Russian courts fine Google.....

[UltraBudgie]

First of all, "Koyaanisqatsi-like" is a top-tier reference.

Second, since we're mentioning hypocrisy, has anyone here actually investigated what channels Google is accused of censoring, as the ostensible reason for this fine? I mean, are we okay with them having unilateral censorship authority, as long as it's not domestic? Or people we like? It just seems to me that if it were channels we agreed with that were being suppressed, the conversation here would be different, because "Google shouldn't be judge and jury of free speech, they should be objective".

Isn't that hypocritical? Or is it because they're "terrists" or something? I really don't know, because no one is discussing that, the specifics of the issue. It's all this meta-geopolitics stuff.

[Anna]

Second, since we're mentioning hypocrisy, has anyone here actually investigated what channels Google is accused of censoring, as the ostensible reason for this fine?

Happy to oblige. 
Solovyov Live, Crimea 24, RT, RBC, NTV, the Federation Council channel. Restricted user access to personal channels of music performers (Shaman, Polina Gagarina, Oleg Gazmanov, Grigory Leps, Yulia Chicherina), writer (Zakhar Prilepin), the Olympic champion (Nikita Nagorny), the channels of football clubs CSKA and Akhmat. And many others.

YouTube blocks more than 80 Russian channels this year - Roskomnadzor

Should YouTube block these channels? No. In my opinion, no. I just find it funny that Roskomnadzor, which has so far banned nearly 2 million websites in Russia is now taking upon itself the role of the white knight defending the victims of censorship.

Yeah, you read it right. Two million websites. 1,965,788 exactly, according to the blacklist published by Roskomsvoboda. And counting. Not mentioning tight digital surveillance and long prison sentences for those who dare to express their dissent.

And to all those who say "But there's censorship in the West too", my answer will be: Sure, there is. But here's a thing. Do you have two million websites blocked in the US or EU? Are you sent to the gulag in Alaska for criticizing Kamala? I believe no.

[Kurokage]

See, this is the bit I don’t get 
US debt is 100k per person
Russian is 55k
Medieval bartering system is coming, just where exactly?

The US have their grubby maulers in every continent, colour revolution?
I am watching the US become the new evil empire
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202112/1240540.shtml

Well firstly, I'm not American and I don't remember making the thread about America or if it's an 'Evil' Empire, if you feel so angry that you have to drift this thread, then maybe go make one about your issues.
As for batering....

https://www.newsweek.com/russia-oranges-...an-1962512

Russia Getting Paid in Oranges in Trade Barter with Asian Ally
Russia will swap chickpeas for Pakistani mandarin oranges under a new barter system launched in response to payment woes caused by international sanctions in place over Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.
Through the framework, which aims to strengthen commercial ties between the countries, participating companies can trade commodities while avoiding monetary transactions bedeviled by U.S. scrutiny and anxieties over sanctions.

This was about the ridiculous exponential fine placed on Google by Russian courts, and my opinion was that it appeared more like a publicity stunt because of being banned for propaganda on Youtube.
Propaganda and coruption appear to be Russias biggest exports these days...

https://theconversation.com/i-investigat...age-237712

I investigated millions of tweets from the Kremlin’s ‘troll factory’ and discovered classic propaganda techniques reimagined for the social media age.
 
I have been investigating agency tweets in English and Russian since 2021, specifically examining how they twist language to bend reality and serve the Kremlin. My research has examined around 3 million tweets, taking in three specific case studies: the 2016 US presidential election, COVID-19, and the annexation of Crimea. It seemed that wherever there was fire, the trolls fanned the flames.
Though their direct impact on electoral outcomes so far remains limited, state-backed propaganda operations like the agency can shape the meaning of online discussions and influence public perceptions. But as another US election looms, big tech companies like X (formerly Twitter) are still struggling to deal with the trolls that are spreading disinformation on an industrial scale.

[Maxmars]

Would we not be hypocrites though?

I'm not religious but I say 'take the plank out of your own' eye before condemning others.

You can criticise but it might be better if you acknowledge  your own misdeeds beforehand.

I'm certainly no religious scholar myself; but I feel the admonishment you mention is about condemnation, not hypocrisy.

Flaws and problem do not solve themselves... they are distributed around the human world without exception... 'condemnation' is unnecessary because there is, in the Biblical sense, no judge other than God.  And no one person can be said to be "in a position to judge" anyone from the perspective of purity of intent, freedom from bias, and unfettered understanding.

Removing the "plank out of your own eye" is not about becoming worthy to judge... it's about how ultimately no one is, or can be, that worthy... which the faithful must acknowledge and internalize; lest condemnation be perverted into a social 'show thing'... (like it is with politicians, and other global celebrities...)

Funny that "hypocrisy" is a condemnation... kind of ironic, no? 

[midicon]

I'm certainly no religious scholar myself; but I feel the admonishment you mention is about condemnation, not hypocrisy.

Flaws and problem do not solve themselves... they are distributed around the human world without exception... 'condemnation' is unnecessary because there is, in the Biblical sense, no judge other than God.  And no one person can be said to be "in a position to judge" anyone from the perspective of purity of intent, freedom from bias, and unfettered understanding.

Removing the "plank out of your own eye" is not about becoming worthy to judge... it's about how ultimately no one is, or can be, that worthy... which the faithful must acknowledge and internalize; lest condemnation be perverted into a social 'show thing'... (like it is with politicians, and other global celebrities...)

Funny that "hypocrisy" is a condemnation... kind of ironic, no? 

I think you are right and I am wrong Max.

I can't judge anyone.

I think I'm better sticking to being a pretend poet!

[Maxmars]

I think you are right and I am wrong Max.

I can't judge anyone.

I think I'm better sticking to being a pretend poet!

And I a pretend thinker, sir!

There is no right or wrong here... in regards to a frequently surfacing phrase in discussions about the ideal "Russia" and the ideal "West," it simply stands as a point I humbly submit generally reserved for deflection...

"You say we are flawed but... [remove the plank from your own eye]" is not a viable component of the discussion, in my humble opinion. 
It seems that even if we can admit that we are all flawed, we cannot then ignore the flaws and 'pretend' they cancel out... frankly, I think they add up.

There's no point in judging anyone we don't truly know... which is especially applicable when most of what we assume we know we are told by people "we also don't know."

You are a most excellently apt poet!...
Anyone who would argue otherwise would get a 'talking to' by me (not that you need intercession.)  ​​​​​​​