Looking at the world today, rather than a certain country or region, there are some commonalities without exception. These include the following aspects:
1. The prevalence of financial anxiety: Downward economic pressure, widening income gap, high housing prices, and uncertainty in pension and medical care have made "money anxiety" a common phenomenon. Regardless of income, many people always feel that they don't have enough money and are worried about their future financial situation. They even avoid financial statements, overspend, or become extremely frugal. The "spotlight effect" of social media has also exacerbated the comparison psychology of the younger generation, further giving rise to anxiety about money and status.
2. Career and survival pressure: The industrial upgrading and job changes brought about by technological progress have made "involution" and "elimination" the norm in the workplace. Fierce competition, normalized overtime, and increased risk of unemployment have led to people facing tremendous work pressure and survival anxiety. In the process of pursuing success, individuals often sacrifice their physical and mental health and interpersonal relationships, exacerbating loneliness and insecurity.
3. The spread of uncertainty: Global crises (such as the epidemic), geopolitical conflicts, climate change, etc., make the future full of uncertainty. This diffuse sense of uncertainty not only affects people's cognition and will to act, but also brings about a general sense of frustration and depression, and even causes trauma and self-doubt.
However, we are in an era of dynamic change. It is not as good as you imagine, nor is it as bad as you imagine. The ups and downs of the economic cycle , especially the surging wave of the AI technology revolution , have undoubtedly brought profound pains of change . From the macro-level policies of major countries , multilateral trade frictions, to the complex and ever-changing geopolitical influences , to the micro-level collective anxiety that permeates everyone's heart, they are silently reminding us of the challenges of the times. However, just like those moments of overcoming difficulties in the long river of history, these pains are not the end, but an opportunity for nirvana and rebirth .
Insight into the cycle and proactively respond
Understanding the macroeconomic performance of the economic cycle is crucial. In the period of economic prosperity, capital tends to expand actively and the market is full of vitality; when entering the economic recession, the capital mentality will turn cautious, which will undoubtedly have an impact on the microeconomics and make many people feel stressed. However, just like the ebb and flow of the tide, these are the laws of economic operation. We don't have to be bothered by short-term fluctuations, but learn to identify cycles and prepare for them.
At the same time, industrial transformation centered on AI is reshaping our work and life at an unprecedented speed. Old models are being overturned, and new business models are emerging. This is where opportunities for ordinary individuals in the transformation process lie. We do not need to worry about being eliminated by technology, but should actively embrace the changes of the current era and regard artificial intelligence as a tool to enhance our own capabilities and create new value.
Think independently and stay optimistic
Faced with an overwhelming amount of information and opinions, we often hear the analysis of so-called economists and the opinions of various so-called experts . But please remember that any opinion may be subjective . Instead of being swayed by a single voice, it is better to cultivate the ability to think independently. Independent writers can often provide a more fair and objective perspective, helping us to clear the fog and see the essence.
As an optimist , I firmly believe that, in essence, we have the inner strength to cope with challenges. In the face of collective anxiety and troubles , rather than indulging in them, it is better to abandon anxiety and invest precious energy in positive actions. Optimism is not blind, but is based on insight into historical laws and a firm belief in human resilience. Next, let us explore the self-exploration and self-breakthrough of Chinese culture in the face of danger.
Draw on historical wisdom and achieve individual self-reliance
Looking back at history, Chinese civilization has experienced countless tests. Among them , the Yongjia Rebellion in the early fourth century AD was undoubtedly a serious catastrophe in the history of the Chinese nation. It not only ended the Western Jin Dynasty, but also caused a devastating blow to the Central Plains, killing people, destroying civility, and bringing great destructive effects on Chinese culture. However, just like the phoenix nirvana, reborn from the ashes, Chinese culture has shown amazing resilience. In the midst of war and displacement, the large-scale migration of the Central Plains clans not only preserved the fire of culture, but also took root in new regions, blended with local culture, and finally reshaped the glory of Chinese civilization. When the war raged in the Central Plains, some of the Central Plains gentry and people chose to cross the river to the south, while others chose to migrate westward, along the ancient Silk Road, and settled in the Hexi Corridor. This narrow strip of land connecting the Central Plains and the Western Regions became a cultural haven in troubled times.
