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| China-Japan-Koreas |
| China bans Harry Potter |
| 2004-07-12 |
| Posted by:Howard UK |
| #14 Sadly too true Mr. Dawg. My yuts are still just like B. Tarkingtons Penrod with a little big of digital weirdness thrown in. |
| Posted by: Shipman 2004-07-12 7:38:50 PM |
| #13 I do hope you're not a parent, Penrod. |
| Posted by: Bulldog 2004-07-12 5:43:05 PM |
| #12 What BS, kids want tar, and interacial fisticuffs, and elevators! |
| Posted by: Penrod S 2004-07-12 5:40:27 PM |
| #11 I think that Aris hit the nail squarely on the head, so to speak. |
| Posted by: Secret Master 2004-07-12 4:29:10 PM |
| #10 read it - liked it too... |
| Posted by: Frank G 2004-07-12 12:23:03 PM |
| #9 (Link worked for me) Rafael & Charles -- What are you talking about? See article: The Chinese govt is also against hair cuts/dyes, video games, music, free speech and . . . Spiderman 2! They are starting big "crackdowns" against all that stuff. The Harry Potter books feature a creative, self-reliant counter-culture engaged in a quiet revolution of sorts, in opposition to the oppressive main culture--probably a theme the Chinese authorities don't like one bit. Hey--Laura Bush read all the books and liked them just fine. And she should know. |
| Posted by: ex-lib 2004-07-12 12:20:59 PM |
| #8 Yep, that too LH. Shouldn't criticise Rowling just because she writes books for kids - her politics are admirably personal freedom-oriented. |
| Posted by: Bulldog 2004-07-12 10:19:35 AM |
| #7 Order of the Phoenix has not only media, but a rigged trial as well. And a govt "commisar" sent in to first spy on and then run, a traditionally independent school. Really, its very "good" politically. Read HP and the OOTP, and you'll quickly see why a govt like China couldnt allow such a book. (Harry Potter Fan) |
| Posted by: Liberalhawk 2004-07-12 10:12:28 AM |
| #6 Aris is right. I was tyranically forced to read Rowling's last Potter book, and it does contain an excellent subplot in which unquestioned faith in the media (specifically a monopolised media) is dealt a heavy blow. That message would be anathema to the Chinese authorities. I applaud Rowling for that. |
| Posted by: Bulldog 2004-07-12 9:04:07 AM |
| #5 Right. DVDs are like Opium for the Chinese authorities. Either they can demonstrate they can in fact control production and therefore end piracy, or the can but are in fact part of the theft conspiracy overtly or covertly [re: corruption]. The other nice alternative, is that the authorities can not shut it down now and information and culture will be spread among the masses uncontrolled. |
| Posted by: Don 2004-07-12 8:50:12 AM |
| #4 In the latest book, Harry Potter & friends were not only opposed to Voldemort&co, but also to his own people's increasingly tyrannical and censoring government. How could a tyrannical and censoring government react to that, other than tyrannically censor the books? |
| Posted by: Aris Katsaris 2004-07-12 8:48:29 AM |
| #3 The Chinese actually did something right for a change. |
| Posted by: Charles 2004-07-12 8:31:15 AM |
| #2 Maybe the Chinese don't want to pay intellectual property and merchandising fees. Comming this fall to a PRC theater near you: Hallee Pattla and the Prisoner of PLA Forced Labor Camps. |
| Posted by: ed 2004-07-12 6:43:49 AM |
| #1 'bout time. (link doesn't work, btw) |
| Posted by: Rafael 2004-07-12 6:31:32 AM |