As a Chinese American (whose family is from the mainland), trying to combat misinformation amongst my relatives feels like talking to a brick wall. There's already no love lost between HKers and mainlanders, even before all this went down. It's especially difficult when Chinese identity is seen as intertwined with the CCP, and any criticism of the government is considered criticism of the Chinese people.

I naively hope for the eventual freedom of all 华人 from the CCP, but people in the mainland are extremely complacent due to their rise in economic status under the current government. The only thing that would cause true mainland revolt and revolution would be if the Chinese economy collapsed.

> people in the mainland are extremely complacent due to their rise in economic status under the current government

Is this accurate? Western strategy, as I understand it, from when China opened up in the 70s until now has been to hope that democracy emerges in China from an empowered populace that has the means to demand it for themselves, and who has grown to expect the better conditions that come with wealth.

It seems too soon to call this strategy a failure. Perhaps an economic failure is coming, and people will know what they've lost when they've lost it, but this would hurt the whole world, not just China.

I don't think China can brainwash the whole world to love the CCP. And even if they do, that will make the eventual overthrow of single-party China that much more glorious.

"Anxiety is the Dizziness of Freedom" was really stunning for me, personally. Also enjoyed the titular story, though I had already read it before the collection came out.

I'm taking an intro neuroscience course this term. We can participate in department studies for extra credit, of up to a 3% bump for the entire course.