Core Viewpoint - The phenomenon of "selling suffering" in late-night live streaming is a highly capitalized and standardized business model that exploits social sympathy for profit, revealing a complex interplay of traffic, conversion, and capital returns [1][2][3] Group 1: Business Model and Operations - Late-night "selling suffering" live streams are not spontaneous acts of help from the elderly but are part of a meticulously designed commercial operation system controlled by MCN (Multi-Channel Network) agencies [2][5] - MCN agencies have a clear understanding of their target audience, with 69% of the fans of elderly streamers being female and over 73% aged 18-30, who are more emotionally vulnerable during late-night hours [2][3] - The product pricing strategy focuses on low-cost daily necessities, which lowers the decision-making barrier and aligns with the consumption preferences of urban young women [3][5] Group 2: Ethical Concerns and Exploitation - The profit distribution is heavily skewed, with elderly streamers receiving only about 10% of the revenue, while the majority goes to the MCN agencies [5][7] - Many of the emotional stories presented during the streams are fabricated, raising ethical concerns similar to those associated with traditional begging scams [7][9] - The practice undermines social trust, as consumers may feel deceived when the truth is revealed, leading to a general skepticism towards genuine pleas for help [10][12] Group 3: Regulatory Environment and Industry Response - The Chinese government is intensifying regulatory measures to address the "selling suffering" phenomenon, with new policies aimed at curbing deceptive practices in live streaming [11][12] - Platforms like Douyin are implementing self-regulatory measures to prevent profit-making under the guise of charity, emphasizing the need for authenticity in live streaming content [13][14] - There is a growing movement towards developing a more sustainable and ethical silver-haired live streaming economy, focusing on genuine content that highlights the talents and experiences of the elderly [14][16]