Is China's "Great Firewall" a Fraud?

An anonymous reader notes an article up on ScienceBlogs that calls into question the efficacy of the touted "Great Firewall of China" — a program by the government of the People's Republic of China to block users from reaching content it finds objectionable. Researchers at UC Davis and the University of New Mexico have performed experiments on the Great Firewall, sending test content to destinations inside China and observing what gets through. They conclude that the Great Firewall is more of a "panopticon" that encourages self-censorship through the perception that users may be being watched, rather than a true firewall.

Comments

Re:comon

[LouisZepher]

Funny you should mention that word. After having viewed a marathon of season 3 the other day (and a couple drinks), seeing "Panopticon" made me visualize the Great (physical) Wall rising up and turning into a giant robot with the phrase "The Transformers will return after these messages..."

Re:Haha had us all fooled!

[Stooshie]

Hust to be pedantic, not many people call themselves grammar nazis. It's usually a label someone else gives them. I get your point though.