Google agrees to China censorship

[racer2c]

Boo.

Link (http://www.cnn.com/2006/BUSINESS/01/24/google.china.ap/index.html)

[Opposite Lock]

I don't think my William Gibson / Neal Stephenson cynicism fully prepared me for (it's not that bad?) ok, nevermind.

[dando]

Censor this:

**** China!

:gomer: :D

-Kevin

[nrc]

We'll have to wait and see whether they're inserting the sharp end of a wedge or bowing down to the forces of evil.

[TravelGal]

Is this any different from Wal-Mart requiring their own versions of albums and book covers?

Feel free to ax this comment if it's too political.

[racer2c]

Is this any different from Wal-Mart requiring their own versions of albums and book covers?

Feel free to ax this comment if it's too political.

Yes, because of the freedom of choice. You don't have to shop at WalMart if you do not like their practices. Nor do you have to support the companies of those who give WalMart the changed products. But in communist China, where civil rights are still heavily abused, where their journalism is censored, where their television and internet are censored (or at least being watched) the people don't have that choice a non censored paper or tv show or spying on their internet.

American companies are falling all over themselves to get their hands on all that Chinese money, overlooking the fact that China is still one of the biggest violators of civil rights in the world dispite the fact that they are trying their hardest to become an economic super power as quickly as they can.

Two weeks ago Google was in the news because they told the US government to kiss off when they asked if they could have Google log files so they could track potential terroist by what they were searching for. Google said they had a motto of "Do No Evil". Well, in my opinion, this week they did.

[Methanolandbrats]

Goog can tell the US Gov to **** off because it's legal. They can't tell the Chinese to **** off if they want the $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$. I am shocked an international corporation would put market share ahead of morality :D

[racer2c]

Goog can tell the US Gov to **** off because it's legal. They can't tell the Chinese to **** off if they want the $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$. I am shocked an international corporation would put market share ahead of morality :D

When they portray the Almighty Integrity Company in the US and cowtow to communists in China...time for me to look for another search engine.

Bye Google.

[trish]

Is holding an auto race in China ok?

[racer2c]

Is holding an auto race in China ok?

Is Champ Car going to agree to change their product in case the Chinese government finds something wrong with the message i.e. car branding, driver interviews, pit babes etc? If so, then in my opinion, no.

As a freedom loving capitalist living in the worlds biggest and richest and freest capilalist society, I don't have much empathy for Communism. Be it an emerging super power like China, or a third world postage stamp rebellion in central America. Communism sucks. Just ask the Russians.

[Methanolandbrats]

As a freedom loving capitalist living in the worlds biggest and richest and freest capilalist society, I don't have much empathy for Communism. Be it an emerging super power like China, or a third world postage stamp rebellion in central America. Communism sucks. Just ask the Russians. The best way slow China down would be to build a McDonalds in every Chinese town and sneak MTV into their TV programming. That way the next generation of Chinese Youth would grow up fat and stupid just like our youth. We would neuter the Chinese financial threat and even if we had to bend a few human rights rules to begin with, it would be worth it.

[racer2c]

The best way slow China down would be to build a McDonalds in every Chinese town and sneak MTV into their TV programming. That way the next generation of Chinese Youth would grow up fat and stupid just like our youth. We would neuter the Chinese financial threat and even if we had to bend a few human rights rules to begin with, it would be worth it.

How very Orwellian of you. It would probably work. :)

[RichK]

For those of you having a cow over this, you do know that Google censored Abu Gharib images in the USA, don't you?

[racer2c]

For those of you having a cow over this, you do know that Google censored Abu Gharib images in the USA, don't you?

By their own volition or at the request of the US government?

[RichK]

By their own volition or at the request of the US government?

I don't know. I did a Google search ( :laugh: ), and couldn't find an answer!

[eiregosod]

Yes, because of the freedom of choice. You don't have to shop at WalMart if you do not like their practices. Nor do you have to support the companies of those who give WalMart the changed products. But in communist China, where civil rights are still heavily abused, where their journalism is censored, where their television and internet are censored (or at least being watched) the people don't have that choice a non censored paper or tv show or spying on their internet.

