Born in the 1970s - Unveiling Dusty Memories

Author: Yang Mei, Huang Rong, Xiao Yue
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-08-01
Features:
Every day's busy work almost makes us forget the meaning of time. Day and night, under the shade of the OFFICE curtain wall, become a fleeting scenery; spring, summer, autumn, and winter, in the alternation of air conditioning, have long lost their original significance. It seems we have always been chasing after a goal. It seems we have also been constantly losing some memories that should have been cherished. I am very grateful to my good friend for sending this gift during this scorching summer. A memory that belongs to a generation, or perhaps worth sharing with a generation. It makes us feel that the corner in our hearts, which we thought had been forgotten, is still warm and humid.
People born in the 1970s are a group that has now become, or is becoming, or will become the backbone of this society. Compared to their older siblings from the 1960s, they are more sensitive to new things. Compared to their younger siblings from the 1980s, they carry more distinct marks of Chinese tradition. Their childhood may have been turbulent, but that turbulence was more blurred and not deeply engraved. Their youth, though not materially wealthy, was not separated by security gates in high-rise buildings and was filled with the joy of collective games. Although this joy, viewed today, seems to contain very little high-tech content, it still radiates warmth and reality through close-knit bonds. Their youth was filled with too many shocks. This shock was not only the baptism of foreign culture when China's doors began to open but also came from within themselves. Their eyes, ears, and gradually fuller bodies endured a series of pains and joys as the ancient nation rejuvenated. They had to work hard to adapt to and accept too many new things. As their minds grew, the winds of time swept them to the peaks and plunged them into the valleys. And now, the goal that most of us pursue has quietly and stubbornly taken root in our hearts at that time. This goal might come from a movie, a TV series, a pop song, or even a novel.
People born in the 1970s had not experienced the internet during their upbringing, so relatively speaking, their world was simpler. Although their horizons were not yet broad, they were also not mixed with mud and sand, with both good and bad. Therefore, their memories are relatively monochromatic but still warm as they once were. This kind of memory may not be enough to outline the growth of an era, but it is the trajectory of a generation's spiritual growth. This trajectory is especially worth savoring and recalling in today's chaotic world.
Excerpt from the famous host Lin Hai:
"What a strong woman! Many viewers, like me, love the classic line from Forrest Gump's mother: 'Life is like a box of chocolates, Forrest. You never know what you're going to get.' It's a vivid phrase, far deeper than any philosopher could articulate. Forrest tastes the chocolate, and at the same time, he tastes the bitterness and sweetness of life. Sometimes, genius and foolishness lie in a single thought, and life's choices are the same. But I also love the words Forrest's mother tells him on her deathbed: 'Death is just a part of life, something we're all destined to do. I didn't know it. But I was destined to be your momma. I did the best I could.' Indeed, life and death are just a hair's breadth apart. Death is just another part of life, or even a new beginning. And for the things we must do in life, we must give our utmost effort. She said it and she lived it. Only such a great mother could bring forth such a great Forrest.
From the first time we watched this film to today, we have moved from our 20s to our 30s, becoming mature and worldly-wise. If we only understood half of it at first, we can now undoubtedly grasp more truths about life. And the part we still cannot fully comprehend will be left for another decade, or even two, to savor slowly.