Yanwen’s blog

Yesterday I mentioned that the white working class has become the most pessimistic group in American society. This perspective was highlighted in a 2011 article in The Atlantic titled "The White Working Class: The Most Pessimistic Group in America."

When I recently passed NYC's HERRC (Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Centers), I saw many despondent-looking migrants outside the center. I thought of the white working class in America. Although these newly arrived immigrants—whether Asian, Hispanic, or African—face unimaginable poverty and hardships, according to the study, the white working class is even more pessimistic.

There are several possible explanations for this. First, many new immigrants are drawn to this country by the promise of the "American Dream." They arrive with hopes of building a better future for themselves or their children. On the other hand, the American white working class, after experiencing the loss of well-paying jobs in the once-thriving steel belt, no longer believes in the "American Dream."

This is a good Chinese saying describing the sadness over the loss of one's dream, "梦碎心殇" (mèng suì xīn shāng) meaning: "dream shattered, heart wounded," capturing the sense of profound loss that comes with the loss of a once cherished dream, reflecting the sentiments of the white working class losing American dream.

Second, the white working class shares the same beliefs as mainstream society and identify themselves as proud members of the great American middle class. Now, they find themselves marginalized, either tearing away from the mainstream or no longer belonging there. Seeing factory doors closed and jobs outsourced beyond their control, they know it is impossible to return to the glorious days of the past when they could make a good middle-class living.

This pessimistic feeling reminds me of the book The Passing of the Great Race by Madison Grant, published in 1916. Grant categorized races based on physical traits, with Nordic and Teutonic races deemed superior, followed by Alpine and Mediterranean, then Baltic and Slav, with negroes considered the lowest. Grant was pessimistic over the passing of these supposedly superior races. To me, the book is valuable only as a historical account of early American obsession with eugenics and understanding how the minds of some people worked.

The vanishing of manufacturing jobs, the erosion of community structures, and the disillusionment with the "American Dream" all contribute to the deep sense of hopelessness felt by the American white working class. There is no easy solution to bring back their lost dream and restore faith in the possibility of a better future.

Addressing the challenges faced by the white working class requires tremendous amount of wisdom, political courages and resources that includes revitalizing local economies, rebuilding community support systems, and offering realistic pathways to economic stability. Without such efforts, the sense of hopelessness and marginalization will continue to deepen, with significant implications for the social fabric and the wealth of the nation.

Yesterday, I discussed Vance's book on an individual level, "Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis," emphasizing that it is much more than a personal memoir. Vance raises several serious issues about American society. I think these problems are rooted in three areas: culture, economics, and the system.

Culturally, Vance's portrayal of his family and upbringing evokes the chaotic imagery of "Turning and turning in the widening gyre ... Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold," with uncontrollable traumatic events like violence, drug addiction, poverty, and sheer hopelessness. The collapse of family and community—the essential fabric of a society—leaves individuals, especially the vulnerable population, without the emotional, social, and economic shelter, protection, and stability they need to survive and thrive.

This collapse creates a vacuum where many functions fail to be fulfilled. In pre-industrial societies, many of these functions were managed by the church, which provided moral guidance, charity, and support for the weak in the community. Ironically, modern capitalist society, built on individualism, opposite to collective support, has failed to fulfill many functions of the church, particularly in times of significant social and technological change like we see today.

Economically, a large army of skilled workers who used to make a good living in the old steel belt were outpaced by the pace of history when the steel turned rusted, when the country experienced industrial upgrading, coupled with the outsourcing of manufacturing, and when the government failed to step in. These people, lacking good culture and stable jobs, have become the most pessimistic group in American society.

Systemically, the book makes the world see the vast chasm in the wealthiest country in the world between the American elite and the vast number of American hillbillies. This is determined by the nature of the capitalist system, whose ultimate goal is to maximize profit for the capitalists. One classic example is outsourcing its manufacturing to third-world countries where labor is cheaper than American workers. The global flow of capital is driven solely by seeking maximum profit. Where the country's money is spent depends on where profit can be made for the capitalists. Building the country's outdated infrastructure or job training for the displaced workers is seen as a money-burning endeavor. On the other hand, making every effort to support war means good business for military capitalists. Realistically speaking, given the current distribution of wealth and power structure in the U.S., the vast chasm between the two extremes will never disappear.

"Hillbilly Elegy" is not just an inspiring story of an individual's triumph over adversity but an evocative presentation of the broader issues plaguing America and many modern societies today. It highlights the urgent need to understand the cultural, economic, and systemic roots of these problems. Addressing these issues requires a tremendous amount of wisdom and courage. On this, my pessimism is not far off that of the hillbilly's.

First of all, I'm going to skip sharing my post with some whom I used to share before, chiefly for time-saving purposes. A friend of mine in China told me that, considering the high rate of gun violence in America, receiving my daily post is like telling people I'm okay. This is from a 忘年之交 (wàng nián zhī jiāo), meaning a friendship that transcends generational gaps. In fact, I have many such friends here.

