Foolish visionaries
Following the Sunflower movement, people optimistically believed that the generation born and raised in a democratic Taiwan would naturally be independent — a generation that identifies as Taiwanese rather than Chinese, and that clearly recognizes that Taiwan is an independent, self-sovereign state. At the same time, this generation would be deeply concerned about China’s influence on Taiwanese society.
However, that optimism clearly overestimated the potential of “identity” to accumulate, while underestimating the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) aggressive intentions, and the power and tactics behind its infiltration.
Judging from the current social situation, it seems possible to rapidly create an environment that fosters the growth of a naturally independent generation, but it is equally possible that many members of a “democratic rich second generation” would be produced as a result.
Just as terms such as “rich second generation” (富二代) and “second government official generation” (官二代) carry negative connotations — because democracy and freedom have already become a part of Taiwanese’s daily life — many members of this young “democratic rich second generation” are indifferent to the origins of Taiwan’s democracy and freedom. They cannot imagine the consequences of losing it.
I have long been concerned with generational issues and, because I work in education, I am especially attentive to the cultural identity and values that young people prioritize. It is upsetting to see many of them casually make fun of the term “martial law” on social media, or use absurd and unfounded terms such as “green terror.”
Such comments, which reflect a lack of knowledge, logic and critical thinking, are quite worrying.
To interpret pro-CCP, anti-Taiwan rhetoric and the behavior of disseminating such ideas, I often use an idiom from Chinese Taoist philosopher Zhuangzi (莊子): “If they are not stupid, they are visionaries.”
The idiom means that if someone’s unjust actions do not stem from their own foolishness, they are intentionally and maliciously deceiving others.
I am willing to believe that the remarks of young people are not being made with malicious intent, but I also sincerely hope that this generation will learn to think independently and develop an earnest understanding of Taiwan’s history. They must not continue to be so easily fooled and brainwashed by pro-CCP forces.
Chiu Tzu-huan
Taipei
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