996式计划生育

Meaning

Lying flat (躺平, Lie flat) or lying flat-ism is a sociological concept and internet buzzword. It refers to a non-competing, non-resisting psychology in competition and life, expressing dissatisfaction with involution (excessive competition). As modern life pressure increases, lying flat-ism advocates maintaining only minimum living standards and rejecting capitalist exploitation. Official media views are negative, promoting youth "struggle", but the "Yao Wen Jiao Zi" editorial says: "Many young people shouting 'lying flat' haven't truly lied flat. They're just using self-deprecation to resist huge life pressure and intense involution competition."