Branded New China

Regardless of the negative connotations associated with the effects of trans-national capital, it is important to take a step back and recognize the possibilities global capitalism holds for the creation of a world culture. With the advent of a new global youth-culture, nationalist tendencies can eventually become a thing of the past. Hip-Hop has been an incredible force in this new movement in the Americas, Asia, and Africa. It is nice to see it get the props it deserves.

nice report. would like to embed. code seems to be wrong?

This is an interesting topic.... The reality of China is for many people wages are very low. Shenzhen, Beijing & Shanghai are very different from other cities in mainland China. Many of these top labels that are mentioned here are copied and sold very cheap at flea-markets.

China's the place to be, well except for the mass killings ,*yikes*. I hope these politics try and solve the problem, but loved the POD.

Great pod!! Makes me wanna move there

I need to move to China so I can have cool clothes too. It's interesting to see how consumerism and development changes a society.

China's consumer market is growing and this pod nicely addresses the potential turbulence of this growing market with Chinese traditional social structure. The description of Shanghai falls fairly in line with the popular perception of it returning to its status at the Pearl of the Orient. This pod covers a lot of places - from Shenzhen to Shanghai to Beijing - and so it gives a good overall look at the changes happening in major Chinese cities. I like how the filmmaker didn't limit their analysis to just one city. What is interesting is whether Chinese youth are realizing the price of consumerism. It seems that they are enjoying the positive aspect of it and doesn't consider the negative impact it has on their traditional social structure. It would be interesting to see how they feel about that. I think the pod does a great job of capturing the spirit of youth in an exciting country. The country is transforming and you can see the youthful optimism they have for their future. On a different note, this pod proves that hip hop has the power to unite young people from all over the world.

Living in Shanghai at the moment, I see this fashion obsessed group of wealthy western controlled people. Consumerism cannot coexist with consciousness, and these mindless drones ignore the stark reality that most people in China (and the world) are living in horrible poverty. They are educated to the point were they can have a credit card that's going to fuck them, but not up to the point where they know about the sweatshops and environmental issues of consumerism.

Education is a funny thing.

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Lets all remember that they are Communists so they dont have classes. and why do u want to move there?

theyre not a communist country anymore.. this pod makes me wana go there and just party!

Great report. Do you think they have one upped america in the level of brand obsession?