Pictures worth a Thousand Yuan
The blogosphere has been abuzz of late about Google’s apparent caving in to the Chinese government’s request that they censor their search results. I’m of mixed feelings about this. Being radically moderate and having spent time in China, I think it’s silly to have a binary view of how things should be done there. (Though I’ve always thought Google’s “Don’t Be Evil” stance was a bit pompous and destined to fail.)
That said, I had a very visceral reaction when I came across the links below on a Slashdot thread.
Here’s a Google image search of “tianenman” as in Tianenman Square: http://images.google.com/images?q=tiananmen
Here’s that same search on Google’s Chinese site: http://images.google.cn/images?q=tiananmen
Where did the tanks go?
January 31st, 2006 at 1:12 pm
I agree, its certainly not a black and whilte thing. I’m sure Google’s share holders aren’t fighting this. Besides where do you draw the line? Are all these Google bashers going to boycott Chinese goods? I don’t think so, they wouldn’t have anything to buy. In the long run it will all sort itself out. dt
January 31st, 2006 at 3:43 pm
David, I agree. In general I believe that engagement is better than non-engagement. China in 1975 - pre-Deng Xiaoping reforms - was much more dangerous to the West (and repressive to its people) than they are now after tasting some (if not all) of the fruits of Western style freedom. Google’s mistake was to make a big deal about the “Don’t be evil” thing in a world that is not black and white.
On the other hand, I also am glad critics are willing to make a big deal about it. Sustained pressure over a long period is essential to continue nudging China in the right direction. (That goes both ways. The US is rightly criticized for some of its behavior and sometimes, grudgingly, changes.)