This was a wild read. It started out as (more or less) an essay on how geography can and does influence how likely it is that you get dissidents living in your

This was a wild read. It started out as (more or less) an essay on how geography can and does influence how likely it is that you get dissidents living in your political environment, transitioned to how the Chinese State handled the lock downs, connected that with commentary on the likelihood Xi maintains or expands his power and influence, and then called back to the first part to tie everything in a neat little bow. Very, very well done.