China? I'd be more worried about the coming financial collapse engineered by the Rothschild-controlled City of London, central banks, derivative 'market' and US dollar world currency, money-printing scam ('world currency' implies a monopoly, which describes it quite well - as in Monopoly Money!). Or the 200-or-so wars instigated by the US around the world over the last 80 years - facilitated by their 800+ foreign military bases and network of colour-revolution-funding NGOs. But China? Nope, they've kept their eye on the ball.
A friend of ours, who grew up in South Africa, has been living and working in China for the past 7 or 8 years. He now speaks fluent Mandarin and would agree with you, Jerm, that the Western perception of China is complete rubbish. He loves living there and finds the work opportunities far better than in Europe, where he also lived for many years.
Another friend, an American, lived and taught English there for 5 years. She loves the country and has many friends there. She also says that China is nothing like we've been brainwashed to believe it is.
The UK and USA like to conjure up a villain, a pantomime character if you will. To justify actions upon their own people. We've seen it before thoughout history but with increasing effect as technology develops and it becoming more ubiquitous in our lives. Today's special seems to be China, Russia and even us who dare to say "what the fuck?" to any of their lies. I've always thought of Chinese culture as being enlightened and family orientated. British have plagued them with opium and uprisings have been implemented.
I'm not falling for it , nor the anti Russian sentiment. And I'm not falling for the apparent myth of "cyber hackers". The empire has no clothes and its resorting to demonising other countries for its own gain.
Just a friendly reminder that social credit scores and facial recognition is how productive civilisations are built and high trust societies are maintained.
If someone starts a war, pushes poisonous injections onto the population, destroys ordinary businesses while creating monopolies, commits fraud or theft or is involved in any other type of scam then you need to lower their social credit score and exclude them from further participation in civilised society.
And if they show their faces again you need to recognise them and say "Hey! - the fuck outa here punk!" in your best New Yorker accent.
Social condemnation and social / economic ostracism are really the only tools we have to prevent the worst low life criminals from taking over society.
Based on the last 5 years alone, all politicians, doctors, nurses, scientists and most employers should now have a social credit score of NEGATIVE 50,000,000 and they should be at the bottom of the social hierarchy.
This not only removes them from the 'front lines' of society, but it also serves as an incentive for their replacements to clean up their act so they do not suffer a similar fate.
The problem is not the concept of social credit/ facial recognition. The problem is that we've been tricked into abandoning this practice, which also has allowed the worst elements in society to pick up the ball and run with it.
Articles like the one above outline how the system evolved recently and that there is an explicit link between what your social credit score is and what services you can access. They aren't stupid and they're not going to do unnecessarily totalitarian things, but it is undeniable that when you say anything bad about the government there, they are going to make life very difficult for you indeed, and the newly introduced Cyberspace ID that came in this year centralises it even more. Basically, you never want to give that level of control to the government, ever, and this has nothing to do with how successful they are or what you might see and hear there as a tourist.
I've personally visited many times and it was a totally excellent place and almost everyone you spoke to was equally content (or so it seemed). However, did you speak to any "dissidents" or people who had a low score. I didn't because I don't know any, but I personally know many Chinese over in the West who never want to go back, no matter how nice it is, because they don't trust the government, especially after Covid where the mask literally came off (the government at least... You weren't allowed to take yours off, obviously).
You saw what the government tried to do here in the West... They actually did that in China, literally walling people into their respective areas and making sure they could basically do nothing if their pass wasn't Green.
Basically I agree that China is not always the complete totalitarian Hell hole that the clickbait pushers would like you to believe, but it is far further along the totalitarian path than we are, and to claim that the system they have there is basically exerting minimal control and is similar to systems already in place in some Western counties, is completely wrong and quite disingenuous. Maybe I've read your article wrong, but this is the impression I get, and as with any system of control, you want to normalise it gradually and make people think it's normal. They have basically achieved this, and the only reason it doesn't seem like that right now, is because they haven't been visibly abusing that power in such a blatant way that even their Great Firewall and social credit score couldn't keep it under wraps (see Covid response in China). The system is in place, facial recognition is normalised and expected, and your opinions and actions are absolutely tied to way more things than anyone should reasonably want. This is the reality in China and although they might not be using that power all the time, it's there and that's what matters. We need to make sure it doesn't happen here in the West!
