Turnip New

DECEMBER 6, 2055

Chinese Military Parade in Shanghai, China

Lessons Learned
from the East

and controlling its citizens through

intelligence. In any action or alleged
scheme that did not follow the partys agenda, was severely punished.
By JACKSON LANIER
In its early days, China relied on
spies and other physical monitoring
on suspects. As technology improved,
the sophistication of surveillance imToday marks the 10th anniversary proved. Generation upon new genof the end of the Chinese Insurrec- eration grew up with a camera montion. While in China, parades are be- itoring them, a government official
ing be held in honor of the govern- watching their every move, or all their
ment and those who defeated the up- digital being reviewed.
rising. In other parts of the world,
vigils are being held in remembrance
In America, we were heading
of the brave men and women who down that path. In the days followgave their lives in support of their ing September 11, and the signing
freedom of speech and privacy. Yes, in effect of the Patriot act, America
these events are being held in remem- was slowly falling into the same pit
brance of the same events. So why as China. What happened after 911
is this day being honored in differ- was a public fear of future terrorist
ent ways? The reason lies in citizens attacks. Instead of the government
vastly different attitudes towards the forcing its people into a surveillance
government.
state, the people willingly created
China has always had a history their own in hope of protecting themof blindly following the government. selves. In charge of protecting the
Since the formation of the Peoples American people was the National SeRepublic of China, the government curity Agency. They were in charge of
has placed heavy focus on monitoring searching for terror related communi-

cation via telephone and other forms

of digital communication. The NSA
began collecting hundred of terabytes
of communications on American citizens. Heres the kicker though, none
of the data collected was used or related to preventing a terror attack.
Hundreds of thousands of terabytes
of data were collected on American
citizens for what?
Unlike China, the United States
and citizens did not let this theft of
data and invasion of privacy stand.
Throughout American pop culture,
anti surveillance rhetoric could be
seen in all aspects of mainstream media, social media, entertainment, and
advertisements. In the political spectrum, American Politics struck down
bills reauthorizing the controversial
surveillance programs and passing
new bills to protect Americans privacy. Now that these differences are
easier to see, its not that hard to
notice how they celebrate the Anniversary of Chinese Insurrection differently and why. Chinas long history of unquestionable obedience to

Turnip News:
the government is in stark contrast
to the United States independent attitude and distrust of the government. Here in America, we celebrate
strives made to bring freedom to areas China does not share that be-

DECEMBER 6, 2055

lief though. China champions obedience to the government and looks

down upon anyone who does not meet
the status quo. When remembering
The Great Chinese Insurrection today, do not remember it as a failed

attempt to overthrow a communist

regime rather remember it as a people
standing against a corrupt and intrusive government. Remember it as it
a people standing up for their rights,
rights we Americans take for granted.