[bunnie]

I think the term has evolved on an arc similar to how the term 'hacker' evolved from the 1960's until now - from curiosity, to derogatory, to underdog, to cultural phenomenon, to a category label that is used and misused as a matter of convenience. Each step the exact meaning and spirit changed. I agree it's not as common in use today, but I hear it mentioned with a wink and a nudge to describe... something in between an attitude and a policy. For example, a few years back I was talking with someone about the policy initiative to promote EV research and development. The term 'shanzhai' was descriptively applied to the desired outcome of the policy and the types of players who would see it through, and the nature of the market strategy. Everyone nodded in understanding, even though it was clear the usage wasn't exactly in line with its original coinage.