Google and the China Question
As opponent of all forms of censorship, I still do not believe that there is good reason to join the hate campaign against Google for complying with the Chinese government's restrictions on what Google's search engines can call up. Yes, all information should be available to all people. But given the choice, it is better to have tons of information than no information, and better trade than war. I explained this point of view in an interview with Declan McCullagh, and he wrote it up in this article.
Comments (7)
Horatio
"Tu ne cede malis, sed contra ito"
Google gave in.
Published: February 2, 2006 6:16 AM
Peter
sed contra audentior ito - is that what you meant? Are you looking for the source (Virgil: Aeneid), or what?
Published: February 2, 2006 7:02 AM
SteamshipTime
Google's managers are doing what all people do: acting in their perceived self-interest. If the managers think that loading government spyware on their customers' computers is in their self-interest, they will not hesitate to do so. Businessmen are as subject to Original Sin as are bureaucrats.
Published: February 2, 2006 10:15 AM
Angelo
Rockwell's right. They're enabling some progress, though it's certainly not close to ideal.
Published: February 2, 2006 11:45 AM
tz
One key element is that the censorship will be visible (according to the reports I've read). So the users will know the government is denying them access to the information, as opposed to it just not being there.
Published: February 2, 2006 11:46 AM
Vince Daliessio
I was struck by the realization that Tom Lantos - a major impetus behind this investigation of Google - has been a major mover behind both Gulf Wars. Not to put too fine a point on it, but he, and the strain of political thought he represents is the embodiment of total political and economic imperialism. The part about the Saddam baby incubator hoax brought back memories.
Published: February 2, 2006 12:22 PM
anon
Quoting from post on Dan Pink's blog...
"Factoids of the week
WINNER
Number of people China employs to "to prowl Web sites, blogs, and chat rooms on the lookout for" content that might offend the Chinese government: 30,000.
Total number of employees at the CIA: About 16,000.
(Source: Business Week, 01/23/06)
Published: February 3, 2006 9:04 AM