https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFpRItRAZWg
Wednesday, July 8, 2015
Vlog Post #2
Some quick discussion about today's blog posts! Please give it a watch! And I promise the vlogs will get better as I learn more about vlogging!
Blocked Tennis boob slippage
http://www.si.com/swim-daily/2015/07/06/chrissy-teigen-sideboob-centre-court-wimbledon
M.A's commentary:
I went to Wimbledon years ago, so I was interested in what this was about. Nope. Blocked.
Indigo's commentary:
I think the main reason this story is blocked is because China is fundamentally a fairly morally conservative country. Girls tend to have few or only one boyfriend. Mother's keep their children very sheltered. And in general they aren't a very open sexually free country. Therefore a story about a side boob slip is far too sexually explicit to be allowed.
Open and Ready to Be Read in China: Climate Change, Starbucks and landmines
For a change of pace I elected to do a blog post about some websites that are surprisingly UNBLOCKED in China. These are pages that I sent to my mother thinking they would be blocked, and I was shocked to discover they weren't. This just goes to show while there is mass censorship within China, the population is still able to access a lot of the same things that we are. But unlike us they can't use Google to get to them.
1. http://www.economist.com/news/science-and-technology/21656133-climate-change
This is a discussion about climate change and how it might have been the cause of the recent Indian and Pakistan heat wave. I was sure this would be blocked. China is notorious for being difficult to deal with when it comes to climate change. China hasn't wanted to lower its emissions in the past, claiming that because it is still industrializing it should not be held to the same emission standards as advanced countries. However, I am happy to discover that this link was accessible. Perhaps because China is hoping that citizens will read it and attempt to be more eco-friendly. Or maybe the link is open because China is now combatting a major pollution problem and this raises awareness of the major health implications it could have.
2. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-33346140#4
This is a picture story about men who are working to remove landmines from a river in Cambodia. I assumed this link would be blocked because it involves a war that China participated in (via semi-indirect routes). And China is generally somewhat hush hush about its military operations or involvements. However, I think this link might be unblocked because a majority of the landmines were laid by the Khmer Rouge and China was an ally fighting against them. In addition, it is less of an article and more a picture story, so it doesn't contain much information about the past Cambodian War or even mention China.
3. http://www.cosmopolitan.com/food-cocktails/a42967/most-amazing-starbucks-drinks-around-world/
I didn't think China was the biggest fan of Starbucks because it was a Western company. But after learning this link was actually allowed, I did a bit of research. Starbucks has partnered with a local Chinese company to serve ready made drinks, and China actually has one of the highest concentrations of Starbucks worldwide (Puget Sound Biztalk). I'm guessing this Cosmo article isn't blocked because it compliments one of China's unique Starbucks drinks, and because apparently the coffee conglomerate is well liked within China.Read the article I link to below to find out more.
http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/blog/2015/03/all-the-tea-in-china-starbucks-biggest-market-isnt.html
 |
1. http://www.economist.com/news/science-and-technology/21656133-climate-change
This is a discussion about climate change and how it might have been the cause of the recent Indian and Pakistan heat wave. I was sure this would be blocked. China is notorious for being difficult to deal with when it comes to climate change. China hasn't wanted to lower its emissions in the past, claiming that because it is still industrializing it should not be held to the same emission standards as advanced countries. However, I am happy to discover that this link was accessible. Perhaps because China is hoping that citizens will read it and attempt to be more eco-friendly. Or maybe the link is open because China is now combatting a major pollution problem and this raises awareness of the major health implications it could have.
2. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-33346140#4
This is a picture story about men who are working to remove landmines from a river in Cambodia. I assumed this link would be blocked because it involves a war that China participated in (via semi-indirect routes). And China is generally somewhat hush hush about its military operations or involvements. However, I think this link might be unblocked because a majority of the landmines were laid by the Khmer Rouge and China was an ally fighting against them. In addition, it is less of an article and more a picture story, so it doesn't contain much information about the past Cambodian War or even mention China.
