The 996 Calculation: An Economist Explains Why Chinese Workers Choose Exhaustion (Episode 2)

China's 996 Work Culture: Slavery or Opportunity?

Every Thursday night at 10 PM, hundreds of employees are still at their desks at ByteDance's Beijing headquarters. Under the 996 system—9 AM to 9 PM, six days a week—they work 72 hours per week. Western media calls it "modern slavery." But when you ask the workers, you get a surprising answer: "Because I want to be here."

Economist Keyu Jin reveals why 996 isn't what the West thinks it is. It's not forced labor—it's a calculated gamble. It's the trade-off a generation made between exhaustion and economic mobility. And it's the logic behind China's tech dominance that nobody wants to admit.

In this video, you'll learn:
💼 Why Chinese workers voluntarily choose 72-hour work weeks
🎯 How Jack Ma defended 996 as a "blessing"—and why workers agreed
📊 Why 996 workers report nearly the same job satisfaction as 40-hour workers
🏛️ How the "Mayor Economy" created the structural drivers of speed culture
⚖️ The West vs China trade-off: Work-life balance vs economic velocity
💰 Wang Ming's story: 3 years of burnout for 8 million RMB—was it worth it?
📉 Why the "Lying Flat" generation is rejecting the 996 lottery

The 996 system is simultaneously a rational economic strategy and an unsustainable human cost. It's a lottery ticket millions buy because exhaustion is still cheaper than failure. This video explains the calculation Chinese workers are making—and why it's more complex than "exploitation."

Disclaimer:
This video reflects an independent interpretation of the ideas discussed in the book. It was created for learning and analysis, and is not reviewed or endorsed by the author. The narration uses AI-generated voice for clarity and consistency.

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