We Were Wrong - How We Brainwashed Ourselves to Survive in China

[@ADVChina]

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[@PandemoniumMeltDown]

This vid was excellent.

[@jeffk464]

So what do you guys think about the Restrict Act, its very China like. They can put people in prison for 20 years for using a VPN if it passes. Our government seems to be trying to follow the CCP's model, next step digital currency, wonder if they're planning on the social credit score.

[@FroggyTWrite]

the government just wants to make sure you check into the hotel that's properly wired with bugs and cameras

[@jaxsazerac4904]

You called out the Chinese police stations in America months before the mainstream media did.

[@faithreturns333]

This is why I didn't really follow you or like you in the past because you were superficially running around China and not actually broadcasting the truth. It wasn't till after Obama second-term that your videos started to change a little bit but after TRUMP did you finally figured it out and have the courage to speak out and speak the truth.

[@ChinaUncensored]

Good stuff fellas.

[@grindsetman488]

Didn’t expect to see you guys here

[@ShadowLurker334]

Wow a underated channel!

[@teachingwithipad]

when is there a adv and uncensored crossover?

[@NikZ500]

That's what Xi said 😅😅😅

[@jedimindtrix2142]

Hey Chris!!! Love your show! My girlfriend and I watch everyone of them soon as they pop up! The one you did today about the secret police stations was great. Can't believe the brazen mindset that would take to do such a thing! I always wondered if you watched the guys on ADV. I figured you would. Yes this is very good stuff and sadly very true. It's important to always value what we have and not take it for granted....freedom of thought and speech are truly amazing things. Keep your channel going man! If you ever need any music produced for your shows get at me! That's kinda my thing! Id love to help you guys out! C

[@Diogenes76]

This is how it always happens. People look back at whatever population and ask how they could have let x happen. The answer is one small step at a time. First, they change the language, making words that once mean one thing mean another, then they try to redefine what is normal.

[@indigosay8272]

The most illustrative example is the countries of the West. Real linguistic speculators

[@moscuadelendaest]

@@indigosay8272 Nobody is going to jail for saying that Macron's or Biden's policies are not to their liking. And nobody has to self-police to avoid thought crimes, as is the case with China. And nobody gets locked up in prison for accessing Wikipedia through a VPN (because your 'emperor' and his cronies decided you would have no access to independent knowledge).

[@I_SuperHiro_I]

So leftism basically? That’s what you’re describing.

[@zachmdful]

@@indigosay8272 Your comment reads like it may be translated. wumao?

[@billbored8277]

Dont forget, demonizing people who do speak out about it. Demonizing and dehumanizing the people who do speak out, who do disagree. Make them "others". If they can get to that point.... the state can really start cracking down on them, and the sheep will be ok with it.

[@fs5775]

I was the nice polite foreigner who put up with it all with an open mind at first. I ended up fleeing on a one-way ticket last year from the Shanghai lockdown, having been locked up for 6 weeks with the Chinese govt forcing itself into my body every 48 hours via cotton swab to be allowed food, ability to stay in my home without being hauled off to the fangcang. When my plane touched down on U.S. soil, I wept. Cried in front of the U.S. immigration officer who looked stunned. China? NEVER again. This boiled frog was DONE on June 5th 2022 when my plane took off from Shanghai. I will celebrate this as my personal "independence day" for the rest of my life. I will NEVER take my freedom for granted EVER again.

[@MrSmith-ve6yo]

_"I will NEVER take my freedom for granted EVER again."_ Damn. That's beautiful. Despite everything, when it comes to the spirit of liberty, America still is the shining beacon for the rest of us (I'm Australian). Keep that spirit alive, brother.

[@alexanderchenf1]

Maybe you can join the military. Matthew Pottinger did after being beaten up in China.

[@artiehealy8043]

Powerful story. How long did you live in China?

[@Cayden1988]

@@MrSmith-ve6yo I'm Australian too mate. People in Australia/America forget the freedoms that we receive and the privacy we get to enjoy (despite the domestic terrorism and possible surveillance) but we have a good life here. It's incredibly frustrating and infuriates me to no end when I see our own people lash out at police and protest against the government. You remember how bad all this was during COVID? How our government was apparently so evil in its tyrannical and controlling behaviour, that we were all slaves to the evil elite in government? I had to laugh to no end. Our own people having the nerve to attack our own government, that was PAYING us (Job Keeper, boosted Job Seeker payments, and COVID relief payments) mind you, to stay home, stay safe, and look after each other. We weren't welded inside apartment blocks or invaded every day for tests, or hauled off to disappear in vans for speaking out or complaining. We were told to just stay at home, if we needed to go out, then go to the shop to get food and come back home. People are clowns and forget how easy we have it, compared to some other countries out there, that are REALLY evil and controlling of their populations.

[@g.k.1213]

I had the same experience. Twice quarantined in a hotel for 2 weeks each.. Living in Germany now and waiting for the next lockdown experiment

[@doloresdebeauvoir4960]

Just got back from twitter arguing against tankie kiddies about what China actually is like. They love citing expat’s experience in China, not realizing that the China expats experienced is NOT the real China that we ordinary Chinese people experience. I am glad that you guys always go out to show the China that we experience, good or bad, to the world. Keep up the good work!

