Lessons from the unbreathable air in China
(the views are my own and do not represent anyone or any associated entity)
I have been back in China for a couple of weeks. First time since last Oct. It has been humbling to see the speed of internet growth: the booming of content everywhere in China, i.e.: live streaming of pretty girls in every event. The selfie stick only gets fancier. Live streaming is in every dinner table conversation around me in Fresh Element (a healthy restaurant chain in Beijing)
I am also impressed by how Chinese stomach can finally handle and demand salad and green juice. There are even Wechat support groups for eating healthy.
It is also amazing to see the development of AI and VR in China. I saw an android watch that has NFC payment and can pay for grocery on POS machine and bus station ticket.
These are all good and enjoyable, but one thing on the verge of unbearable is the pollution. China is and will continue to pay an extremely high cost for our urbanization and demand for material goods.
Every day, I am breathing the haze, my eyes are sore. I have to wear face mask in extreme days. i want to escape to indoor any moment. the sky is grey and i often think about the blue sky in venice beach every single day — simple things that we take for granted.
My heart ache because of unlivable environment. For people who are naturally explorista, I can’t even find myself enjoy walking outdoor or have the joy in life.
The hotel provides soothing-refreshing lozenges, this is not a nice thing to have, it is out of necessity.
How can you enjoy the beauty in life if you are constantly feeling suffocated?
how can you create enjoyable experience if you are not in a happy mode ?
This is why we need less cars running on the road and better relocate resources with technology.
Traffic is another headache in Beijing. For a 30min drive, it’s common to take 1 hour to get there. In order to pick up a rider from another side of the road, it may take a Uber driver 20min. Unlike the LA traffic which I am familiar with, where people are stuck in traffic but can listen to music or talk show, and enjoy the sunset on the PCH.
In Beijing, you can’t even open the window to breathe because of the PM 2.5. I feel despair in my own country. I want to escape. At the same time, I see so much innovation happening here that make me want to stay.
Old houses are destructed for new “modern” houses — but what we are gradually losing is our cultural identity. I feel heartbroken in the last few weeks in China.
I finally understood why a simple photo from venice sunset gets so many likes and aspiration in my Moment. why road trip to national parks with the blue sky and boundless green get so much “I want to go there and live your life”.
Nothing can be taken for granted.
I attempted to take public transportation, but I forgot you have wait in long line for a ticket. Another pain point comes from the size of Chinese population 1.4+ Billion. In a hot and congested afternoon, I went to buy subway ticket but were greeted with long lines. The size of China is so huge — the visa line in US Consulate was standing and waiting for 2.5 hours.
Brene Brown said that being empathic is to be there and feel it. Being half the world away, you are in a different mindset. It is the same with designing a product — if you don’t live here, how do you know the real pain points where riders and drivers cannot find each other easily or that in Shanghai, because Airbnb is so commercialized for business that being too nice to guests has been called out as “do not confirm the rule” among the commercial hosts.
That’s why I feel a sense of urgency when I am in the States that I need to come back to experience the normal life in China. I am scared for any company setting an ambitious goal to enter China, but having a delightful cafeteria where employees have the joy of taking photo of their instagram-worthy breakfast/lunch and dinner. China is a battle ground with fierce than ever competition and people live with much tougher natural and business environment.
