3️⃣ 鄉土本色：腳下的土地與心中的根 為什麼我們離不開故鄉？ 1

3️⃣ Rural Essence: The Land Beneath Our Feet and the Roots in Our Hearts Why Can't We Leave Our Hometowns? 1️⃣ What is it (Definition, Basic Meaning) The concept of "rural essence" also comes from Fei Xiaotong's analysis in *From the Soil: The Foundations of Chinese Society*. "Rural essence" refers to the lifestyle of traditional Chinese society centered on land and based on settlement. Simply put: People don't move; land doesn't change hands; relationships are fixed; life revolves around the village. This is a social structure of "born here, raised here, and die here." Land is not merely a tool for production, but a source of identity, memory, and belonging. 2️⃣ Why (Function, Principle, Reason) Why can't people leave their hometowns? Because in rural society, individuals do not exist in isolation, but are embedded in a social network. Your name represents your family; your family represents your village; your village represents your ancestors. This structure makes "leaving" not just geographical movement, but a social de-rooting. Furthermore, agricultural societies depend on the land for survival. An agricultural economy requires stability and continuity, unlike a commercial society where movement is free. Over time, "hometown" becomes a psychological attachment. 3️⃣ Examples (Simple Analogy or Case Study) Imagine two types of people: A: A white-collar worker in the city, changing jobs and cities is normal. B: A family that has farmed for generations, with ancestral graves at the edge of the village and relatives next door. For B, moving means: Losing land Losing neighbors Losing ancestral memories Like a tree being uprooted. A, on the other hand, is more like a potted plant, movable. The essence of rural life is a "tree"-shaped society, not a "potted plant"-shaped society. 4️⃣ Counterfactual Impact (What if it didn't exist?) Without a strong sense of community— High population mobility Short-term relationships Lower community cohesion Individuals are freer, but more lonely. Modern cities have already partially moved towards this state: Neighbors don't know each other. Friends come from the workplace rather than family. Relationships are based on contracts rather than blood ties. This isn't entirely bad, but emotional stability decreases. 5️⃣ Expanding on Similar Concepts Several concepts that can be understood together: **Differential mode of association**: Relationships spread from close to distant relationships. **Acquaintance society**: Everyone knows each other. **Social capital**: Resources formed by trust and relationships. A strong sense of community is the soil for a differential mode of association and the foundation of a society governed by tradition. 6️⃣ Opposing or Optimizing Viewpoints Some also criticize: A strong sense of community can lead to: Exclusionary mentality Regional discrimination Family monopoly Conservatism and resistance to change Overemphasizing "roots" may suppress individual mobility and innovation. The challenge of modern society is: How can we allow individuals to move freely while maintaining a sense of belonging? Perhaps the answer isn't "leaving our roots," but rather learning to move with our roots. 7️⃣ Summary The core of rural identity lies in: being centered on the land being based on the family unit valuing stability. It gives people a sense of belonging, but it can also bind them. We cannot leave our hometown, not just because of the land, but because it carries our identity and memories. Think about it: Today, are you a tree? Or a potted plant that can move?