[@josedorsaith5261]

I don't bother arguing with them anymore. Since I learned that the majority of them are prisoners being forced to shill online, or AI bots, it doesn't seem worth it

[@doloresdebeauvoir4960]

@@josedorsaith5261 oh I mean younger western kids who is “on the left” but has this contrarian tendencies going on . They have to trash everything about the US and the west, and in turn they have to praise everything about China or Russia or North Korea. It’s so sad and I hope they wake up on this issue, but they can be very stubborn at their age.

[@FukaiKokoro]

If anything don't argue but offer sympathy

[@brawndothethirstmutilator9848]

Jose Dorsaith, Anymore I will usually bring up the Uyghur issue as soon as possible. They often go quiet pretty quickly. On the off chance that they are a Uyghur in some detention center being forced to shill at least they know that people in the outside world do care.

[@allewis4008]

It's part of a pro Marxist push in the education system. It's supposed to undermine the West and democracy in general.

[@drey01]

I went to China 2 weeks ago to visit my wife and in-laws. My wife and I wanted to check out some of the historic places, one place I wanted to visit the most was Xi'an to see the Teracotta warriors. I booked us at the Hampton inn (Hilton property, because I am a Hilton DIAMOND member). When I went to check in, I was told they don't allow foreigners! I was shocked and disgusted. I was told to go to a different Hampton Inn in the city, which we ended up doing and was able to get a room. I am African American and my wife is (obviously) Chinese. I called Hilton and they are investigating. This happened about 10 days ago...

[@fs5775]

No sure why you would investigate. China is horribly racist and you have no rights there. This story is just part of everyday life in China these days.

[@How_To995]

They regard Africans as stinky black monkeys

[@DragonsOfSnow]

You're lucky you got in in the second hotel. China is notorious for not allowing foreigners to stay in any of their hotels, even the fancy ones with ENGLISH translations on the walls. It's pretty ridiculous. It was an actual law at one point. Supposedly it's not anymore, but many places still enforce it.

[@BobbsVegine-eg3xz]

​@@DragonsOfSnowmaybe we should do the same in the west.

[@corvuslight]

Controlling speech ultimately controls thought. Simple, yet very effective. Stay free, speak your mind, and stay awesome.

[@Inertia888]

Absolutely. Free speech should be exercised when ever possible, and fought for, when it is not.

[@michaelmullins3396]

Tell that to any American regime, especially a Democrat one.

[@gstlb]

@@michaelmullins3396 dumb and irrelevant to this video

[@gstlb]

Controlling information controls thought.

[@12345678927164]

It’s like a virus that feeds off its host

[@TheColonelKlink]

I remember a time when China was mostly a big blank spot on world maps that I knew little about. Yes there were books and so-called experts, but then I discovered ADV China and all of a sudden I became part of those wonderful eye opening motorcycle journeys that you took us all on. From the wonders of modern Shenzhen to the wild frontiers of Mongolia and the Russian borderlands. I could see for the first time that there was so much more to this vast and diverse land so long hidden behind the veil of Communist propaganda. Amazing peoples of so many different ethnicities and cultures. What a ride it all was and what a great gift you two amazing guys have given us all. A tremendous legacy to be very proud of guys. Thank you.

[@jedimindtrix2142]

That's a very nice comment and a very true statement. They took some risks in the process too....more than just a couple times. Frankly I don't think what they did would be possible under the current climate and they have said as much so it's lucky that they did it when they did and got out when they did. LaoWhy made a great video detailing just how nerve wracking it was for him to get out of China. Granted he may not have been in as much danger as he felt he was in but the fact that he even had to feel that way is insane. If you haven't seen it look it up. It's good stuff.

[@thunduh.5430]

I agree. Well said....This really is amazing. Thank you guys!!

[@jaibholenath6900]

There isn't much diversity in Xina though

[@tylerdurden6920]

This is where you go to get a view on China? lol. These guys were China failures, lived there for ten years, and still know nothing about it. Probably because their Chinese sucks and they couldn't integrate into society.... which is probably why they failed and left. It's not even funny how off their videos are about China lol

[@icet6665]

@@jedimindtrix2142 THSE TWO GUYS WERE TAUGHT TEACING ILLEGALLY WITHOUT HAVING THE NECESSARY CREDENTIALS.

[@johnknoefler]

People watched and commented about how you both were drinking the chi-com Kool aide. We noticed. I couldn't live in such a place. I grew up in an extremely dysfunctional family where I was beat for speaking my mind. Eventually I literally fought back and was sent to an institution where my resolve hardened. Nobody can physically censor me. Glad you two wised up.

[@pixelpatter01]

How much of the Flavor Aid do we drink every day here in the US? What do the original meanings of these words bring to mind; youths, teens, inner city, random violence, gun violence, disadvantaged? We are constantly pressured to change our language and what we talk about. I cold give more examples but I'm sure that's enough.

