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Comment by trash_panda | Hacker News Reader

Agree, but I also read this as a little condescending towards Chinese workers.

We tend to attribute their success to corruption, exploitation, or brute-force (given their population). But, could it be that they have something going for them? Maybe they are as capable as we are, as productive as we are, and also are putting the extra work.

Don't get me wrong, I believe this is totally unhealthy for individuals. But it doesn't seem unreasonable for me that a highly capable and motivated individual would indeed produce more in 16 than in 8 hours, health and normal life aside.

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>Agree, but I also read this as a little condescending towards Chinese workers.

You need to talk to Chinese tech employees who were formerly working/living in China and are now in the US. They will have nothing but bad things to say about the work culture in China, regarding both management and the employees under them, with plenty of examples / horror stories.

Don't just take HN comments at their word, do a little work on your part and get some first-hand information so you can form a less biased opinion. Even better, go work in China for a bit :)

I understand how you would read it that way, but I didn't mean any condensation towards Chinese workers. I was simply being lazy at showcasing other factors and picked the two easiest.

> Maybe they are as capable as we are, as productive as we are, and also are putting the extra work.

I 100% agree with this and don't think I suggested otherwise. My comment was in no way meant to take away from the incredible work of many people. I don't doubt that many people have worked long hours and absolutely think people are equally capable regardless of where they come from.

I just think it is ridiculous to suggest that other economies should participate in a race to the bottom of who can work their citizens to death

I think the Chinese are harder working and seemingly smarter if your trust their PISA scores. I don't think there is any measurable trait of the quality of human capital in which Chinese workers do worse than Americans.

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