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The Wall Street Journal, which has the exclusive, reports: 

Apple said it was told to remove certain apps because of national security concerns, without specifying which. “We are obligated to follow the laws in the countries where we operate, even when we disagree,” an Apple spokesperson said.

The Cyberspace Administration of China asked Apple to remove WhatsApp and Threads from the App Store because both contain political content that includes problematic mentions of the Chinese president, according to a person familiar with the matter. The Apple spokesperson said that wasn’t part of the reasoning.

The move shrinks the number of foreign chat apps Chinese internet users can use to communicate with those outside of the country, a further tightening of internet controls by Beijing, which is sensitive to uncensored information circulating.

This surgical move is in sharp contrast to the United States and its continued dithering over TikTok, which has been (rightfully) accused of being China’s propaganda pipeline in the U.S. I translate this simply —our politicians are being short-sighted in thinking that there is a chance that Chinese will allow Bytedance to sell off their US app by extending the deadline. And as far as the general US population is concerned, they are already infected by the TikTok mind virus. Axios put it succinctly: 

It may be wishful thinking from Congress that with more time it will see a TikTok sale to U.S. owners — but there’s no real sign from the Chinese tech giant that it wants to do that.

TikTok would face a ban if it doesn’t sell to American owners — but members of Congress have also faced backlash from constituents who don’t want to lose the app, both for entertainment and business reasons.

As it stands, TikTok is a perfect way for the Chinese to shape public opinion in the US. There have been enough testimonials of it becoming a major source of disinformation. And they could come in very handy when it comes time to taking control of Taiwan in the near future. 

Chinese are happy to take decisive and swift action when it comes to controlling their own self-interests. And what is Apple going to do? Say no? And lose access to Chinese market, see revenues evaporate and stock price shrink? No one — especially since it is a stock that is indirectly owned by most Americans. 

As an aside, while China considers all its tech companies (like Bytedance) as part of its national strategic infrastructure,the United States (and its allies) think of Apple and other technology companies as public enemies. 

London is a grim city in the totalitarian state of Oceania where Big Brother is always watching you and the Thought Police can practically read your mind. Winston Smith is a man in grave danger for the simple reason that his memory still functions. Drawn into a forbidden love affair, Winston finds the courage to join a secret revolutionary organization called The Brotherhood, dedicated to the destruction of the Party. Together with his beloved Julia, he hazards his life in a deadly match against the powers that be.

1984 has been on my "to read" list for years, but I've never actually taken the time to read it, until now.

Overall it was pretty good. I didn't think it read like a book that's 75 years old, which is a credit to how forward thinking Orwell was. I would have given it more stars, but I felt the story focussed on Winston and Julia's love affair too much.

I get it, that's what the book was about - how they were "sticking it to the man" by having the relationship, but I personally would have preferred the story to focus more on the strict dystopian society that they found themselves in, and more of the nuance it contained.

Either way, a good read and I'm glad I finally read it.

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I sit up late dumb as a cow,
which is to say
somewhat conscious with thirst and
hunger, an eye for the new moon
and the morning’s long walk
to the water tank. Everywhere
around me the birds are waiting
for the light. In this world of dreams
don’t let the clock cut up
your life in pieces.

— Jim Harrison, “Rumination” from Jim Harrison: The Essential Poems, by Jim Harrison

Notes:

• More DK Photos of a Juvenile Egret at Cove Island Park on April 18 2024 here.
• Poem: Thank you Beth @ Alive on All Channels.