During this period, the Hexi region, with Liangzhou (now Wuwei) as its center, received a large number of scholars from the Central Plains due to its relative stability, forming a unique "Liangzhou phenomenon" . Not only did it preserve a large number of lost classics from the Central Plains, it also became an academic and cultural center in the northern region. The famous Zhang Gui of the Former Liang (a scholar from a Confucian family) vigorously established schools while serving as the governor of Liangzhou, advocated the development of Confucianism in the Hexi Corridor , recruited students, set up Chongwen Jijijiu, and promoted the spread and cultivation of Central Plains culture in the border areas. His actions set a model for respecting Confucianism and advocating learning for the later Five Liang regimes (such as Houliang, Nanliang, Xiliang and Beiliang), making Liangzhou an important region in northern China at that time that preserved the most complete traditional Han culture and accepted Western culture the earliest.
The formation of the unique Hexi culture is the result of this kind of diversified exchange. Buddhist culture has achieved unprecedented development here (religion is undoubtedly the most important spiritual comfort in the confused stage of human beings). A large number of Buddhist scriptures have been translated, cave temples have been excavated, and murals have been painted, such as the Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang, the Yungang Grottoes in Datong, the Longmen Grottoes in Luoyang, and the Dazu Grottoes in Chongqing. These art treasures all show the brilliant results of the integration of different civilization elements. In the Hexi Corridor, there are not only eminent monks from the Western Regions like Kumarajiva , but also early Buddhists such as Fotucheng, Tan Wuchen, and Tan Yao. Of course, Master Kumarajiva was brought to Liangzhou by Lu Guang and stayed there for seventeen years. He made a foundational contribution to the translation of Buddhist classics, which not only had a profound impact on the spread of Buddhism. It also profoundly affected the richness of Chinese vocabulary, such as love river, heart field, troubles, cause and effect, wisdom, fate, etc. Of course, the shaping of Hexi culture is inseparable from the contributions of local Confucian scholars such as Guo Yu, Song Xian, and Liu Bing . They wrote books and established schools here, making Liangzhou a place of great families and talents. This place not only inherited the essence of Confucianism and Taoism, but also absorbed the artistic style, religious concepts and living customs of India, Persia, Gandhara and other Central Asian regions, forming its unique grandeur and tolerance. It witnessed the Chinese civilization's open mind in adversity, absorbing foreign cultures, and reborn with its powerful vitality of localization. (Personal cultural consciousness and initiative, no need for government or institution permission)
The pace of the times entered the 6th century AD. When the north was reunited after a long period of division, especially with the advent of the prosperous Sui and Tang dynasties, the return of Hexi culture to the Central Plains was not a simple assimilation, but brought with it the unique imprint of integration and innovation in the Western Regions, greatly enriching the connotation of Central Plains culture. So far, the Jiangnan culture formed by the migration to the south and the Hexi culture formed by the migration to the west have interacted and integrated with the cultural essence preserved in the Central Plains, and finally reshaped the glory of Chinese culture . This period of history profoundly shows us that even in the face of life and death , Chinese literati can still maintain their endless faith and Chinese culture can still maintain its thriving vitality .
The wisdom of history tells us that culture or belief certainly has its own power , but the carrier of culture or belief in each era - human factor is the fundamental factor . In any difficult period, it is the unremitting self-improvement of countless individuals that eventually converges into a torrent that drives the cause and civilization forward.
Therefore, in today's wave of change, we must emphasize the self-improvement of each individual! How to be self-improving, I would like to share with you the following
Maintain the existing foundation and strengthen learning in new areas : The meaning of learning is not to rest on your laurels. Your professional knowledge is the cornerstone, but only by constantly learning cutting-edge knowledge such as the Internet, AI, web3, and emerging technologies can you broaden your horizons and create more possibilities for yourself.
Integration of tradition and innovation : Not all traditions will be eliminated, but innovative elements should be integrated into traditional advantages to bring new vitality. For example, traditional industries can be combined with AI technology to achieve intelligent upgrades, thereby achieving the upgrade of industries and even sectors (education, medical care, finance, etc.).
Seize the opportunities of the times : Keep a keen eye on new trends, dare to try, and even become the pioneer of new models (for example, ASEAN TV, as a traditional media, actively embraces the combination of AI and web3, creating a new MediaFi track, and he is a pioneer). AI technology is a powerful tool for improving efficiency and creating innovative value in various industries now and for a long time to come.
Dear friends, hardships and dangers are always the norm, but the attitude we choose to face them is in our own hands. Let us choose to be open-minded and confident, and be at ease with confidence , choose to take positive actions, and choose to be optimistic . Because the self-improvement of each individual is the most solid force to promote economic construction, progress of the times, and development of civilization . In the tide of change, let us witness the possible moment of nirvana rebirth together, and create a beautiful future for yourself and even for those who share the same industry!
