unforum

[thebruce]

[semi OT] Olympic torch lit, with (minor) conflict

[Troag Lee]

Thanks for making this thread. We need one for discussing the olympics OOG and all the boycotting, protests, the conflict in Tibet etc.

A user in Ariadne's forum actually speculated IG on this one. But then again, so someone did with the South American earthquakes...

We are playing a game here, but we can still discuss the politics of the chinese government, or any other government for that sake. As an example: How do we, collectively, see the situation in Tibet? Can we do anything to make a difference? Can we play a part?

..hmm, maybe not...

[danteIL]

This actually brings up an interesting philosophical point which I have been thinking about with respect to this game ---

An ongoing debate around Unfiction concerns the pros and cons of participating in ARGs which serve as marketing devices. Thus, in the current case, if you had concerns about McDonald's and everything they stand for, then you might choose not to support a game that is apparently underwritten by McDonald's, even though their involvement has been very implicit -- none of the puzzles (so far) have involved Finding the Golden Arches or anything like that (*cough*subLYMONal.com*cough*).

However, in this circumstance there are also a much larger set of potential issues that involve participating in a game which serves as a marketing device for the Beijing Olympics. There are any number of reasons why these Olympics games have already begun to serve as a lightning rod for international criticism -- you can read about some of them here.

I am not suggesting that this is necessarily a serious reason to reconsider involvement in FtLR -- but it does underline the potentially tricky nature of these kinds of tie-ins...

ETA: I wrote this before Troag Lee's response, which is a much more positive and proactive take on the same issue

[Chid12]

While I completely and utterly condemn the Chinese occupation of Tibet, and while the human rights situation in China is absolutely abhorrent, I'm in two minds about what the British/European governments should do with regards to the Olympics.

In many ways, if the UK/EU said that they were going to boycott the Games entirely, I wouldn't have too much of a problem. I sort of feel that you shouldn't be allowed to host an international tournament, have your country host the world's athletes and have a huge celebration while you still execute people, don't let people vote in free elections, and abuse the human rights of your own people generally. I don't think China should have been allowed to host the Games at all really.

On the other hand,a boycott wouldn't accomplish anything. It wouldn't be fair on the athletes, and the best way to get the situation in China and Tibet to improve is surely to work with them. Perhaps having the world's attention focused on China will force them to open up more?

So I'm stuck really. How do you show condemnation of what China does, while remaining engaged with them? There's talk of some governments boycotting the opening ceremony as a form of political protest, while attending the Games. I think that sounds sensible, so long as we keep the pressure on China.

As for this particular ARG, well it's run by the IOC right? Not China. So I don't feel too guilty. Hats off to the protesters this morning. It's important that we're constantly reminded of what China is doing.

[Elizabeth123]

[dreamerblue]

I must confess ignorance as to a lot of what is happening over there . I do, however, shake my head at those who suggested on Ariadne's forum that the protest was part of the ARG. At the same time, I am intrigued by the date of the closing ceremonies given as the date on which we are supposed to save the world, and I do wonder if Ariadne and/or some of us will end up in some event that will end up televised/reported on/etc. connected to the closing ceremonies. *shrug*

Ok, sorry, I don't want to hijack the thread. We now return you to your regularly scheduled political discussion.

[rupaZero]

[quote="Elizabeth123"]

[Wildman92]

Don't forget that the 1984 Olympics in LA were boycotted as well by the Iron Curtain countries.

[danteIL]

I'm sorry to bring this up again, but these Olympics are starting to look *really* bad. Here is a disturbing article from the Washington Post (registration may be required). It makes some interesting points about whether the corporate sponsors have any responsibility (the answer is yes).

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/25/AR2008032503207.html

[aceituna]

[ncfriend]

maybe when we build our labyrinths we can have a small statement..."free tibet" t-shirts anyone??? just our little way of having a voice.


if anyone needs an "alternate reality" its tibet.

[Elizabeth123]

[konamouse]

I'd like to keep this apolitical. The only message shirt I would want to wear would be "unFiction".

[Rogi Ocnorb]

In a world where Al Gore can receive the Nobel Peace Prize instead of any one of several hundred Tibetan Monks, I'd say that the global community has shown that it really doesn't give a damn and that anything's possible.

[Elizabeth123]

I don't know...I think we all have a responsibility to make the world a better place. And sure, this is fun, and it's more enjoyable to just focus on the game (and the insanity of thousands of people making idiots of ourselves by building a humming maze. ) But I think we all agree that the Chinese government's policies are inhumane. I'm not suggesting we all parade around wearing "Assassinate Bush" tee-shirts (although that'd be fun as well.) There's no question really about who's in the right and who's in the wrong here. What if the thousands of us could raise awareness in some way and make the game somewhat bigger than ourselves?