How ‘lying flat’ went from a niche subculture to mainstream phenomenon

China's top intelligence agency recently asserted that foreign entities are using the concept of "lying flat" to discourage young people from striving and to erode social values. This movement, which began as a niche subculture, has become a mainstream phenomenon in China over the last five years. "Lying flat" gained significant traction on Chinese social media around 2021, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. At that time, the term described individuals who had opted out of the intense competition of the "rat race," opting instead for minimal work and basic survival.