3. http://www.cosmopolitan.com/food-cocktails/a42967/most-amazing-starbucks-drinks-around-world/
 |
| Coffee IS ALLOWED!!! |
http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/blog/2015/03/all-the-tea-in-china-starbucks-biggest-market-isnt.html
Tuesday, July 7, 2015
Update on the Greek Crisis!
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/the-ugly-american-s-guide-to-the-greek-crisis-114318026.html#
M.A's commentary:
That was supposed to link to Yahoo's "Guide to Greek Crisis" but I can't open it.
The above link is the correct one to the Yahoo article. The below link is the one my mother received when clicking on the article.
http://hsrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=AiPyXiAlXE_xVSw_2tM7ryGbvZx4;_ylc=X3oDMTdsZjR2M2hyBF9TAzIwMjM1MzgwNzUEYQNCS1QgMTUwNzA2IGZpbmFuY2UgYW1lcmljYW4gZ3VpZGUgZ3JlZWsgY3Jpc2lzIHYEYWlkA2lkLTM1NjQyMjgEY2NvZGUDZ2EEY3BvcwM2BGcDNmQxYzE0OTAtOTdkYS0zMjM4LWI5OGYtYTBhNTY5M2FmMjA0BGludGwDdXMEaXRjAzAEbHR4dANVLlMuZ3VpZGV0b0dyZWVrY3Jpc2lzBHBrZ3YDOQRwb3MDMARzZWMDdGQtZmVhBHNsawN0aHVtYmxpbmsEdGFyA2ZpbmFuY2UueWFob28uY29tBHRlc3QDOTAx/RV=1/RE=1437472379/RH=aHNyZC55YWhvby5jb20-/RO=2/RU=aHR0cDovL2ZpbmFuY2UueWFob28uY29tL25ld3MvdGhlLXVnbHktYW1lcmljYW4tcy1ndWlkZS10by10aGUtZ3JlZWstY3Jpc2lzLTExNDMxODAyNi5odG1sIw--/RS=%5EADALIv9Nbl7nhws6iZzbWKUWFz.e.k
Indigo's commentary:
I have racked my brain to try and understand this censorship. Early today I blogged about how China has offered to support Greece however it can, to facilitate Greece staying within the Eurozone. This isn't surprising because Greece leaving the EU will cause economic turmoil in some way, and China is a major trading partner of the EU. Therefore what effects the EU effects China.
So why then, is China blocking sites that explain what the Greek Crisis is and what it means? The main reason I can come up with is that China is attempting to protect it's citizens from undue worry and stress. If the EU has economic problems that might ripple back to China, the average Chinese citizen might worry about the economy. And once large groups of people become worried about their economic position, it can often spell trouble for the government. So China is could be protecting its population from unnecessary concern and itself from dealing with unhappy people.
Another cause might be that China often blocks Yahoo news stories, and this might have just fallen under the general Yahoo article blocking.
YOUTUBE VLOG POST, watch and enjoy!!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePVRHz-jq_U
M.A's commentary:
That was supposed to link to Yahoo's "Guide to Greek Crisis" but I can't open it.
The above link is the correct one to the Yahoo article. The below link is the one my mother received when clicking on the article.