[@rogergriffin9893]

Winston and Matt were just trying to by decent foreigners and not go out to deliberately criticise the CCP. I think because they saw a lot of positive changes and moves away from Maoist doctrine under the leadership before Xi rose to power. But when he did things got worse and worse until they were both forced to recognize the reinstitution of orthodox Communist doctrine and the drive to push foreigners out of China. They finally realized that they had to leave to save themselves, their families, and their moral compass.

[@johnknoefler]

@@rogergriffin9893 like I commented, I grew up in a family that functioned like China. Thought control, hypercritical, and constant snooping with punishment and being condemned for not supporting the agenda and speaking out about abuse. When you resist and fight back your whole life against tyranny you become hyper aware when it happens via a government.

[@barbaracovey]

Thailand is a little bit like that. When I was visiting my cousin in Thailand, she made it very clear to me don’t ever say anything negative about the king, especially in public.🙃

[@HermanWillems]

Here in Netherlands we can say something critical about the king or negative.

[@luism.5999]

Thailand has a king?

[@DafyddBrooks]

Its cool that you guys are man enough to admit this and its brave of you guys to continue what you do, all the best guys

[@NJ-wb1cz]

There's simply less money in making balanced videos on China, so they either have to pump out maximum anti-China videos to pander to US nationalists or maximum pro-China videos to pander to China nationalists. I used to watch them a lot but now it's just sad what they have become

[@larzkruber822]

@@NJ-wb1cz and you still remind people that you don´t watch them anymore 🤣

[@badapple65]

CCP now proven to have set up offices in cities all over the USA. I pray for these dude’s safety. What really ticks off the Chinese is that both of these guys picked Chinese wives.

[@badapple65]

@@NJ-wb1cz How do you feel about the facts dropping about the extended Biden Family receiving $Millions from both China AND the Ukraine? Talking about that would be …….? We look forward to your answer.

[@jeffk464]

They don't live in China anymore.

[@mikekenyan2469]

I had a PRC resident visa from 2016-2021 and worked as pilot with a Chinese air carrier based out of Chongqing but spent a lot of time basing out of Hohhot. Having been to and seen a lot of the grittier backwaters than the glittering tourist meccas, I can confirm how accurate and insightful your videos are. Beautiful country, beautiful people in general, too bad about the police state and dictatorship. Due to technological advances, extreme surveillance can be accomplished less obtrusively than one would think. Be warey...is it coming our way? The mines in Inner Mongolia are impressive in size. Xilingol, Holinghol (nickname HaulingCoal), but many non (foreign) tourist destinations like Arxan, Manzhouli, Hulun Buir that Chinese tourists go to are lovely. Erenhot, Baotou, Wuhai... not so much. Ordos...Something to hide? Great content, you two rock.

[@inconnu4961]

It ABSOLUTELY is coming our way, and the Leftists are bringing it!

[@hanfucolorful9656]

Police state and dictatorship --- thank you to bring amusement to us The US is 2nd to none for that name of police state, what makes any different between dictator 4 years (US) and dictator for 12 years (China)? there is no king or empire in China, but you do need a long term plan for big nations like the US and China, in this sense, a longer term dictator is way better than 4 years.

[@lifechallenger2]

Hi

[@ThomasGabrielsen]

I have a memory of a video from when you lived in China where you almost trivialized the situation of the Uighurs in China in a video. I remember that I reacted quite strongly to it then, but when you escaped from China and were able to speak freely, I understood why. This is quite a few years ago now and lately I've almost started to think I remembered wrong. Anyway, I'm glad you're talking about this because I have so much respect for you and the work you do. Keep up the good work, guys.

[@MrJackHackney]

You two have some courage to post these things. Especially after hearing about Chinese police stations in the US. Stay safe stay awesome!

[@fs5775]

They are FREE in the U.S. and protected by the LAW. The Chinese police stations get shut down here and their police officers get arrested here. Thank GOD. Which makes the U.S. way more safe than China.

[@jedimindtrix2142]

They are fine so long as they don't return to China....which they never will or would be aloud to under the current regime. Those police stations focus on Chinese dissidents. Yes there were instances of them tracking and harassing US citizens but with the caveat that they were former Chinese citizens who were doing anti-CCP political work here. These guys fall outside of the focus of those stations....at least for now. Who knows how much more brazen they will become but I can't imagine they would go much further. Once China starts physically harassing and harming native born US citizens in the US itself they are opening yourself up to a whole other level of scrutiny and responses that most likely they don't want to deal with. Just my opinion though.

[@josedorsaith5261]

I remember when you guys had a bit of a disagreement with China Uncensored back then. Did have a suspicion that you guys were just playing it safe, considering the danger of the CCP taking notice of you

[@serpentza]

Yep, that's exactly what it was

[@davids3905]

​@@serpentza did you ever apologize?

[@MrSmith-ve6yo]

@@davids3905 Why are you worried about that when it's not really your business? The China Uncensored channel responded to this video saying "Good stuff fellas". I think it's water under the bridge.

[@jedimindtrix2142]

@@serpentza Your buddy who likes interrupt you every sentence you speak (lol j/p...but seriously..) made a great video detailing his experience leaving China and how nerve-wracking it was. Did you have similar experiences trying to get out?

