Ouyang Yu discusses the cases of Chinese writers who have found no outlet for their creativity in Australia and who have taken on work purely for monetary satisfaction. He describes himself as 'an economic dissident' who has resisted 'the temptations of the market by refusing to participate in it and to follow other Chinese intellectuals who have given up on the artistic and ideological pursuits they once regarded as valuable.'
Following the impact of Pauline Hanson's anti-Asian views, Ouyang Yu also ponders whether 'certain white Australian intellectuals [have] stepped in, keeping their Australian culture from being "swamped" by Asians'.