Answer: You don’t.
In perhaps one of the most outstanding media affronts I have seen in my lifetime, Google (aka The UnBing, The Godly One, He Who Must Be Named) has decided to declare war on Chinese censorship. They have already begun rerouting content through Hong Kong. The Chinese have already begun mourning the loss by placing flowers at their Beijing headquarters (not kidding). Of course, no media power can claim similarities to the almighty Google, but it’s important that we clarify what is going on here. A website has decided that its unalienable rights as a search engine supersede the declarations of one of the most powerful countries on Earth. And I, in all my blog glory feel the interminable need to burst out in applause. This is so freakin’ cool! The internet vs. a country – we’re talking 21st century technological warfare. This is Freedom of Speech in a whole new light, one which I’m sure our forefathers would be proud of. Whether Sergey Brin has the chutzpah (he’s Jewish) and bravado to carry this through to the end will definitely be something to keep an eye out for.
Other matters: The woman who helps me pick out clothes at one my favorite Jersey boutiques turns out to be Ashley Tisdale’s grandmother. My niece just informed me of this colossal addition to my A-list list. (In the words of Ashley herself – “I want it all!”)
I started reading Dave Eggers’ A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius, which I read a portion of in college and it’s totally amazing all over again. Of course, I only read the introductory pages, but if you pick up this book you’ll understand that that’s no slim feat.
My sister created her own heartbreaking work of staggering genius this past Wednesday at an event for Women in the Arts at the 92nd Street Y in Tribeca. Check it out HERE. Also, in another shameless sibling plug, that same sister also has her very own book blog. Check it out HERE.
Happy Passover! I can’t wait…
Rachel Lily
Tags: ashley tisdale, bravado, censorship, chinese, chutzpah, dave eggers, esther hidary, forefathers, freedom of speech, google, heartbreaking work of staggering genius, jewish, media power, poetry reading, sergey brin, unbing