I live in Germany. During Covid there was only a sight difference in the tyranny of both countries. Now we have a Vermögensregister, a Wegzugssteuer, a city (Hamburg), where all WEF narrativs should be fullfilled in the next ten years or so. The Chancellor Merz will implement a law of one is beeing sued when criticise the governmental narrativ.
Hey jerm, thank you for putting up with the insufferable sheep, grit your teeth and keep the honest journalism coming.Thankyou for your insight, the truth always prevails
I no longer believe anything I see online or from the media until I've vetted the source, and since I'm an average joe shmo, I've little ability to do so. I have never met and will likely never meet anyone who posts what I see, and I don't have any technical ability to dissect videos or images for something like ai. Other than sitting there going over everything I see looking for inconsistencies, which gets wearisome, i can't tell what's what. I guess at some point, some level of trust is necessary.
I've heard but not seen imagery about oppression etc, because of course china has things so incredibly locked down we can't get images of mutilated Uygurs. 🤔 But I've seen many videos coming, supposedly, out of china showing facial recognition technology everywhere in the major cities, people sleeping on the streets because their accounts were locked and they were locked out of their apartments, people being locked in during convid, etc. Facial recognition at groceries to access money, etc. Do you believe these videos to be fake and acted, or Ai generated, in some way, directly as propaganda? Did you not see any of this anywhere in the larger population areas? Are they real images being used "out of context? Because if not, that's an impressively large volume of videos to create. Who's making them?
My brother visits China regularly with his job, and from office workers to Pakistani taxi drivers, he’s never met anyone there who even knows what a Social Credit system is. They just haven't a clue what he’s on about.
Thanks for this. I’ve visited China several times over the years and was amazed at their progress from the first time. I was in Xi'an during the Chinese New Year one time and it was spectacular and a truly amazing atmosphere. Another time it was the night river cruise on the Huangpu in Shanghai that stunned me. Always felt safe wandering around and people were friendly. Only hassle I ever had was when security at Beijing airport found my stash of electronic cigarettes (early days, when they weren’t popular) and made me assemble and smoke them all, then it was laughs all around.
This is one o the funniest comments I keep receiving and it's one of pointlessness. Going to a country is superior to NOT going. People will always kick the can down the road and make your experience irrelevant. I met up with people who have lived in China for 29 years, which beats your "one full year".
Jerm you have to admit this is a rather strange narrative in the current situation? Rather than trying to defend your position (and quoting Grok ffs) can you please explain why you think promoting an idea that the “CCP isn’t all that bad” is helpful and to whom? Are you encouraging people to move there perhaps? Who funded your trip there and what is your connection with Carl Zha?
I know more ‘truth’ about your trips to HKG & China than perhaps you realise, Jerm. I follow the money to see facts, and my questions (and others) remain unanswered.
Agree, Jerm! Your writing is nuanced and informed. Have you been to Hong Kong,? I have lived here for over 25 years and can suggest it's the most charming city in China. Currently on the rise again and probably the most exciting city in Asia. Please come! And let me know if you do!
After living and working in Spain for a few weeks I said "Wow. This is a fabulous country!" Four years later I said the same thing with tears in my eyes because I had to return to hellscape UK.
It is possible to get an accurate impression in a very short visit IF you go with an open mind.
BTW, a comparison between Spain & UK, with SA & China, (or UK & China, by a South African, Or even Germany & China) is not really relevant to the current discussion about social credit scores & digital ID. Just saying.
My money is on social credit getting worse in the West and NOT getting worse in China, Russia and the rest of the non-Western world.
I understand that in some online communities I am not allowed to say that the world is divided into 2 systems of governance- one system is run by bankers for their own profit. The other system is run by people for their own people.
Unfortunately so many red pilled people do not understand that sovereignty still exists and is pretty freakin important to the rest of the world. Westerners seem to have trouble believing that rulers could run an economy for the good of their nation. Like the Chinese gov does for the Chinese. I can't wait for an article about how much Western populations are extorted by monopolies versus how Chinese people are NOT extorted for basic services (e.g., cell phone bills).
