Politics and Technology of Control: Introduction

The Net has great potential for “good” (e.g. innovation, economic growth, education, and access to information), and is likewise is a great platform for the bawdy, tawdry and illegal. Is this platform about fundamental social, political and economic change, or about easier access to pornography, cheap pharmaceuticals, free music and poker at home? This question leads us to a host of interesting issues that weave their way through the course related to openness, access, regulatory control, free speech, anonymity, intellectual property rights, democracy, transparency, norms and values, economic and cultural change and cyber-terrorism, as well as scamsters and thieves.

Preparation (Assignment "Zero")

To get this discussion started, take some time to read through the three blog posts below, published by Google in their relationship with China. Come to class (or e-mail us: thwang@cyber.law.harvard.edu) with some brief thoughts (1 page, double space), responding to:

• What do you think was the right approach on Google's part?
• What kind of arguments or ideological stands would you make to support your position one way or the other?
• What do you feel these articles show about the nature of the internet?

Readings

• Google In China (2006)
• Google in China (2010)
• TechCrunch, More About Business Than Thwarting Evil (2010)