[Vox pop] ‘I feel helpless’: Trapped in China’s involution
“I feel helpless.” Trapped in the relentless whirlpool of involution, people in China are overwhelmed by toxic competition and unyielding pressure. But what does this constant struggle really look like in their everyday lives? ThinkChina’s Yi Jina and Lu Lingming uncover the stories of those bearing the weight of involution in this episode of street interviews.
Involution is a silent crisis, hidden behind the facade of competition, hard work and ambition. It’s that feeling of being stuck on a treadmill, constantly competing just to keep your head above water.
For many, involution takes various forms: some lower their salary expectations to make ends meet, others sacrifice sleep and personal time, while some juggle multiple roles to stay relevant. Most concede that the toll on their well-being isn’t worth it. Yet, with everyone around them caught in the same race, there’s an unspoken pressure to keep going, fearing they’ll be left behind if they stop.
Convinced that there is no way out, people in China have learned to lower their expectations and adjust their mindsets to cope with the stress. However, the question remains: how long can they keep up this exhausting race before it breaks them?
