AI-powered
podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
New Books in Sociology
Gil Hizi, "Self-Development Ethics and Politics in China Today: A Keyword Approach" (Amsterdam UP, 2024)
Sep 15, 2024
In this engaging discussion, Gil Hizi, a postdoctoral fellow from Goethe University, highlights the term 'xinshang' (appreciation) and its role in personal growth narratives in China. Xinyan Peng, an assistant professor at Sun Yat-sen University, explores 'duanlian' (exercise) and its connection to white-collar women's body image concerns. Mieke Matthyssen from the University of Ghent delves into 'tangping' (lying flat), framing it as a rebellion against societal expectations. Together, they illuminate the intricate landscape of self-development in contemporary China.
01:01:18
Episode guests
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- Self-development in China integrates personal growth with societal pressures, revealing how terms like 'xinshang' reflect individual journeys amidst cultural expectations.
- The concept of 'tang ping' illustrates a growing resistance among youth to traditional success metrics, emphasizing a minimalist lifestyle as a form of defiance.
Deep dives
The Nature of Self-Development in Contemporary China
Self-development in China is a multifaceted concept, deeply intertwined with social norms and life stages. It encompasses various activities and techniques that individuals utilize to enhance their capacities and become more competent and morally upright citizens. In the context of rapidly changing educational and professional landscapes, self-development often serves as a compensatory mechanism for the inadequacies of formal education and societal expectations. The conversation around self-development reflects broader societal concerns about personal success and fulfillment, especially among youth navigating significant milestones like college entrance exams.
Get the Snipd
podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered
Discover
highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any
moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share
& Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered
podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover
highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode