HUMN 100 Minnesota State Community and Technical College Comparing Lives Discussion
ANSWER
“Young and Restless in China” is a documentary film by Sue Williams that profiles several individuals in China and their experiences amid the country’s rapid industrialization and technological advancement. In this response, I will pick two individuals from the documentary and compare the places they find themselves in, how industrialization has impacted them, the influence of new technology on their lives, the future they can expect, and the global impacts suggested by the trends they represent.
- Changhua Zhang:
- Place: Changhua Zhang is a young entrepreneur and founder of a successful internet company. He represents the burgeoning tech industry in China, primarily based in major cities like Beijing and Shanghai.
- Impact of Industrialization: Changhua’s life has been significantly impacted by industrialization, as it has allowed him to leverage China’s growing economy and expanding middle class as potential consumers of his tech products and services.
- New Technology: Changhua’s life revolves around new technology. He is at the forefront of innovation, utilizing the internet and cutting-edge software to develop his business. The tech boom in China has provided him with opportunities for rapid growth and success.
- Future Expectations: Changhua can expect a promising future as long as he continues to adapt to the ever-evolving tech landscape in China. His success is tied to the country’s economic growth and its position as a global tech leader.
- Global Impacts: Changhua Zhang’s story suggests the global impact of China’s rise as a tech powerhouse. His company likely has a global reach, contributing to China’s influence in the tech sector worldwide. Additionally, China’s technological advancements can reshape global markets and competition.
- Zhang Jingjing:
- Place: Zhang Jingjing is a young migrant worker from a rural area who moved to the city to work in a factory. She represents the millions of rural-to-urban migrants who have played a vital role in China’s industrialization.
- Impact of Industrialization: Industrialization has profoundly impacted Zhang Jingjing’s life by offering employment opportunities in urban areas. It has enabled her to escape rural poverty and improve her standard of living.
- New Technology: While Zhang Jingjing’s work in the factory might involve the use of some modern machinery, she does not directly benefit from cutting-edge technology in the same way as urban professionals. However, her move to the city was driven by the industrialization and globalization of China’s manufacturing sector.
- Future Expectations: Zhang Jingjing’s future may involve continued factory work or transitioning to a different job as China’s economy shifts away from low-wage manufacturing toward more skilled and service-oriented roles. Her prospects may depend on government policies and the country’s economic direction.
- Global Impacts: Zhang Jingjing’s story represents the global impact of China’s industrialization on labor markets and supply chains. As China’s manufacturing sector grows, it affects global trade dynamics and influences the availability of affordable consumer goods worldwide.
In summary, the lives of Changhua Zhang and Zhang Jingjing in “Young and Restless in China” illustrate the diverse impacts of industrialization and technology on individuals in China. Changhua represents the tech-savvy urban professionals benefiting from China’s tech boom, while Zhang Jingjing exemplifies the rural-to-urban migrant workers who have fueled China’s industrial growth. Their stories also highlight the global implications of China’s economic and technological rise, affecting both tech markets and global labor dynamics.
QUESTION
Description
Comparing lives
Pick two of the individuals profiled in Young and Restless in China and compare the places they find themselves. How has industrialization impacted them? What has new technology done to the way they live their lives? What kind of future can they expect? What kind of global impacts are suggested by the trends they represent?