When you think about it, how would you even identify any fallout from the social credit system. How would you know if someone lost their license, job or passport, or got their housing downgraded? What could you see? Just because people are walking around and some are smiling and carrying bags doesn’t mean there isn’t a more sinister side. Yes we have a kind of credit score, but it’s largely financial; how much are you spending, what percentage is credit, do you pay it back? And there’s our whole “community” privilege issue, but so far no passport revocation, although I understand Trump wanted Congress to vote to pull passports on anyone identified as antisemitic. I’m sure people are careful about what they say in China. Do you speak Chinese? If not your experience was quite limited.
“Your experience was limited” is the popular comment from those who want to believe the mainstream narrative. Yes, it was limited but it was superior to anyone who hasn’t been. China isn’t North Korea. It’s a publicly accessible country like any other.
You’re right. You could see the poor living in the streets if there were any, or begging if that was going on. But what about my comment on what you can’t see? I think that’s more germane.
So did they really weld up doors in apartment blocks during their 3 year lockdown? Zero covid compliance was bullshit? Qr codes to access all services after having to have tested negative…. Sure it might be ok now but…
Jerm, I'm waiting for the fist comment asking how much China paid you to write these articles, LOL.
The sheep will be going baaaa, baaaaa, baaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.
China? I'd be more worried about the coming financial collapse engineered by the Rothschild-controlled City of London, central banks, derivative 'market' and US dollar world currency, money-printing scam ('world currency' implies a monopoly, which describes it quite well - as in Monopoly Money!). Or the 200-or-so wars instigated by the US around the world over the last 80 years - facilitated by their 800+ foreign military bases and network of colour-revolution-funding NGOs. But China? Nope, they've kept their eye on the ball.
A friend of ours, who grew up in South Africa, has been living and working in China for the past 7 or 8 years. He now speaks fluent Mandarin and would agree with you, Jerm, that the Western perception of China is complete rubbish. He loves living there and finds the work opportunities far better than in Europe, where he also lived for many years.
Another friend, an American, lived and taught English there for 5 years. She loves the country and has many friends there. She also says that China is nothing like we've been brainwashed to believe it is.
The UK and USA like to conjure up a villain, a pantomime character if you will. To justify actions upon their own people. We've seen it before thoughout history but with increasing effect as technology develops and it becoming more ubiquitous in our lives. Today's special seems to be China, Russia and even us who dare to say "what the fuck?" to any of their lies. I've always thought of Chinese culture as being enlightened and family orientated. British have plagued them with opium and uprisings have been implemented.
I'm not falling for it , nor the anti Russian sentiment. And I'm not falling for the apparent myth of "cyber hackers". The empire has no clothes and its resorting to demonising other countries for its own gain.
Great read cheers 👍
Just a friendly reminder that social credit scores and facial recognition is how productive civilisations are built and high trust societies are maintained.
If someone starts a war, pushes poisonous injections onto the population, destroys ordinary businesses while creating monopolies, commits fraud or theft or is involved in any other type of scam then you need to lower their social credit score and exclude them from further participation in civilised society.
And if they show their faces again you need to recognise them and say "Hey! - the fuck outa here punk!" in your best New Yorker accent.
Social condemnation and social / economic ostracism are really the only tools we have to prevent the worst low life criminals from taking over society.
Based on the last 5 years alone, all politicians, doctors, nurses, scientists and most employers should now have a social credit score of NEGATIVE 50,000,000 and they should be at the bottom of the social hierarchy.
This not only removes them from the 'front lines' of society, but it also serves as an incentive for their replacements to clean up their act so they do not suffer a similar fate.
The problem is not the concept of social credit/ facial recognition. The problem is that we've been tricked into abandoning this practice, which also has allowed the worst elements in society to pick up the ball and run with it.
I've enjoyed your work in the past and I really appreciate you trying to clear the very murky waters here as regards digital ID...
