Today's New York Times story on the state of Chinese Websites offers a stark reminder of how successfully the Internet satisifies our most base desires -- and maybe of how powerful a force it can be even in the face of an oppressive government. It has been the half-joke/half-truth everyone used to kid about: That the Internet exists for sharing porn and everything else is simply an added benefit. In China the situation is even more strange, with the government censorsing terms such as "human rights," but failing in its efforts to police the sites devoted to porn, gambling, or more shocking criminal activities.
But does the rapid proliferation of sites such as these suggest that the Chinese government won't always be able to clamp down on other sites--such as those mentioning freedom and democracy? What does this mean for the growth of the Internet in China?
Related Stories: | Topics:Technology, internet + web, China, The New York Times Company, Political Policy, Politics, Human Rights Policy |
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Recent Comments | 3 Total
March 8, 2006 at 9:16pm by molow
Often puzzled at the rate at which ignorance can win over people, identity theft should be the biggest topic for any speaker to worry about not alot of people seem to want help. Can someone on the edge regarding this sort of mishap post a rant. Alot is being done online to curb identity theft and I thank those doing something. The respectable places to be as far as am concerned is away from disrespect. We should talk more about hours spent online playing violent video games, this time can be used to educate or to keep workers at their jobs. You see the confusion and the problem when the net is plagued with spam and viruses and highlighted are problems with running the internet search from this foreign nation (no offense). So what I think should be done is less time on violent games, and more on identity theft, less pollution about china sensoring. Alot more jobs would be there if nobody mentioned the internet, this is only a medium for entertainment or people searching, google has proved that. My point is to leave the ones who do have the way, help the ones with the need for an opportunity give them a chance. I have alot of faith in china and I have alot of faith in the future.
March 10, 2006 at 12:16am by tom
How important is it to have democracy in China, if democracy fails even in the United States? If democracy means to choose the worst out of bad choices (yes, I do refer to US President election), then the US should not try to export its democracy to other parts of the world.
Therefore, it is not relevant to relate the spread of Internet usage in China with democracy.
March 10, 2006 at 9:20am by mahendrakumardash
I was surprised and happy at rceieving some mails from China.Let me explain ,it was on few lotto (promotions one may use if good word),but one can guess well.And here if Govt.cracks down then I believe nothing is bad.Internet has a broader,bigger and nicer concept.Reap the benefits please.In China it is growing as expected ,but more people are into it,discipline will come and code of conduct will also come.