Moly’s Substack

Moly's Substack translates popular Weibo posts, offering detailed insights into Chinese culture, society, and politics. It addresses censorship, urban development, feminism, historical perspectives, social media, traditional customs, legal issues, and entertainment, providing a comprehensive view of contemporary and historical China through translated social media discourse.

Censorship and Internet Freedom Urban Development and Real Estate Gender Equality and Feminism Cultural Traditions and Celebrations Social Media and Digital Platforms Historical Perspectives and Dynastic Influence Legal Issues and Reforms Entertainment and Media Societal Norms and Family Dynamics Economic Challenges and Growth

The hottest Substack posts of Moly’s Substack

And their main takeaways

Censorship: How Does It Work?

334 implied HN points • 27 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Censorship Propaganda Conspiracy Theories Protests
  1. Censorship in China focuses on making the country look good, hiding negative information, and implying that other countries are just as bad.
  2. The Great Firewall of China is not very effective due to the widespread use of VPNs for accessing banned content.
  3. Chinese censorship also includes subtle methods, like controlling English education and promoting government-approved conspiracy theories.

More Chinese New Year!

157 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Traditions Celebrations Family Food
  1. Preparation for Chinese New Year in different regions within China and within families varies significantly, showcasing unique traditions and customs.
  2. Chinese New Year celebrations involve rituals like thorough cleaning, decorative setups, shopping for new clothes, and preparing special food like dumplings and pork jelly.
  3. Family interactions during Chinese New Year include the exchange of red pockets, offering prayers at temples or at home, and making New Year offerings to ancestors.

02/02/24 - FAQ Answered!

117 implied HN points • 03 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics China Social media Nationalism Tourism
  1. In China, 'aunties' and 'uncles' refer to middle-aged individuals with specific stereotypes.
  2. PUA in China refers to tactics used beyond just pick-up artistry, expanding to various relationships.
  3. Chinese people have strong opinions on various topics like western food and anti-Japanese sentiments.

Happy Chinese New Years!

98 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Festivals Entertainment Comedy Music Dance
  1. The Spring Festival Gala is an annual tradition in China, with varying quality each year, but the 2024 edition impressed many viewers, featuring diverse performances.
  2. The Gala showcased a range of traditional Chinese arts and performances, such as Chinese drums, dragon ribbon dances, embroidery displays, martial arts, and folk songs from different regions.
  3. Some comedy skits in the Gala received mixed reactions, with some being appreciated for their humor and others criticized for reinforcing stereotypes or being unoriginal.
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01/15/24 - The whole structure is an 8-story building with a free carpark, all-you-can-drink drinks, all-you-can-eat fruit and ice cream.

98 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Food Fashion Society Travel Art
  1. An 8-story building with free carpark, all-you-can-drink drinks, fruit, and ice cream is a unique setup for a bathhouse.
  2. Marriage dynamics in China can involve non-traditional customs like equal sharing of responsibilities and surnames.
  3. People are critical of historical figures like Chiang Kai-Shek and Song Meiling, highlighting the realities behind their public personas.

01/30/24 - The entirety of Ukraine, working its ass off in total war for over a year, cannot match up to even Evergrande as a single company.

58 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
💼 Business Economy Debt Employment Real Estate Finance
  1. Even the entirety of Ukraine in total war for over a year cannot match the debt of just a single company like Evergrande.
  2. Jobs like sorting packages and working in a production line can be extremely exhausting and pay very little.
  3. The debt of Evergrande alone is larger than the debt of the entirety of Ukraine, along with many other real estate companies combined.

01/12/24 - We haven’t been paid in 3 months, and the teachers are still working anyways.

78 implied HN points • 13 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics China Education Society Culture Government
  1. Some teachers in a Chinese school haven't been paid for 3 months but continue to work.
  2. A village in Guizhou, China, resisted government measures to take over their graveyard, leading to a clash with police.
  3. A workplace scandal unfolds involving a colleague's relationship with her supervisor and subsequent consequences.

01/27/24 - I’m very worried that all the Chinese babies adopted by America are no longer alive!

58 implied HN points • 28 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Adoption Human Rights International relations Gender Issues
  1. Immigration may not always lead to happiness and stability in a foreign land; think carefully about choices.
  2. Equality in marriages means different standards for who people choose to marry.
  3. Concerns exist about the safety and well-being of Chinese babies adopted by America, raising questions about adoption policies.

01/18/24 - What the fuck is Korea doing feeding alfalfa to students?

58 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Society Family Travel Food Relationships
  1. Some families go to great lengths to invest in their children's interests and hobbies, even if it can lead to materialistic demands
  2. Older generations may have differing views on marriage and inheritance, causing conflicts and legal battles
  3. Cultural differences and financial backgrounds can influence perspectives on spending money and family dynamics

02/07/14 - Weekly Roundup!

