Downstream: The Secrets of the Chinese Internet w/ Yi-Ling Liu

The Chinese internet functions as a complex, dual-natured ecosystem where state-enforced censorship and surveillance coexist with rapid technological innovation and personal expression. While the "Great Firewall" restricts political dissent and mandates "positive energy" content, the digital landscape has simultaneously enabled massive economic shifts, such as the rise of super-apps like WeChat and the emergence of globally influential tech giants. This digital environment fosters a unique class of "wall dancers"—individuals who navigate state constraints to build businesses or advocate for social causes, such as LGBTQ+ rights and feminism. Despite increasing geopolitical tensions and a shift toward more cautious, technically-focused entrepreneurship, the Chinese digital sphere remains a site of intense domestic activity, reflecting a growing national confidence in homegrown innovation that increasingly challenges the dominance of Western technological models.