'A small act is worth a million thoughts'

Before looking into what is happening in China, have a quick glance at the world: Video clips entering into the Internet Censorship Contest (click to view a list of Truth Rising Trailers - more under 'Research related links') hosted by Alex Jone's PrisonPlanet.com and Infowars.com; also some links collected by Infowars.com; GlobalVoices Advocacy; and the recent case in South Korea (More recent is an investigation. Roboseyo has commented). Although my attention was totally drawn by the insanely severe censorship in China, and recently Iran, I'm thrilled to know that US, UK, Australia and Germany are also fear of the Internet...welcome to the communist world.

The rulling powers are too afraid to judge which one is dangerer, giving in their privilege in watching over us or forcing us to give in our private rights. A result of a much 'ordered' Internet is, according to Infowars.com, 'those who comply with centralized control and regulation of content will be free to enjoy the new super-fast Internet 2, where DVD quality movies can be downloaded in seconds, but at the cost of the Internet losing its role as the last true outpost of freedom of speech.'

Now look closely at China: the Green Dam(n). In the name of blocking pornography material and protecting youths from being affected by such messages, it (definitely) also filters politically disruptive material, all while gathering private user data. It's a software installed on PERSONAL COMPUTERS. Never have I heard of such stupid censorship before. It is saying: unplug your internet cable, throw your computer away, come back to stone age. You are safe.

A report found that Internet is not as dangerous for children as many think - I think the Internet is a 'scapegoat' to other 'real world' factors, it's too convenient to blame a media like this. But actually the Internet provides avenues for children to extend social worlds, self-directed learning, and independence, suggests the Digital Youth Research report. Though arguable, the problem of sexual predator caused by pornography Internet messages is not serious as to the extend of blocking every related search result off EVERY (including government, corporation, organization...) PERSONAL COMPUTER. Obviously we are not talking about youth escort here.

And obviously, the primary intention behind the Green Dam(n) Youth Escort is clear.


Chinese Internet Strike Proposed to Protest Censorship Software

Written by Jolie O'Dell / June 23, 2009 5:29 PM / http://www.readwriteweb.com

On July 1, the Chinese government will be rolling out censorship software on every new computer sold in the country. The software, called Green Dam Youth Escort, is intended to block pornography and possibly filter politically disruptive material, all while quietly gathering private user data.

One man in particular is staging a protest against the censorship: He is calling for everyone in China to abandon the Internet on the day the new rule takes effect. According to GlobalPost, Beijing artist and prominent political critic Ai Weiwei wants other Chinese citizens to realize their own power.

"I gave almost no explanation about why I'm doing it," said Weiwei, well known as a cultural revolutionary and investigative blogger, to GlobalPost's correspondent. "I just give the structure and people will fill in their own meaning. I don't want to be political first. I wanted to set up an act that everyone can easily accept, and then realize the power later."

Weiwei has a reputation for being a hugely prolific blogger, generating around 3,000 posts in his first three years of writing online. He also uses Twitter, Chinese microblogging service Fanfou, and other sites to spread the word about freedom of expression and overt criticism of the government in China.

On July 1, he is calling for all of China's 300 million Internet users to completely log off for the day. In the original post, even Ai noted, "Chinese people are very practical. They think 'Oh, what's that going to do?'" He is aware the action he's requesting is huge; however, he feels that even a small gesture of protest will have an impact.

In his own words, "A small act is worth a million thoughts."

Given Westerners' sudden bout of green-tinted solidarity with Iranian protesters, we do wonder if Weiwei's call to action (via online inaction) will spread beyond China...

(emphasis added)
p.s. It is recommended to visit all links above.

2009 Declaration of the Anonymous Netizens (China)

the original Chinese document

How many Internet users are there in China? Ai said 300 million. I'm not sure. According to comScore, the Internet population in China is 179.7 million, ranking top in the world. Another press release by comScore reviewed that China has a growing Internet population at 20% in 2006, among the highest in the world. It is not surprising that it has doubled the number of 2006...86.8 million×1.2⁴=179.988 million