[karim]

> I'm not saying that people don't have the right to morally object something like this project, but it's kind of baffling that many are loudly voice their concerns while looking the other way when tweet from their Chinese made iPhones, and write dissenting articles in their Chinese made computers.

I don't get it — following your logic people shouldn't be protesting anything China-related because they're using chinese goods? I mean, this isn't a binary issue — you can buy chinese computers because most computers are made there and regret that Google is building a search engine to censor political queries.

[whoisjuan]

I agree with you. My comment is about those who put these issues at the center of high-profile debates and seem to demonize individuals and organizations without looking at how their actions contribute to the issue.

By no means, I'm trying to say that you can't regret an issue without indirectly being part of a system that aggravates the same issue. I think nobody can escape this.

But it's different when you want to raise someone or something to a certain moral standard without understanding how fungible is that particular moral standard.

Sometimes people are just wasting their energy on things that are only an issue by their standards and not by the standards of the people who are ultimately affected by the issue itself (in this case the Chinese people).

I would like to see Google employees object with the same energy, things like Google unhinged data collection practices.

[kortilla]

>Sometimes people are just wasting their energy on things that are only an issue by their standards and not by the standards of the people who are ultimately affected by the issue itself (in this case the Chinese people).

That’s not how morals work. Just because you’re not the victim of human rights abuse doesn’t mean you can’t try to prevent it.

[Aunche]

I don't think that's what whoisjuan meant. The Chinese people who would be "victimized" by Google welcome the new search engine. Presumably, they would choose to use it because they want to. It is not productive to be angry on their behalf.

[perfmode]

Given the state of activism and rebellion brewing in China, I am doubtful. From what I've learned about censorship in china in 2019, i am convinced we are on the same side.

[Zarel]

I'm Chinese and I can tell you I think Dragonfly will do more good than harm. You can check my comment history if you doubt I'm a real person.

Here's another Chinese person saying the same thing: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=19308777

I've never, in any of the many comment threads on Dragonfly, found a Chinese person who thinks otherwise.

All my Chinese relatives I've talked to also feel the same way, and from their reports, the majority of Chinese people feel the same way.

You are welcome to disagree, but don't put words in our mouths.