[@TegridyMadeGames]

the muffled audio from the helmets, the dreary rainy roads, the amazing B-Roll, oh how I've missed this channel

[@captain_context9991]

I had the same thing when I was in Italy for the first time in 1991-something. I asked the tour guide why we couldnt talk about the local mafia. And she said the same thing. I want to live and work here. I cant talk about it.

[@jagan2]

with the difference that the italian local mafia is not supported by the italian government and police..

[@captain_context9991]

@@jagan2 Well... Whats going on in China isnt exactly "mafia" like in Italy, or a corrupt government like in the US. Its more about communist control of the people.

[@geroutathat]

She was probably just being entertaining. Like when you get a tour of LA they are not going to say "Okay now we will bring you into the hood to show you some overdosing peole, and then down to see the up and comming mexican gang"... she didnt mean she would be killed for talking about it, but that if she painted the area as a crime ridden crap hole, people would stop coming so why not focus on the other stuff and research crime problems on your own, as the crime rates and statistics for each area are widely available and not hidden.

[@Jazzychica96]

I've been here since 2015, and we've just decided to leave. I feel like I can finally breathe. I appreciate this channel a lot, it's been so helpful in a dark time.

[@fs5775]

I remember feeling that way when I left last year. All the best to you.

[@ashsalleh8383]

what were you doing in China for that long may I ask

[@richlambeth7050]

I got to be friends with an e-bike vender who sold motorcycles on the side after I started teaching his daughter English and he always told me that a huge amount of his stock was made up of stuff he bought from the cops themselves. They would "seize" the motorcycle, and instead of filing and impounding it like they were supposed to, they would sell it back to him for some side cash. No idea if that was true but given everything else I saw I wouldn't be surprised if it was.

[@alexanderchenf1]

Of course it is true.

[@jedimindtrix2142]

Yea...that's true. I see no reason to make something like that up. In fact I would actually be more surprised to find out they didn't sell them lol. Systems that are based on corruption, breed corruption. It's the same reason you see vehicles of the Russian military with rotted tires, bad ammunition, lack of proper kit for their soldiers, etc. When you can find "authentic Russian winter uniforms" online for sale but the Russian military themselves have none....that says something. It's just how things go in places like China and Russia because it's embedded into the fabric or DNA of the society after so long.

[@larsradtke4097]

What do you learn from that? Get a tax receipt and officially register your e-bike under your name and your are safe. But don't do this taxi service they are horrendously dangerous drivers and should get all e-bikes confiscated and burned.

[@moscuadelendaest]

@@larsradtke4097 You need to actually read OP's post before replying. Otherwise, you're going to spew a mouthful of verbal diarrhoea as you have just done.

[@richlambeth7050]

@@mchammer3927 I literally said nothing about the US being better than China in this regard. Your knee-jerk attempt at defending China by hating on America does reek of wumao vibes though, not gonna lie.

[@Savchenkov1]

I would often go through the underground carpark and get the elevator in the basement to my apartment. When it went up one level to the ground floor and the doors opened any Chinese waiting would take one step forward, see the "foreigner" and take two steps back ! They would rather wait for the elevator to go up to the 30th floor and return than get in with me. What does that tell you about their true feeling towards non Chinese?

[@GrapeDrank001]

This made me miss your old content so much. 😢 the end of an amazing era for sure.

[@daifeichu]

I use to go to Hong Kong all the time and made trips into the mainland twice. I could not handle living there. Just attempting to get out of an elevator use to piss me off with all the people rushing in and not waiting to let you out. I found that it was like that in a lot of places in China and over the years as more mainlanders would go into Hong Kong I found it was getting more and more like the mainland. Very sad

[@glennoc8585]

Hong Kong was stylish very Cantonese not too busy and great shopping until turnover. I've seen both times and now it's terrible

[@kcgeil]

Admirable you confronted this. Love you gents.

[@jangelbrich7056]

You have just explained perfectly, the universal psychology mechanism, of how to survive in a life-threatening environment: people withdraw into utter privacy, dont' talk, don't trust, don't even think, and get used to it. Become ice-cold or "detached". That is why Holocaust was not stopped from within, until Germany was utterly defeated from the outside, beyond any doubt. Similar story what Japan did in Manchuria. Many people (not all) knew something. Many of those kept silence for the rest of their lifes even decades after the madness had ended. And today it is happening again, just the same ways ...

[@garybrindle6715]

Thanks for the very insightful and chilling comment. I note in the Uk the mis use of councils powers at a local level and I am glad to see protests.

[@potiswad]

You hit the nail right on the head when you said it's survival. Most people are just trying to survive.

[@kendonahve924]

Your comments brought me to rethink my experience with Chinese people here in the West, where they seem very determined to stand for their rights in each tiny area, such as exact change for a transaction or, say, quality of food for example. I had thought that meant they would also stand firm on major issues of their rights, but this determination on small issues may be a fallback position because their, or their family's experience on major questions of human rights in their homeland has been hopeless as described ...

[@LikaLaruku]

"Arbitrary" is the perfect word to describe laws in China.

