> which bogs down the overall discussion and generates more heat than light. An argument can also be made how it adds context, to properly frame these actions

> which bogs down the overall discussion and generates more heat than light. An argument can also be made how it adds context, to properly frame these actions in the reality we live in. Insisting on looking at this in total isolation, like it's this thing that only happens in that one particular place, completely belittles how and why these practices become established and normalized in the first place. Because state organized suppression of perceived political dissidence is not unique to China, it has a long history all over the globe and takes many different forms to this day [0]. Recognizing and acknowledging that is a much more fitting approach to Hacker News than going; "This is a submission about China, only talking badly about China allowed in here!", which only results in the same kind of "circle jerk" discussions that already dominate too much of Reddit. [0] https://theintercept.com/2021/05/25/oracle-social-media-surveillance-protests-endeca/ https://theintercept.com/2021/05/25/oracle-social-media-surv...