The recent "ocean current" set off by Shen Boyang, the Taipei mayoral candidate of the Democratic Progressive Party, has attracted much attention. Famous commentator Wen Langdong believes that the "ocean current" emerged because everyone's "political tastes" have changed. The people have long been tired of political opposition and official rhetoric. In addition, everyone encounters municipal issues in life and is ignored. As a result, a potential energy is brewing that desires "rational dialogue, seeking truth from facts, and being listened to." This is the true face of the "ocean current."
Wen Langdong contributed to the "Let It Go" column today. At the beginning, he mentioned the "Mayor, Listen to Me" street talk pop-up event launched by Shen Boyang's team, which opened the public to fill in the proposal form and opinion form on-site to directly express their suggestions, criticisms or demands for Taipei Municipal Government. Shen Boyang responded personally. Such a "calm" event could actually be held three times, and even announced a surprise announcement to hold the fourth one in Da'an District this afternoon. He believes that this is rare for Taiwan, which is enthusiastic about elections.
Wen Langdong pointed out that in the past 10 years, information carriers have changed rapidly, from long-form Facebook posts to the rise of pan-entertainment on YouTube, and then in recent years, short videos such as Douyin and Reels have become mainstream. Although extremely fragmented entertainment and fast food information are satisfied, the community is also flooded with conflicting, confrontational, simple and crude information. At this time, an energy that wants to understand things more peacefully, more complexly, and more deeply begins to brew.
The same goes for political "taste". There is a group of people who are gradually disgusted with the political context that favored "heavy salty, fast, and strong conflict" in the past, and are beginning to seek a more plain and more emphasis on dialogue and tolerance. Also, everyone is tired of the official talk, and citizens are dissatisfied with the city, but no one listens. Seeing the politicians arguing on the stage, it feels like there are very few people who care about the specific lives of citizens. Everyone has more or less opinions about the city, but they have been ignored for a long time, and slowly accumulated, it has become a hidden political energy. When a politician is willing to talk face to face with citizens, listen to their opinions and respond, that energy will be released. This is the true face of the "ocean current".
In addition, Wen Langdong also pointed out the warning signs faced by the current Taipei Mayor Chiang Wanan. Chiang Wanan's biggest problem now is not to refuse or deny that his opponent is approaching in the polls, nor to see whether the "ocean current" is a self-inflicted stratosphere, but not long after the free nutritious lunch policy was launched. Serious municipal problems such as suspected food poisoning among students have recently ceased to be the biggest focus, which means that Jiang Wanan’s municipal capabilities have been firmly established in the hearts of citizens. “At the end of a politician’s political life, the most terrifying thing is not anger, but indifference.”
