Understanding China: Underground Culture and Algorithmic Reality
About This Talk
Hi everyone, I'm here to talk about a special topic — not about AI or tech or computer science, but about underground art and culture in China: multimedia art, VJ, DJ, club culture, and other sub-cultures.
Although China's underground culture is not as thriving as that in Europe and the US, it is still growing promisingly. Various music labels, art museums, institutions, and record stores have started introducing underground culture, hosting workshops, and organizing cultural week events. It's a busy season right now!
"Coming from the creative fields, I'm here to offer a fresh perspective. Instead of criticizing the current landscape, I want to use China's music and publishing ecosystem as a reference to discuss how to fight algorithm traps and build authentic communities."
What We'll Discuss
The Streaming Scam & Algorithm Trap — Audiences consume whatever they are fed. The music industry needs something that challenges the algorithm.
Label Operations & Independent Musicians — The shared dilemma is the lack of funding. How do we secure financing?
Subjective Aesthetics — Audiences don't want to be judged. How do we politely introduce and popularize niche culture? I often encounter misunderstandings — aesthetics shouldn't be judged, but people should actively learn and explore. This is a systemic issue; practitioners can't solve it alone.
Mass Media "Muddying the Waters" — Variety shows, self-media, UGC — there are no standards for aesthetics and art. How can we precisely control the flow and mutation of information?
About publishing and design: tough and keep going, yet messy and growing wildly, but workable.
Here to make new friends about music, design and publishing and so on, to integrate resources and organize communities and events.
About Lynn
Previously worked at CAOTAI MUSIC (草台回声), a legendary indie music label in Beijing — famous within the industry but niche to the public. Sent bands like Stolen to SXSW in Austin, and interviewed the manager of New Order.
Former editor at Unread Sky (未读), an independent publisher of art, philosophy, natural science, and contemporary novels.
Curated the music section of "The Hidden Realm of Emotions" (情绪秘境) art exhibition — handled sound design, brought together 7 groups of musicians including Golden Horse Award-winning film score composer Lin Qiang, plus Shanghai high school musicians. Styles ranged from instrumental, electronic live set, ambient, experimental, to pop.
Host of the podcast "瞎子摸猫" (Blinds Touching Cat).
Active in Shanghai's underground creative community, building bridges between music, design, and publishing.
Lynn is here to connect with new friends interested in music, design, and publishing — to integrate resources and build communities.
关于这场分享
大家好，我是来聊一个特别的话题——不是 AI，不是科技，不是计算机，而是中国的地下艺术与文化：多媒体艺术、VJ、DJ、club 文化以及其他亚文化。
中国的地下文化虽不如欧美兴盛，但依然长势喜人。各个厂牌、美术馆、机构和唱片店都开始介绍地下文化、举办工作坊、进行文化周活动。正值繁忙季节！
"来自创作领域，我希望提供一个新的视角。与其批判现状，我想以中国的音乐和出版生态为参照，探讨如何对抗算法陷阱、构建真实社群。"
讨论话题
流媒体骗局与算法陷阱——观众给什么吃什么，音乐行业需要一些挑战算法的事情。
厂牌运营与音乐人个体——共同困境是没钱，如何融资？
审美主观化——观众不愿被指摘，如何礼貌科普？我经常碰到误解，但我确实不认为审美应该被指摘——大家应该主动去学习、了解，因为这是整个体系的问题，从业人员自身解决不了很多事情，我们分身乏术。
大众传媒"搅浑水"——综艺、自媒体、用户 UGC 自来水——审美和艺术在这些人那里没有标准，如何精准控制信息流变？操作有难度。
关于出版和设计：艰难但坚持，野蛮但生长，可行。
来这里认识关于音乐、设计、出版的新朋友，整合资源，组织社群和活动。
关于 Lynn
曾就职于草台回声（CAOTAI MUSIC）——北京传奇独立音乐厂牌，行业内知名但大众认知度低。曾带乐队 Stolen 赴奥斯汀 SXSW 音乐节，采访过 New Order 经纪人。
前未读（Unread Sky）编辑——独立出版社，专注艺术、哲学、自然科学与当代小说。
策划了「情绪秘境」艺术展音乐单元——负责声音设计，集结 7 组音乐人，包括金马奖最佳电影配乐得主林强，以及两组上海高中生音乐人。风格涵盖器乐、电子 live set、氛围、实验到流行。
播客「瞎子摸猫」主持人。
活跃于上海地下创作社群，在音乐、设计与出版之间搭建桥梁。
Lynn 来这里认识新朋友——关于音乐、设计、出版——整合资源，建立社群。