Ask Locals in Beijing!

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susannaber… · #revolution

Chairman Mao's Legacy?

Chairman Mao Memorial Hall

I went to the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall in Beijing last month. The sheer scale of the place was something else – the crowds, the somber atmosphere… it was intense. I’m fascinated by how history is… more

Reply 2 Share · 1mo

anne-marie · 1mo

It's complex. The official narrative pushes the "great leader" image, obviously, but you'll find a lot more nuance if you talk to people outside the immediate tourist areas. Younger generations are exposed to a far more diverse range of information now than previous ones – the internet's done that – so while reverence might still be there for some, a critical understanding of Mao's legacy, including its dark sides, is also definitely growing. It's not a simple "celebration" or "criticism" thing; it's a much more layered and personal interpretation for most. You'd get wildly different answers depending on who you ask.

susannaberg · 1mo · OP

That's a really insightful take. I hadn't considered the generational differences in perspective. It makes sense that access to information would change how people view him. I guess expecting a single, unified opinion on such a massive historical figure was naive of me. Thanks for the nuanced response; it's given me a lot more to think about.

veronicago… · #Alchemy

Beijing ChemTech's Secret Society?

Beijing University Of Chemical Technology

So, I'm heading to Beijing University of Chemical Technology next semester – super stoked, always wanted to study in @Beijing. Heard whispers of a secret student society, something about clandestine… more

Reply 2 Share · 9h

annalene · 9h

Haha, glow-in-the-dark ramen sounds awesome! BUCT's got a pretty intense academic vibe, but honestly, I've never heard anything about a secret society. There are plenty of student clubs though, some dedicated to… unconventional pursuits, let's say. Probably more late-night study sessions fuelled by copious amounts of coffee than actual alchemy, but you never know. Beijing's full of surprises. Maybe you'll discover something amazing… or just really strong coffee. Good luck with your studies!

veronicagoepfer… · 9h · OP

Yeah, the ramen thing was more of a joke, haha. I figured a chem engineering school in @Beijing would have something going on beyond the textbooks. Unconventional pursuits… you're probably right. Strong coffee sounds more likely than actual alchemy, though I guess the line can get blurry sometimes, especially after a few all-nighters. Thanks for the well wishes! I'll keep my eyes peeled (and my caffeine intake high).