[@Aeroguy-ob9eb]

I was an expat in China for 5 years (pre Xi). My wife was born and raised in XinJiang. I spent a month in XinJiang in 2017 outside of Ürümqi. It was eye-opening, to say the least. You say we'd never put up with that kind of control here; do you see what's happening right now in the USA? When I was a kid, my friend's mother was a holocaust survivor. I asked her why they did not fight back. She taught me the lesson of the frog in a pot.

[@SteppingStonevlogs]

Also in UK. The thoughts in our heads are becoming illegal by law. Silent prayer in our heads in now banned in certain areas.

[@lescommercantesdindochine1954]

Well stated. Meanwhile, here in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, I observe a society far more free, by almost every metric, compared to Europe or America.

[@mariannorton4161]

You are not wrong and things like the Restrict Act take us ever closer to being everything in China they hate. Slow, slow boil.

[@webentwicklungmitrobinspan6935]

a bunch of lies

[@axelprino]

Honestly the way you describe how things work in China kinda reminds me of when my parents, grandparents, and other older people talked about the last military dictatorship in my country during the 70's and early 80's. Just that general vibe that people learned to not question certain things or speak aloud about certain topics cos if you did you ran the risk of being "disappeared" by the government or having to flee the country. Although that attitude didn't stick around for long afterwards, it was pretty much gone by the 90's which when I was a kid. BTW the thing with boiling the frog alive is apparently not true at all, it's just a thing someone said at some point and since most people weren't willing to test it for obvious reasons it just got taken as fact by everyone. At this point it's just a figure of speech since it helps getting the point across tho.

[@borninthewrongtime6449]

Gotta love anytime we get an ADV China video !! Every time you guys upload a motorcycle video, I'm back in CHINA, watching the scenery & listening to you celebrate your great friendship...even though you had to hide some of the hardest things you were seeing on the daily !

[@pakde8002]

As a foreigner in countries known for corruption it's best to keep a low profile and always bring some extra money. It's not worth getting deported arguing with the police because you're going to lose that argument every time. It doesn't matter if everyone else is doing the exact same thing. Just say you're sorry and discretely hand over some money tucked in with your documents. More than likely you'll be swiftly on your way. (12 years in southeast Asia)

[@gotthatdawg-lh8yb]

hiow much money like 2o USD?

[@marketgarden8910]

The self cenooring in China also happens in Singapore when we talk to mainland Chinese 😂

[@trentinuit7880]

Guys, one of your Patreon patrons here, just gotta say that this boil-down from your full-length video is really good. Nice mix of introspection and spot-on observation, a little different from the focus of The China Show and welcome for me at least. Always fun to see your rides through the wastelands of East Asia. Surely some parts look nicer than what we're seeing. Stay awesome...

[@marcel1463]

I wish to see much more of these adventrue trip videos! That's how i met C Milk and SerpentZA first.

[@FukaiKokoro]

I was just thinking the same. I don't care where it is. It'd be nice to see more videos like this again. Not that their content lately has been bad. It's just the motorcycle travel podcast type videos is what made them unique.

[@fs5775]

@@FukaiKokoro meanwhile, if it turns into a motorcycle travel podcast, I'm outta here. I'm here for the "waking up from the China dystopia" content.

[@michellebarnhill5130]

Great video about a serious topic... Much Love from North Carolina!!

[@ThinWhiteAxe]

hey I'm in North Carolina too 😊

[@MrGoo514]

I experienced China's bizarre and archaic hotel policy a few times. Could you guys do an episode on this topic?

[@kerrykrishna]

FANTASTIC to see you two posting!!!

[@gvonk2]

thank you guys for spreading the word on important topics and sharing your experiences. you are brave heros

[@indigosay8272]

An important topic is the ban on motorcycles in certain areas of China? Haha, funny

[@tzalkeld]

Awesome to hear you two talk so casually about your experiences, self reflections and realisations... It really underscores what your channels are about and how they've evolved into the really good work you are doing now. You both make a lot of on point fundamental observations on how a populace gradually learns to exist in an authoritarian system, ultimately self censorship to the extremes...sends shivers up one's spine. More people unfortunately still, in general and at a multitude of levels, need to understand the "slow boiling frog" analogy - especially when it comes to describing the MO of the world's most favourite authoritarian dictatorship. Great work on getting the message out there, don't ever stop!

[@acmelka]

I lived there in the OK old days of early 2000s. 03-06. Have been going back on and off for work until 2019. It was awful by then. The self censorship was the thing. Worst was the provocators who would ask bad questions about the US because they hear non stop bad stuff.

[@tmd63]

And the really stupid thing is that a motorcycle or small vans DO NOT make a country look poor. It is the state of the roads, roads with potholes or missing surfaces makes a country look poor.

[@qpSubZeroqp]

That Yuri Wong into song ”Just another dude” is fire

[@joanneburford6364]

Interesting insight gentlemen, I've heard similar stories from fellow Aussies returning from living and working in China.

[@levant5378]

I remember a few years back Winston got very pissed off at me for pointing it out. But you guys were fresh out of China at the time.

[@humansvd3269]

It was a hard thing for him to realize.

[@eamonxofarrell]

Guys, don't knock yourselves out. The reason we are successful is that we are free. Sometimes its hard to see that. God bless Ireland and the USA

[@kevinsaunders4434]

I really missed the motorcycle ride chats, I'm glad you guys are back out on the road and sharing your thoughts.

