4 ms·

I guess an argument to make in Dragonfly's favor is that if we leave it up to the government an even more draconian solution will be given to the Chinese people

by yters 8y ago

I guess an argument to make in Dragonfly's favor is that if we leave it up to the government an even more draconian solution will be given to the Chinese people. Google offering their product gives them the opportunity to provide more information access than the people would otherwise get. There is only so much that can be censored, after all, and perhaps the massive information access will overwhelm any possible attempt at censorship.

atomical 8y ago
This argument is repeated over and over again as if Google is magical and the Chinese government is incompetent. Technogy does not create democracies and free societies. China's belt and road project is going to create further economic freedom. Western values aren't needed when you have job opportunities, can send your kids to great schools, take a vacation, and buy a nice house.
- yters 8y ago
  Where did China get the ability to do all those things?
forgottenpass 8y ago
>if we leave it up to the government an even more draconian solution will be given to the Chinese people Nice narrative crafting. I could just as easily say "if Google comes in, their well-known software prowess will add efficiency and intrusiveness to the government's draconian powers." > There is only so much that can be censored, after all, and perhaps the massive information access will overwhelm any possible attempt at censorship. The existing great firewall doesn't work because it's perfect. It works because it targets low-hanging fruit, gets better over time and scare most everyday people into conformity.
- yters 8y ago
  Yes, yours is a good counter argument. I was trying to think of a possible benefit to Dragonfly that might be in the subtext of this memo. If my argument is correct, of course they won't write a memo that just comes out and says, "this way we can help the Chinese have more freedom," but instead would frame it as "greater access to information."
  - deleted 8y ago
    [deleted]

by yters 8y ago

atomical 8y ago

This argument is repeated over and over again as if Google is magical and the Chinese government is incompetent. Technogy does not create democracies and free societies. China's belt and road project is going to create further economic freedom. Western values aren't needed when you have job opportunities, can send your kids to great schools, take a vacation, and buy a nice house.

yters 8y ago
Where did China get the ability to do all those things?

forgottenpass 8y ago

>if we leave it up to the government an even more draconian solution will be given to the Chinese people Nice narrative crafting. I could just as easily say "if Google comes in, their well-known software prowess will add efficiency and intrusiveness to the government's draconian powers." > There is only so much that can be censored, after all, and perhaps the massive information access will overwhelm any possible attempt at censorship. The existing great firewall doesn't work because it's perfect. It works because it targets low-hanging fruit, gets better over time and scare most everyday people into conformity.

yters 8y ago
Yes, yours is a good counter argument. I was trying to think of a possible benefit to Dragonfly that might be in the subtext of this memo. If my argument is correct, of course they won't write a memo that just comes out and says, "this way we can help the Chinese have more freedom," but instead would frame it as "greater access to information."
- deleted 8y ago
  [deleted]