Korean Job Discussion Forums

caniff · Joined: 03 Feb 2004 Location: All over the map

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/02/25/pakistan.youtube/index.html

stillnotking · Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Location: Oregon, USA

I was one of those people who thought the Internet would do a great service to humanity by getting information past the filters of repressive governments. It appears, sadly, that I was wrong.

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

Recently I read an analysis of conspiracy theories that made a good point. The author said that with books, newspapers, TV and films, there was always a 'gatekeeper' that regulated to some degree what information got disseminated--publishers, editors, etc. The Internet is the first media that doesn't have one. The result is that crackpot ideas get spread farther and faster than before, without being countered.

To a degree, I can sympathize with the urge to censor--parents wanting to protect their children, governments wanting to prevent unrest...

But ultimately, I think governments can only slow the spread of unwanted information, not completely stop it. Even North Korea hasn't been able to achieve that. As technology and a common language penetrate societies, people are going to be exposed to the idiots from other countries and people will find a way to come to terms with it.