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In today's online environment, I often hear and see the so-called experts' statements that youth should be self-reliant and self-improving. This reflects that contemporary society needs a generation of youths who are self-reliant and self-improving. Indeed, media channels often showcase some models of the youth of our era, but obviously these are exceptions; whether in language arts, ideological education, or the three major natural science subjects—physics, chemistry, and biology—one axiom has been repeated: an individual's phenomenon cannot represent the attributes of a group. Even when biology uses mice for experiments, teachers repeatedly emphasize the need to repeat experiments to avoid randomness. In short, the shine of individuals cannot falsify the gloom of the group.

So why are self-reliant and self-improving individuals in the youth group always a minority? Based on my personal view, contemporary youths' self-preservation ability is generally weak, and this phenomenon is especially evident at prestigious institutions. Here, self-preservation does not refer to broad sense of protecting one's physical body; it refers to the narrower sense of protecting one's mental health. Regarding this phenomenon, I think there are two triggers:

One trigger is the so-called experts who rest on their laurels, speak carelessly, attack contemporary youths' self-esteem and self-confidence, and thereby suppress self-preservation abilities. The second is that the utilitarian education model erases students' all-encompassing abilities and other pillars that support life interests. When this pillar of learning collapses, the sky of life collapses. Needless to say, this behavior also suppresses self-preservation abilities.

From this perspective, the solution to the problem is simple: 1) get rid of the experts 2) reform the education system. But it is also difficult because it touches some people's vested interests. So someone had a bright idea and proposed a plan to 'increase youth self-preservation ability.' In fact, this seems like listening to one sage's advice, but in reality it's like hearing one remark. Youth self-reliance and self-improvement require self-preservation ability; self-preservation ability depends on self-respect, creativity, and pillars of interest. To discuss the former without the latter is like a castle in the air, a flight of fancy.

So, if you can't even protect yourself, what business do you have discussing self-reliance and self-improvement?