Still Good in Google.cn?
I’m not sure what my stance is on the recent news that Google is bowing to the oppresive Great Firewall of China; or how I feel about the backlash that Google is getting as a result of their business decision.
Like:
Among others…
My biggest hangup, is the argument that the internet is a form of free speech. (That argument, is too United-States-centric for me.)
When I was a fledgling user, first venturing on the net; I observed a simillar argument (from some rather mundane people), the subject was the obnoxious language an obnoxious script-kiddy-flame-dweeb was using.
When challenged to stop, the FlameDweeb said, “Its a free country.”
Then I had to join the converstaion:
- FlameDweeb: You can’t tell me what to do, Its a free country!
Me: Which country are you talking about?
FD: The F#$&ing United States of America, Moron
Me: When did they own the “World Wide” Web?
FD: … [This was already above his head, so he left the conversation]
Me: Your Freedom of Speech is something established by the United States Constitution. That document does not apply to a global stage as the World Wide Web; at best, the property rights of the owner of the server are the only “natural law” of the land here (And that isn’t you)
Granted, I was a snotnosed University Student with too much education/time on his hands, and I had no real-world experience at the time. The biggest hangup for the FlameDweeb was that he couldn’t grasp the idea of a society where there is no freedom of speech, press, whathaveyou.
China is that example.
I’m making the same argument in the Google.cn story. Your Freedom of Speech/expression does not apply on a global scale. (And you have to respect that) You don’t have to like it, but you have to respect it.
Google is not the first United States corportation to bow to the Great Firewall of China. Microsoft has already done so; in the form of web-services, hardware, and software.
And what did Google actually do?
It set up a special page (a dot-c-n for that matter) which filters information as directed by a soverign nation.
Yes, in our society in the United States, this is an attrocity. But does Google have much of a choice? (aside from giving up China as a user base?)
Talk to Wal-Mart and all the retailers who use “Made In China” merchandise as well.
No, I don’t like the idea of the Great Firewall of China, and I’ve talked about it about many times before. But I still have to respect it.
I do respect Google for attempting to get into the Chinese information market, though.
What I don’t see anyone talking about is the infomation that Google will allow its Chinese users acess to, which it didn’t have before…
I agree that Google and others in China can only benefit the world stage. One step at a time works better than no steps.
Comment by Dad — January 27, 2006 @ 8:08:16 AM
Thank you, Jeremy. A voice of calm reason and careful consideration, of acknowledging some basic facts, as well as and regardless of the emotional issues on both sides of those facts, is greatly appreciated.
Google is not doing anything our own current administration isn’t doing, is it? (As far as doing business with China while agreeing to not meddle with the way things are done there, for the most part?) Not to say that this excuses what’s going on at all; just to acknowledge the inconsistency of what is perhaps convenient pick-and-choose activism.
I distrust furor. It’s too stylish.
Comment by Cindy — January 27, 2006 @ 9:09:14 AM
You can’t tell me what to think Jeremy!! It’s a free f&$*ing country!!
Comment by Cisco — January 27, 2006 @ 11:21:22 AM
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Pingback by Everyday Thoughts Collected » Blog Archive » Google - Bye bye — January 27, 2006 @ 1:01:52 PM
But seriously, Cisco, What do you think of all this stuff with Google and China?
Comment by Jeremy — January 27, 2006 @ 3:43:24 PM
Well of course I don’t like that this was the only way for Google to do business in China. Clearly a “my way or the highway” attitude was not going to gain them anything. So the only other option was not to have useable access to Google in China. Morally it is a viable option (from a western perspective), but still questionable. It’s the whole “Uncle Tom” question, right? Work at change from the inside or stand firm in an all-or-nothing bid. Certainly worth debate. But Google is a business, not an agent of social change (at least not primarily). So it is the best business decision for them to compromise… unless Google loses more business from protests in the US than they would gain from having access in China. Good luck to you Mr. Google-dot-cn-protester.
Another thing I don’t understand about protests and boycotts against Google on this issue: Are these same people protesting the U.S. governement for trading with China while they continue to violate [the western definition of] human rights? Isn’t China the problem here, not Google?
So yes, yet again I agree with you Jeremy. And it has me a little worried.
Comment by Cisco — January 27, 2006 @ 5:12:18 PM
While it is unfortunate that China has chosen to limit Google, I don’t think that it was bad for Google to take the opportunity. It’s a foot in the door. And I totally agree with Cisco, Google is not an agent of social change. Maybe they can have a positive influence through their limited business and start some change none the less.
But of course, the real question is is JeremyGilby-dot-com still good in Djibudi?
Comment by Chan — January 28, 2006 @ 6:08:37 PM
Nice site!
Comment by Nice — February 14, 2006 @ 2:56:57 AM