In contemporary China, the character “卷” (pronounced “juan”) has become a highly critical
term, especially in the context of internet culture. It vividly describes an intense competition
that leads to internal exhaustion and meaningless effort, while also reflecting people’s
helplessness and resentment toward social pressures and an unfair environment. If left
unchecked, this phenomenon of “involution” could spread to other regions, including Malaysia,
with negative implications for social and economic development. Therefore, it is essential to
delve deeply into the meaning and context of the term “卷.”
- The Literal and Extended Meanings of “卷”
Literal Meaning
In its original sense, “卷” means “to roll up or fold,” as seen in phrases like “卷书” (scrolls) or “卷
轴” (rolls). In traditional contexts, the term carries no negative connotation and simply
describes an action or form.
Extended Contemporary Meaning
In modern internet culture, “卷” is shorthand for “内卷” (involution), describing a social
phenomenon where:
- Intense competition forces participants to expend increasingly more resources or energy
without yielding substantial benefits. - It also connotes over-competition, resource waste, and a collective societal anxiety.
- The Origins and Essence of “Involution” The term “involution” (内卷) originates from sociology, referring to a system that, under limited
- resources, fails to grow through innovation or external expansion and instead relies on
- increasing internal inputs to maintain its status quo. Key features include:
- Zero-Sum Game
- Everyone contributes more, but the “pie” remains the same size, offering no improvement in
- resource distribution.
- Malicious Competition
- Over-competition in areas like education, work, and life reduces people’s happiness and quality
- of life. For example, Chinese parents spend enormous amounts on extracurricular tutoring to get
- their children into prestigious schools, increasing overall education costs but not improving
- admission rates.
- Lack of Innovation
- Participants are forced to follow established rules to survive, stifling creativity and
- breakthroughs.
- Manifestations of “卷” in Society
The “卷” Phenomenon in China
In Education - Students face immense academic pressure starting in elementary school, with rampant
after-school tutoring, anxious parents, and fierce grade competition. - College entrance exams (gaokao) become the ultimate goal, trapping families in a cycle
of competing over time and energy.
In the Workplace - Employees work longer hours to keep their jobs, leading to trends like “996” (9 AM to 9
PM, six days a week) or “007” (midnight to midnight, seven days a week). - These extreme work schedules harm employee health and undermine corporate
innovation.
In Consumerism - “Keeping up with the Joneses” culture drives people to engage in meaningless
materialistic competition, such as over-the-top social events or luxury consumption. - Potential Risks of “卷” in Malaysia
If Malaysia is not vigilant against similar involutionary trends, it may face challenges such as:
Over-Competition in Education
If Malaysian parents and students overly prioritize academic rankings at the expense of holistic
development and personal interests, it could lead to excessive stress and wasted educational
resources.Unhealthy Workplace Culture - Companies that focus solely on output while ignoring employee well-being and creativity may
- face declining efficiency and rising turnover rates.
- Economic Imbalance
- In certain industries, if competition remains fixated on price wars or low-end manufacturing
- without transitioning to higher-value sectors, economic progress could stagnate.
- Social Anxiety and Mental Health Issues
- Involution fosters widespread societal anxiety, leading to rising mental health problems and
- lower overall happiness.
- Recommendations to Address “卷”
For Individuals
Clarify Goals: Learn to say no to meaningless competition and focus time and energy on
genuinely valuable pursuits.
Self-Development: Concentrate on personal growth instead of comparing yourself to others.
Prioritize Mental Health: Accept diverse definitions of success and reduce pressures from
society and family.
For Society
☑ Promote Fair Competition: Establish transparent rules to avoid winner-takes-all situations.
☑ Cultivate Diversity: Encourage the development of arts, sports, and vocational education to
reduce over-reliance on single academic goals.
☑ Protect Employee Rights: Enforce labor laws to balance work hours and employee welfare,
avoiding workplace exhaustion.
For the Government
☑ Optimize Resource Allocation: Invest more resources in education, healthcare, and
technological innovation to reduce the intensity of foundational competition.
☑ Support Innovation Policies: Encourage businesses to break existing frameworks and pursue
technological and managerial innovation.
☑ Build Mental Health Support Systems: Provide psychological services to help the public
manage stress and anxiety. - Conclusion: The Wisdom to Resolve “卷”
The phenomenon of “卷” is not only a reflection of Chinese society but also a potential issue in
any rapidly developing modern society. If Malaysia can recognize and prevent involution early, it
can avoid falling into the trap of meaningless competition. By fostering innovation, optimizing
resource allocation, and enhancing social equity, Malaysia can turn potential crises into growth
opportunities.
Malaysia’s future lies in balance: maintaining competitiveness without being suffocated by
pointless competition. Achieving this balance requires a collective effort from society, the government, businesses, and individuals to create a more harmonious and healthy social - environment.
- Written by Tan Sri Lee Kim Yew
- Reflections on the Signboard Controversy
- December 2, 2024