Archives for 2004

that a few weeks ago, Google rolled out a Chinese Google News that omitted sources blocked by the Chinese government. Well now the government has done its part by blocking the main Google News site, according to Reporters sans frontières. This is a great example of why technologists, engineers, and others who, while technically adept, lack formal education (or experience with, evidently) in ethics, journalism, political theory, or philosophy, shouldn’t be the people entrusted with making such product design decisions. Companies have responsibilities – drawing the line in the sand on an issue such as this is clearly one of them. Google is really dropping the ball on this one.

that Sony TV, the owner of the Jeopardy TV game show, has asked Jason Kottke to remove an audio clip and transcript of super-champ Ken Jennings’ loss the other day. Anil nails it in his post: Sony TV – Bigger Losers Than Ken Jennings. Chilling effect indeed.