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What's the difference between choice A and choice B? It seems there is no difference. Let's move onto the next logical argument. If the argument is that someone

What's the difference between choice A and choice B? It seems there is no difference. Let's move onto the next logical argument. If the argument is that someone else will do it if we don't then do morals and values ever come into play? This is one reason why export controls on technology are important. The corporations don't mind helping oppressive governments lock up dissidents.

vasilipupkin 8y ago
choice A is for google not to build a Chinese engine and for Chinese to use censored versions of locally built search engines. Choice B is for them to have a choice of local search engines and a google search engine ( all censored ). Seems to me from moral point of view, Chinese are better off under B and so I don't see why it's wrong for google to go with B
- maemilius 8y ago
  If there was some way to ensure that this never got bigger than China, I doubt there would be as much opposition. The problem arises when you ask the question "Who, next?" Who, next, wants all of Google's information about people in their country turned over to them? As much as we in the US talk about out government compelling companies to turn over data, those companies _do_ have a say in what they will or can turn over and our government has some burden of proof that they need it. In China, based on my understanding, they have no choice, no say. If the question was just "is this better for the Chinese?", I think I would agree with you. This _is_ better for the Chinese. The problem is that this raises the question of "where does this lead?" I don't think it leads anywhere good and, clearly, I'm not alone in that assessment.
  - atomical 8y ago
    > If there was some way to ensure that this never got bigger than China, I doubt there would be as much opposition. Are you saying US companies should get one moral lapse for free? > This _is_ better for the Chinese. Neither you or the parent poster have indicated why it's better. You've described it as exactly the same as local search options. Is Google magical or what? Can the Chinese not make a search engine? Is it beyond them?
- atomical 8y ago
  How are they better off again?

vasilipupkin 8y ago

choice A is for google not to build a Chinese engine and for Chinese to use censored versions of locally built search engines. Choice B is for them to have a choice of local search engines and a google search engine ( all censored ). Seems to me from moral point of view, Chinese are better off under B and so I don't see why it's wrong for google to go with B

maemilius 8y ago
If there was some way to ensure that this never got bigger than China, I doubt there would be as much opposition. The problem arises when you ask the question "Who, next?" Who, next, wants all of Google's information about people in their country turned over to them? As much as we in the US talk about out government compelling companies to turn over data, those companies _do_ have a say in what they will or can turn over and our government has some burden of proof that they need it. In China, based on my understanding, they have no choice, no say. If the question was just "is this better for the Chinese?", I think I would agree with you. This _is_ better for the Chinese. The problem is that this raises the question of "where does this lead?" I don't think it leads anywhere good and, clearly, I'm not alone in that assessment.
- atomical 8y ago
  > If there was some way to ensure that this never got bigger than China, I doubt there would be as much opposition. Are you saying US companies should get one moral lapse for free? > This _is_ better for the Chinese. Neither you or the parent poster have indicated why it's better. You've described it as exactly the same as local search options. Is Google magical or what? Can the Chinese not make a search engine? Is it beyond them?
atomical 8y ago
How are they better off again?