I read an article from The Economist about the differences between American and Chinese internet usage and how comfortable one (16-25 year old) population was with online, digital interaction.

It’s interesting to think that in the not very distant future, the Chinese are going to take over the world. They’re already one of the most industrial nations, with the largest population, with the largest PR campaign next year, courtesy of the Olympic Games, and now they’re leading the way in terms of digital social connectivity.

Core 77 blog - fantastic all-things-design blog that it is! - has a break down of the figures for easy comparison, which look a lot like this:

Online population
China: 137 million
USA: 165-210 million

Digital technology is an essential part of how I live
China: 80%
USA: 68%

I would not feel okay going without internet access for more than a day
China: 25%
USA: 12%

Interactivity helps create intimacy, even at a distance
China: 82%
USA: 36%

It’s perfectly possible to have real relationships purely online with no face-to-face contact
China: 63%
USA: 21%

The internet helps me make friends
China: 77%
USA: 30%

The internet broadens my sex life
China: 32%
USA: 11%

The whole project seems to have been commissioned by JWT; the ultimate display of link-baiting must be what normal people call “polls” (sorry Ciaran!) That’s the advantage of being a global network… with a load of money…

Editor’s (i.e. Ciarán’s) note: Yes, polls & research make great link-bait. But then take a look at a newspaper tomorrow and tell me that half of the stories aren’t based on the same sort of research PR: just goes to show that there is less difference between bloggers & journalists than some would like to admit!

Image courtesy of skoller.

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