Lush

The international climate summit was in full swing, with representatives from around the world engaged in heated debates. The UK was pushing for emissions reduction, the US was talking about balancing the economy, and India was fighting for its right to survival. Everyone was fighting for their country's interests, but in the midst of all the arguing, the room was suddenly plunged into darkness. The lights had gone out, and no one could see each other's faces or hear each other's voices. But in the darkness, the African representative sat calmly in the corner and said something that left everyone speechless. "Don't panic, we've already lived a life of zero carbon emissions for a hundred years," the African representative said, leaving everyone deep in thought. Yes, in many African countries, people have grown accustomed to living without electricity. They've learned to find light in the darkness, using candles, torches, and starlight to illuminate their lives. They've learned to experience happiness through simple living. They're telling us that in the midst of material scarcity, we can find true wealth. In a simple life, we can find true joy. We often complain that our lives aren't good enough, that we need more material possessions to satisfy our desires. But the African representative's words showed us a different way of living. We saw the possibility of finding joy in simplicity, of finding wealth in scarcity. We began to think about whether we really need all that material wealth to satisfy our desires. We began to think about whether we could learn to find happiness in simplicity, just like the Africans do.

Are men willing to cross the ocean for a moment of ecstasy? This question may seem a bit absurd, but it actually reflects the essence of human nature. At its core, humans are still animals, driven by their hormones. Our bodies have a strong desire for sex, a primal instinct that drives us to find partners and experience the pleasure of sex. The dark tourism experience of a Shanghai netizen in Jakarta, Indonesia, is a possible example of this. They travel across the ocean to find new sexual experiences in a foreign land. They may encounter unfamiliar cultures, languages, and food, but their goal is singular: to find the pleasure of sex. But is this behavior worth it? The answer may vary from person to person. Some may think that this behavior is worthwhile because it brings new experiences and pleasures. Others may think that it's foolish because it may bring risks and regrets. However, human desire cannot be ignored. It's a part of our bodies, and we can't escape it. We can only choose how to face it and how to satisfy it.

I have a question for those who have been scammed. Don't you know that the person on the other end is a scammer? Or are you willing to be scammed? I meet people like this every day, and they always ask me why they got scammed and why they're in this predicament. The truth is, you're not unaware that the person on the other end is a scammer. You're just choosing to ignore your own instincts and believe the sweet talk. Your desires have blinded you to the truth. Why not come to me for counseling? I can solve your psychological problems. You don't need to find those so-called 'relationship coaches' or 'psychologists,' and you don't need to spend a lot of money and time. You just need to face your problems bravely and admit your mistakes. I'll help you find the root of your problems and solve your psychological issues. You don't need to be scammed or hurt again. You deserve to be loved and respected.

My wife is a peculiar person. She wouldn't bat an eye at spending 20,000 yuan on a luxury handbag, but when buying two-yuan scallions at the market, she'd insist on getting a head of garlic thrown in for free. To save five yuan on shipping, she'd spend half an hour haggling with friends on Pinduoduo. I chuckled and called her out on it, saying she was 'locally wealthy, globally poor.' She rolled her eyes and retorted, 'The handbag is a status symbol, representing my social standing; haggling over scallions is a down-to-earth attitude, showing I know how to live life!' Later, I came to understand that the penny-pinching in our marriage usually only applies to trivial things. That's the magical contradiction of modern consumption: we splurge on superficial appearances, but pinch pennies in real life. Everyone's so exhausted from keeping up appearances. I started observing my friends and found they're often the same. A friend with a monthly salary over 10,000 yuan would run all over the mall for a one-yuan discount coupon; a relative with multiple properties would rather fix the pipes himself to save a few dozen yuan on water and electricity bills. Their behavior seems contradictory, but it reflects the internal conflict of modern people: on one hand, we yearn for a dignified life, and on the other, we want to live frugally. The root of this conflict lies in our social environment and consumerist mindset. We're taught to work hard, earn more, and pursue a better life, but at the same time, we're told to be frugal, save money, and consume rationally. The clash of these two ideologies leads to our hesitation and confusion when consuming. But my wife's response made me realize another level. Her 'status symbol' and 'down-to-earth attitude' represent different life attitudes and values. Sometimes, we need to spend money to keep up appearances, and sometimes we need to save money to live life. The two aren't mutually exclusive; we just need to find a balance and our own way of living.

Recently, our company posted a new job opening for an archivist. It sounds like a pretty dull job, but guess how much the salary is? The answer is: 7800 yuan! When I first saw this number, I was shocked. Such a simple job is paid so much? I couldn't help but sigh at the harsh reality of the workplace. When will I find a job like this? Of course, there might be reasons for this salary. An archivist needs to handle a large amount of files and data, requiring organizational skills and attention to detail. Perhaps this salary is a recognition and reward for their work. On the other hand, this also makes me think, why do some jobs get paid so much while others get paid so little? Is it because some jobs are more valuable? Or is this just an unfair social phenomenon? In any case, seeing this salary always leaves a sour taste in my mouth. I hope that one day, my own work will be recognized and rewarded in the same way.