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Is China Evil? I think we always approach news like this with the concept that it is, indeed, evil. Especially when it concerns censorship, which us in the de

by Navarr 8y ago

Is China Evil? I think we always approach news like this with the concept that it is, indeed, evil. Especially when it concerns censorship, which us in the democratic world view as paramount to freedom. I'm not convinced that China is outright evil. I think they're just taking a different approach. Speech can do good, and it can do very bad (as we've seen in the information age - people are increasingly prone to believing falsehoods). While I don't agree with China's approach to speech, I can't say that they're straight out evil b/c of it. For those that might reply, I do know that they've done terrible things - and you have to admit - our country has too.

newaccoutnas 8y ago
I think their re-education centres are evil, so by that extension, yes.
byteofprash 8y ago
> I'm not convinced that China is outright evil. I think they're just taking a different approach. How about apply the same logic to hate speech, racism and dictatorship. Sure, everything can be termed as "different approach", but there is a certain global world view that defines or normalizes what is considered evil and what is not. In today's world, refusing people their freedom to express their opinion is normally considered evil. Let's not mix democracy and freedom of expression. There are ample examples of bad functioning democracies(governmental systems) which have granted their citizens with good freedom of self expression. I'm rather appalled to see how Chinese government gets away with it's treatment of it's 1.3 billion population, while other semi dictatorial nations often earn a bad reputation. Probably now that China is rich and powerful, all their actions will be forgiven, and their actions be considered as a "different approach" to the mainstream opinion. China's one child policy, it's treatment of minorities, and it's censorship are evil in my opinion/world view.
duxup 8y ago
If you ban Winnie the Pooh because you don't like a meme... I think it is pretty close their approach to speech is purely about self interest for those in power.
- Navarr 8y ago
  When money is considered speech in America, Then isn't speech purely about self interest for those in power? My thought is that we have the same problems with entirely different approaches I don't think they're any more "bad" than when are at this point, and corporations are just trying to do their job at this point
  - duxup 8y ago
    I think there is a dramatic difference in money being speech, and the government feeling the need to shut down Winnie the Pooh. I still have speech even if money talks too.... There is no free speech if Winnie the Pooh is where a government draws the line... and I think it is disingenuous to claim that money is speech in America, is that implying it's not in China? Those in power in the government certainly work to enrich themselves. Money is a motivator there too.
  - teknologist 8y ago
    It's better to have some speech than no speech Cut out the whataboutism
Proven 8y ago
Which government isn't evil? Don't they all use coercion and physical force to obtain what they want, including limit or ban non-violent free speech?

by Navarr 8y ago

newaccoutnas 8y ago

I think their re-education centres are evil, so by that extension, yes.

byteofprash 8y ago

> I'm not convinced that China is outright evil. I think they're just taking a different approach. How about apply the same logic to hate speech, racism and dictatorship. Sure, everything can be termed as "different approach", but there is a certain global world view that defines or normalizes what is considered evil and what is not. In today's world, refusing people their freedom to express their opinion is normally considered evil. Let's not mix democracy and freedom of expression. There are ample examples of bad functioning democracies(governmental systems) which have granted their citizens with good freedom of self expression. I'm rather appalled to see how Chinese government gets away with it's treatment of it's 1.3 billion population, while other semi dictatorial nations often earn a bad reputation. Probably now that China is rich and powerful, all their actions will be forgiven, and their actions be considered as a "different approach" to the mainstream opinion. China's one child policy, it's treatment of minorities, and it's censorship are evil in my opinion/world view.

duxup 8y ago

If you ban Winnie the Pooh because you don't like a meme... I think it is pretty close their approach to speech is purely about self interest for those in power.

Navarr 8y ago
When money is considered speech in America, Then isn't speech purely about self interest for those in power? My thought is that we have the same problems with entirely different approaches I don't think they're any more "bad" than when are at this point, and corporations are just trying to do their job at this point
- duxup 8y ago
  I think there is a dramatic difference in money being speech, and the government feeling the need to shut down Winnie the Pooh. I still have speech even if money talks too.... There is no free speech if Winnie the Pooh is where a government draws the line... and I think it is disingenuous to claim that money is speech in America, is that implying it's not in China? Those in power in the government certainly work to enrich themselves. Money is a motivator there too.
- teknologist 8y ago
  It's better to have some speech than no speech Cut out the whataboutism

Proven 8y ago

Which government isn't evil? Don't they all use coercion and physical force to obtain what they want, including limit or ban non-violent free speech?