Recently, with J.D. Vance being named former President Donald Trump's vice-presidential running mate, there has been renewed interest in his 2016 book, Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis. In the U.S., the book surged to No. 1 on Amazon from its previous position at No. 220.

I read the book before and would like to share some of my thoughts on it.

On an individual level, Vance grew up in the famous Rust Belt, which became economically distressed and rusted after the 1970s when the industry shifted elsewhere. His parents divorced when he was a baby, and his mother, a drug addict, was irresponsibly neglectful.

When Vance started smoking marijuana, his maternal grandparents immediately took him in, encouraged him to do well at school, and taught him how to grow into a good person. They emphasized that life is hard, but it's never an excuse for failure. Cowards think everything works against them. You should believe that you can achieve anything you set your mind to.

The second important event in his life was joining the U.S. Marine Corps. In the past, he felt no control over his life, a sense of hopelessness. The Marine Corps gave him hope. His four years of service transformed him thoroughly, both physically and mentally, from an aimless youth into an ambitious and determined young man. He went to Ohio State University and graduated with high honors in less than two years. From there, he entered Yale Law School, which is like obtaining a pass to the elite political and legal circles in the United States.

A Chinese saying "屌丝逆袭" (diǎo sī nì xí) means "an underdog's counterattack" or "the rise of nobody to somebody." It captures the essence of someone overcoming significant odds to achieve success.

There are a few things that I learned from his story:

1. The important role of proper guidance, support, and positive influence in a person's life—in his case, his grandparents, the army, and the people he met at Yale. Imagine what his life would be without them.

2. Change first comes from within. He had to first awaken to his own ability to withstand adverse surroundings. With this awakening, he takes responsibility for his life instead of waiting for others' aid or blaming others for his failure.

Vance's journey from a turbulent youth in the Rust Belt to a Yale Law School graduate and to national political figure exemplifies the transformative power of personal effort and the support of influential people in his life. His story teaches us the critical importance of guidance, perseverance, and inner strength in overcoming adversity. By understanding and reflecting on Vance's experiences, we can better appreciate our own support networks and the resilience required to meet life's challenges.

Finally, his memoir is much more than a rags-to-riches American dream story. Tomorrow, I will explore the macro social implications of his memoir. It is a memoir of a little fish, an insignificant nobody, yet its significance lies in revealing a deep current flowing in the world's wealthiest country.

A few days ago, I learned about "Screen Damage: The Dangers of Digital Media for Children" by Michel Desmurget, originally published in 2019. Desmurget is a French researcher and writer specializing in cognitive neuroscience, and his work is based on extensive research into the effects of screen time on children.

Desmurget’s findings are not surprising: heavy screen usage leads to poor academic performance. However, he emphasizes that the negative impacts are even more pervasive and extensive, affecting children's cognitive, emotional, physical, and social development.

Children primarily use electronic devices for watching videos, playing games, and engaging with social media. While schools also use these devices for learning and testing, the initial educational intentions of teachers and parents often give way to what Desmurget calls an “orgy of recreational usage.”

Desmurget argues that time spent with screens at an early age is essentially “stolen time” from children's normal development. Early cognitive development is very crucial and depends heavily on the malleability of young brains. However, this period of brain plasticity has an expiration date. “Once closed, they can no longer be resuscitated. What has been spoiled is forever lost,” he warns.

To summarize the harms caused by electronic screens, Desmurget identifies five major areas of damage:

1. A lack of human communication and companionship
2. Negative impacts on the development of language and IQ
3. Difficulty concentrating due to the distracting nature of electronic devices
4. Significant decreases in academic performance
5. Health issues, particularly related to sleep disorders and prolonged sitting

These damages are not limited to children but apply to people of all ages. Due to the permanent harm electronic devices can cause, Desmurget concludes that, under no circumstances or for any reason, should children aged 6 and under be exposed to electronic screens.

A Chinese saying goes, 少壮不努力，老大徒伤悲, meaning: if one does not work hard when young, one will regret it when old. It emphasizes the importance of making the most of one's early formative years, aligning well with the idea that excessive screen time can irreversibly harm children's development and lead to long-term regret.

In a world increasingly dominated by digital media and electronic devices, Desmurget's research serves as a serious reminder of the importance of protecting young minds from the permanent detrimental effects of excessive screen time. Parents, educators, and policymakers must take these findings seriously to ensure that children's development is not compromised by the very tools meant to aid their education and entertainment.

While it's admirable to follow one's passion and take the path less traveled, the story of my friend's daughter underscores the importance of preparation in turning dreams into reality. With proper planning and dedication, the path to success, no matter how unconventional, can be managed more effectively and with greater confidence and better results.