On not being evil

It's never wise to underestimate the cynicism of politicians and businessmen, but two cheers at least to Google, which has threatened to pull out of China unless the People's Republic (what a name!) backs down on its attempts to control internet search. It's pretty clear where the people stand in this dispute, as indicated by the flowers being placed on the Google logo.

The PRC seems to operate on a two-tier system, whereby the masses are heavily restricted and an elite are allowed to go around the restrictions, for example by using proxies and virtual networks. Silencing Google may have the odd result of making it even more influential among the minority with the skill and determination to 'scale the wall'--fanqiang--in reference to censorship's popular name as the Great Firewall of China. Blue skies! -- Dan Ford