From Weibo to Zhihu – A Brief Analysis of the Ideological Value of Liu Jiming's "Random Thoughts"

By Yuan Bao

I. Introduction

In today's internet environment, the dissemination of ideas online presents a complex landscape. Liu Jiming's "Random Thoughts" series initially spread on Sina Weibo, but after his account was blocked, it moved to Zhihu. These "Random Thoughts" contain rich ideological connotations and possess unique intellectual value, making them worthy of in-depth analysis.

II. The Spread of Liu Jiming's "Random Thoughts" on Sina Weibo and the Background of Its Account Suspension

(I) Communication Ecology During the Weibo Period

Sina Weibo was once an extremely active platform for information dissemination, where many thinkers and opinion leaders voiced their views. When Liu Jiming's "Random Thoughts" began to spread on this platform, they attracted a large number of readers interested in leftist thought, social fairness and justice, and cultural criticism. With his sharp pen, he dissected social phenomena and reflected many contradictions present in society at the time, such as the widening gap between rich and poor and the erosion of social equity by capitalist expansion, which resonated with and sparked discussions among many netizens.

(II) Deeper Reasons for Account Suspension

Weibo account suspensions often have various causes. Judging from the content of Liu Jiming's "Random Thoughts," his critiques of the existing capitalist economic order and social inequality touched upon the interests of certain entrenched interest groups. In an environment where power and capital conspire to influence and control the distribution of online discourse, critical remarks against powerful capital are easily deemed "heretical." At the same time, his ideas emphasized values such as social fairness and popular sovereignty, which conflicted with some popular, capital-packaged consumerism and bureaucratic centralism, thus leading to suppression.

III. Ideological Dissemination and Audience Interaction After Moving to Zhihu

(I) Zhihu Platform's Inclusiveness and Its Compatibility with Leftist Thought Dissemination

Zhihu, as a Q&A knowledge community, possesses a certain degree of openness and diversity. Although it is also controlled by power and capital, it offers relatively greater inclusiveness for the dissemination of ideas. After Liu Jiming's "Random Thoughts" moved to Zhihu, it continued to reach intellectuals, young students, and groups who have deep reflections on social issues and are interested in leftist thought.

(II) Audience Interaction Deepens Ideological Dissemination

Zhihu's Q&A and comment interaction model provided new opportunities for the dissemination of Liu Jiming's "Random Thoughts." He spread his ideas through interaction and communication with other users. Readers would also raise questions and express their views from different perspectives, and this clash of ideas further deepened the understanding of the thoughts contained in his "Random Thoughts." For example, in discussions about issues of fair social distribution, he expounded on the meaning of fairness and justice in combination with socialist distribution principles, while readers shared their observations and experiences in real life, making the discussions more relevant to actual social life.

IV. The Ideological Value of Liu Jiming's "Random Thoughts" from a Leftist Perspective

(I) Social Critique and the Pursuit of Fairness and Justice

1. Critiquing the Social Structure of Crony Capitalism

Liu Jiming's "Random Thoughts" profoundly critiques the social structure of crony capitalism. He points out that under the bureaucratic centralized capitalist system, the high concentration of power and private ownership of the means of production lead to extreme wealth concentration. The bureaucratic class and a few capitalists hold immense political and economic power, widening the gap between rich and poor, and making it difficult for the working class to obtain equal development opportunities and basic democratic rights. He also analyzes the exploitation of laborers by powerful capital and the negative impact of financial capital's global speculative behavior on ordinary people.

2. Persistent Pursuit of Fairness and Justice

Based on his critique of totalitarian politics, Liu Jiming's "Random Thoughts" consistently emphasize the values of fairness, justice, and socialism. He consistently stands from the perspective of the vast majority of working people, calling for the establishment of a social distribution system compatible with socialism, ensuring that everyone can benefit from social development through the fair distribution of basic public resources like education, healthcare, and housing, as well as the protection of workers' rights. He emphasizes caring for vulnerable groups and promoting the revival of socialism in the 21st century.

(II) Cultural Critique and the Cultural Subjectivity of the People

1. Revealing the Erosion of Feudal and Capitalist Culture

In "Random Thoughts," Liu Jiming reveals the erosion of society by feudalism and capitalist culture. He believes that under the influence of feudal and capitalist cultural industries, servile culture and consumerist culture prevail, shaping people's values to pursue material enjoyment, prioritize personal interests, and become docile subjects. He points out that this cultural phenomenon leads to an empty spiritual world for people, and human relationships become what Marx called "naked self-interest."

2. Emphasizing the Cultural Subjectivity of the People

In contrast, Liu Jiming emphasizes the cultural subjectivity of the people. From a Marxist perspective, he believes that the people are the creators and inheritors of culture, and culture should reflect the lives and needs of the proletariat and the vast majority of the people. He advocates for reactivating revolutionary culture, combining it with modern societal values, and constructing a people-centered cultural system, which includes collectivism, socialism, and what "The Communist Manifesto" calls a "free association of producers."

(III) Theoretical Reflections and Insights on Contemporary Social Development

1. Contemporary Interpretation of Socialist Theory

Liu Jiming's "Random Thoughts" offer a contemporary interpretation of socialist theory. He considers the current social context of globalization and information technology to reflect on the practical significance of socialism in social governance, economic development, and people's well-being. He emphasizes that the essence of socialism is for the people to be masters of their own affairs and for all people to achieve common prosperity. In today's society, this concept provides new ideas for solving global problems such as climate change and wealth polarization.

2. Insights into the Direction of Social Change

Many of Liu Jiming's reflections in "Random Thoughts" provide important insights into the direction of social change. When facing various problems existing in current society, he advocates for promoting social change, including political system reform, economic structural adjustment, and social and cultural construction. For example, regarding economic structural adjustment, he advocates for promoting the development of public ownership economy and enhancing its macroeconomic regulation capabilities to safeguard the interests of the vast proletariat and the people.

V. Conclusion

Liu Jiming's series of essays "Random Thoughts," from Weibo to Zhihu, reflects the challenges and opportunities he faced in the process of disseminating his ideas. They hold significant ideological value, social critical importance, and contribute to enriching and providing insights into contemporary social development theory. These ideas provide crucial intellectual resources for rebuilding socialism in the 21st century.

Source: Zuo Ping Public Account