Space program is inseparable from military use. I actually think military spending is going to be one of only a few bright spots in the US that actually are conductive to the advancement of science.
who get to decide that? The same people who believe invading Iraq makes the world better or the same people who believe it's ok to flood the world market with subsidized American agricultural products. Open your eyes up, people, the world are far bigger than America. And the last time I checked, more people believed US is a bigger threat to world peace.
Japanese culture is Heavily influenced by China, You would be amazed by how many Chinese characters there are in Japanese. Chinese who speak no Japanese and Japanese who speak no Chinese can communicate with each other using pen and a piece of paper. As for the statement, They just don't think it's a matter worthy of serious response. Of course they know nobody would believe it, modern Chinese culture are very pragmatic and very goal-oriented, they don't like to infuse too much morality into their discussion. In their view, everybody spies on everybody else, it's just how things work, they didn't whine to CNN or the statement department about CIA spying on China. why did the USãmake such a big deal out of it?
if you had been to China recently, you would know that any computer literate person could go around the Great Fire Wall and read whatever he wants to read. If the guy spoke English, he doesn't even need to know any thing about setting up proxies or encrypted packages, most, if not all, mainstream western media can be accessed from China without any problem. The fire wall only creates problem for those who want to see "inappropriate" material written in Chinese.
There are HUGE amount of self-criticism, in fact, even since the fall the imperial China, every Chinese government is built upon harshly criticizing the old ways. Some of these governments may tolerate criticism against itself, some of them may not. But as of now, when it comes to internet, saying there is no criticism is simply and utterly not true. If you read Chinese, you would be amazed by the amount and harshness of criticism against the government on the internet. I would say when it comes to freedom of speech in everyday life, Chinese probably enjoys greater freedom than Americans do. (You can talk absolutely anything with your boss as long as it's not something that will anger him personally. You will not be fired if you were heard to use certain politically incorrect phrase. There isn't much of political correctness to speak of). Anyway, the reason Chinese isn't really receptive to western criticism is three fold:
1.cultural differences: even the most liberal Chinese would agree with some level of internet censorship. "Big Brother" isn't viewed with suspicion like what you will see in the US, in fact, it's considered something necessary and even healthy. So if you criticized China for filtering the internet content without providing specifics what kind of content you think shouldn't be filtered out (stuff related to Tibet independence will be considered filterable material in China by most Chinese). You will probably get a "WTF How does it concern you? It's none of your business" response from Chinese.
2.The general belief that western countries are up to no good. Things like America's tacit military alliance with Taiwan and the loud and often violent protest during the Olympic torch relay. In the minds of Chinese, the thing is never about diplomacy or human rights, it's about attempts to split China. That's the fundamental difference in perspective. (As always, US government's action doesn't help their credibility).
3. Chinese traveling to the US are not treated fairly, at least that's the perception. You know, "The Arab attacked you, why the hell do you treat me like a terrorist?", that sort of attitude. It's hard to accept criticism from a guy who suspect you of being some evil force you know you aren't. That sort of personal experience is often the reason world-trotting, western educated, English-speaking Chinese elites are even more nationalistic than average Chinese peasants who never leave their village.
they were most likely hand picked by the government. BUT, if you asked average Chinese college students, chances are you will get the same, if slightly ruder in language, response. Chinese, among themselves, especially the educated elites, talk a lot about internet censorship, lack of freedom, blah blah blah, among themselves. Whatever their personal preferences might be, when facing with lecturing from Westerners, they will unite in their defiance. You must understand that in the eyes of Chinese people, western countries in general, US in particular, have dirty ulterior motives in their loud promotion of democracy and freedom (current events like invasion of Iraq and not so beautiful past of almost all western countries don't help to be sure). US is kinda like Rev. Jeremiah Wright right now: some of his argument may merit serious discussion and may even turn out to be good for everybody if actually implemented. But the more he opens his mouth, the great the damage he will do to his causes.
if you had experienced what they experienced in the US, you would become a ultra-nationalist too. I can tell you, a lot of, if not most of them, used to be more pro-America (which means they favor American culture, American political system, and of course, American approach to freedom)than most Americans themselves before they came here. As you probably know, discrimination exist in America, and it exists in not just a few places. It's not fun to be on the receiving end of racial and cultural discrimination. Falling back on their root is sort of a mechanism to cope with the all the shit they have to deal with. (not to mention China did manage to pull off spectacularly impressive growth. It's not unreasonable to feel proud of your native country's achievement, being overly protective is certainly quite normal)
maybe next time levy breaks around New Orleans, the government can blame Chinese for that? I'm amazed by how people here who usually don't trust the federal government, seem to jump to believe what CIA tell you guys this time. Remember slam dunk WMD?