39 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics China Protests Economy Human Rights Social Issues
  1. People in China are protesting for delayed wages and facing financial struggles due to the preparations for Chinese New Year.
  2. Severe snowfall in China has led to people getting stuck on highways and facing harsh conditions without electricity or food.
  3. Various incidents like building collapses, lack of fire safety equipment, stock market issues, and banking problems are causing significant concerns and unrest in different parts of China.

02/06/24 - Men with ED are the cutest.

39 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Social Commentary Relationships Health
  1. A blogger discusses the interesting conversations and interactions that can occur with a partner who has ED, highlighting the importance of patience and communication.
  2. Various healthcare anecdotes from around the world showcase different experiences and approaches to medical issues.
  3. Social dynamics and gender roles within families during holidays are highlighted, emphasizing the inequality in household responsibilities.

02/04/24 - Based on her clothing and her doll and stuff, I don’t feel like she even wants to be a boy??

39 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Gender identity Society Photography
  1. Some people solve problems in unconventional ways, like having a mock marriage for profit.
  2. Sometimes people miss out on simple solutions, like going on a vacation with a loved one.
  3. Observing behaviors and actions can reveal mismatched intentions, like the perception of a girl not wanting to be a boy based on her belongings.

01/31/24 - FAQ Questions Time!

39 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Society Family Education Gender
  1. The amount of spending money for a 9th grader in China can vary based on individual circumstances.
  2. Young individuals in China are presented with opportunities to work abroad for higher pay, but it comes with challenges and personal considerations.
  3. Living conditions in Chinese universities, like collective dorms, are seen as compromises and can lead to hardships for students.

01/21/24 - He told me to go to his house, and take out the left over spicy duck neck in his fridge, and bring it to him.

39 implied HN points • 22 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture People Society Events Relationships Education
  1. Different cultures have different specialties in hospitals based on prevalent illnesses in the area.
  2. Challenges and complexities of family dynamics and marriage expectations are complex and varied.
  3. Observation of cultural differences, such as preferences for hot or cold drinks, can lead to misunderstandings.

05/01/30 - FAQ Answered!

334 implied HN points • 02 May 23
🌍 World Politics China Communism Healthcare Technology
  1. China's urban areas vary from fancy to drab, without much in between due to rapid development and lack of government oversight.
  2. Chinese humor leans towards sarcasm and can be hard to translate, often involving puns and cultural references.
  3. Chinese beauty standards emphasize extreme slimness, reflecting societal norms but also influenced by body types.

04/09/23 - FAQ Answered!

275 implied HN points • 09 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Social media Marriage Education Workforce Gender Roles
  1. Chinese social media sites have their own equivalents to Western platforms due to the Great Firewall.
  2. In China, families often invest in multiple homes for their children's future marital homes.
  3. Getting good grades and into a good university is crucial for a successful career due to oversupply and competition in the job market.

Chinese Snacks Recommendation

216 implied HN points • 31 May 23
🍲 Food & Drink Snacks
  1. The list provides a variety of Chinese snacks recommendations available on Yamibuy.
  2. These snack recommendations are personal favorites of the author and not sponsored content.
  3. The post offers insight into popular Chinese snacks and drinks, along with personal anecdotes and preferences.

07/02/23 - FAQ Answered! Plus Food Recommendations!

176 implied HN points • 03 Jul 23
🍲 Food & Drink Recommendations Snacks Chips
  1. Chinese social media platforms like Weibo have algorithm-driven feeds similar to Instagram and Twitter, featuring both content from followed accounts and recommended posts.
  2. Chinese perspectives on Taiwan show ambivalence, with a desire for reunification out of spite rather than genuine care for Taiwan.
  3. Duck Blood Soup from Huiweizan is a highly popular and beloved instant noodle brand in China, known for its generous portions of duck blood and organ bits.

05/07/23 - Concubines: The Key to Dynastic China's Success

196 implied HN points • 08 May 23
💾 History European history Social Mobility
  1. China's historical system focused on providing peasants with hope of advancement, motivating them to fight for military honors and social mobility.
  2. A meritocratic approach in China ensured that power and wealth were not easily inherited, preventing the monopolization of success by nobles.
  3. The use of concubines in China served as a method to ensure competent heirs, prevent inbreeding, and stabilize society through non-exclusive relationships.

07/08/23 - Illegal Bridge-Building Edition!

117 implied HN points • 09 Jul 23
🌍 World Politics Legal case Community Impact
  1. Huang was convicted of Disturbing the Peace for building an illegal bridge, but claimed it was voluntary toll collection.
  2. The law allows fines for building bridges illegally without prior approval, not criminal punishments like jail time.
  3. The case highlights the debate between following strict laws and showing mercy in legal judgments.

Chinese TV Show Recommendations!

137 implied HN points • 08 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture TV shows History Food Documentaries Crime
  1. Chinese TV shows are produced differently due to censorship regulations, requiring complete filming before broadcast.
  2. Chinese TV series often have a continuous storyline without seasonal breaks or decay.
  3. Chinese TV offers a variety of genres like political intrigue, history, sitcom, romance, crime, and more for diverse preferences.