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Cambridge professor becomes Chinese youth's social media 'Grandpa Cute'
🇨🇳 China /Culture & Society

Cambridge professor becomes Chinese youth's social media 'Grandpa Cute'

From South China Morning Post · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Sources not specified Context piece
  • An 84-year-old Cambridge professor has become a social media sensation in China, amassing millions of followers.
  • Professor Alan Macfarlane, an anthropologist and historian, shares gentle, jargon-free reflections on topics like friendship, education, and AI.
  • His content resonates with young Chinese seeking support amidst a fast-paced, high-pressure society.

An 84-year-old Cambridge professor has unexpectedly become a social media heartthrob in China, drawing millions of young followers with his thoughtful reflections. Professor Alan Macfarlane, an anthropologist and historian, is affectionately known as "Grandpa Cute" or "Dumbledore" by his Chinese audience.

Macfarlane's content, delivered in an intimate Q&A format, tackles subjects such as the difficulty of making genuine friends, education, purpose, anxiety, relationships, and artificial intelligence. His gentle, jargon-free approach and accessible insights have struck a chord with a generation navigating a fast-paced and high-pressure society.

Since launching on the Chinese social media platform RedNote in 2025, Macfarlane has amassed over 2.4 million followers in about a year, with many videos garnering millions of views. His presence extends to other major platforms like Douyin (China's TikTok) and Bilibili, where he has attracted a significant following of 170,000 and 540,000 users respectively.

Wearing his signature black mariner's cap and often framed by a wall of books, Macfarlane's soft "ni hao" greeting opens each video. His ability to connect with a vast audience through simple, profound observations highlights a desire among young Chinese for guidance and support beyond traditional avenues.

why has making genuine friends become so difficult?

— Alan MacfarlaneProfessor Alan Macfarlane addresses a question from his social media audience.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by South China Morning Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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