Slashdot Mirror
Space program is inseparable from military use. I actually think military spending is going to be one of only a few bright spots in the US that actually are conductive to the advancement of science.
well, I'm very strong physically, for a nerd
that can and will happen after I have 1 billion in bank and tons of time to kill.
isn't build a company, sell it to big guys and go into early retirement the ultimate dream of every nerd?
who get to decide that? The same people who believe invading Iraq makes the world better or the same people who believe it's ok to flood the world market with subsidized American agricultural products. Open your eyes up, people, the world are far bigger than America. And the last time I checked, more people believed US is a bigger threat to world peace.
you know what I really meant.
Japanese culture is Heavily influenced by China, You would be amazed by how many Chinese characters there are in Japanese. Chinese who speak no Japanese and Japanese who speak no Chinese can communicate with each other using pen and a piece of paper. As for the statement, They just don't think it's a matter worthy of serious response. Of course they know nobody would believe it, modern Chinese culture are very pragmatic and very goal-oriented, they don't like to infuse too much morality into their discussion. In their view, everybody spies on everybody else, it's just how things work, they didn't whine to CNN or the statement department about CIA spying on China. why did the USãmake such a big deal out of it?
if you had been to China recently, you would know that any computer literate person could go around the Great Fire Wall and read whatever he wants to read. If the guy spoke English, he doesn't even need to know any thing about setting up proxies or encrypted packages, most, if not all, mainstream western media can be accessed from China without any problem. The fire wall only creates problem for those who want to see "inappropriate" material written in Chinese.
There are HUGE amount of self-criticism, in fact, even since the fall the imperial China, every Chinese government is built upon harshly criticizing the old ways. Some of these governments may tolerate criticism against itself, some of them may not. But as of now, when it comes to internet, saying there is no criticism is simply and utterly not true. If you read Chinese, you would be amazed by the amount and harshness of criticism against the government on the internet. I would say when it comes to freedom of speech in everyday life, Chinese probably enjoys greater freedom than Americans do. (You can talk absolutely anything with your boss as long as it's not something that will anger him personally. You will not be fired if you were heard to use certain politically incorrect phrase. There isn't much of political correctness to speak of). Anyway, the reason Chinese isn't really receptive to western criticism is three fold: 1.cultural differences: even the most liberal Chinese would agree with some level of internet censorship. "Big Brother" isn't viewed with suspicion like what you will see in the US, in fact, it's considered something necessary and even healthy. So if you criticized China for filtering the internet content without providing specifics what kind of content you think shouldn't be filtered out (stuff related to Tibet independence will be considered filterable material in China by most Chinese). You will probably get a "WTF How does it concern you? It's none of your business" response from Chinese. 2.The general belief that western countries are up to no good. Things like America's tacit military alliance with Taiwan and the loud and often violent protest during the Olympic torch relay. In the minds of Chinese, the thing is never about diplomacy or human rights, it's about attempts to split China. That's the fundamental difference in perspective. (As always, US government's action doesn't help their credibility). 3. Chinese traveling to the US are not treated fairly, at least that's the perception. You know, "The Arab attacked you, why the hell do you treat me like a terrorist?", that sort of attitude. It's hard to accept criticism from a guy who suspect you of being some evil force you know you aren't. That sort of personal experience is often the reason world-trotting, western educated, English-speaking Chinese elites are even more nationalistic than average Chinese peasants who never leave their village.
they were most likely hand picked by the government. BUT, if you asked average Chinese college students, chances are you will get the same, if slightly ruder in language, response. Chinese, among themselves, especially the educated elites, talk a lot about internet censorship, lack of freedom, blah blah blah, among themselves. Whatever their personal preferences might be, when facing with lecturing from Westerners, they will unite in their defiance. You must understand that in the eyes of Chinese people, western countries in general, US in particular, have dirty ulterior motives in their loud promotion of democracy and freedom (current events like invasion of Iraq and not so beautiful past of almost all western countries don't help to be sure). US is kinda like Rev. Jeremiah Wright right now: some of his argument may merit serious discussion and may even turn out to be good for everybody if actually implemented. But the more he opens his mouth, the great the damage he will do to his causes.
if you had experienced what they experienced in the US, you would become a ultra-nationalist too. I can tell you, a lot of, if not most of them, used to be more pro-America (which means they favor American culture, American political system, and of course, American approach to freedom)than most Americans themselves before they came here. As you probably know, discrimination exist in America, and it exists in not just a few places. It's not fun to be on the receiving end of racial and cultural discrimination. Falling back on their root is sort of a mechanism to cope with the all the shit they have to deal with. (not to mention China did manage to pull off spectacularly impressive growth. It's not unreasonable to feel proud of your native country's achievement, being overly protective is certainly quite normal)
maybe next time levy breaks around New Orleans, the government can blame Chinese for that? I'm amazed by how people here who usually don't trust the federal government, seem to jump to believe what CIA tell you guys this time. Remember slam dunk WMD?