However, I have to point out that going as a tourist basically means nothing.
https://decodingthedragon.substack.com/p/34-the-evolution-and-truth-of-chinas
Articles like the one above outline how the system evolved recently and that there is an explicit link between what your social credit score is and what services you can access. They aren't stupid and they're not going to do unnecessarily totalitarian things, but it is undeniable that when you say anything bad about the government there, they are going to make life very difficult for you indeed, and the newly introduced Cyberspace ID that came in this year centralises it even more. Basically, you never want to give that level of control to the government, ever, and this has nothing to do with how successful they are or what you might see and hear there as a tourist.
I've personally visited many times and it was a totally excellent place and almost everyone you spoke to was equally content (or so it seemed). However, did you speak to any "dissidents" or people who had a low score. I didn't because I don't know any, but I personally know many Chinese over in the West who never want to go back, no matter how nice it is, because they don't trust the government, especially after Covid where the mask literally came off (the government at least... You weren't allowed to take yours off, obviously).
You saw what the government tried to do here in the West... They actually did that in China, literally walling people into their respective areas and making sure they could basically do nothing if their pass wasn't Green.
Basically I agree that China is not always the complete totalitarian Hell hole that the clickbait pushers would like you to believe, but it is far further along the totalitarian path than we are, and to claim that the system they have there is basically exerting minimal control and is similar to systems already in place in some Western counties, is completely wrong and quite disingenuous. Maybe I've read your article wrong, but this is the impression I get, and as with any system of control, you want to normalise it gradually and make people think it's normal. They have basically achieved this, and the only reason it doesn't seem like that right now, is because they haven't been visibly abusing that power in such a blatant way that even their Great Firewall and social credit score couldn't keep it under wraps (see Covid response in China). The system is in place, facial recognition is normalised and expected, and your opinions and actions are absolutely tied to way more things than anyone should reasonably want. This is the reality in China and although they might not be using that power all the time, it's there and that's what matters. We need to make sure it doesn't happen here in the West!
And yet my article is correct.
I live in Germany. During Covid there was only a sight difference in the tyranny of both countries. Now we have a Vermögensregister, a Wegzugssteuer, a city (Hamburg), where all WEF narrativs should be fullfilled in the next ten years or so. The Chancellor Merz will implement a law of one is beeing sued when criticise the governmental narrativ.
Hey jerm, thank you for putting up with the insufferable sheep, grit your teeth and keep the honest journalism coming.Thankyou for your insight, the truth always prevails
I no longer believe anything I see online or from the media until I've vetted the source, and since I'm an average joe shmo, I've little ability to do so. I have never met and will likely never meet anyone who posts what I see, and I don't have any technical ability to dissect videos or images for something like ai. Other than sitting there going over everything I see looking for inconsistencies, which gets wearisome, i can't tell what's what. I guess at some point, some level of trust is necessary.
I've heard but not seen imagery about oppression etc, because of course china has things so incredibly locked down we can't get images of mutilated Uygurs. 🤔 But I've seen many videos coming, supposedly, out of china showing facial recognition technology everywhere in the major cities, people sleeping on the streets because their accounts were locked and they were locked out of their apartments, people being locked in during convid, etc. Facial recognition at groceries to access money, etc. Do you believe these videos to be fake and acted, or Ai generated, in some way, directly as propaganda? Did you not see any of this anywhere in the larger population areas? Are they real images being used "out of context? Because if not, that's an impressively large volume of videos to create. Who's making them?
My brother visits China regularly with his job, and from office workers to Pakistani taxi drivers, he’s never met anyone there who even knows what a Social Credit system is. They just haven't a clue what he’s on about.
It sounds like we are being played, big time. After the last 5 years, it's no surprise.
Yes, we are being played.
Thanks for this. I’ve visited China several times over the years and was amazed at their progress from the first time. I was in Xi'an during the Chinese New Year one time and it was spectacular and a truly amazing atmosphere. Another time it was the night river cruise on the Huangpu in Shanghai that stunned me. Always felt safe wandering around and people were friendly. Only hassle I ever had was when security at Beijing airport found my stash of electronic cigarettes (early days, when they weren’t popular) and made me assemble and smoke them all, then it was laughs all around.
