The Secret of Mobile Phone Subsidies

Old Wang was quite excited recently, not because of his year-end bonus, but because of mobile phone subsidies. A policy was released, stating that to stimulate consumption, subsidies would be given for buying new phones, and old phones didn't need to be handed in. Old Wang's five-year-old relic could finally retire honorably.

He excitedly rushed to a mobile phone store, where the clerk's enthusiasm made him feel a bit uncomfortable. "Sir, take a look at this one, the latest model, high camera pixels, fast running speed, and an AI assistant!" The clerk pointed to a cool-looking phone in the display case. The price was indeed cool too, but after the subsidy, it didn't seem so unbearable.

Old Wang scratched his head and asked, "What about the old phone? I don't need to hand it in, right?"

The clerk smiled even more brightly, "Of course not, this policy is just to make it convenient for everyone. You can keep your old phone, or... throw it away if you want."

"Throw it away?" Old Wang was taken aback. He thought to himself, this old phone still works, it's such a waste to throw it away. But then he thought, they said he didn't have to hand it in, and he didn't really need it anyway.

So, Old Wang bought the new phone and went home happily. On his way, he saw many people holding old phones, like they were holding hot potatoes. Some threw them into the trash cans, some stuffed them into the recycling bins on the side of the road, and some simply smashed them on the ground, making "crack" sounds.

The community also became lively. Someone jokingly said, "Who doesn't have a few old phones? Now they're all trash!" Everyone laughed, but Old Wang felt that something wasn't right.

He returned home and took out his old phone. The screen was cracked, and the casing was worn, but it could still turn on, make calls, and send texts. Old Wang instinctively tried to open WeChat.

The familiar interface, familiar avatars, and some unread messages, were from his daughter. His daughter asked him, "Dad, did you change your phone? Is the new phone good? Give me your old phone, I want it."

Old Wang's heart skipped a beat. Yes, his daughter's phone had also been used for several years, and she had always been reluctant to replace it. How could he have forgotten? He quickly replied to his daughter, "I'll bring it to you when I get back."

The next day, Old Wang took his old phone to his daughter's school. He was surprised to find that the school gate was piled high with all sorts of old phones, like a small mountain. The children were laughing and running over it, some even picked up a few to play with as toys.

Old Wang felt a mix of emotions. He recalled the people he saw throwing their old phones into the trash cans yesterday, the scenes of them smashing the phones on the ground, and even the thought that he had almost thrown his own old phone away.

In the evening, Old Wang was walking in the park and saw some children playing with old phones, imitating adults making calls, talking to themselves, and acting just like them. The setting sun cast long shadows of them. Old Wang suddenly felt like he had become a child again, holding an abandoned toy.

He opened his new phone, wanting to see what new features there were, but a notification popped up: "The old phone you used for this subsidy has been successfully recycled. Thank you for your contribution to environmental protection."

Old Wang was stunned. He remembered the clerk's bright smile, the mountain of old phones in the community, the children in the park playing with old phones, and also his daughter's expectant eyes.

His old phone was still in his hand, how had it become "recycled"? And he hadn't made any environmental contribution at all! What exactly did this subsidy subsidize? And who truly benefited? He looked at the old phone in his hand and suddenly felt that the world seemed more absurd than he had imagined.