Rosie Bloor, an International China correspondent for The Economist, sheds light on China's extensive surveillance of its diaspora and the chilling effects of state monitoring on freedom. Caitlin Talbot, who writes about culture, discusses the staggering amount of unexhibited treasures the world's museums hold, like Darwin's tortoise. They also touch on America's transformed skiing industry, focusing on new business models and how these shifts reflect consumer behavior. It's a captivating exploration of culture, surveillance, and industry evolution!
Chinese government's surveillance extends to diaspora, impacting freedom and self-censorship.
Ski industry shifts to season pass model, utilizing price discrimination and transforming economics.
Deep dives
Growing Influence of China on Diaspora
The Chinese government's influence on its citizens abroad is expanding, with increased surveillance and control measures reaching even into the Chinese diaspora. Through censorship on apps like WeChat and monitoring of social media accounts, individuals are experiencing self-censorship and intimidation. This control extends to ethnic minorities and activists, impacting thousands within the diaspora and beyond.
Changing Business Model in Ski Industry
The ski industry has shifted towards a season pass model, moving away from reliance on snowfall for profit. Companies like Vail introduced affordable, multi-resort passes before each season, encouraging skiers to commit earlier. This pricing strategy, known as price discrimination, attracts more skiers, increases revenue, and transforms the industry's economics.
Logistical Challenges in Museum Relocation
Museums like the Natural History Museum face the daunting task of relocating vast collections to new centers for better preservation and organization. The move involves complex logistics, including freezing objects to eradicate pests, and meticulous documentation to catalog millions of items. This process, despite its challenges, offers opportunities to rediscover, reassess, and streamline collections for future preservation and research.
There are fears about TikTok, but it’s not the only social media platform that the Chinese state might be using to monitor the rest of the world. That’s especially worrying for those in its diaspora who thought they were free. How monopolies are transforming America’s skiing industry (08:59). And just how much stuff are museums sitting on (15:37)?