John Battelle has some intensely interesting things to say about Google, Yahoo, Microsoft, AOL, the US Government and their role viz China and free information. Long story short we’re all doing the wrong thing, and the problem goes all the way to the top.

Until the person leading this country values human rights over appeasement, and decides to lead on this issue, we’re never going to make any progress. Congress can call hearings, and beat up Yahoo, Google and the others for doing what everyone else is doing, but in the end, it’s not GYMA’s fault, nor, as much as I wish they’d take it on, is it even their problem. It’s our government’s problem. Since when is China policy somehow the job of private industry?

The article is a great read and rather eloquently addresses the notion that even censored information will be more of a boon to the Chinese people than it is to their oppressive government. This is an important issue. I do hope we get it right sooner rather than later.

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