Decoding Youth Buzzwords: “Transmutation” in Contemporary Ideologies and Marxist Perspective

Abstract

With the advent of the new era, numerous social ideologies have surged, exerting significant influence on the value systems of the youth demographic. The phenomenon of “transmutation,” exemplified by popular youth slang such as “lying flat” and “involution,” is widely disseminated, reflecting underlying shifts in ideological values and raising concerns over the security of mainstream ideological consensus. The Party and the state prioritize guiding youth values, with General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasizing the importance of fostering correct ideological development during adolescence. It is urgent to critically analyze the genesis of these ideological trends from a theoretical standpoint. This paper adopts a Marxist perspective to critically examine the “transmutation” phenomenon, dissecting the mechanisms of semantic substitution, value preconditioning, and propagative fracturing, ultimately revealing the intrinsic nature of capitalist ideology. It proposes a holistic approach comprising de-commodification of concepts, discourse power contention, and innovative communication strategies. Through theoretical critique, this study aims to fill gaps in analyzing the material base of social relations, thereby clarifying ideological safeguards within pedagogical practice and youth ideological dissemination endeavors.