Summary

The website content reflects on past Chinese news stories, including the qigong craze of the 1970s and the "Information Pot" scam of 1993, drawing parallels to current events such as the drop in the Hong Kong Hang Seng Index and the exodus of Hong Kong residents.

Abstract

The article juxtaposes historical Chinese news events with contemporary issues, highlighting the recurring nature of public gullibility and the manipulation of information. In the 1970s, a qigong master named Wang Lin gained notoriety for his purported healing abilities and longevity techniques, attracting the attention of even prominent figures like Qian Xuesen, the Chinese atomic bomb scientist. Decades later, the "Information Pot" scam capitalized on the public's fascination with the mystical, selling a device claimed to transmit cosmic information, which was later debunked as a hoax. The author draws a parallel between these past incidents and the current socio-economic situation in Hong Kong, suggesting that history's patterns of deception and misinformation continue to echo in present-day events.

Opinions

The author implies a skeptical view of the qigong practices popularized by Wang Lin, hinting at the absurdity of claims like using qigong for atomic energy research.
There is a clear critique of the "Information Pot" scam, highlighting the exploitation of people's beliefs and the dangers of pseudoscience.
The article suggests a certain irony or bemusement in the way history repeats itself, with the current Hong Kong news resonating with the themes of misinformation and public deception found in the historical anecdotes.
The author seems to reflect on the human tendency to seek out extraordinary solutions to complex problems, often leading to mass delusion or exploitation by opportunists.
The mention of Mark Twain's quote about history rhyming indicates the author's belief in the cyclical nature of human behavior and the recurrence of similar issues across different eras.

Former China Newsy【Ⅰ】昔日中國

The Beauty of Lies, The Beautiful Lies

Photo from China’s “Today’s Headlines @ Reveal the Secret Archives”

"History doesn't repeat itself, but it often rhymes." -Mark Twain

Today, as I was looking through my childhood artwork, the television news was reporting a significant drop in the Hong Kong Hang Seng Index, along with a rebuttal from the Chinese spokesperson regarding the mass exodus of Hong Kong residents. Suddenly, two news stories from the past in mainland China came to mind.

Qian Xuesen’s family in the United States

Past Chinese News Story 1:

In the 1970s, China experienced a wave of enthusiasm for qigong, including practices like Tai Chi and qigong therapy. At that time, a qigong master named Wang Lin claimed to be able to control the body's energy field through special breathing techniques and movements, with the ability to heal illnesses and prolong life. His qigong method was known as the "Wang Laowu Technique."

Qian Xuesen’s family on their way back to China

Chinese scientist and father of the atomic bomb, Qian Xuesen, showed a great interest in qigong and became friends with Wang Lin. He even stated that by studying qigong, he could generate atomic energy for space technology research. Such claims gained widespread attention, whether humorous or not.

After Qian Xuesen’s family returned to China

Past Chinese News Story 2:

Back in 1993, a large-scale scam known as the "Information Pot Scam" spread throughout the streets of China, deceiving and swindling a significant number of people, causing quite a stir.

The birth of the Information Pot scam originated from a fortune teller named "Information Pot." She heavily promoted herself on television and radio, claiming that by purchasing a miraculous item called the "Information Pot," individuals could receive various cosmic information through the reception of electromagnetic waves.

This information could not only predict the future but also cure diseases and enhance personal abilities. The Information Pot had a high price tag, reaching hundreds of Chinese yuan, which was a considerable burden for ordinary people at the time.

However, the Information Pot was not as miraculous as the fortune teller claimed. In reality, it was nothing more than an ordinary pot with special magnets and electronic components placed inside. These electronic components would emit random signals when influenced by electromagnetic waves, which happened to be the crucial means for the fortune teller to deceive people.

By reciting certain incantations, the fortune teller controlled the electronic components within the Information Pot, gradually forming specific frequencies and wavelengths in the chaotic signals emitted by the pot. She then explained these signals as information from the universe, including individuals' destinies, future prophecies, and various health secrets. This information held great appeal to many people, enticing them to eagerly purchase the Information Pot in an attempt to obtain the so-called cosmic information.

However, the Information Pot scam was soon exposed. People began to realize that the so-called cosmic information was nothing more than a product manipulated by the fortune teller through electronic devices, devoid of any practical value. Those who had purchased the Information Pot suddenly found themselves caught in a moment of falsehood, entangled in a storm of deceit.

This Information Pot scam was like a magic trick, leading people into confusion and bewilderment in their lives.

The news from the past and the current Hong Kong news share a similar essence, making me smile knowingly. I'll stop here for today and continue next week.