[@robertmirzoev]

Very true, on the point! Since I came to China I started realize that I always avoid talk about religion, ccp, why certain things work that way. It's just how society works here, you don't really get brainwashed but you act certain way to not cause any problems

[@fs5775]

self censorship -- it's Deeply Creepy and I remember it well when i lived there. it IS a form of brainwashing. "policing your own thought, speech, etc" exactly as C-milk says. I still harbor resentment for the person their society turned me into to appease the inhumane pieces of shit running the place. That resentment will stay with me a long time.

[@user-nx4dj8or3b]

为什么要谈论宗教？都是假的，中国人基本不相信任何宗教。为什么要和你一个外国人讨论中国共产党？和你熟悉吗？

[@robertmirzoev]

You can be great example of scam racist person

[@moscuadelendaest]

@@user-nx4dj8or3b lol. Go harass some non-han minorities, damn wumao

[@xguti001]

@@user-nx4dj8or3b foreigners always talk about our American politics so why shouldn’t foreigners in China do the same?

[@5y9h3r]

Was not expecting a drop from you guys right now, nice 👌🏻 always appreciate your view point and honesty about what’s going on.

[@hadessonofcronus1826]

Very interesting conversation guys, about the policing of language for yourselves ... I wonder if natives do the same and to what extent. I'd imagine the fact you're foreigners/expats you're more on thin ice or have to be extra cautious which exacerbates that policing and changing of worldview.

[@keefs398]

Strange that this video only plays on my PC for 30 secs ,yet everything else plays perfectly

[@ErikStewart]

Such a great topic. I am also one who experienced very similar things while living in China. I am very glad to not be a boiling frog anymore!

[@bigvegan]

This story about the shed is basically Rush's "Red Barchetta" in Chinese motorcycle form.

[@Alte.Kameraden]

This actually reminds me of a video someone did about how Social Media has sucked the 'reality' out of highschool life for modern children in America. Basically back when the host was a kid in school you could do all kinds of stuff. There were no cell phones, no cameras around every corner. You didn't have to worry about what you said or did as much. He was pointing out today that saying the wrong thing in school today will get you destroyed on social media. So children in high school have no choice but to tout the political line that is "Popular" they have no choice but to keep their mouths shut. He literally referred to it as Fascism is School and it isn't the Schools doing it but the students voluntary behavior because of Social Media.

[@Mitch93]

Fascism is coercive, what these kids are doing is madness for lack of a better word.

[@brawndothethirstmutilator9848]

MITCH, the person you replied to just literally described a type of coercion.

[@rubyy.7374]

My friend’s a teacher. This stuff is happening in elementary schools too.

[@greenanubis]

There is no real difference. I grew up in a rural shithole, with no cellphones, and people got ostracized and coerced the same way todays kids are. It was even worse in some ways, and less so in others. Different tech, same people.

[@user-jy8zb2wc8l]

It's a form of social coercion (which social analysts have been writing about for decades by the way, including actual critical race theorists, that there are social forces and oppressions that could still occur in a society that on paper in constitution/law is stated to be equal). That said, populism and fascism describe completely different social structures, and I would still say that a democratic government where power is less concentrated and social media fell into a vacuum of amplifying what was traditionally the village gossip/mob, is quite different to an authoritarian government where a few people's opinions are the law over the majority (enforced by physical state violence and state terrorism).

[@mattpeters4700]

When was this recorded? This is a really cool video thanks guys

[@Karim-ik5ij]

There are literal Chinese propaganda channels on KZbin with Bots commenting. It's amazing. Why do they have a culture based on faking it until you make it? Where did that stem from?

[@carnamate]

insightful words, thanks!

[@jayspears7245]

It's been a long time with you guys.

[@dustbowlhammer7119]

I could listen to you guys talk all day! awesome as always!

[@Michael_Lak]

I was inspired by you guys to go to China on holiday in late 2017. Those were the glory days eh. I loved it. I regret not trying to catch up with Serpentza in Shenzhen at the time, thought there would be other opportunities. I had tears in my eyes as I was travelling back to the airport. Must have known that I would never see China again.

[@agalah408]

Notwithstanding covid, in October 2019 when I was wheels-up in Guangzhou, heading for Australia, I thought, "Well, that's it. After a decade of trips and travels to many corners of China, I won't be going back. It's just getting too funky to be a foreigner over there. It had been fun, but I drew the same conclusions as these guys. Maybe nothing would happen, or maybe when they don't like what an Australian politician says I get arrested for stealing state secrets or something, just for political leverage. Maybe they find a tourist map in my bag that they decide is a secret, or I'm in a cafe somewhere and a random guy gives me a document with secret stuff in it, (or drugs) 30 seconds before the police swoop on me for possessing that item. Better to quit with good memories than to be locked up with regrets of a naive traveler.

[@seanrodgers1839]

When I lived in Hong Kong and took the train to Guangzhou, it looked like a post apocalyptic landscape. That was in the 90s

[@RogerThat787]

This has to be one of the best KZbin channels in the history of KZbin.

