[averagewall]

I live here and it doesn't seem vague at all. It seems to basically mean no riots, large protests, or attempts to overthrow or weaken the government. We don't have a democracy so there's a risk that if large enough groups of people get too worked up, they might create a massive problem like a revolution or something. Nobody would benefit from that - see the mess it made in Syria, Egypt, Lybia, and Tunisia. In a democracy, there's no such risk because of the safety valve of angry mobs being able to vote their opponent out of power. But in a one-party system, it's necessary to limit the spread of dissenting ideas.

So as long as you're not doing political activism, it's fine. I know people who've had private messages apparently censored when they contained anti-government ideas. They don't get arrested. It's not something to fear. The tech companies just monitor and delete politically risky content. If you are a real dissident, then you know you're breaking the law, however vaguely it's worded, and you know you're in danger.

[a_bonobo]

Nobody benefits from a revolution? Tell that to the French and the Germans!

[dis-sys]

seriously? German? you mean the 1918/19 revolution that eventually helped to cause WWII? surely Hitler benefited a lot from the German Revolution of 1918/19!

You tell me how Nazi could possibly raise to the very top without the help of that very beneficial revolution? maybe time to read more history books and come back with better trolling skills?

[fh973]

He was probably referring to the 1848 revolution.

[dis-sys]

two German revolutions, one probably okay/good, while the other one was a total disaster for the entire humanity. with this in mind, I'd probably argue that revolution is bad in general.

I do agree that it is always good for some political speculators.

[kaybe]

You'll have to disregard the wars inbetween the revolution and the profiting though.

[panic]

We don't have a democracy so there's a risk that if large enough groups of people get too worked up, they might create a massive problem like a revolution or something. Nobody would benefit from that - see the mess it made in Syria, Egypt, Lybia, and Tunisia.

What about the Cultural Revolution which put the ruling party itself in power? It's a bit hypocritical for the government to categorically condemn revolution when they wouldn't even exist without it.

[jpatokal]

No, see, the revolution created the one true revolutionary state that's a perfect expression of the People's Will(tm), so any attempt to have another revolution is clearly counterrevolutionary sabotage by lackey capitalist running dogs.

And yeah, while the French Revolution was probably a good thing in the long run, it was pretty terrible in the short run: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reign_of_Terror

[baby]

The french Revolution was also kind of a mess, they shortly after elected Napoleon as the emperor, then they became a monarchy again, then an emperor came again? I don't know it's confusing.

[imron]

> What about the Cultural Revolution which put the ruling party itself in power?

First of all, the Cultural Revolution didn't put the ruling party in power, and second of all the CCP (and China) of today is very different from the CCP (and China) at the time of the Cultural Revolution.

[TomMarius]

Yeah, it is. That's the reality.

[baby]

peace is obtained through war. There are no exception.

[devdoomari]

well tell that to North Koreans escaping through China. Technically, they are 'dissidents' in the eyes of Chinese gov. so --- it's ok for Chinese gov. to torture them & deport them back to N.K. to be tortured.