American companies are falling all over themselves to get their hands on all that Chinese money, overlooking the fact that China is still one of the biggest violators of civil rights in the world dispite the fact that they are trying their hardest to become an economic super power as quickly as they can.

Two weeks ago Google was in the news because they told the US government to kiss off when they asked if they could have Google log files so they could track potential terroist by what they were searching for. Google said they had a motto of "Do No Evil". Well, in my opinion, this week they did.


I read (can't remember where, it might have been on another forum) that google didnt want to screw with their revenue system. I guess that China is going to be another revenue avenue for them.

As for Wal*Mart. In some areas the only shop is the Wal*mart. What's being sold are packages (ammended if necessary) that suit of the tastes of the Walton family. Its probably a moot point because the RIAA probably bargained away the artists' rights for a couple of bucks.

[cameraman]

Two weeks ago Google was in the news because they told the US government to kiss off when they asked if they could have Google log files so they could track potential terroist by what they were searching for.

The feds were investigating kiddie porn not terrorists

[L1P1]

There aren't many specifics in the article, but I think this is actually, kinda, sorta, positive. It's really similar to how the US has been treating China politically and economically.

Let's be real. No one is going to change China overnight. The mere fact that Google would be useful even after censorship means that there's a heck of a lot more information than would be available than without Google.

I don't think a Tianenmen Square chat room would necessarily be more positive than, say, links to things like Pizza Hut franchise sites.

I think it's a much better thing to 'bring China along', rather than isolating it or nuking it. There are a lot of (relatively) good things happening over there.

[Sean O'Gorman]

I wonder what happens if they Google Spicoli? :confused:

[racer2c]

The feds were investigating kiddie porn not terrorists

The news cast I saw, the day of the story, said terrorist.

[racer2c]

There aren't many specifics in the article, but I think this is actually, kinda, sorta, positive. It's really similar to how the US has been treating China politically and economically.

Let's be real. No one is going to change China overnight. The mere fact that Google would be useful even after censorship means that there's a heck of a lot more information than would be available than without Google.

I don't think a Tianenmen Square chat room would necessarily be more positive than, say, links to things like Pizza Hut franchise sites.

I think it's a much better thing to 'bring China along', rather than isolating it or nuking it. There are a lot of (relatively) good things happening over there.

There are allot of good things happening in China by a proud and wonderful cultural people. Not by their government though.

[eiregosod]

There are allot of good things happening in China by a proud and wonderful cultural people. Not by their government though.

The Chinese people have a culture that is thousands of years old, even older than the bible. To them their culture (culinary, musical & artistic) is totally bitchen , MTV & McDonalds wont work on them (for a few hundred years)

[TravelGal]

Just getting back to this thread. Good points Racer2c. I was looking at it very simplistically. Big daddy says you do this and you get the money. Corporation says okay.

Your point that people have a choice to avoid Big daddy altogether if it's in this country, is a good one. So is the point, made later, than Big daddy may be the only game in town in some places. But it's not the only store in the country. In China, Google will apparently be the only search engine that is not Chinese. :shakehead I think I'll go back to dogpile.

[Ankf00]

The news cast I saw, the day of the story, said terrorist.

spicoli: n.: drunkard hitting slopes w/ ank + andy at own risk. :gomer:

[JLMannin]

The news cast I saw, the day of the story, said terrorist.

Maybe the version of the newscast was censored to appeal to the viewers in your area. :)

[racer2c]

Maybe the version of the newscast was censored to appeal to the viewers in your area. :)

Well I think it was Fox. :)

But what can I say, I find their female anchors hotter than their competition. :cool:

[Racing Truth]

Is Champ Car going to agree to change their product in case the Chinese government finds something wrong with the message i.e. car branding, driver interviews, pit babes etc? If so, then in my opinion, no.

As a freedom loving capitalist living in the worlds biggest and richest and freest capilalist society, I don't have much empathy for Communism. Be it an emerging super power like China, or a third world postage stamp rebellion in central America. Communism sucks. Just ask the Russians.

FYI: China gas long since moved away from pure Communism. Deng Xiaoping knew they had to stray from Marxist/Maoist ideology. Is it still despotic? Absolutely. Communist? No.

I'm uncomfortable w/ this too, but there's no US law against it, and from a heartless capitalist POV, it makes sense.