[mimighost]

Chinese(Pan-Asian, whatever), don't burn trash anymore for quite some time as far as I can remember, although I grew up in urban area, which might be a little different.

Honestly, I don't know where this stereotype comes from, and why the show runners choose to pick this one opposed to many others out there which might be even more interesting, IMO.

[JesperRavn]

It's hard to make humorous shows without exposing some group to ridicule. While males are of course an acceptable target, but then the show looks too "PC". So in order to show that we're totally cool and not PC, a safe target is needed.

[throwawayyca]

Edgy comedy doesn't have to be derived from covert racism. There are many different ways for the show to be un-PC. It's simply a cop-out for the writing team and the creator. This is also evident when the only prominent black character in the show is a prostitute and the only Latinos are portrayed as thugs.

[mimighost]

Actually, I am OK with certain stereotyping, because that is how comedy works. However, burning trash is not remotely funny and not true anymore, it is not representative at all. In that case, it is not even a good stereotype, it just lazy thinking & writing because they don't bother to understand what it is like to be an Asian nerd.

[rgbrenner]

So is this article wrong[0]?

Landfills currently handle roughly half of China's MSW, while only about 10% is incinerated. Official credo suggests that landfills will continue to play a dominant role. But Beijing's push to increase the share of burned waste is unmistakable: a central target calls for 30% of MSW to be treated by waste-to-energy incineration by 2030.

And late last year they opened the worlds biggest incinerator outside Beijing[1].

In the article[0], it says only 2% was burned in 1990.. so it seems this is a new initiative.

0. http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2012/jul/04/dirty-tru...

1. http://shanghaiist.com/2014/10/08/worlds-biggest-trash-incin...

[harryjo]

In the show (and the stereotype; I have no idea if it is true), "burning trash" refers to burning trash at home, not at a controlled municipal facility.

http://www.epa.gov/solidwaste/nonhaz/municipal/backyard/inde...

[ams6110]

You might be amazed to learn that this is very common in rural USA.

[001sky]

yes...this is not at all uncommon and I imaginge in many other places around the world for the same reasons...

suprisingly, its not as terrible for the environment as it looks. but its not pleasant to see or be around regardless.

obviously, don't do this in CA b/c wildfires...etc.

[GFK_of_xmaspast]

"that is how comedy works"

Says whom?