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PaperclipPerfector  2d ago (text post)   8037 thread views

Culture War Roundup for the week of April 13, 2026

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Over the last decade or so, I've heard the name Eric Swalwell a few times.

First, because he got caught up in a Chinese Honeypot, then because he obliquely threatened to nuke me.

He has reappeared in the news recently, not only as a California gubernatorial candidate, but also as an alleged rapist. Fox news is reporting that he will step down.

The balance of power in Congress will likely remain unchanged, as GOP congressman Gonzalez will also be stepping down, though the impact on California politics may be notable.

Historically, California's executive branch has been a powerful feeder into future presidential races. The fall of Swalwell will cause a localized power vacuum that may have unexpected repercussions.

As someone who is not a California resident, I have no special insider information here. Would any locals care to weigh in on how this is impacting things within the state?

he got caught up in a Chinese Honeypot

Awhile ago, someone had a post talking about feeling oddly disappointed by the bribes people associated with the Trump administration had been caught taking, as many of the dollar amounts seemed pitifully small. Scott made a similar point in Too Much Dark Money in Almonds: when you consider the power and influence afforded to the executive and legislative branches, the amount of money invested in campaign donations and PACs seems impossibly small.

I feel the same way looking at photos of the Chinese honeypot in question. I'm not saying she's ugly or anything, but she seems decidedly... mid? And this is coming from someone who has a thing for Asian women! There are plenty of Asian women who aren't even famous for their looks who are more attractive e.g. Tiffany Fong, Yvette Young, Jia Tolentino. I've personally met Chinese women who were hotter than her.

Different beauty standards strikes again. All three persons you listed…are solidly 3 in China.

Is there a website or something that lets Chinese/other EAsian and Americans/westerners score woman and man of different ethnicities? Fascinating..

I have a classmate who for many years has been considered by me a 2, basically a female but not a woman if I want to be mean (actually the moment I realized that I might be a school bully is when I remembered many years later how mean I was to her) and has never hooked up with anyone in China. Went to Germany and found a dude who looks like a Nazi poster boy. Beauty is in the eyes of beholder indeed.

Can you give me an example of a woman who'd be considered a 10/10 in China?

Zhao Luisi of the current generation, and Michelle Reis (the girl on my pfp) are my favourites.

Just look up any dancing e-girls on douyin. Obviously they use many layers of plastic and filters, but it gives you an idea.

Side note: China's tiktok brainrot is really no better than ours!

the girl on my pfp

Is it from a movie?

Not who you're responding to but Li Gong in her day was enormously popular.

Now she is stunning.

She’s pretty, but I think she’s polished her look to be more appealing to Western audiences. Same with Zhang Ziyi.

What about the Japanese? Do they care for Chinese actresses? I feel like their tastes might overlap, but not be exactly the same. I know some Taiwanese actresses were or are popular.

Also curious how big a regional skew there is to this. Based on my travels in China I'd say that the Northern provinces tend to produce a higher average attractiveness for both genders, but a lot of that's the height and relative sturdiness.

Zhang Ziyi

I had such a crush on her when I saw Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and House of Flying Daggers as a child. Still would today, honestly.

Should’ve included in my post.

Here, voted by close to a million thirsty Chinese dudes on Hupu, a sports forum.

Exhibit 1

Exhibit 2

Exhibit 3

Exhibit 4

Exhibit 5

My personal favorite

I agree with the vote mostly.

Agreed on 2, 3 and 6. I have noticed that Chinese men seem to favour a more androgynous look.

I once dated a woman from Taiwan who would be considered slim by Irish standards. She told me that, back home, the beauty standard is for women to be exceptionally thin and flat-chested, to the point that her classmates in secondary school teased and mocked her for her comparatively big boobs. (Needless to say, I wasn't complaining.)

I talk with a friend when visiting Shanghai - do women here have ass and boobs? His answer was short - we call them the runways because a plane can land on them without shaking.

I do think our men and women look more alike than Westerners. Gender swapping has been a common plot line in Chinese novels and shows, going back more than a thousand years. The story of Mulan for example dates to around 400 AD and involves a woman serving in the army masquerading as a man.

She told me that, back home, the beauty standard is for women to be exceptionally thin and flat-chested, to the point that her classmates in secondary school teased and mocked her for her comparatively big boobs.

God knows how much I hate that trend. I don’t understand why some Chinese men like that candlestick woman look. They’re already borderline anorexic, and still somehow “fat”? Screw that.

Oh well, I guess selection pressure will take care of their obsession with small pelvises and lack of breast milk…

The story of Mulan for example dates to around 400 AD and involves a woman serving in the army masquerading as a man.

It was my favourite Disney movie as a child, and probably a major contributing factor to my taste in women.

I do think our men and women look more alike than Westerners.

During Covid I binge-watched Silicon Valley, an American sitcom featuring a minor character played by Jimmy O. Yang. I took a screenshot of him and sent it to my brother with the caption "I think my thing for Asian women is getting out of hand, because he's kind of cute?" Obviously I meant it in jest, but if Yang were to troon out I do think he'd have a much easier time passing than most white people.

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