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> But it's not like they're shooting people for dissent - the process is roughly: deleting posts, threats, contacting family / employers, eventually maybe house
by fineman 11y ago
> But it's not like they're shooting people for dissent - the process is roughly: deleting posts, threats, contacting family / employers, eventually maybe house arrest, fines, prison, etc.
Wow. Also, they do shoot people for dissent. Those who aren't cowed or jailed.
> they've got a lot of problems, and free speech isn't the biggest one.
Not the biggest, but one of the most central. You can't agitate for anything you need if speaking out is forbidden, and you can't organize if you're being monitored.
> Revolutions are expensive. It's a crap-shot whether you get real reforms, or a new strong-man (think Putin).
Very true.
- rakoo 11y ago> You can't agitate for anything you need if speaking out is forbidden, and you can't organize if you're being monitored. You actually can complain about anything as long as it doesn't challenge the position of the CCP as the only government possible.
- caskance 11y agoAgitating for any reason is stupid if the current powers that be are already doing all they can to fix the issues you yourself prioritize highest.
- fineman 11y agoThere are seven billion people and maybe 200 'powers'. What's the chance any, let alone yours is doing the exact thing, in the exact way, that you prioritize highest? Also, agitation is what we call speech we don't like. If we do, it's lobbying, or raising awareness, etc. The test of a society is if speech is allowed (not forbidden) even if the powers-that-be consider it agitation.