Core Insights - The article discusses the phenomenon of "cult-like" consumer behavior surrounding Pop Mart, likening it to a modern form of religion where fans exhibit extreme loyalty and emotional investment in collectible toys [1][10][11] - Pop Mart's marketing strategies, including limited editions and hidden variants, create a sense of scarcity and exclusivity, driving up demand and prices in the secondary market [6][7][12] Group 1: Consumer Behavior - Pop Mart has become a leading brand in the collectible toy market, attracting significant attention and interaction from high-profile figures, including Apple's CEO Tim Cook [2] - Fans exhibit extreme behaviors, such as waiting in long lines for store openings, which can lead to conflicts and chaotic scenes when products are sold out or purchased by resellers [4][6] - The emotional highs and lows experienced by fans during the purchasing process reflect a deeper psychological connection to the brand, akin to religious fervor [1][11] Group 2: Market Dynamics - The resale market for Pop Mart toys has seen prices soar, with items originally priced at 59 yuan being resold for 100-500 yuan, and some limited editions reaching prices up to thousands of yuan [6][12] - The brand's ability to create a "cult" following is evident in the willingness of fans to pay inflated prices to obtain rare items, demonstrating a shift in consumer values from utility to emotional significance [11][12] - Pop Mart's marketing effectively manipulates consumer emotions, creating a sense of community and shared experience among fans, which enhances brand loyalty and market demand [10][12]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the rapid decline of public figures' reputations, particularly focusing on Yu Donglai, founder of Pang Donglai Supermarket, who has faced significant backlash for his recent comments, highlighting the fragile nature of idolization in the internet age [1][3][5]. Group 1: Yu Donglai's Business Philosophy - Yu Donglai's business model is characterized by a refusal to engage in cutthroat price competition and a commitment to providing exceptional employee benefits, including annual salary increases and guaranteed holiday breaks [1]. - His philanthropic actions, such as donating to national defense and participating in disaster relief during the Zhengzhou floods, contributed to his reputation as a "conscience of the business world" [1]. Group 2: Public Expectations and Criticism - The public's expectations of idol figures are often excessively high, leading to a swift fall from grace when their actions or statements deviate from these expectations [3][5]. - The article cites other examples of public figures, such as Dong Mingzhu and Lei Jun, who have similarly experienced dramatic shifts in public perception, illustrating a broader societal trend [3]. Group 3: Psychological Insights - Social psychology suggests that while people desire to create idealized idols, they struggle to accept the ordinary traits of these figures, leading to a binary judgment system [5]. - The phenomenon of "idol-making" is deemed unreasonable, as entrepreneurs inevitably possess cognitive limitations, reflecting unrealistic societal expectations for moral perfection [5]. Group 4: Call for Rational Perspective - The article advocates for a more rational approach to viewing public figures, recognizing their business achievements and social contributions while accepting their human flaws [6]. - It emphasizes the need for society to move away from creating perfect illusions and instead embrace authenticity in public figures, as exemplified by Yu Donglai's fall from grace [6].

Core Viewpoint - The rapid increase in followers for Wei Dongyi on Douyin highlights the phenomenon of "celebrity creation" driven by public fascination and platform algorithms, particularly in the context of the Chinese education system and societal pressures surrounding exams [3][4][5][10]. Group 1: Follower Growth and Public Reaction - Wei Dongyi's Douyin account gained over 23 million followers in just four days, a feat that even top celebrities struggle to match [3][5]. - The timing of the account's launch coincided with the high school entrance exam period, leading to speculation about leveraging exam-related anxiety for follower growth [3][4]. - The public's reaction includes a mix of admiration and unrealistic expectations, as many parents express hopes for their children's academic success through comments on Wei's videos [6][7][8]. Group 2: Platform Dynamics - Douyin's user base exceeds 1 billion monthly active users, providing a vast audience for content creators like Wei Dongyi [16]. - The platform's strategy includes promoting educational content, which aligns with Wei's expertise, thus benefiting from his popularity [17][18]. - Other platforms like Bilibili and Xiaohongshu have not seen comparable follower growth for Wei, indicating Douyin's unique position in reaching a broader audience [13][15]. Group 3: The "Celebrity Creation" Phenomenon - The phenomenon of "celebrity creation" around Wei Dongyi reflects a societal tendency to idolize individuals who excel academically, often leading to unrealistic expectations from the public [4][9][24]. - The narrative surrounding Wei includes various myths and exaggerated claims about his lifestyle and achievements, contributing to his "god-like" status [8][25]. - The pressure of public adoration can lead to a disconnect between the expectations placed on Wei and his actual life experiences, highlighting the challenges faced by individuals thrust into the spotlight [26][30]. Group 4: Commercialization and Future Prospects - Despite the immense popularity, Wei Dongyi and his family have expressed a reluctance to commercialize his online presence, focusing instead on maintaining a genuine connection with his audience [19][24]. - Potential avenues for monetization may include partnerships with educational platforms, but concerns about brand alignment and public perception complicate these opportunities [28][29]. - The emphasis remains on allowing Wei to focus on his academic pursuits without the distractions of commercial pressures, as articulated by representatives from Beijing University [30].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the public perception of mathematician Wei Dongyi, contrasting his achievements in mathematics competitions with the expectations of academic contributions, emphasizing the distinction between being a "problem solver" and a "mathematician" [7][72]. Group 1: Public Perception and Media Influence - Wei Dongyi's rise to fame is attributed to his relatable persona and media portrayal, which has led to a "cult of personality" around him, likening him to a modern-day mathematical hero [3][63]. - The public often conflates competition success with mathematical ability, overlooking the complexities of academic research [14][19]. - The media's sensationalism has contributed to the idolization of Wei, creating a narrative that may distort the understanding of true mathematical contributions [6][67]. Group 2: Distinction Between Competition and Academic Research - Achievements in competitions like the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) showcase problem-solving skills but do not equate to the innovative thinking required in academic research [10][11]. - Historical mathematicians are recognized not just for solving problems but for their foundational contributions to the field, which Wei has yet to achieve [13][15]. - The article argues that the public's focus on competition results can mislead them about the nature of mathematical research, which is often long-term and complex [14][19]. Group 3: Evaluation of Wei Dongyi's Contributions - If a hierarchy of mathematical contributions were established, Wei would likely fall into the seventh or eighth tier, indicating potential but not yet significant achievements [41][43]. - His research primarily focuses on partial differential equations and geometric analysis, with some notable contributions, but lacks groundbreaking discoveries recognized at the international level [80][88]. - The article suggests that while Wei has demonstrated exceptional problem-solving abilities, he has not yet made widely acknowledged theoretical advancements [72][78]. Group 4: Cultural and National Significance - The phenomenon surrounding Wei reflects a broader societal appreciation for mathematics as a cornerstone of modern civilization and national pride [94][96]. - His success in international competitions resonates with a collective sense of national achievement, contributing to a narrative of China's rising status in the mathematical world [70][71]. - The article posits that the public's fascination with Wei is not merely about individual talent but also about a deeper cultural respect for knowledge and intellectual pursuit [96][98].