My thoughts about life and America/China after using this app

I've been enjoying my time on the app. I'm definitely not returning to MAGA app (all I hear now about TT now.)

I agree with you. I'm also from the U.S. and Rednote is one of the friendliest online communities I've ever seen. I don't really get into the political threads though, it feels like a waste of time.

So well said. I agree with you. I even live overseas and grew up with two passports, I really thought I knew a lot about the world, love researching other cultures, etc. I only knew very little about China. Now I don't even know how much I don't know.

And listen, I went to the Tibetan Freedom Concert back in the day (80s 90s baby), I know China isn't perfect (their domestic violence policies and approaches to divorce are very bad for example). We're not seeing every single nuance of the nation. But America isn't perfect either. And yet China manages to provide a social safety net easily on par with the famously socially-minded Nordic countries, if not better. The US infamously does not.

One thing I want to add is how disappointing it's been trying to share the cool things I'm learning with my more conservative immediate family members, only to be met with awkward, stony silence.

Nevertheless, I do think we're at the precipice of an historic* moment in American culture. Rednote coming right on the heels of the class-consciousness-triggering United Healthcare assassination, against the backdrop of the first days of the Trump presidency feels significant to almost every single one of us who are on the app.

*yes, "an" before any word starting with the letter h is grammatically correct.

I agree with you wholeheartedly, for the most part it's a very good place and shows how good and welcoming MOST people are. The culture being shared is like...heartwarming to the core. It's so amazing!!

Sadly tho I have seen a handful of racist comments and nationalism coming from netizens, especially towards some Newer Black or Korean creators. NOT SAYING ITS COMMON THO!! Definitely it's the minority of people who are like that. But I've had people actively telling me historically incorrect (or at least HEAVILY biased) things about Japan and South Korea in my DMs, pretty unprompted...

So I'd just say, don't be afraid to block weird people, delete weird unprompted messages, and don't be afraid to long-press a post and say "I dislike this post"!!

Excited to see how much connection we really all can make! Especially with all the amazing art and food on there

So much Chinese writing is like poetry

Never used TikTok. 

Downloaded XHS. It's wonderful. I'm an ABC (American Born Chinese) with decent but not great Chinese. I thought I knew more about my parents' home country from talking to them, family still in China, visiting myself, as well as a few Chinese friends I WeChat with.

Humbling experience.

well duh, china has influenced asia a lot, especially east asia lol.(Japan, Korea),(and Vietnam, a southeast asian country)

China has been a civilization for more than 5,000 years. Obviously the culture gonna be really diverse and deep. They also influenced the west too, not as influential as they were on Asia, but still.

Yes. It's been an eye-opening experience. My mind is open, and I thought it was. I didn't realize how much I didn't know.

While I appreciate your enthusiasm and experiences, I should note something.

I went in very guarded and suspicious of “Chinese propaganda,” expecting them to aggressively instill their way of life onto me, because if it was the other way around, that’s exactly what Americans would do.

Nobody's immune to propaganda and "professionals" at that job do it by making you not immediately (or ever) noticing signs of it. Aggression is a way to achieve those goals, but when the changes are subtle, your attention slips. And then they build up whatever image they want slowly but steadily.

Not saying there's a huge conspiracy, but I'm still wary of Rednote. I like what I'm seeing over there, the content is quite decent and so are people, and the translation of content.

But still, I have an assumption that's not everything.

EDIT: for the record, I'm not using Tiktok nor I ever will.

I've been influenced to make excellent teas, and egg custards, and some cool crafts for my minuatures. I don't talk to anyone, but i love how kind people are on there in general. My plan is to quietly mind my own business and appreciate the beautiful offerings, and maybe do some gentle stretches.