Wednesday, July 20, 2005
Internet censorship
China's Internet censorship, according to the article "Internet Filtering in China, 2004-2005," is sophisticated and extensive, extending across religion, dissent against Communist China, and pornography. While BBC is blocked, American news stations are accessible (which says little for the American news media).
The censorship of the Internet in effect makes citizens stupid. That is, if there is no access to opposing view points, there is no way for Communist supporters to learn to defend and inoculate Communism and China. Not good policy for a movement that sees itself as expanding to bring justice to the entire world.
But then China has a history of supporting policies that make its citizens stupid. Because of the Cultural Revolution, when teachers were beaten and killed, excelling students ostracize, and academic learning in schools stopped, an entire generation of Chinese young people grew up stupid - also brainwashed and unable to support themselves or the advancement of their country, which is an ideal situation if you are more interested in maintaining absolute power over a large citizenry than in furthering a movement of economic and social justice.
The censorship of the Internet in effect makes citizens stupid. That is, if there is no access to opposing view points, there is no way for Communist supporters to learn to defend and inoculate Communism and China. Not good policy for a movement that sees itself as expanding to bring justice to the entire world.
But then China has a history of supporting policies that make its citizens stupid. Because of the Cultural Revolution, when teachers were beaten and killed, excelling students ostracize, and academic learning in schools stopped, an entire generation of Chinese young people grew up stupid - also brainwashed and unable to support themselves or the advancement of their country, which is an ideal situation if you are more interested in maintaining absolute power over a large citizenry than in furthering a movement of economic and social justice.
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I don't know that the censorship of the Internet really makes Chinese citizens stupid. Many of them still seek out opposing viewpoints through other mediums such as text messaging and conversations with friends and family in other countries. Not to mention that if at least some access to American news media sites is allowed, especially CNN and MSNBC, than they aren't completely clueless. The Communist government wants its citizens loyal, and many are. Whether that is the result of the Internet filtering or the culture of China is unclear from the study.
How do you seek out opposing view points from friends and family when no one has any information to base their view points on? American news offers very little depth, and very little info on China.
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