"But some analysts say that the behavior of high-tech multinationals ultimately may have less effect on freedom of expression than the changing appetites of 1.3 billion information-hungry consumers in China and the voices of people such as Li and deputy editor Lu Yuegang, who are challenging the system at substantial personal risk."
Absolutely! Censorship and freedom of expression issues in China are not the responsibility of Google and Yahoo - it is up to the Chinese people. What do they want? Is social harmony and stability more important to them than individual expression?
Which makes me wonder - is western freedom of expression necessarily related to moral relativism? Does the individualism of western freedoms create
Saturday, February 18, 2006
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Marching to 2008
Now we have some visual evidence that China is marching forward toward their date with destiny : )
Saturday, February 04, 2006
Anger Over Cartoons of Muhammad Escalates
Wow, I am hearing this interpreted as a clash of civilizations. What does it say about how these civilizations view the world?
The contrast is portrayed in the media I've read as freedom of speech v. religious zeal.
I see more contrast between individualism and collectivism.
Muslims cannot understand how western societies can allow denigrating portrayals of Islam. Westerners look at individual freedom of expression as integral to human rights, and do not believe governments should restrict individuals' freedom of speech, even when it offends. They cannot understand how individuals in collective societies can tolerate censorship.
Could it be that exporting individualism is what the west means by spreading democracy?
And could it be that people in collective cultures are not willing to trade away the security and other benefits they enjoy in their societies for the freedoms of expression that westerners cherish and want them to accept?
"'Neither the Danish government nor the Danish nation as such can be held responsible for drawings published in a Danish newspaper,' Rasmussen said following the meeting with envoys. 'A Danish government can never apologize on behalf of a free and independent newspaper This is basically a dispute between some Muslims and a newspaper.'
The prime minister added there could be 'unpredictable repercussions' if the protests escalate.
The Egyptian ambassador to Denmark, Mona Omar Attiah, indicated that Rasmussen should do more to diffuse passions. 'I want the prime minister to speak with Jyllands-Posten about getting them to give a real apology,' she said after the meeting."
The contrast is portrayed in the media I've read as freedom of speech v. religious zeal.
I see more contrast between individualism and collectivism.
Muslims cannot understand how western societies can allow denigrating portrayals of Islam. Westerners look at individual freedom of expression as integral to human rights, and do not believe governments should restrict individuals' freedom of speech, even when it offends. They cannot understand how individuals in collective societies can tolerate censorship.
Could it be that exporting individualism is what the west means by spreading democracy?
And could it be that people in collective cultures are not willing to trade away the security and other benefits they enjoy in their societies for the freedoms of expression that westerners cherish and want them to accept?
"'Neither the Danish government nor the Danish nation as such can be held responsible for drawings published in a Danish newspaper,' Rasmussen said following the meeting with envoys. 'A Danish government can never apologize on behalf of a free and independent newspaper This is basically a dispute between some Muslims and a newspaper.'
The prime minister added there could be 'unpredictable repercussions' if the protests escalate.
The Egyptian ambassador to Denmark, Mona Omar Attiah, indicated that Rasmussen should do more to diffuse passions. 'I want the prime minister to speak with Jyllands-Posten about getting them to give a real apology,' she said after the meeting."
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