Op-pression

A few hours ago I saw a piece of news that really made me laugh. It highlighted two very interesting ideas that are trending in today’s modern world.

One of them is how easily our opinions can change when large sums of money are involved. In other words, our ideas aren’t as firm as we think they are. Of course, there must be a few exceptions. But when it comes to public figures, it’s a truth that almost holds 100%.

Before going further, let me tell you the news in question: French footballer Kylian Mbappé ended up apologizing for his statements about Mao Zedong after three Chinese companies decided to cut their commercial commitments with agencies associated with him.

Whether what he said was true or not, or whether you sympathize with the mocked side or not, my takeaway from the situation is this: money rules. Don’t worry, Mbappé, I probably would have done the same. Millions aren’t something you can just throw away, and in the future you can invest them in whatever you want. Hopefully in good causes.

Now, from that first reflection comes the second: the Chinese are flexing their muscles and they don’t even bother to hide it anymore. That’s a clear sign they believe their power is already strong enough to influence certain movements in everyday life across the planet.

A few months ago I wrote here that I preferred China as the dominant country in the world, but the truth is I’m starting to feel a little afraid. My lifetime probably won’t be enough to see everything China can unfold as the next global hegemony, but at the pace they’re carrying out their agenda, I think maybe I miscalculated.

Either way, the bigger lesson is that if you want to dominate the world, the most important thing to achieve it is to significantly increase your economic power. We’ve known this for a long time, but there are many people on social media who are either too romantic about politics or simply so radical that they don’t see the side they defend is the same crap as the side they attack.

English isn't my native language. Text translated with DeepL