Bill Thompson from the BBC on Google in China:
"Forgive me if I refuse to go along with the knee-jerk consensus on this one.
"Millions of people may now be turning away from Google in disgust, but I've just reinstated them as the default search for my Firefox toolbar, because I think it should be supported for its brave decision.
"Even if the primary motivation for going into China is that it makes commercial sense for the company - as indeed it must do, since US law is quite harsh on boards that take actions which could damage shareholder value - it also makes political sense.
"Supporters of free speech and open societies should be supporting Google rather than lambasting it.
"But if we in the West, with our liberal political culture and our attempts to build open societies, do not engage with China then we lose the opportunity to influence them and convince them of the benefits that this brings. If the Chinese government fears instability then we should offer help and advice and support, not closed borders and locked doors."
Finally, someone who is using their head on this one. This is precisely what I've been saying all along.
Indeed, technology can only open a society, no matter current compromises.
Posted by: SentoSoft | April 30, 2006 at 11:45 AM