Google's censored Chinese search engine: a catalogue of ethical violations?

Post by smallnamespace » Mon, Aug 13, 2018, 2:38 AM UTC

lx3459683 wrote: post #39

topmonk wrote: post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Aren't you asking Western companies to take a stand, in place of yourself? Even if your moral position is correct, there should be a law made in the USA to do what you're talking about. Otherwise, less well known companies would be able to scoot under the radar, while more prominent ones would be taken down. So, to be fair, the onus is on you to stand up for what you believe in and campaign and vote for the ideas you…

Parent's action or inaction regarding this matter makes zero difference to the subject at hand. You've attacked the parent post without actually refuting a single thing it contained. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whataboutism

Post by geodel » Mon, Aug 13, 2018, 2:42 AM UTC

topmonk wrote: post #29

xiii1408 wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

No. It's not fair to justify building the machinery of a totalitarian state as simply "abiding by local laws and regulations." Not when the consequences involve clear violations of human rights. You don't have to look far to see how bad things have gotten recently in China, from abductions of booksellers in Hong Kong to an activist being carted away literally during a phone interview with Voice of America. When Weste…

Aren't you asking Western companies to take a stand, in place of yourself? Even if your moral position is correct, there should be a law made in the USA to do what you're talking about. Otherwise, less well known companies would be able to scoot under the radar, while more prominent ones would be taken down. So, to be fair, the onus is on you to stand up for what you believe in and campaign and vote for the ideas you…

Post by RamshackleJ » Mon, Aug 13, 2018, 2:52 AM UTC

Post by vertline2 » Mon, Aug 13, 2018, 2:55 AM UTC

geodel wrote: post #53

topmonk wrote: post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Aren't you asking Western companies to take a stand, in place of yourself? Even if your moral position is correct, there should be a law made in the USA to do what you're talking about. Otherwise, less well known companies would be able to scoot under the radar, while more prominent ones would be taken down. So, to be fair, the onus is on you to stand up for what you believe in and campaign and vote for the ideas you…

You are right. Nissim Taleb describe as no skin in the game. I see it especially strong when all ethical concerns about Google/FB etc disappear while discussing huge salaries, bonus and stocks.

Post by int_19h » Mon, Aug 13, 2018, 2:58 AM UTC

Leary wrote: post #21

c3534l wrote: post #2

It's really unfortunate that abiding by local laws and regulations is considered unethical. But even if we assume that there is no legal way for a company to operate ethically in China, is the world meant to close our borders to them entirely? 20% of the planet lives there and we do business with China every day when we buy something manufactured there, but do not feel morally required to boycott them on account of t…

Google's situation is similar to many American authors' experience when confronted with the choice of 1) not publishing in China. and 2) publishing a censored version of their book. The decision is not an easy one, even for those who support freedom of information. Those who deem Google's actions unethical often fail to realize that without Google or foreign books, Chinese internet users and readers will have less ac…