Protesting China's Required Censorship Software

dinoyum writes "Censorship in China is nothing new, but the level of action taken to force Chinese citizens to comply has garnered global recognition. China marked the date July 1st, 2009 as the day manufacturers will be forced to install filtering software on all new PCs. While many have resorted to digitally lashing out against Green Dam, Chinese artist and designer of the famous Bird's Nest at the Beijing Olympics, Ai Weiwei has decided upon a different approach. '[He wants] a general internet strike — no work, no games, no email or anything else online — for 24 hours on the date the government plans to require censorship software on all new computers, he says, will be a quiet act of rebellion. Not coincidentally, July 1 is the 88th anniversary of the Communist Party of China. Though he posted the idea, Ai wants to leave the meaning to those who participate. "I gave almost no explanation about why I'm doing it," Ai said. "I just give the structure and people will fill in their own meaning. I don't want to be political first. I wanted to set up an act that everyone can easily accept, and then realize the power later. I want people to see their own power," he said.'"

Comments

scared old men in power

[Ritz_Just_Ritz]

China is run by a very small group of disconnected old men who are deathly afraid of losing their grip on power (and the privilege and corruption proceeds that flow from it). They are watching groups of other old guard dictators slowly succumb (often with a fight and loss of innocent lives) to the will of a younger generation in other hard line countries around the world.

It's futile steps like this that show how desperate the CCP is to do something (anything) to slow down the inevitable. Fasten your seatbelts because it's going to be a VERY bumpy ride. These guys aren't going to just melt away without digging in their heels and fighting.

Best,