Crouching Google, Hidden China

Google wishing a Happy Independence Day – July 4, 2004

If you have not been following the jabs between China and Google, let me recommend you take a look:  China thwarts Google's detour around censorship

China is doing its best to protect its citizens from culturally demeaning sites that depict such evils as pronography and liberty.  Google, on the other hand, has decided to return to its informal motto, "Don't Be Evil."  Evil in this case being assisting China in its attempts to darken China from the sunshine of open discussion and free flow of information.

Google Logo commemorating Dragon Boat Festival, China- June 15, 2002

How long will this battle last?  Being cut off from China is a fiscal disaster for Google's future earnings.  So far it only stings, but as Chinese markets increase, Google might start profuse bleeding.  Will Goole hold to its ideals, or sucumb to bottom line readings?  Time will tell.

The aspect of this confrontation that will help Google, although slowly and at a measureable cost, is the awareness that is growing among Chinese people of the information that is being kept from them.  The Chinese people have tasted a bit of capitalism, a bit of relaxed liberty, and that taste has whetted their souls' appetites for a bit more of both.  Kind of like the old song's lyrics, "How ya gonna keep 'em down on the farm, once they've seen Paree?"  (Click Here for Lyrics)

Time will tell how this all ends, will liberty win out because of Google's strong stance against strict Chinese censorship laws, or will money win out so that Google can grow along with China's burgeoning economy?  I suspect it will be a bit of both, but I do hope Google continues leaning toward its "Don't Be Evil" motto in support of those Chinese who would, and have, died in the name of freedom and liberty within their own borders.

By the way, thanks to Google I was able to supply all the links and graphics in this blog and many other blogs I have written.

COMMENTS ADVISORY: Users are solely responsible for opinions they post here; comments do not reflect the views of The Virginian-Pilot or its websites. Users must follow agreed-upon rules: Be civil, be clean, be on topic; don't attack private individuals, other users or classes of people. Read the full rules here.
- Comments are automatically checked for inappropriate language, but readers might find some comments offensive or inaccurate. If you believe a comment violates our rules, click the report violation link below it.