Ancestors

Written by Branch Predictor :mycomputer: on 2025-01-18 at 21:00

In a typical for Chinese communists fashion, they want to ban muricans fleeing off soon-to-be-banned Tiktok into their RedNote platform, because they're afraid that muricans will influence Chinese citizens.

This only proves that Tiktok ban should be worldwide, not limited just to US.

https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/01/rednote-may-wall-off-tiktok-refugees-to-prevent-us-influence-on-chinese-users/

[#]tiktok #TikTokBan #RedNote

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Written by dogzilla on 2025-01-18 at 21:30

@branch300bpm @benroyce For me, the clearest indication that TikTok is garbage was the news that TikTok in China uses a completely different algorithm than the one used everywhere else.

It’s basically the reverse of the Opium Wars

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Written by Beggar Midas on 2025-01-18 at 23:50

@dogzilla @branch300bpm @benroyce But I wouldn't compare it the opium wars. Theres a far more direct analogue available in all the fentanyl flooding the US streets. Where did you think a fuckton of the precursors were coming from? The PRC knows and is studiously avoiding applying any INTERPOL requests to reprimand or censure the precursor providers.

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Written by dogzilla on 2025-01-19 at 01:11

@Beggarmidas @branch300bpm @benroyce Why wouldn’t you compare it to the Opium Wars? I’m curious.

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Toot

Written by Beggar Midas on 2025-01-19 at 04:03

@dogzilla @branch300bpm @benroyce Simply because there's a better analogue available in the fentanyl flood. When it comes to proxy influence games the medium doesn't matter as much. It always revolves around agent provocateurs exploiting the resentments of an enemies disenfranchised people. It's a very, very old game. There's tablets at Sumer & Ur that reference it.

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Descendants

Written by dogzilla on 2025-01-19 at 04:39

@Beggarmidas @branch300bpm @benroyce I think you’re drastically underestimating the impact of the Opium Wars in shaping Chinese attitudes towards the west. I think the (undeniable) fentanyl issue you raise and the TikTok issue are both at least in part justified in the Chinese public’s eyes by things like the Opium Wars. (1/3)

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Written by dogzilla on 2025-01-19 at 04:39

If we’re going to view China as opponents - something I’m not really convinced of yet - then we should try to understand them.

I think your view of the Chinese approach here - while not technically incorrect - leaves out some major context. So much so that it begins to suggest a bad-faith argument. Regardless, it’s an American interpretation of the situation - that is not how the Chinese people interpret these events. (2/3)

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Written by dogzilla on 2025-01-19 at 04:39

In any case, I think it’s useful to try to view this from China’s point of view - no matter whether your ultimate goal is to oppose them or try to find common ground. (3/3)

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Written by Beggar Midas on 2025-01-19 at 16:49

@dogzilla Sorry if my last post sounded dismissive. You really did make a solid argument. If Beijing had any intentional role I'd be hard pressed to NOT agree with your comparison. Beijing just isn't positioning itself strategically in the global narcotrafficking market. It'd put them at odds with DPRK for one. They don't mind being an indiscriminate supplier of precursors. PNC has come down hard on folks synthesizing for local sale though. It's a fast lane to becoming an involuntary organ doner

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Written by Beggar Midas on 2025-01-19 at 16:28

@dogzilla @branch300bpm @benroyce Oh, i see the angle you're going with it. You make a great argument. Though I don't think it's as intentional as EITC flooding Nanchang/Manchuria with opium. That was a deliberate program that had so many moving parts it'd be hard imagining it occurring without Victoria's knowledge or consent. The read i've gotten from sources in INTERPOL & DoJ is this isn't as deliberate. They just don't care & probably do think it's a convenient member of the thousand cut club

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