TL;DR: Please DO NOT add me on WeChat.
If you're reading this, you might be expecting a QR code to add me on WeChat, as is common with individuals with Chinese names. However, I prefer not to discuss academic matters on WeChat.
Disclaimer: This is a personal preference and is not intended as a critique of WeChat as an application. Many people find it useful and convenient, but it simply doesn't align with my personal communication style.
Q: How do you use WeChat now?
A: It's not installed on any of my computers. Notifications are turned off on my cellphone, and I'm usually logged out.
Q: Why don't you install it on your work computers?
A: There are two main reasons. First, using WeChat for university-related discussions, including those involved in my research, goes against the university's guidelines. Second, I find WeChat to be distracting. I prefer not to mix personal messages, like pictures of our cat sent by my parents or memes from friends, with serious technical discussions.
Q: But many people use it for their studies and work, right?
A: Yes, many people do, but there are also many who don't. I don't find it suitable for me. I don't want to deal with a flood of 1-minute voice messages, be blamed for asking you to resend a file after it expires, or lose important messages due to syncing issues. Plus, I don't want to lose the protection that comes with using official communication channels.
Q: What, specifically, are you trying to protect yourself against?
A: First, the violation of the university's guidelines. Second, the challenges of resolving disputes in communications due to WeChat's unofficial status at the university. Third, active adversaries who might have conflicting narratives on WeChat and email, or those who communicate appropriately via email but inappropriately on WeChat.
Q: Are you also trying to avoid WeChat on your phone?
A: Yes, this is due to some significantly negative experiences I've had in the past. As a result, I now associate negative feelings with WeChat and try to avoid it as much as possible. I've even talked about this situation with my family and friends, encouraging them to consider other ways to get in touch. This strategy of avoiding WeChat has noticeably improved my mental state.
Q: Isn't it disrespectful to decline WeChat connection requests or not reply on WeChat?
A: Quite the opposite. I'm trying to be respectful and responsible. Since I associate negative feelings with this app, I don't believe our communication will be smooth on it, as I'm part of the communication. I don't want to cause misunderstandings or confusion. I'm making it more respectful by explaining this on my website.
Q: What if I already have your WeChat contact?
A: Please still limit our research-related discussions to email, or the instant messaging apps that are officially recognized by the university (Slack, MS Teams, Zoom, Skype). If you message me on WeChat for non-academic-related matters, I might be slow to respond - but I still consider you as my friend!
Q: Are you willing to risk losing collaboration opportunities because of this?
A: If WeChat is your only communication method, I can't envision our collaboration being successful. If I need to check my phone every five minutes for your messages, and spend even more time (like a whole night) convincing myself that "this person isn't intentionally looking for trouble, even though I've clearly stated I don't want to use WeChat", then I don't think I'll perform well in our collaboration.
Q: Do you plan to change this situation?
A: No.
Q: So how should one contact you?
A: See here. Many people survive in academia without WeChat, and I ask that you treat me as one of them.