It has been almost 50 years since Chairman Mao Zedong called for learning from Lei Feng on March 5, 1963. However nowadays, we rarely hear about public altruism. Instead, what we often hear about is officials' corrupt behaviors and the nation's moral crisis.

The current situation is different from that in the 1960s.

At that time, China was undergoing great political and natural difficulties. People needed a spiritual impetus to establish an altruistic and dedicated atmosphere so as to overcome these difficulties. The greatest personal value was to serve others.

That's why Lei Feng became an icon of that era.

As China battles its way through drastic social changes, the values people used to endorse have changed. Despite various activities designed to remember the selfless soldier, his spirit is distant from people living in today's materialistic society.

Since today's young people are taught to be independent and have their own thoughts, the collectivism and altruism for which Lei Feng is highly praised may not fit in today's competitive society. 

Modern icons are dealmakers and entrepreneurs like late Apple CEO Steve Jobs. People judge others' success by looking at how much money they have made and how different they are from the crowd.

The pursuit for personal values makes people too hasty to learn from Lei Feng. The spirit of Lei Feng may only be empty words.

We still embrace anything good. That's a moral requirement. But the value of doing good deeds should be accepted by the whole society rather than become alien.

An altruistic icon may not be needed anymore. What we need more are basic rules of etiquette. Social morals would be improved faster if we demanded people stop spitting in the street rather than simply calling for learning from Lei Feng.

The author is a reporter with the Global Times. wangwenwen@globaltimes.com.cn