A series of extreme social events have occurred in mainland China, from driving into crowds to indiscriminate knife wounding. This series of tragic events has aroused widespread social concern and reflection. Behind these events, there are more complex social contradictions and profound institutional problems. This article attempts to see the essence through the phenomenon, and explores why Chinese society has reached this "dark moment" today from multiple dimensions such as social fairness, economic difficulties and mental health.

The deep motivation behind extreme events

Social injustice and power imbalance

In recent years, the unfairness of Chinese society has become increasingly prominent. With the slowdown in economic growth, local governments have continued to increase their efforts to "cut leeks" from the people under fiscal pressure, and demolition disputes and wage arrears have occurred frequently. Many vulnerable groups have repeatedly hit a wall when fighting for their legitimate rights and interests. In many cases, people have found that after "reasoning" with the government failed, some extreme individuals have resorted to violence to attract attention. This vicious cycle not only tears apart social trust, but also further exacerbates the intensification of contradictions.

Economic difficulties and livelihood pressures

In recent years, China's economic growth has declined, especially in industries such as real estate and the Internet that once drove young people's employment. There has been a significant decline. For college graduates, it is common to find it difficult to find a job. The unstable economic environment and the lack of career prospects for upward mobility have made more and more young people feel confused and desperate. In this context, personal emotional problems have gradually turned into social problems, becoming an important factor in inducing extreme behavior.

Spread of mental health crisis

The rapidly changing society and stressful environment have also made mental health problems gradually emerge in China. The multiple pressures of education, employment and living costs make it difficult for some people to seek appropriate psychological support. The lack of mental health services and the stigmatization of mental problems by society have made it difficult to solve the problems in a timely manner, and even led to extreme events.

The key role of young people

The collision of ideals and reality

As the backbone of society, the attitudes and actions of young people often play a decisive role in social stability and development. However, in recent years, economic pressure and the uneven distribution of social resources have gradually weakened the upward mobility space for young people. On university campuses, the lives of young people are no longer just books and dreams, but more about the uncertainty of the future and dissatisfaction with the current social situation.

The mirror of history and the enlightenment of reality

Looking back on history, the youth group has always been an important driving force for social change. From the student movement in the 1980s to the White Paper Movement in recent years, every time young people take to the streets, it indicates the accumulation and release of repressed emotions in society. Although China's current young people grow up in an environment with highly closed information, they still understand the diversity of the world because of the existence of the Internet. This contrast is more likely to arouse their dissatisfaction with the status quo.

From social events to institutional reflection

Failure of governance and crisis of trust

The frequent occurrence of extreme events is not only a reflection of social problems, but also a sign of the failure of the governance system. When people feel that the law and system cannot protect their own interests, the trust relationship between individuals and society will also collapse. Negligence at the governance level often makes the problem difficult to reverse. For example, the way local governments deal with disputes often focuses on "maintaining stability", but ignores the root cause of the problem, resulting in more and more conflicts.

Institutional roots: unlimited expansion of power

"Unlimited power will inevitably lead to unlimited injustice." This is a profound portrayal of China's current social problems. From the grassroots to the top, the expansion and abuse of power make ordinary people powerless to resist in the face of injustice. Because of this, many people choose to express their anger to society in extreme ways. This unbalanced social environment not only weakens the resilience of society, but also sows the seeds of more contradictions.

Where to go: Possible solutions

Rebuilding social trust

To solve current social problems, rebuilding social trust is the first step. This requires the government to truly prioritize people's livelihood, listen to the voices of the grassroots, promote fair and transparent governance mechanisms, and change the status quo of "vicious guidance". Only when people feel that their interests can be protected can the cracks in society be repaired.

Strengthen mental health services

The spread of mental health problems is a major challenge facing the current society. The government should increase investment in mental health services, provide timely help to groups in need by improving psychological counseling institutions and conducting mental health education, and reduce the occurrence of extreme events from the root.

Promote economic structural transformation

Sustainable economic development is the cornerstone of social stability. The government should promote high-quality economic development and provide more diverse and stable employment opportunities for young people. At the same time, encourage entrepreneurship and innovation, so that young people can see hope on the road of diversified development.

The frequent occurrence of extreme social events is by no means accidental, and behind them reflects profound social contradictions and governance dilemmas. For China to get out of the current "darkest hour", it needs not only a severe crackdown on extreme events, but also a deep reflection and reform of the social structure and governance system. Only in this way can we create a more fair, open and inclusive social environment for the next generation.