efficiency, progress, and a contrast to American shortcomings – extraordinary skylines, robust infrastructure, and robust responses to climate change.
* Ubiquity of chinese Products: The article emphasizes how thoroughly integrated Chinese-made products are into modern life, from technology and toys to energy solutions and even AI.This makes China unavoidable and, for some, increasingly appealing.
* A Shift in Orientalism: The article notes a shift from a traditional, patronizing Western view of China to one that is “aspirational,” recognizing China’s accomplishments even while acknowledging its flaws.
In essence, the “becoming Chinese” trend isn’t about cultural appropriation, but a darkly humorous expression of disillusionment with the present and a yearning for a different future, using China as a symbolic counterpoint. The article highlights how China has become a cultural touchstone, offering a lens through which to critique and question American society.