Here’s a hint: you don’t truly understand any country - until you’ve lived & worked in it for at least one full year.
This is one o the funniest comments I keep receiving and it's one of pointlessness. Going to a country is superior to NOT going. People will always kick the can down the road and make your experience irrelevant. I met up with people who have lived in China for 29 years, which beats your "one full year".
It's all so stupid.
Jerm you have to admit this is a rather strange narrative in the current situation? Rather than trying to defend your position (and quoting Grok ffs) can you please explain why you think promoting an idea that the “CCP isn’t all that bad” is helpful and to whom? Are you encouraging people to move there perhaps? Who funded your trip there and what is your connection with Carl Zha?
I care about what is true. Do you?
Jerm, the sheep in the comments going baaaa, baaaaa, baaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.
The ‘sheep’ in the comments have done some research and have legitimate questions btw.
I would argue the opposite. The sheep have created their own narratives.
I know more ‘truth’ about your trips to HKG & China than perhaps you realise, Jerm. I follow the money to see facts, and my questions (and others) remain unanswered.
What questions do you have?
Agree, Jerm! Your writing is nuanced and informed. Have you been to Hong Kong,? I have lived here for over 25 years and can suggest it's the most charming city in China. Currently on the rise again and probably the most exciting city in Asia. Please come! And let me know if you do!
I have been to Hong Kong, yes. I was there last year.
After living and working in Spain for a few weeks I said "Wow. This is a fabulous country!" Four years later I said the same thing with tears in my eyes because I had to return to hellscape UK.
It is possible to get an accurate impression in a very short visit IF you go with an open mind.
Frances, why can't more people think like you?
BTW, a comparison between Spain & UK, with SA & China, (or UK & China, by a South African, Or even Germany & China) is not really relevant to the current discussion about social credit scores & digital ID. Just saying.
It’s very relevant.
Who paid, Jerm? Are you in the UK now?
What makes you an expert? You sound WOKE AF.
An expert on what? I’m simply asking Jerm some relevant questions.
Your recent series has been very informative. Thank You.
So, back to first principles and away from this narrative trap: Refuse digital slavery at all costs.
My money is on social credit getting worse in the West and NOT getting worse in China, Russia and the rest of the non-Western world.
I understand that in some online communities I am not allowed to say that the world is divided into 2 systems of governance- one system is run by bankers for their own profit. The other system is run by people for their own people.
Unfortunately so many red pilled people do not understand that sovereignty still exists and is pretty freakin important to the rest of the world. Westerners seem to have trouble believing that rulers could run an economy for the good of their nation. Like the Chinese gov does for the Chinese. I can't wait for an article about how much Western populations are extorted by monopolies versus how Chinese people are NOT extorted for basic services (e.g., cell phone bills).
When you think about it, how would you even identify any fallout from the social credit system. How would you know if someone lost their license, job or passport, or got their housing downgraded? What could you see? Just because people are walking around and some are smiling and carrying bags doesn’t mean there isn’t a more sinister side. Yes we have a kind of credit score, but it’s largely financial; how much are you spending, what percentage is credit, do you pay it back? And there’s our whole “community” privilege issue, but so far no passport revocation, although I understand Trump wanted Congress to vote to pull passports on anyone identified as antisemitic. I’m sure people are careful about what they say in China. Do you speak Chinese? If not your experience was quite limited.
“Your experience was limited” is the popular comment from those who want to believe the mainstream narrative. Yes, it was limited but it was superior to anyone who hasn’t been. China isn’t North Korea. It’s a publicly accessible country like any other.
You’re right. You could see the poor living in the streets if there were any, or begging if that was going on. But what about my comment on what you can’t see? I think that’s more germane.
That applies to anywhere. America looks great to a visitor, but what about what you can’t see?
How do you even respond to that? If you can’t see, then how do you know?
So did they really weld up doors in apartment blocks during their 3 year lockdown? Zero covid compliance was bullshit? Qr codes to access all services after having to have tested negative…. Sure it might be ok now but…
What 3 year lockdown? Crikey, where do you get your info from?
I get my info from lots of places and I’m not perfect. I was confusing the zero Covid policy with lockdown