I'm going a little off topic here but the Chinese government has detained a former classmate of mine at NYU ITP. James Powderly was detained in Beijing early on August 19th while preparing to debut a new work and technology of protest, the L.A.S.E.R. Stencil. His current whereabouts remain unknown.
He is a pioneer in the area of electonic communications and a brave and dedicated artist.
I'm not sure what anybody can do but perhaps digging this article can help draw attention to his plight. ...Thanks
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Let that be a lesson to
Let that be a lesson to ya...don't mess with the commies on their home turf. Hope he comes through it unharmed.
How do you know he's been
How do you know he's been detained by the state and has not befallen another common Chinese fate:
a) been kidnapped (and/or worse) by organized crime.
b) had an accident rendering him incapable of communicating with you.
c) has wandered off the beaten path and not reported in.
What details can you provide?
Has the State Department been informed?
Arrested?
His technology demo sounds more like an illegal protest to me. Did he really think that he wouldn't get arrested for staging an illegal protest? Why do I get the feeling that it probably had something to do with Tibet?
The Chinese set aside places for legal protest--of course, as of yet none of the applications have been approved.
I am sure the Chinese will let him go after the Olympics. They are freaked out about threats of terrorism--and sadly for your friend, advocating the splitting of China is considered a terroristic threat. And more sadly for us in the US, since our president proved that one can hold terror suspects without trial for a long, long time, we don't have much of a moral high ground from which to speak.
I am sure he will end up OK. Fortunately he is white and not a Chinese American. Chinese authorities really have a double standard in some cases with Chinese Americans.
@lotsofjargon: You are
@lotsofjargon:
You are american, right?
No European would ever talk about "illegal protest".
Why are you americans such "slaves to the law"? Talking about "illegal protest" sounds somewhat like the same argument americans tell, when europeans say "The iPhone shouldn't be sim-locked, because it limits customer freedom". Many americans will reply "The company has every right to do so - it's -illegal- to unlock it".
China is a country that gives a shit on human rights.
Most companys give a shit on consumer rights.
Both of them have to be reminded by protest.
A country where peaceful "protest" is illegal, is a rogue regime - like china.
just my two cents, which are not meant to bash americans - but rather to remind them, that the law is a thing that was invented to give the people a tool which allows them to defend themselves against the goverment.
Actually, there are now
Actually, there are now certain restrictions about protesting in London (possibly the whole of UK?). Namely, that all protests within a mile of parliament are banned. I also believe certain areas require written permission before a protest can be staged there. Failing to get this permission can be an arrestable offence. This being said, I believe none of this is enforced too strictly and the right to protest is still a lot easier than most countries.
You should be careful using
You should be careful using the word 'rogue'.
I don't know s*it, but I'll put my money on the majority of countries out there having such forceful policies.
It might not be what I/we want to see, but this notion of labeling anyone who operates differently as a 'rogue' seems a bit self-centred.
American?
Actually, I say it is "illegal" because it IS illegal according to Chinese law.
I have no problem breaking the law in my own country for something I believe in--and getting arrested. But I do so knowing that I probably WILL be arrested and I know what that entails.
If one is going to break the laws of another country...then one should expect to be punished accordingly. That is the price of speaking ones mind.
Of course, the really funny thing to me is that an American would go to another country to protest human rights there on behalf of still another group. Why not try out the protest technology in the US to protest the actions of the US government or the treatment of our own minority groups?
The answer, I imagine has to do with the exotic plight of the Tibetans with their cool religion and its sexy leader. Most Americans haven't a clue about the complicated history of Tibet or the PRC for that matter--and they could really care less. Tibet is cool and for some silly reason people in the US still think the Chinese are communist.
Come on guys "His current
Come on guys "His current whereabouts remain unknown." - in italics! Melodramatic!
This whole thing was a publicity stunt, with the desired intent to get arrested. There are many places, including London, that an 'illegal' protest will get you shut down, shut up and locked up. James Powderly will be back in the US in no time, continuing his self seeking, sorry sacrificing, ways.
Chill out.
BTW - not commenting on the rights or wrongs of China's occupation of Tibet.
I know where he is. He's in a
I know where he is.
He's in a cell, with a guy holding a phone book against his face and wailing on it with the other fist.
I mean, the Tibet thing is wack - but for some white dude to have such passion for it is just fake.
I bet the guy can't wait for the World Cup in South Africa.
Probably get a Mandela tattoo on his back, next to the Che one.
Storm in a china teacup
Come on guys "His current whereabouts remain unknown." - in italics! Melodramatic!
This whole thing was a publicity stunt, with the desired intent to get arrested. There are many places, including London, that an 'illegal' protest will get you shut down, shut up and locked up. James Powderly will be back in the US in no time, continuing his self seeking, sorry, sacrificing, ways.
Chill out.
BTW - not commenting on the rights or wrongs of China's occupation of Tibet.
He deserved it. Brainwashed
He deserved it. Brainwashed westerners should mind their own business. It is for your own good to live in your imagination that your world is the best.