Lu Xun's grandson embraces short videos, warns against AI-generated misinformation

Zhou Lingfei, the eldest grandson of Lu Xun, a prominent scholar and writer in 20th-century China, has revealed his surprising affinity for short-video platforms, admitting that he spends 90 percent of his free time scrolling through videos.

Speaking at the launching ceremony of the 11th Mao Dun Literature Prize, China's highest prize for literature, Zhou, 70, acknowledged that his media consumption habits have shifted significantly in recent years. "Now, I spend 90 percent of my time scrolling on my phone, 10 percent on reading books," he said.

Zhou's comments sparked a lively debate on Weibo, with many users expressing their surprise at his openness to new forms of media. "He's keeping up with the times quite well despite his age," one user commented. Another jokingly remarked, "I would spend 100 percent of my time on short videos if I were free."

Despite his embrace of short videos, Zhou remains a staunch advocate for the importance of reading and critical thinking. He recently expressed his concerns about the potential for AI-generated content to spread misinformation.

"Machine-generated writing is an inevitable development, and it's quite impressive," Zhou said in an interview in Wuzhen, Zhejiang province. "However, what if the AI provides us with false information? It would be disastrous if misleading content is produced based on fake data."

Zhou also cautioned against the dangers of deceptive practices in the short-video realm. "As creators of short videos, it is our responsibility to produce content with sincerity," he emphasized. "We must avoid creating rubbish or engaging in deceptive practices, as these can have harmful consequences."

Zhou's own short-video endeavors have garnered a considerable following. With 74 videos posted on his Douyin account, he has amassed over 11,300 followers.