China is selectively breeding out dissent.

October 6, 2015 1:16 PM

China just introduced a universal credit score, where everybody is measured as a number between 350 and 950. But this credit score isn’t just affected by how well you manage credit – it also reflects how well your political opinions are in line with Chinese official opinions, and whether your friends’ are, too.
posted by pjern (9 comments total)

The Peeples Republic.
posted by Artw at 1:19 PM on October 6, 2015 [15 favorites]

How about an employer doing a "Vulnerability Index" to see just how badly you need that job.
posted by briank at 1:21 PM on October 6, 2015 [3 favorites]

Have credit checks as a requirement for employment been outlawed yet in the US?
posted by SansPoint at 1:21 PM on October 6, 2015 [1 favorite]

This is so fucked I'm really struggling.
posted by colie at 1:24 PM on October 6, 2015

Enforced ideological conformity horrifies me.
posted by jayder at 1:27 PM on October 6, 2015

previously :P 'Authoritarianism, gamified!'

also btw...
China's Nightmarish Citizen Scores Are a Warning For Americans (via)
posted by kliuless at 1:28 PM on October 6, 2015 [2 favorites]

Don't fight it son. Confess quickly! If you hold out too long you could jeopardize your credit rating!
posted by a lungful of dragon at 1:28 PM on October 6, 2015 [4 favorites]

No, I will not sign up for Facebook just to make it easier for you to plan a party.
posted by amtho at 1:28 PM on October 6, 2015

In the West, our credit score is simple. It’s our ability to pay. It’s measured from our assets, our income, and if we have bought on credit in the past and managed it well. That’s it.

This isn't entirely true. Last I heard, the exact makeup of the almighty FICO score is a trade secret. Timeliness of payment and ratios of debt to credit are surely factors, but whatever else goes into the secret sauce is a mystery.
posted by dr_dank at 1:35 PM on October 6, 2015 [1 favorite]