Well, we had our
five-minute moment of indignation after Google decided to join the Chinese censors. Now, with
the
help of Rebecca MacKinnon,
we look for some light in these dark days. Indeed, unlike its competition,
Google tells its users that they are being censored. So you know you have to
look for other ways. As long as authorities do not push you into localized servers
(as they do in other parts of the world), many Chinese users would end up in
Google's global search engine anyway.
It looks like Google is not putting up any content at its China servers that
is potentially forcing them into teaming up with China's judicial
authorities, like Gmail or Blogger.com for e-mail and blogging services. That
would be an important lesson learned from Yahoo!
In the end, a typical Chinese compromise may have been found. The censors
can turn to their bosses and claim another victory over a U.S. company. And
the Chinese users have enough possibilities to go around this highly
symbolic barrier. But we do have to watch what is really happening.
Update: Bingfeng Teahouse
introduces the "
Axis of 'minor' evil."
