Submitted by Colonel Hogan, May 8, 2008 05:02

I've lived in China for two years. When I whine about the shameless theft I see around me -- the fake Disney products every kid wears -- even the fake Disney World that actually exists, illegal DVD stores, the theft of the MagLev idea and anyone's and everyone's research and development, etc. -- my Chinese friends kindly explain that China officially supports sharing ideas and technology absorption. Let some foreign company spend money on graphic designers, scientists, etc. to develop an idea -- we can just take it when it's ready.

These people publicly state that it isn't stealing and will try to deflect finger pointing by citing someone else's crime -- like Bill Gates taking ideas from Apple long ago -- and justify it with two wrongs making a right. Most people here will privately confide in me that they realize it's stealing, but the problem seems so great them that nothing can be done. Remember that Chinese culture has a long history of Confucianism (group think) and, especially lately, offers severe punishment to people who go against the grain. Nobody speaks up. John Locke and John Stuart Mill aren't really making ripples in China yet. Ah, when in Rome... my library of illegal DVD's is growing. Don't blame the Chinese people for acting on human nature. How many people from the US or other WTO nations have visited Pirate's Bay and Limwire to steal media? Really, it is the gov. here that enables the theft. Awesome article. Brutally honest.

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