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I don't see the Great Wall of China as inherently evil. I don't think Chinese people would benefit if we (the west) had free reign to impose all our extreme cap

I don't see the Great Wall of China as inherently evil. I don't think Chinese people would benefit if we (the west) had free reign to impose all our extreme capitalist beliefs on them. Maybe they are not ready for it. It's arrogant for us to believe that we are on the 'free' side of the firewall. I don't see how one side is more free than the other - Both sides are subjected to constant brainwashing by various media - Be it at the hands of a suppressive government or those of greedy corporations.

alleycat 11y ago
Capitalist beliefs? They're just as capitalist as us, even more so these days (especially in Western Europe).
- jondubois 11y ago
  I am aware of this effect (my wife is Russian) but I would still argue that they are not capitalist in the same way that we are (though they do come across as hyper-capitalist on a superficial level - As in; they are big consumers and they like to show off their social status). One thing that really surprised me about Russian and Chinese people though is how well they take care of their friends and family (for example, they are often very willing to share their money to help each other) and how genuine they are compared to westerners. I know it's a big generalization but it's something I noticed.
  - fridsun 11y ago
    It's not the case that capitalist culture doesn't care about people. Some of the best charities and NGO's originated in the US and Europe, while in China these can only be sporadic (as in friends and family form) or government-directed. You just know not enough Chinese to meet one who treats family bad. I am lucky I have a good family, but of the families I have met, few are on par with mine. Genuity? Are you talking about the largest counterfeit producer in the world? Once the largest intellectual property infringer in the world? Where news articles have no reference links at all? People are similarly nice to whom they know and love. It is how they treat strangers that distinguishes.
Qualman 11y ago
The difference is, we in The West have the right to choose what to consume, or be "brainwashed" by, and China's government chooses for them. Which would you prefer?
rndmind 11y ago
This is a very unique and insightful way to look at it. Absolutely the GFW of china is a huge way to block outside cultural influence ( manipulation and many other unwanted foreign influences ) With that said, I'm of the radical belief that no internet communication should be blocked, inspected, or analyzed etc... but thanks for such a piquant response.

alleycat 11y ago

Capitalist beliefs? They're just as capitalist as us, even more so these days (especially in Western Europe).

jondubois 11y ago
I am aware of this effect (my wife is Russian) but I would still argue that they are not capitalist in the same way that we are (though they do come across as hyper-capitalist on a superficial level - As in; they are big consumers and they like to show off their social status). One thing that really surprised me about Russian and Chinese people though is how well they take care of their friends and family (for example, they are often very willing to share their money to help each other) and how genuine they are compared to westerners. I know it's a big generalization but it's something I noticed.
- fridsun 11y ago
  It's not the case that capitalist culture doesn't care about people. Some of the best charities and NGO's originated in the US and Europe, while in China these can only be sporadic (as in friends and family form) or government-directed. You just know not enough Chinese to meet one who treats family bad. I am lucky I have a good family, but of the families I have met, few are on par with mine. Genuity? Are you talking about the largest counterfeit producer in the world? Once the largest intellectual property infringer in the world? Where news articles have no reference links at all? People are similarly nice to whom they know and love. It is how they treat strangers that distinguishes.

Qualman 11y ago

The difference is, we in The West have the right to choose what to consume, or be "brainwashed" by, and China's government chooses for them. Which would you prefer?

rndmind 11y ago

This is a very unique and insightful way to look at it. Absolutely the GFW of china is a huge way to block outside cultural influence ( manipulation and many other unwanted foreign influences ) With that said, I'm of the radical belief that no internet communication should be blocked, inspected, or analyzed etc... but thanks for such a piquant response.