[@MaryamofShomal]

Anything Winston and Matt do is awesome

[@fs5775]

it's my post-China therapy, honestly. I am still processing my resentment and anger for the bullshit hoops I jumped thru for the CCP.

[@kenzovich9225]

This was a great message. It may sound boring to some, but being in line with your morals is absolutely important and key to a better future.

[@IoIocaust]

Imagine Winston and Cmilk out on their bikes again in a far eastern country. I long to see that day again. Hopefully soon.

[@Kyle-jk3xj]

Bless your hearts

[@thatguythere98]

Been watching you guys since 2017, I loved seeing China from a street view. I’d love to go visit for a bit but I’m not sure if it’s the best decision especially given all that has happened in the world and in china since then.

[@jedimindtrix2142]

Definitely not. If you want to go see China...go to Taiwan. That's what a real Chinese experience would be had the Communists not chased the Nationalists out of the country. Things have gotten so bad in the mainland that you would probably have anything close to the experience these guys had. I mean just read teh comments of people who have been there and done that. All say the same thing. Couldn't leave fast enough and kissed the ground when they got home. They refer to leaving china as "fleeing" China.....that's not good.

[@ManufactureBelief]

Hey guys, love your work. A quick question please.. I'm needing to find a video you did a while back. It answered perfectly my own questions arising from travel in China. Chiefly, where is the content with you both on bikes discussing where all the wildlife is? I had the same question. It was so sparse. Even inland all the way to Anhui. So many cities visited and pretty tourist spots but with virtually no wildlife bar some lucky to be alive pigeons and sparrows. I'm having my life experience discredited and I would like to show them this video.

[@maz7621]

Would like to see more ADV videos around USA

[@Ioperzu]

It`s human nature to adapt, mentally included. Everyone just copes with the place that they have born or fallen into.

[@tragedyofwind]

this is a brutally honest pov you are sharing. this is so true, when you are in china, you have to say or act certain way or else you are going to have a life-and-death situation. it is all good and well for us to stand for justice and talk shit about china, but this is really only something you could do when you are outside, and we couldn't rely on the ppl from within to say the same thing, this is why we have to voice for them. anyone who use the chinse silence as support to the CCP, they are mostly bad people or plain stupid.

[@jventure1961]

I saw people that swallowed it there. I called them out and stood my ground. Glad I got out after 2 years only there.

[@Wheely55]

Very interesting topic guys. It's really good that you picked up on that fact and were able to recognize it. I'm wondering though if you were not technically "forced" to leave China if you would have stayed and become more "indoctrinated" into the Chinese way of thinking?

[@fs5775]

if they were locked down like I was there, they would have snapped and left like most of us foreigners did. the covid lockdowns cleaned house in China when it came to foreigners. anyone who's left has a screw loose or is Seriously Desperate in some kind of way

[@Yalishenderful]

Great one again. That explains a lot about no one talking about those horrendous issues.

[@jomama55ful]

It almost automatic that you self censor. I was there for a couple of visits and I did the same thing, and was completely conscious of that fact. Visiting my wife at the time, I did not need to incur the "notice" of the authorities.

[@LottieLucid]

Thanks for sharing guys

[@boredfangerrude]

And people think that Americans are behind and holding Humanity back.

[@fs5775]

every American needs 6 months in China. they will change their minds real quick

[@mykeb1557]

I love you guys, so glad you made it out alive with families but do I ever miss the old show ❤

[@pianoman47]

I assume you mean with families 😉

[@mykeb1557]

@@pianoman47 can’t wait to switch back to Android. Ty!!

[@spitfire_2]

Pick up the bike. Be true to your morals. Stay awesome, guys!

[@fs5775]

Pick up the bike, yes!

[@RobVespa]

Great sponsor editing! ; )

[@independentthought3390]

Yeah, this policing of your own words reminds me of Yugoslavia under Tito. It was exactly the same, no one openly talked about domestic politics.

[@Likwidfox]

I use to work with a lot of women from Vietnam and they would say Dodge Ram is what the rich people would drive. Just like in Middle Eastern countries where they have Butagaiti's but still love old Chevy Silverados.

[@llewellynlombard7428]

Hey you guys, I am enjoying everything you are talking about, also have been staying in many countries in Asia, but there is one thing that has always been on my mind, in China with its huge population, there immense desire to EAT ALL DAY, where does all the sewage go to. Only a thought. Never seen any sewage processing facilities, have you?

[@sleepycat6120]

Toronto Canada, stand up electric scooters are banned on all roads, sidewalks, paths, parks. Tickets starting at $25k TWENTY FIVE THOUSAND dollar ticket. While in the cities on both sides you are allowed, which both cities share a common bike path along the lake, if you go to far into Toronto you risk $25k Ticket.

[@feuerherz007]

Damn the theme music is back

[@theobserver9849]

Since you are on your bikes in Vietnam (very nice) might be worth comparing China to Vietnam. I never had a problem with hotels there (Vietnam).

[@billmorrison9068]

They did at least one video comparing the two countries.

[@tjp7927]

Insights like this video is why I watch y'all channels.

