CCTV FOLLIES 5.4 Disneyfication

Xi writes a letter -Youth keen to go wherever the motherland needs them -It's a small world after all -A mysterious glow above the Kremlin -US banks in trouble

Today is one of those days where Xi permeates the news without being seen. His ideas, thoughts, quips, quotes and aphorisms are everywhere. Take this video essay: “I will go wherever the motherland needs me to go” This intrepid Han oil workers have been dispatched to Xinjiang where they work hard, inspired by Xi. The young woman in the red hardhat echoes Xi, saying “struggle makes us happy.” And when she say New Era youth are attracted to “the West,” rest assured it’s not a case of pernicious foreign influence. From their point of view, Xinjiang is The West.

The ghost of Xi animates every frame of this story, the day’s lead segment, in which young agricultural scientists express their thrill of having a letter they wrote to Xi personally answered. Wow! A few few words penned by Xi is like spiritual rejuvenation. It’s easily doubled or tripled their enthusiasm for hard work and sacrifice. Their rumpled instructor heartily agrees.