Culture lost in exhaustion

A new catchphrase has been gaining popularity among Chinese youth in recent times: "physical strength for cultural pursuits". Many have come to realize that the rigors of a day's physical toil leave them with little energy to spare for cultural activities, such as reading or enjoying movies. Consequently, during their leisure hours, they are often drawn to simple video games or mindless social media browsing in search of momentary respite.

An internet user by the name of Pengyouquan Caogaoxiang took to the lifestyle-sharing platform Xiaohongshu to share her personal journey through the lens of this emerging concept. She mentioned how, during her student days, she would eagerly venture to the other side of the city to attend a play or an art event. However, her post-work routine has evolved to include a disheartening shift. She explained, "Now, when I come across information about an art exhibition that interests me but realize that it would take a 30-minute subway ride to reach, I simply ignore the message and opt for short videos."

A growing number of young people are recognizing that the repetitive nature of their daily grind has slowly eroded their energy to perceive, express, and engage with the subtle nuances of literature and art. As a consequence, their rich and systematic knowledge has become fragmented, overshadowing the allure of essential books. Condensed forms of entertainment, like "watching a movie in three minutes", have even begun to replace the traditional experience of watching a complete film.

However, some are taking self-help measures to reclaim their lost enthusiasm. "I'll treat myself to a cup of bubble tea as a reward for my studies today," wrote a netizen named Yibo, who seeks solace in food as a source of motivation to restore mental and physical energy for cultural activities.