The Man Who's Beating Google

http://www.forbes.com/forbes/2009/1005/technology-baidu-robin-li-man-whos-beating-google.html

by raju • 17 years ago

33 27 17 years ago

yesimahuman2• 17 years ago

Honestly, it makes me sick that Google/Microsoft/Yahoo play along with Chinese censorship. I always feel like companies have at least a bit of moral obligation to do right with what they achieve. I know China is a gigantic market, but I would hope there are people out there who want to make a difference in the world. Maybe they have to play along in order to make change, I don't know.

Google blocks results for one-third fewer search terms than Baidu

Baidu sounds like the perfect match for China.

jacquesm3• 17 years ago

Agreed. I was willing to buy the 'do no evil' line for a while but after the tianmen square issue I changed it to 'business as usual'.

spatulon2• 17 years ago

I assume you're referring to the supposed lack of Tank Man photos on the Chinese version of Google Images. That's not the case: http://images.google.cn/images?q=tiananmen+square

Also, it's inevitable that the name Tiananmen Square conjures up different associations in China and the west. Similarly, I imagine that Waco is a city to a Texan, but to me it's a siege.

callahad• 17 years ago

From what I understand, Google makes a clear distinction that "don't be evil" is not synonymous with "do no evil." One's about intent, the other is absolute. The test is whether they correct course when they discover that they had been doing evil.

zaidf• 17 years ago

I think it's wrong to expect corporations to have more moral obligation than my own government.

Retric• 17 years ago

I am annoyed at the tone of both corporate and government involvement in China. I don’t expect things to change, but for some reason it still bothers me.

gaius• 17 years ago

Hang on a second tho'. Western governments can and regularly do stop tech being exported.

onreact-com• 17 years ago

"Corporation" and "moral" are two words that don't work in one sentence.

There is a good movie about this issue: http://www.thecorporation.com/

kp212• 17 years ago

Just because they don't, doesn't mean we shouldn't.

yumraj• 17 years ago

And I think it's wrong to expect corporations and government to have more moral obligation that the citizens, after all they are composed of the same people. If people want cheap goods which are made in china and higher revenues and profits from their companies the corporations and government are going to bend over backwards, because that's what the people want. If all people stop using Google, etc. and stop buying chinese products, write to their senators and congressmen then corporations and government will do something, till then nothing will happen.

nazgulnarsil• 17 years ago

maybe google thinks that economic investment will do more social good in china than just ignoring the market.

tedunangst• 17 years ago

How are companies supposed to do business in a country that won't let them? When China says "Sorry, you broke our laws, we're confiscating all your assets here.", what is Google going to do?

Are you equally sickened that Google doesn't do business in Cuba?

dhimes• 17 years ago

Maybe they have to play along in order to make change

I think this is often the case.

xiaoma• 17 years ago

It's only fair to point out that Google/Microsoft/Yahoo also play along with European censorship. Part of doing business is abiding by the law of the country you operate in.

acg• 17 years ago

One thing that is clear isolating China, or not doing business with the Chinese because you have different principles isn't going to change anything. What seems to have influenced China most is trade. These companies are better off in China, than outside: then at least they can attempt to influence policy.

There is a difference between showing dislike for operating practices and either breaking the law, or pulling out entirely. No doubt there are profits, but we have seen in the West how the internet can change government. The technology is not going away and as such gives me great hope in the future, even in closed states.

1010011010• 17 years ago

Nothing like having the support of the government and a national firewall to block your competitors.

hendler• 17 years ago

Here's the article in print version (all pages one page) http://www.forbes.com/forbes/2009/1005/technology-baidu-robi...

The Man Who's Beating Google

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