More Terrifying than the Sex Photo Scandal: Zhang Xiaoyu
The photo you see here comes from a self-portrait collection by internet sensation Zhang Xiaoyu, found through a Baidu search. These photos have been called one of the most "innocent" pieces of人体 art by many netizens. Since the second half of 2007, the cumulative search volume for these photos has reached over 100 million views. When I first saw this set of photos a few days ago, I was more shocked by it than by the sex photo scandal. The reason is that in the case of the sex photo scandal, most people were viewing the photos out of curiosity, much like how Buddhas see Buddhas and demons see demons—there was significant mental preparation and expectation. This set of photos is different. Its terrifying aspect lies in its use of the name of art to challenge our psychological tolerance limits. We all know that even in countries like Europe and America, where ideologies are relatively open, there are still classification systems in place to protect teenagers from early exposure to the porn industry. It’s said that in Japan, where the porn industry is relatively developed, exposing certain organs is considered illegal. Yet, in China, where the video industry still requires state-controlled shares, such photos can brazenly spread online under the guise of art. At this point, one wonders what the State Administration of Radio, Film, and Television as well as the Central Propaganda Department are waiting for. The only explanation might be, "Perhaps they are all trained in fine arts!"
I know that many people will think that such photos are indeed human body art and cannot be equated with pornography. I agree that even if the model herself were in an art classroom, these photos wouldn't mean much. But have you thought about how many young people would view them with an artistic appreciation and perspective? In an era where the main purposes of going online are for news, learning, self-expression, and curiosity, there are still very few who understand the aesthetics of human body art! The power of role models is infinite. In this age dominated by celebrities controlling media direction, how many young people have changed their preferences and values because they like a certain star? There are also parents who have jumped into the sea just to catch a glimpse of a celebrity's charm! The current reality is that Zhang Xiaoyu has become a star, representing the bold expression of inner desires for many young people. We have reason to believe that after the洗礼 (baptism) and impact of the sex photo scandal, the younger generation has accepted Zhang Xiaoyu's boldness. Even more, many people have accepted the behavior of Edison Chen, even feeling sympathy and compassion for him. If the sex photo scandal challenged the bottom line of personal privacy, then individuals like Zhang Xiaoyu will silently change our ideology, just as we may get used to seeing many people walking on the streets in swimsuits in the future.
The Chinese people, bound by ancient moral concepts for thousands of years, are now experiencing an unprecedented ideological shock. We have completed in thirty years what developed countries took three hundred years to accomplish. During this time, our values and ideologies have been continuously distorted, resulting in many divisions and mutations. However, as the already risen Chinese nation, all our strength should be used to enhance the economic construction and cultural development that makes our country strong. We cannot treat the dregs that even Westerners cannot tolerate as fashionable trends. Excess leads to loss!