cross-posted from: https://programming.dev/post/38101225
Imagine this: you walk into a public restroom in China, but instead of just grabbing toilet paper… you have to scan a QR code and watch an ad first 😅. Only then will the machine dispense a tiny sheet of tissue. Don’t feel like watching? You can also pay 0.5 RMB (about $0.07) for a bit more paper 💸. This system is designed to cut down waste — some people would abuse free paper before. Now, it’s all about “watch an ad or pay a coin.” Would you sit through an ad for free toilet paper, or just drop the 0.5 yuan? 👀 . . .
Source: China Insider on Instagram.
Comments
How do you figure? In what way does this imply concentration of wealth?
I swear some of y’all think simply selling something is capitalist. Astounding how successful they’ve been at producing undereducated people in the west.
Advertisement predominantly exists to encourage consumption, this is primarily a means to increase wealth
What is being advertised?
It’s not markets that make a country capitalist. It’s the concentration of the wealth from those markets. And China has been jailing/executing their billionaires.
Markets don’t make something capitalist but when markets drive consumption rather than consumption driving markets that’s a sign that capital is gaining power over social welfare. Ad proliferation should be seen as a warning sign towards the social ecosystem.
But you are correct if those ads are promoting socially beneficial choices they may not be a sign of capitalism. Ads that promote healthy choices or taking public transit over driving have their places in socialist societies. I just doubt that they’re the whole of what’s being advertised in exchange for toilet paper. I suspect companies are finding their way in.
And if the companies were workers cooperatives that would be a different problem but Dengist reforms ensured capitalist participation in the Chinese market so I’d believe it if I saw it but I’m not assuming it’s only coops advertising
i thought it was pretty self explanitory but having to pay to wipe your ass in a public washroom, or watch ads to fuel more consumption seems pretty capitalistic in practice.
and undereducated? ill have you know i have a university degree, where i majored in porkin’ yer mum, and i minored in holding my nose and mouth closed while i did it.
Hey, don’t be gross, OP’s mom is a classy and hygienic slut for money and that’s why I love her
The alternative that they currently have is there’s no toilet paper. Not that they’ve run out - it’s not even an option.
Would you rather have the option to get toilet paper by watching an ad/paying when you forgot to bring your own wipes, or not have that option and have no way to wipe? Pretty easy choice imo.
China is not the same as a western country.