[@themurphy7955]

What do you guys think of Chinese police stations being placed around the world? Do you worry about what that might mean for the safety of those no longer living in China?

[@kindcanadian5825]

it's for gathering intelligence and asserting control over the Chinese living in foreign countries. They ALL submit to it and give information asked because it's in their culture that china is the motherland and she is paramount. think about all the jobs they hold in foreign countries and how much data can be extracted from it, serious issue and will likely lead to mass imprisonment of Chinese people in foreign countries once the war starts, just like what happened to Japanese people in WW2. they all see the motherland as top priority so you can't trust any of them to live in your society, all their possessions and assets will be seized and they'll likely end up in labor camps.

[@djphilipj]

Very interesting, thanks for sharing.

[@genuinsanity]

My friend was denied access to a public swimming pool on a hot summer day in Beijing for being a foreigner .... he said "He wanted to spit in the ticket seller's face ".

[@VARMOT123]

Those vietnamese highways look surprisingly similar to indian highways . Similar muddy Water beside roads after the rainfall

[@southernlights3682]

I lived in China for a total of 12 years and talked about anything in Chinese (politics and negatives and positives) never censoring myself because I didn’t care, nor was I worried to get into trouble. Looks like I was quite lucky after all 😂

[@FukaiKokoro]

You where very lucky. Laoway86 and Serpentza practically had to escape for their lives. Or face being disappeared.

[@TheWayabo]

No, they are just lying, I know a lot of people that criticize the CPC while living in China

[@oryxland3994]

Repressive governments don't punish everyone to keep the populace in line they just punish some of them as an example to others. Just depends who you talk to, where you express it and who happens to see it. Piss off the wrong person and if they're connected all the sudden that post on wechat from 6 months ago lands you in a ton of crap. As long as it's other people you can trick yourself into thinking it won't happen to you but it really is luck of the draw. Besides you don't mention things like going to protest, something you'll probably be punished for, or organizing a protest group for which you will almost certainly be punished for in China. Things like that are an important part of personal freedom, just because you got away with complaining to your friends about things doesn't really mean you were actually free to really speak your mind or more importantly demand actual change from the government.

[@max__pain]

​​@@FukaiKokoro True, but talking to friends in a normal setting and making KZbin videos are very different and obviously the latter is going to bring far more heat on you. It's ridiculous how Winston and CMilk were treated but it's sadly not surprising.

[@fs5775]

you were probably labelled the "crazy laowai"

[@larrymckay5219]

You guys should have started a chapter of the Hells Angel's over in China! 😅😅😅

[@12345678927164]

You guys helped me to understand how the Chinese people could accept their government’s idolatry. Thanks for the videos, and keep it up

[@bb5242]

It's 1.5 Billion people living in an authoritarian regime. It will never be right or good.

[@ellenorbjornsdottir1166]

idolatry? let's not make this a weird religious thing, thanks.

[@BentleyBohemian_96]

I remember downloading that intro song a while ago. Such a vibe

[@fullspectrumdominanc]

Living in a state of cognitive dissonance constantly can’t be good for you ❤

[@bb5242]

It must cause a lot of mental illness and apathy there. Living a lie requires energy.

[@fs5775]

SO much undiagnosed mental illness there

[@ChrisSF2G]

Haven't had a notification for an adv vid in a while ,,,, bruh the thumbnail😂😂😂😂

[@jonh.7661]

I love you guys. But I'm curious, how do your wives feel when you guys make these videos? Now that they're out of China have they started seeing things differently as well? Or has this caused friction for you? I hope things are all good for all of you. 😊🙏🏼

[@t.h.o.r.]

I have a Galaxy XTR250 in NZ - I bought it new in 2017 for $1200us - Its a great bike I ride it enduro style and have had not one issue with it!

[@cyclocrossthesea-lionman1824]

Lol, remember trying some Chinese hotels in sihanoukville , Cambodia with my gf in 2018 and they were clearly not full but would not give us a room . Would be great to see you guys doing a piece on China's influence in Laos and Cambodia, two countries that risk being totally consumed by CCP projects. 4000 islands was being bought up by Chinese businessmen when I was there in 2018 and the locals were extremely concerned. 😢

[@indigosay8272]

They need to draw up too many documents, so they decided not to settle you.

[@larsradtke4097]

I just was denied in Shanghai from staying at hotel near the Shanghai Pudong Airport. There I learned, that there are actually two different business certificates. One for Chinese only @¥35 000 and the for international guests @80 000. So most would only choose the cheap, business registration certificate. But this also leads to higher prices for foreigners.

[@thenomadsland]

No kitchens? Same thing happened under Mao. We know how that worked out. If you want to know what the food here will look like, go eat lunch at your local public school. Yuck! My kids haven't eaten a school lunch in 6+ years. We're on year 3 of homeschooling. Great lunches! Just discovered your channel. Excellent work! I've been telling friends to check it out.

[@HugoLaine624]

Nooooo way! 83% discount? Not again 😂😂😂 maybe they should just edit the cost because it's just so weird and kinda disgusting to offer "83% discount" all the time for ages. I lost all respect towards this company and it doesn't feel credible to me anymore even though I would love to believe