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The mechanics of the attack are entirely within the realm of sanctioned internet behavior Not sure what you mean by "sanctioned" here. Technically possible? Ye

The mechanics of the attack are entirely within the realm of sanctioned internet behavior Not sure what you mean by "sanctioned" here. Technically possible? Yes. But also abusing and perverting the most important medium of our age. The internet largely works BECAUSE of trust and cooperation and BECAUSE actors chose to not fuck with each other. If China truly is behind this I have half a mind to just cut them entirely out, except in a way that is exactly what they want and figuring out how to maintain the positive effects of said internet on democracy and free speech is worth the trouble.

brudgers 12y ago
The web is built to permit any website to load arbitrary javascript on a person's browser for whatever use that website chooses. It is also built to permit any website from loading arbitrary tracking technology for whatever purpose the website chooses, but 中华人民共和国 is not really interested in that. There is significant evidence that the US, UK, and other state actors are fucking with people. That it is not in the same way 中华人民共和国 is is a relevant fact to some people and hair splitting to others. Likewise the trend in 中华人民共和国 toward greater democracy and in the US, UK and other nation states toward greater oligarchy is a relevant fact to some and hair splitting to others. Free speech and democracy only exit so long as the sovereign believes they will keep the peace. The US, UK and other sovereigns willingly restrict free speech in favor of intellectual property interests in recent days. They have always been willing to curtail the trappings of popular sovereignty to keep the peace. That's the social contract. The internet has grown where and in directions that coincide with the interests of sovereigns. Sometimes that means acceding to popular demand. Sometimes it doesnt (e.g. Napster).

brudgers 12y ago

The web is built to permit any website to load arbitrary javascript on a person's browser for whatever use that website chooses. It is also built to permit any website from loading arbitrary tracking technology for whatever purpose the website chooses, but 中华人民共和国 is not really interested in that. There is significant evidence that the US, UK, and other state actors are fucking with people. That it is not in the same way 中华人民共和国 is is a relevant fact to some people and hair splitting to others. Likewise the trend in 中华人民共和国 toward greater democracy and in the US, UK and other nation states toward greater oligarchy is a relevant fact to some and hair splitting to others. Free speech and democracy only exit so long as the sovereign believes they will keep the peace. The US, UK and other sovereigns willingly restrict free speech in favor of intellectual property interests in recent days. They have always been willing to curtail the trappings of popular sovereignty to keep the peace. That's the social contract. The internet has grown where and in directions that coincide with the interests of sovereigns. Sometimes that means acceding to popular demand. Sometimes it doesnt (e.g. Napster).