‘Fake socialite’ lives 21 days for free in Beijing as social experiment
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Published 2021-12-10
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An art student from the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing did an experiment for her graduation project - to attempt to live 21 days for free in Beijing. She disguised herself as a socialite and slept in the halls of extravagant hotels, tried on jade bracelets at auctions, and enjoyed free food and drinks. Her 21-day project caused a sensation online, triggering heated discussion about class, privilege, and wealth inequality.
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All Comments (21)
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Whatever people say... she showed the world ONCE again a known reality.
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She's a genius. People are saying it worked because she fits the Chinese beauty standards, and I'm sure she's aware of that and used that to her advantage during the project. I wish her all success in the world
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I once wandered through an airport during transit and by mistake went into the VIP Lounge (there happened to be no one at the front at that time). Eventually I noticed there was "free" food and thought wait this can't be right, and realized where I was. I kinda panicked a little, but then I thought no, if I don't want to get caught I have to play it cool. So I pretended to belong, ate some stuff and when it was time for my flight I walked out. Or was quite fun and exciting
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i think the one thing that really helped her confidence was knowing that this was just a social experiment. she's not really in a situation where she needs to act like this to survive or get away with certain things. if things actually went really south, she'd at least have something to fall back on.
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Its not just money and looks. She must have perfectly immitated the attitude, charisma and confidence too
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We should also take into account that she perfectly fits Chinese beauty standards. Pretty privilege combined with class privilege is a powerful combo to make people treat you with extra kindness and temperance.
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I feel like all of her social experiments are very interesting, especially her latest performance art where she hired people to be her mother for 21 days. It's interesting to see a different perspective on what different people interpret what love for a child is.
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One of Marilyn Monroe's lovers talked about something similar. They were walking down the street and no one knew it was her. She said something like "would you like to see her" then suddenly everyone started noticing and approaching her. Confidence isn't just a "fake it" thing. It's not about "believing" either. You really have to know you are him/her. People can sense fake vs real confidence.
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Not a lot of people can do this, she's really brave
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The fact that she is an art student and did this as her graduation project makes this even cooler
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Being just pretty is not enough. She had the personality and awareness to not be used but to use what she has to get by. Props to her
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What's unfortunate is that free food, shelter, and resources that she obtained as a poseur-socialite are essential to homeless and houseless people, but it's rare for people to give to them and when they do, they are still in lots of danger.
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She made it looks so easy to fake these things. In reality it's really difficult to mimic the attitude of "high class" people, especially when you don't have enough confidence. And the fact that she only got questioned one time made me think she must have presented herself in such a charismatic way that people don't doubt her. To be honest this is almost to a scary degree, she'll make a great spy or con-woman with that level of skill.
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Don't forget that she's got the so-called 'BEAUTY PRIVILEGES' going on as well. She's nailed that 'Chinese-Super-Rich-Kid' look and strutted that sky-high confidence to the point that it becomes so natural and very convincing.
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"Relying on the tolerance and kindness of our commercial society" The amounts of copium is staggering.
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She is the definition of “ to go above and beyond”
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I'm disappointed that so many people are quick to reduce her to just her looks. She put a lot of time and effort into this project and had the courage and confidence to execute it. Yes being pretty is an advantage, but it shouldn't discredit the amount of work she put in. Especially since pretty privilege is not an individual's fault, but the entire society's.
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She really did a great job in acting like one of the rich people. Even i would believe that she's one if i were to see her in person.
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Okay how did she get away with sleeping in Ikea?!? In America you would be arrested.
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I remember the story my mom told me about her friend who went to a car company dressed in casual (shirt and shorts). She wanted to buy a car but no one attended her. Not one staff bothered to assist her or even answer her queries. But when she went to the other car company, the staff were accommodating. She bought a car on that same day. Some really do judge people by their looks not knowing their capabilities.
