The problem with China is that the internet as we all know it, just isn't quite the same. Yes, a large part of that is the censorship and great firewall of China which prohibits companies like Google from operating there and exerting their sphere of influence. But for each internet giant that is missing from China's line-up, there is a Chinese version to replace it. In place of Google, there is Baidu, instead of Youtube there is Youku, instead of Twitter there is Weibo.
But there is an elephant in the room, and we've all heard and discussed about it before.. WeChat.
The super app that does literally everything basically the entire population of China uses it. In some ways, the app with it's huge set of utilities empowers the modern Chinese citizen. There is no reason to leave the app to do anything at all, one of the hardest challenges in making anything a success is convincing everybody to take part. This of course is one of Steemit's challenges too, both from the front end perspective as well as the underlying currency.
One of the "benefits" of having a super app that a billion people use and very much rely on, is how quickly information can disseminate. With less 'choice', people in China are more focused on the few social media platforms that are available and there is astonishing engagement.
Perhaps all it will take for some traction in China is a steem/it meme.
Lets take a look at some of the most popular internet memes that have taken over my Chinese feeds at one point or another in 2016. Each meme helps identify a culture that continues to rapidly transform it's society as it converges on globalised themes and yet, they show distinct character which could have only come about from the collective will of such a large nation.
“小目标” - Small Target
The phrase ushered by the richest man in China, Wang Jianlin as he gave advice about how to become rich. "Don't be too ambitious, set a small target such as earning 100 Million RMB ($14million USD）"
This of course is ridiculous because that sum is by no means a small target. It highlights the growing wealth disparity problems in China and how out of touch the rich are becoming with the issues in the lower rungs of society.
This blunder actually became so famous that people began using the term to mock those who set unrealistic targets in every day life.
"洪荒之力" - Primeval Power / Mystic Energy
Quite uncharacteristic of the Chinese mentality, Fu Yuanhui became an overnight sensation as she won Olympic Bronze in her swimming event. However, it was not her sporting performance that earned her fame. It was her uncanny yet unique physical expressions as well as her explanation for how she performed. She explained that she channelled her inner strength to get Primeval Power / Mystic energy. Interestingly, due to her public spotlight, she was able to discuss a very taboo subject of women's periods openly. This would have been considered very taboo and yet, for the first time we see a China that is more open to this kind of debate.
"吃瓜群众" - Watermelon Eaters
This meme refers to people who lurk on internet forums or social media who act as bystanders with an attitude of indifference. "I don't know anything about what's going on, I'm just eating my Watermelon"
"友谊小船，说翻就翻" - Sinking Friend Boat
With the proliferation of social networking in China, the issues of friending and more importantly unfriending seems to have taken some what of a social impact. The meme is based around the idea of how easily people will de-friend each other, especially over very small triggers. Examples would include tagging unflattering pictures, or being skinny when they're struggling to lose weight.
"葛优躺" - Ge You Slouch
This picture became a massive viral hit in China. It's actually a still picture from a 1990's TV show called "I Love My Family" where the actor Ge You played a scam artist who claimed to be an inventor. He was invited by the family to their house only to remain slouched on their sofa all day.
This meme is often used by Chinese netizens when describing people in the state of idleness and living without purpose - an issue that plagues many who find difficulty in securing work despite obvious financial burdens.
"蓝瘦香菇" - Blue Skinny Mushroom
The blue skinny mushroom is as bizzare as something like the doge meme, it practically became an internet sensation overnight. The pronounciation is 'lan2 shou4 xiang1 gu1' which directly translated means blue, skinny mushroom, which is very close to the pronounciation of "难受" - nan2 shou4 , "想哭" - xiang3 ku1.
So it is a play on sounds on the actual meaning which is "Feeling unwell, want to cry".
It's origin comes from a man who uploaded a video of himself expressing his bad feelings regarding a date he had earlier in the day. In the video, he repeatedly says "nan shou, xiang ku" in a Southern Chinese accent. Those who viewed the video could not help but find it funny despite the situation he describes. They quickly turned the depressing situation into something humorous, albeit at the expense of the poor man.
"Kung Fu Routine" - 套路
套路 (Tao4 lu4) was originally used to refer to the routines and forms a Kung Fu practitioner would use. However, the phrase now has a meaning of taking advantage of someone for your own gain.
The phrase is often used by dating coaches when teaching their students on how to pick up women.
What interesting memes will we see in 2017? Only time will tell. One thing is for sure, the influence of the Chinese internet users will not fade and only grow. Let's hope Steemit has it's time to shine in China.