What a wonderful read. The concept of defensive pessimism resonates with me a lot - i think I've been one most of my life without having a name for my constitution. "respecting limits and living well within them"; "pessimism of the intellect, optimism of the will". Brilliant

"bai lan" isn't just in China, I fear it's world-wide. And with the looming mini-depression, it could get worse...

If think the risk is there only in a somewhat-functioning system that can afford sustaining the minimum material requirements of its people... once that is gone and there is no welfare (via government or family), then the NEETs of the world simply will have to provide for themselves... or starve.