Intelligence Squared China's Alternative Vision for the Internet, with James Griffiths and Carl Miller
Aug 17, 2021
James Griffiths, an author and Asia correspondent for Globe and Mail, dives deep into China’s Great Firewall, which has transformed from a basic filter to a sophisticated censorship system. He discusses its chilling effect on free speech and dissent within China and its global influence, especially on exiled communities. Griffiths also highlights how the pandemic heightened censorship and examines the challenges posed by authoritarian internet governance, urging listeners to consider the implications for digital freedom worldwide.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Early Internet Vision
- Early internet pioneers envisioned a borderless, censorship-resistant network.
- This vision was ideological, not technical; they assumed the tech itself would prevent censorship.
Great Firewall Origins
- China's internet control began after the Tiananmen Square massacre in 1989.
- Dissidents used early internet tech, prompting the government to build the Great Firewall's foundations.
Great Firewall Evolution
- The Great Firewall evolved reactively, mirroring a cat-and-mouse game with those trying to bypass it.
- It began as a simple porn filter and evolved into sophisticated deep packet inspection.
