Chinese Scientists Would Feel "Blind" if Google Pulled Out

a loss of Google ability would also hinder Chinese scientists' ability to swipe ideas from other countries/researchers.

Ideas as brilliant as your pseudo-witty posts, mayhaps?

^^ burn

The Chinese authorities believe their new found economic engine makes them an equal to the west on the global stage. But China does not fully appreciate the importance of emerging technologies and just how far behind they are scientifically. Biotech, robotics, nano-tech, and advanced computing will decide the fate of nations in the near future. China isn't anywhere close to matching the US, Japan, Britain, or Germany in developing and mastering these key technologies, nor can they rely on their ability to steal them forever. If China continues to inflate its own ego, they will fall behind the western world once again.

@Oakspar777777 -- is that really the best you could do? at least you spelled "pseudo" correctly. that may put you one step ahead of a Chinese scientist...on a good day.

@AMP13 -- you impress WAY too easily.

keep up the good work ladies.

Well, quite simply, if Google pulling out didn't have negative consaquences, there would be no point. Perhaps China will allow some more freedom once their science industry begins to fail.

I dislike scientists getting stuck in the middle of these things, but it can't be helped.

I don't believe the author understands how internet works (:- If one searches in Chinese, one can use baidu.com. If one uses English, one can always use google.com regardless if Google has an office in China. Google tried a marketing stunt but it backfired (:-

mrspock01, I don't believe you understand how China's firewall works. Nor is Google's move a marketing stunt. It's an important stand for the free exchange of information that represents far more than just principle to Google. Google's entire business modal is based on the free exchange of information. An internet built on firewalls and censorship threatens not only human liberty, but innovation and a meaningful future for the company.

Whys333, please educate me how China's firewall works! Let's wait and see how Google stands with "the principle" vs profits (:-

mrspock01, China does not have a true "internet". They have a massive "intranet". It controls what you can see and where you can go. Google won't simply lose an office, rather the Google site will no longer appear on China's intranet. There are workarounds, but Chinese users would have to be computer savvy and willing to risk breaking the law. Breaking the law in China is a scary thing to do with the lack of human rights and all.

As to "principle vs profit", it's worth noting that China only represents about 3% of Google's total revenue. Baidu already controls majority share of the Chinese search market, thus Google won't lose much in the short run. Potential future earnings would be a bigger concern, but Google has already calculated that they stand to lose more from the US and Europe if their customers no longer have faith in the privacy of their data. Google relies on other people's data in everything they do. Thus customer trust is more important than the Chinese market.

Whys333, thank you for the deep insights about China's great firewall. You made my day. LoL.

@locutus. heh I found Oakspar's comment funny. If your ass is clinched tight I can see why you didn't. Humor doesn't require an above average IQ.

@Whys333. I wonder what Google's stand on Italy is going to be.

Link to news article:
news.softpedia.com/news/Google-Executives-Convicted-by-Italian-Court-135872.shtml

Or search "google italy lawsuit"

mrspock01, if you have more to add, other than snide sarcasm, by all means, educate the rest of us.

@Meshca -- the only ass clinching in here occurs when you show up.

and i agree, humor doesn't require an above average IQ...which is probably why you found it funny. find your rock and crawl back under.

Of-coarse, I apologize for the ass clinching, call it a bad habit.
Would you like me to call a professional to get that stick that has made it so far past your ass?

Lighten up locustus.

wow, two annal comments, bad habits, and an offer of professional assistance? i have a feeling you spend your weekends pretending to be The Gimp from "Pulp Fiction".

Locutus sucks. I'm delightfully waiting for the hilarious "holier than thou" response. Seems as if someone is waiting to provide these..

And as a side note, I'm in a scientific field and I use google to find tons of scientific journal offerings. I can't imagine using something else. I guess I could try yahoo instead... but who does that anymore?

I can't believe Nature would publish/look into something like this...

Baidu is not competitor Google.

http://www.photoswomens.com