http://hsrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=AiPyXiAlXE_xVSw_2tM7ryGbvZx4;_ylc=X3oDMTdsZjR2M2hyBF9TAzIwMjM1MzgwNzUEYQNCS1QgMTUwNzA2IGZpbmFuY2UgYW1lcmljYW4gZ3VpZGUgZ3JlZWsgY3Jpc2lzIHYEYWlkA2lkLTM1NjQyMjgEY2NvZGUDZ2EEY3BvcwM2BGcDNmQxYzE0OTAtOTdkYS0zMjM4LWI5OGYtYTBhNTY5M2FmMjA0BGludGwDdXMEaXRjAzAEbHR4dANVLlMuZ3VpZGV0b0dyZWVrY3Jpc2lzBHBrZ3YDOQRwb3MDMARzZWMDdGQtZmVhBHNsawN0aHVtYmxpbmsEdGFyA2ZpbmFuY2UueWFob28uY29tBHRlc3QDOTAx/RV=1/RE=1437472379/RH=aHNyZC55YWhvby5jb20-/RO=2/RU=aHR0cDovL2ZpbmFuY2UueWFob28uY29tL25ld3MvdGhlLXVnbHktYW1lcmljYW4tcy1ndWlkZS10by10aGUtZ3JlZWstY3Jpc2lzLTExNDMxODAyNi5odG1sIw--/RS=%5EADALIv9Nbl7nhws6iZzbWKUWFz.e.k
Indigo's commentary:
I have racked my brain to try and understand this censorship. Early today I blogged about how China has offered to support Greece however it can, to facilitate Greece staying within the Eurozone. This isn't surprising because Greece leaving the EU will cause economic turmoil in some way, and China is a major trading partner of the EU. Therefore what effects the EU effects China.
So why then, is China blocking sites that explain what the Greek Crisis is and what it means? The main reason I can come up with is that China is attempting to protect it's citizens from undue worry and stress. If the EU has economic problems that might ripple back to China, the average Chinese citizen might worry about the economy. And once large groups of people become worried about their economic position, it can often spell trouble for the government. So China is could be protecting its population from unnecessary concern and itself from dealing with unhappy people.
Another cause might be that China often blocks Yahoo news stories, and this might have just fallen under the general Yahoo article blocking.
YOUTUBE VLOG POST, watch and enjoy!!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePVRHz-jq_U
The Hidden Truth on American Territories
http://thehill.com/policy/finance/246820-puerto-rican-debt-crisis-hits-congress
M.A's commentary:
I tried to explain recently that Puerto Rico was a part of USA and my students were appalled when I explained the concept of territory. I could see it brought back ideas of the past occupations of China by foreigners.
Indigo's commentary:
I think that my mother hit the nail on the head. The Chinese past in the 19th and early 20th century is riddled with China being possessed by the United Kingdom and Japan and being used as territories of those powers. The Japanese occupation/claim of China is an especially horrific part of its history, as Japan murdered and raped thousands of Chinese citizens (The Nanking Massacre comes to mind). Because of this dark past and the effects occupation had on China, it is natural that China wouldn't want to acknowledge that other countries are still doing the same thing.
I would hardly equate the American possession of the territory of Puerto Rico as the same as the Japanese or British possession of China in the past. But it is likely that China simply does't approve of America having control over it. Additionally, the Chinese government isn't the biggest fan of America in general. So acknowledging that America is powerful enough to control additional territories is probably not something the government is eager to do. Especially because this is something China would like to do (but has yet to accomplish) with Taiwan.
The Chinese government might not be sharing the geography of American territories like Puerto Rico because it doesn't want it to be compared to the Chinese relationship/control of Hong Kong. America is fully in control of Puerto Rico, with little disent. Hong Kong is not nearly as cooperative. China is likely to not want this comparision to be made.
I'm unsure why this link is explicitly blocked. It actually shows that America made a mistake with legislation in reference to Puerto Rico and bankruptcy courts. Pointing out American mistakes is something the Chinese government is usually quick to do.
M.A's commentary:
I tried to explain recently that Puerto Rico was a part of USA and my students were appalled when I explained the concept of territory. I could see it brought back ideas of the past occupations of China by foreigners.
Indigo's commentary:
I think that my mother hit the nail on the head. The Chinese past in the 19th and early 20th century is riddled with China being possessed by the United Kingdom and Japan and being used as territories of those powers. The Japanese occupation/claim of China is an especially horrific part of its history, as Japan murdered and raped thousands of Chinese citizens (The Nanking Massacre comes to mind). Because of this dark past and the effects occupation had on China, it is natural that China wouldn't want to acknowledge that other countries are still doing the same thing.
