TikTok's uncertain future has driven a flood of users to a fully Chinese social media app full of opportunities for genuine cultural exchange. And it's given fresh fodder for proponents of a decentralized social media ecosystem known as the fediverse. This episode was produced by Travis Larchuk, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Rob Byers, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast Support Today, Explained by becoming a Vox Member today: http://www.vox.com/members A logo for Xiaohongshu, aka RedNote, and a TikTok logo displayed on smartphone screens in China. Photo by VCG/VCG via Getty Images. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Chapter 1: What is the current status of TikTok?
TikTok is in a state of flux. About a week ago, it disappeared for about 14 hours, even though it didn't have to. Then it came back and sent everyone in the United States essentially a Trump ad. And then Trump enters office and signs an executive order saying he's going to kick the TikTok deadline down the road, but no one knows if that's constitutional.
Oh yay, oh yay.
In the meantime, a bunch of Americans downloaded a way more Chinese app called RedNote, and some of them started pledging allegiance to Xi Jinping and the Chinese Communist Party. No joke.
So we're waiting in line, wanting to hand our data to China.
Long live China. Long live Xi Jinping. Big up to Mao Zedong.
China is the best country in the entire world. I love China so much. First off, Mandarin is amazing. Second off, the Chinese Communist Party, yes, communist, is the best government in the entire world. Most transparent government in the entire world.
We're going to ask why on Today Explained.
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Chapter 2: What is RedNote and how did it gain popularity?
Okay, so that's the downside of all these Americans showing up. But I've been hearing a lot about the upsides. And I know you've written about them. In fact, your article for Rolling Stone that published this week is titled, Red Note is the U.S.-China peace talks we need. Please explain.
I think when you open up the app, when you start scrolling through, what you're first really struck with is – These two sets of users who have historically been separated by a very strong firewall talking for the first time. And it's not anything that I've necessarily seen before in my lifetime. I grew up both in Shanghai and in America.
And when people are interacting for the first time on Red Note, You're seeing people interact and understand for each other these little things that Americans haven't really considered before about Chinese users, like the cost of living, like what going to school is like, what they eat, what they do for work, what they do for fun.
Hello, everyone. Welcome on the TikTok refugees.
It's been a tremendous week of you guys coming over and us welcoming you guys. I like to knit, crochet, upcycle.
I'm going to quickly run you through 10 emerging fashion brands in China. I want to talk about why some people say they never encounter a transgender person in China.
A cancer medication that they get is about $20 in China, and they are paying $22,000 a month in the US.
The Chinese young workers typically only earn around 3,000 to 6,000 RMB per month. That's only around 500 to 1,000 US dollars.
there is, of course, still strong censorship happening on Red Note. I've heard stories that conversations about religion sort of have disappeared or conversations about politics are immediately censored.
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