I thought the discussion will be around the culture revolution, not so much as 'freedom' but I guess there are intricate links. Quite unlike many other 90s kids growing up in China, I read a lot of the old books and journals from that era inherited from my grandfather. Novels, novelette, magazines what not. Not to nitpick but I think a rightist (Aì Qīng) in chinese political spectrum is actually left-wing (in the sense of aligning with the west, pursuing free individuality and less compliant with conservative values etc). I was in Tate London where Ai's exhibition was on and there was actually pretty cool footages accompanying the sunflower seeds.
Regarding Edward's article and his connection to Ai's book, I think I could understand it from memory of reading culture revolution books. They are all about human nature and individual struggles, very little is about actually political stances. It often portraits intellectuals against village fools (mob riding the revolution waves to obtain power over everyone), their realisation of life and coming of age (since protagonists are often from privileged background and aristocrat families who have leftist values, or rather, called rightists in China). The value clash between total opposite sides, tribal, village, modern, metropolitan, aspiration, destination, mundane, soul crashing... It resonates with ordinary people because it's picturing societal and individual psychologies. This is my naive take.
Regarding Edward's article and his connection to Ai's book, I think I could understand it from memory of reading culture revolution books. They are all about human nature and individual struggles, very little is about actually political stances. It often portraits intellectuals against village fools (mob riding the revolution waves to obtain power over everyone), their realisation of life and coming of age (since protagonists are often from privileged background and aristocrat families who have leftist values, or rather, called rightists in China). The value clash between total opposite sides, tribal, village, modern, metropolitan, aspiration, destination, mundane, soul crashing... It resonates with ordinary people because it's picturing societal and individual psychologies. This is my naive take.