Henry Gao(@henrysgao):France has bad movies and China has bad policies. What they have in common is that you have to pay out of your own pocket to participate. The difference is that: 1. You can walk out of a bad movie anytime, but not from bad policies; 2. With bad policies, you are the one who bears the real consequences

2026.05.18 00:44

France has bad movies and China has bad policies. What they have in common is that you have to pay out of your own pocket to participate. The difference is that: 1. You can walk out of a bad movie anytime, but not from bad policies; 2. With bad policies, you are the one who bears the real consequences — unlike with bad movies.

Arena@Arenathebook

2026.05.17 17:48

Yes, this is like the myth around French Cinema. After I lived there for two years and was more or less bilingual, I realized the French make a lot of bad movies. China post Mao is a low trust, corrupt, bureaucratic state occupying a civilization that has many smart people due to size and traditions.