The growing rub between the powers that be within China's government and its citizens' taste for information accessed via the internet is very interesting to me. Unsurprisingly, it appears that aspects of human nature related to curiosity and the desire to learn and explore are impelling the people of China to immerse themselves in the ocean of information provided by the internet. Their government's attempts to stymie the same do not appear to be well received.
- NY Times article, "Great Firewall of China Faces Online Rebels", Feb. 3, 2008; "The mounting resentment has inspired a wave of increasingly determined social resistance of a kind that is uncommon in China."
My father foresees an eventual fall of those currently in power in China, not unlike that experienced in France during the French Revolution, based at least in part upon similar social and political factors. However, given the vast resources (seemingly endless) available to those currently in power in China, and crediting the same with possessing at least some modicum of intelligence and commonsense (at least more than the current President of the U.S., who I believe has proven himself predominantly incompetent with respect to his presidential responsibilities; I thank goodness his presidential career is coming to an end), I believe there is still time for them to awaken to the realities of the age we live in. The communications revolution is over. Information won. The people have awoken to a world of virtually endless information. The old rationalizations simply can not squash the newly born curiosity which is focused on exploring such information. The manipulated logic falls short, and even the powers that be must recognize this. How could they not? So far, unfortunately, they continue to impose their repressive agenda:
- "Chinese Dissident Writer Sentenced" - Associated Press, Feb. 5, 2008; ...
the crackdown on the outspoken
-Are the means adopted effective in silencing the voice that spoke of things the Chinese government did not want the world to hear? No. If anything, it appears to have amplified the message, tapping into an exponentially larger audience. Are they making an example, or a martyr of Mr. Hu?
- on a side-note, are the reported demands made by the U.S. and European Parliament (EP) for the release of Mr. Hu backed by any substantive means of persuasion and/or influence?
- Overarching questions pertaining to the rights, if any, of the people of China are numerous.
- It appears that the Chinese government is voluntarily hurtling itself down a slippery slope. How many generations shall pass before the people cease to permit the government the unfettered reign to continue abusing its paternalistic privilege? As may be implied from the previous question, I do believe that the current means of perpetuating the old regime must eventually fail. I am told that the culture of China is heavily paternalistic. But the benevolence and nurturing elements inherent in this term seem long absent when examples such as Mr. Hu are examined.
My work beckons, so I must desist from exploring any of the many potential topics or tangents opened or hinted at by the musings above, for now. :)
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
China In Need
opportunity to nurture positive relationships with the people of China.
An immediate opportunity - aid for disaster relief.
NY Times article, "Cold Chinese Grow Angry Over Lack of Preparation", Feb. 4, 2008; "One of the worst-hit areas for power has been Chenzhou, a city of four million in Hunan Province, where many have lacked water, electricity, heating or commercial food supplies for 10 days."
It strikes me as a no-brainer: Besides being a moral imperative, a substantive offer of aid from the U.S. to The PRC of supplies, logistical planning/implementation, funding, among other things might do well to improve and/or establish relations on a variety of levels. The PRC may, of course, not be in need of such things over the spread of time, but apparently moments can arise which overwhelm even those perceived to stand among the mightiest. Would a sincere offer of such aid be accepted, or at least appreciated? I believe so. In any event, I believe that whenever aid may be provided, it absolutely an opportunity to do so, and it should be treated as such. Wasted opportunity is regretful, to say the least. I believe mutually shared good-will toward mankind is a realizable end.
An immediate opportunity - aid for disaster relief.
NY Times article, "Cold Chinese Grow Angry Over Lack of Preparation", Feb. 4, 2008; "One of the worst-hit areas for power has been Chenzhou, a city of four million in Hunan Province, where many have lacked water, electricity, heating or commercial food supplies for 10 days."
It strikes me as a no-brainer: Besides being a moral imperative, a substantive offer of aid from the U.S. to The PRC of supplies, logistical planning/implementation, funding, among other things might do well to improve and/or establish relations on a variety of levels. The PRC may, of course, not be in need of such things over the spread of time, but apparently moments can arise which overwhelm even those perceived to stand among the mightiest. Would a sincere offer of such aid be accepted, or at least appreciated? I believe so. In any event, I believe that whenever aid may be provided, it absolutely an opportunity to do so, and it should be treated as such. Wasted opportunity is regretful, to say the least. I believe mutually shared good-will toward mankind is a realizable end.
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