In China, the Internet exists almost solely for business. It is viewed as a medium for making money. In his second article for our 100-Day Dialogue, Andy Ross wrote that the Internet has become a state religion in America. The same could be said of China. These two superstates flanking the Pacific not only share the same Internet theology, but are both forging full-speed ahead toward the complete commercialization of the medium.
Japan appears to be following in their footsteps.
Rather, we would like to explore non-commercial uses for the demonstrated power of digital media to strengthen and expand our existing cultures, and the potential of the Web to link people directly together on a global scale. Although many Internet users seem content to dance to the tune of business, we remain committed to setting our course in a different direction. Even in China, where everyone appears intent on exploiting the Internet as a moneymaking tool, there are a few people who would rather use it to create a new book culture. A comparable movement is afoot in America, where the original Internet was not a medium for commerce at all, but more like a community dedicated to the sharing and exchange of ideas. Yet we are not anti-business by any means.