Speaking for myself only (will be interested in nnozomi's reply)... FWIW, I don't feel an anti-intellectual strain in the show, with its visits to agricultural universities and promotion of technology to make farming more efficient. But as the guys are visiting remote villages I do keep wondering how the local villagers (many of whom were living during, if not active in, the Cultural Revolution) perceive the show, the farmboys, and the crew. I've also wondered, since learning that a lot of sent-down youth became Communist Party cadres later, about any behind-the-scenes political support/influence for the show.

The economics of the farm and "profit" is a very interesting question...