I would hardly equate the American possession of the territory of Puerto Rico as the same as the Japanese or British possession of China in the past. But it is likely that China simply does't approve of America having control over it. Additionally, the Chinese government isn't the biggest fan of America in general. So acknowledging that America is powerful enough to control additional territories is probably not something the government is eager to do. Especially because this is something China would like to do (but has yet to accomplish) with Taiwan.
The Chinese government might not be sharing the geography of American territories like Puerto Rico because it doesn't want it to be compared to the Chinese relationship/control of Hong Kong. America is fully in control of Puerto Rico, with little disent. Hong Kong is not nearly as cooperative. China is likely to not want this comparision to be made.
I'm unsure why this link is explicitly blocked. It actually shows that America made a mistake with legislation in reference to Puerto Rico and bankruptcy courts. Pointing out American mistakes is something the Chinese government is usually quick to do.
China offering support during the Greek crisis
http://africa.chinadaily.com.cn/2015-06/30/content_21145083.htm
M.A's commentary:
This statement of Chinese support for Greece didn't seem to appear to receive coverage worldwide.
Indigo's commentary:
This isn't actually a blocked article. I'm blogging about this because after reading it, I was quite surprised that I hadn't seen it on the BBC or another large news source. China offering to help Greece stay within the Euro zone is a major step for the Asian giant. China is generally a more withdrawn player when it comes to Western countries, so China offering to support Greece is big! It demonstrates that China really is moving into a position of global power and it is willing to cooperate in area's outside its regional sphere of influence.
Often in Western media, only the bad qualities of China and other communist countries are portrayed. However, China is increasingly becoming a more fair helpful state, and I think that deserves press. In reference to the above article, I think that China's assistance might be one of the only avenues left to Greece after the referendum vote.
Read the article, and let me know what you think!
M.A's commentary:
This statement of Chinese support for Greece didn't seem to appear to receive coverage worldwide.
Indigo's commentary:
This isn't actually a blocked article. I'm blogging about this because after reading it, I was quite surprised that I hadn't seen it on the BBC or another large news source. China offering to help Greece stay within the Euro zone is a major step for the Asian giant. China is generally a more withdrawn player when it comes to Western countries, so China offering to support Greece is big! It demonstrates that China really is moving into a position of global power and it is willing to cooperate in area's outside its regional sphere of influence.
Often in Western media, only the bad qualities of China and other communist countries are portrayed. However, China is increasingly becoming a more fair helpful state, and I think that deserves press. In reference to the above article, I think that China's assistance might be one of the only avenues left to Greece after the referendum vote.
Read the article, and let me know what you think!
Monday, July 6, 2015
Silent Blogs.....cannot be seen or heard
http://okisitwrong.com/http://wishitwasntblocked.blogspot.co.uk/
M.A's commentary:
It's blocked...it actually is my "favorite kinda block" it flashes on screen for a second and whoosh it is gone. I know it is not an error on the site because I can open in my proxy. It is a friend of mine's blog and I just wondered what he was up to.
Indigo's commentary:
A lot of blogs are blocked within China. I think it is because blog content can be very unpredictable. On my personal blog "Musings of a Wandering Blonde" one day I will write about food, and the next day I might write about a news event. This kind of thing could easily be seen as a danger by the Chinese government. A blog that seems safe might randomly one day post about something anti-Chinese, and the government might not realise it before it is read across China.
For this "ok is it wrong" blog, I'm guessing it might be blocked because on the opening page it says "Welcome to 'Merica". Even though as far as I can tell from blog content it doesn't say anything that would specifically be blocked in China for a certain reason.
So, I think that the blocking of blogs is a safety precaution more than an ideological issue for the Chinese government. And not all blogs are blocked. Below I have attached a link to blogs that I believe are allowed within China and are about the country itself.
Unfortunately, because this blog is run off of Blogger which is with Google, this blog is completely blocked. Which means that my mother who contributes her comments and is my funnel of information for what sites are blocked in China, can't actually read this. But she does occasionally manage to get through a proxy server to see it.
Blogs allowed in China: http://www.chinabloglist.org/
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