In an increasingly 'flat' world, how do we preserve and pass on our unique cultural identity?

Hey, that's a fantastic question you asked, and super timely too. It feels like everyone's talking about this lately. My friends often remark that it seems young people everywhere are watching the same TV shows, listening to the same music, and drinking pretty much the same coffee. It feels like the voices of our own cultural expressions are fading into the background.

Actually, just because "the world is flat" doesn't necessarily mean our own culture will get flattened. Think of it more like a massive, incredibly diverse global cultural buffet. In the past, maybe we were mostly limited to the "homestyle dishes" from our own village. Now, you can sample "signature dishes" from all over the world – think pizza, sushi, Hollywood blockbusters, and more.

The problem is, when these "fast food from abroad" are quick, appealing, and their marketing is so aggressive, it's easy to get so used to eating them that we forget the taste of that "slow-simmered, ancestral dish" waiting in our own family kitchen.

So, how can we savor the world's buffet without losing our own craft and unique flavor? I think we can focus on these key areas:

1. Make Culture "Live", Don't Just "Preserve" It

Culture isn't a museum relic with a "Do Not Touch" label; it's vibrant, pulsing, and full of life.

• Start with Language: If you have a dialect, use it more with family and friends. Dialects hold unique humor, wisdom, and emotions that standard language often can't capture. It's like an intimate code, a special bond among those who share it.
• Celebrate Our Festivals Deeply: The Spring Festival is more than just time off and lucky money – its core is family reunion; Dragon Boat Festival is more than zongzi, embodying Qu Yuan's story and patriotic spirit; and the Mid-Autumn mooncake carries the sentiment of "may we all be blessed with longevity". Try to understand and practice the authentic rituals behind these holidays, not just treat them as shopping slogans.
• Cook Our "Family Recipes": Learn a couple of the most locally distinctive dishes from your elders. Food memories are etched in our genes. What you learn isn't just a recipe; it’s the taste of home and heritage.

2. Dress Tradition in "New" Clothes

Stubbornly resisting change is culture's biggest enemy. Young people often don't embrace traditional things not because they're bad, but because they seem "boring" or "too old-fashioned."

• Creative Fusion: Look at the many "Guochao" (China Chic) brands applying embroidery, ink wash painting, and traditional motifs to hoodies and canvas shoes – instantly making them cool. Musicians are blending the sounds of the guzheng or pipa with electronic music to stunning effect. This is about letting traditions "live in the present."
• New Ways of Telling: Who says historical stories only belong in books? Turn them into anime, video games, or even clever short videos. Tell the stories of our ancestors in ways people connect with today. Many creators on Bilibili are doing this brilliantly.

3. Don't Just "Know It", "Know Why It Is"

It’s not enough to merely recognize cultural symbols; understanding why they exist is crucial.

• Explore and Read: Learn about your hometown's history, delve into your nation's classic literature, and appreciate its pinnacle artworks like ancient calligraphy and paintings. When you grasp why jade embodies such smoothness or why ink wash painting values "negative space," your identification with your own culture becomes something entirely different. This isn't blind pride; it's confidence built on deep understanding.

4. Connect with Communities, Find Your Tribe

One person's power is limited, but a group creates momentum.

• Support Local Creativity: Check out more domestic films, listen to local bands, buy from local artisans. Every purchase you make is a vote for the culture you want to see thrive.
• Participate Locally: Visit local museums, art galleries, and join folk activities or temple fairs. You'll discover many like-minded people who care about these things. That sense of belonging is vital.

5. Confidently "Show Up"

On the global stage, we shouldn't just be consumers in the audience; we should aim to be performers and creators too.

• Share Generously: When friends or classmates from abroad ask about your culture, don't be shy – tell them openly. Teach them a few Chinese characters, explain the story of the Chinese zodiac, invite them to try your homemade Chinese food.
• Leverage New Media: Social media is the ultimate showcase. Photograph and share the cultural elements you find beautiful or fascinating – be it an ancient bridge in your hometown or an authentic bowl of noodles. It might spark curiosity and resonance somewhere else in the world.

In short, this "flat" world offers us an unprecedented chance to see others and to be seen. Preserving cultural identity isn't about shutting ourselves away and rejecting all things foreign. On the contrary, we should be holding our own "Buddha-Jumping-Over-the-Wall Stew" in one hand, and someone else's "black coffee" in the other. Through exploring and experiencing the flavors of the world, we gain a clearer appreciation for the unique taste of our own heritage. Then, we can say to the world with confidence: "Hey, try this! It’s absolutely delicious!"

Each of us is the custodian and bearer of our own culture. Keeping it alive? That truly depends on us.