Social functions are the foundation of modern society, but when these functions become overly rigid, the social structure can become inflexible. Gardeners typically define themselves through the function of “greening,” while barbers are responsible for the function of “grooming” individuals’ appearances. In the context of an aging population and a shortage of young labor, should we continue to adhere to this traditional distribution of functions?

Wang Changcheng invited 20 gardeners in an aging rural town to participate in a day of street beautification. Unlike usual, in this event, the gardeners not only trimmed the vegetation along the streets but also cut the hair of elderly people who were accustomed to sitting by the plants and were physically immobile.