Let's Be Real: Shenzhen's Basically One Giant Disposable.
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It used to be so clean, and people respected each other's space and boundaries. While it might have lacked that bustling, down-to-earth vibe, life was still quite comfortable. Now, it's hard to even maintain a normal life. When you're out walking, you get honked at or nearly hit. The area beneath my building is filled with open-air cooking fumes. The subway is full of all sorts of shady characters. And driving? It's like navigating a field of moving roadblocks. I'm utterly speechless.
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Back then, it was all smuggling and illegal immigration. Don't try to romanticize the past.
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Construction only began in '79, so it lacks the deep cultural heritage of other Chinese cities with rich historical backgrounds. That's why people don't feel such a strong sense of belonging. It was just a poor, remote fishing village culture—chaotically managed, with a disorderly population, and reeking everywhere.
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I came here because I genuinely love this city, and after arriving, I found many others who came for the same reason.
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I used to feel that way too, but some recent events have been too disheartening.
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That's a great analogy. A city's timescale is different from a human's. It would take many human lifetimes to witness a city's decline, though of course, few would care. Just as disposable tableware can be recycled, parts of a city can also be refurbished and revitalized.
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I realized that a long time ago; most people here just see themselves as passers-by.
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Shenzhen has always been a competitive, free, and open market. More than anywhere else in the country, you need to rely on your abilities rather than connections to survive here. You need a 'winner's mentality' to make your mark. As Nietzsche once said, the characteristics of the strong are being positive and proactive, daring to advance, willing to sacrifice, and being good at creating.
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Most big cities in China are predominantly populated by migrants. Aren't most people in big cities striving for better prospects? If you like it, settle down. If not, go home. To each their own, I suppose.
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Compared to my fourth-tier hometown, I still prefer Shenzhen. At least here, when you call the 12345 complaint hotline, it's effective. Back in my hometown, nobody pays any attention if you call.
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Cities are at different stages of development; everyone needs to work together.
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In the early days of Reform and Opening Up, talented individuals from all over the country were recruited to build Shenzhen, so the overall caliber of people and the atmosphere were excellent. Now, there's a massive influx of... well, you know the type... all just looking to make a quick buck, then leaving a pile of 'trash' behind when they go.