Most people have heard about the extensive filtering done in China of certain content. What you may not know is how extensive it is. Many multinational companies have either ad to consent to filter content or lose the huge market in China. The government censors everything from search engine results, instant message conversations, emails, text messages, and more. Just about everything sent or posted in an electronic format is censored.
Other than the major business implications of this censorship, one should realize how much this effects the daily life of a Chinese citizen. For example, phrases such as "Falun Gong" and "Dalai Lama" are filtered out of conversations. Falun Gong is a spiritual discipline, but is seen as a threat to the Communist party and so is forbidden from electronic discussion.
Maybe this is the American in me, but when the government is taking over your basic rights such as practice or discussion of beliefs, it is time to rebel. How much government oppression is necessary before the people grow tired? What do you think should be done about the Great Firewall, if anything?
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