Slashdot Mirror
China Calls For Even Firmer Internet Control
eldavojohn writes "Chinese state media has published a long article detailing why China needs to take even firmer stances on sites like Twitter and the internet as a whole, or risk backlash to the Communist Party from 'Internet opinion.' The commentary warned, 'Unless administration is vigorous, criminal forces, hostile forces, terrorist organizations and others could manipulate public sentiment by manufacturing bogus opinion on the Internet, damaging social stability and national security.' China seized upon the London riots recently to justify tighter internet censorship. The article, of course, ends with the conclusion that 'Clearly, in the future when developing and applying new Internet technologies, there must first be a thorough assessment, adopting even more prudent policies and enhancing foresight and forward thinking in administration.' While this provides China with their Emmanuel Goldstein and his Brotherhood, it should be noted that the People's Daily is often over the top."
Yes, they are. Have you actually lived there? It's the same thing here on slashdot always when talking about countries little bit different than US. I've lived many times and many years in Thailand, yet every time there's some slashdot news about internet censorship in there, whole slashdot goes on a knee-jerk reaction telling how the government is being abusive. The truth is that the people want it. Same thing when talking about how it's unlawful to talk badly about the Thai King. Somehow in slashdot it's viewed somehow as that he made the law. It was the people who wanted it. Do whatever you want in your own country, but don't go telling other countries how they should be. Let their people choose. If you want to comment about it, do get some actual own experience.
Sure, and a crackhead quite sincerely wants more crack. That doesn't mean this is good for him to have. Sometimes people want things that aren't good for them to have and don't serve their best interests. This is nothing new. There is nothing wrong with being opposed to this in principle.
Having said that, I agree that sovereign nations should be left alone as much as possible. The only justification for interference is when they directly and unambiguously threaten us. The whole problem with the US is that it loves to meddle. All or nearly all problems the US has ever had with terrorism or with attacks against Americans who are overseas or with its terrible reputation in many parts of the world is because we simply refuse to leave other nations alone. The US is a domineering empire that tries very hard not to call itself that.
Can you imagine how the US would react to a foreign nation that wants to establish a military presence within its borders and dictate how it should be governed? Or a foreign nation that uses its secret agencies (CIA equivalent) to try to cause chaos and disrupt its election processes? I have the funny feeling they wouldn't like it one bit. Why, they might even want to get back at anyone who tries it.
It is a miracle that curiosity survives formal education. - Einstein
Have you ever played Paranoia? If not, it's a really funny RPG. Ok, it was a funny RPG until it became kinda too close to home.
One of the fun parts is that everyone is a mutant. And being a mutant is illegal. Everyone hates the Computer. And hating the Computer is illegal. Everyone is a member of a secret society (but they're all out to sabotage the Computer in some way, essentially, they have the same goals). And secret societies are illegal. What makes the game a riot is that everyone tries his best to hide his mutation, hide his loyalty to his secret society and pretends to love the Computer. Why? Because everyone does it. And everyone is trying to prove that someone else is a mutant, a member of a secret society and hates the Computer to rise in the ranks so they get more leeway and are under less surveillance, as well as getting better equipment. Of course, with the goal to hide their mutation, help their secret society and secretly sabotage the Computer's work.
It stops being a fun game when you notice that there are people who play it in real life. It's usually the game people play at work.
We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.