I don't know if you guys know this, but this is a racist/prejudice statement, and not funny. I know you guys try your hardest to add slight wit to your stories, but this is really pathetic and you should be ashamed of writing that.
I don't know if you know this, but you need to grow a sense of humor, and not take things so personally. I know you try your hardest to be the first comment, but your lack of humor is pathetic and you should be ashamed of writing that.
It's interesting how different people read a joke like that. I read it as being a scatching commentary on Americans' distorted sense of internationalism -- which is how Thomas, an American living abroad, intended it. Either way, I can understand how some might take it the wrong way, so we've pulled the line.
I just thought it was in poor taste. I sincerely appreciate the benign humor that takes place on Engadget at times, but what if someone from China read this and saw that, or what about a Chinese-American?
@Luke - I have a great sense of humor, and I do find the post slightly funny, but as a human being with a conscience, I was not comfortable with the fact that the focal point of this post ended up being about this one comment. I personally feel that the post could have been a great one, especially with the significance of what it really means for both our countries, China and America. And at the end of the day I felt like I was reading a blog called Laughgadet, cause that is what the post ended up being, instead of informative, it became Engadget making a mockery of itself, which is a shame.
At least we are not censored by Brian Lamm, oh wait, the post was removed. I do appreciate that you have opened the comments back up, and it would be nice to have further information about this topic, because it could be significant.
"I insist that you explain why you though it was funny that 63 million Americans would be ordering Chinese Food using this hardline to China, is that what you really think of the Chinese people? Are you a bunch of racist cowards?"
As BestSnowman already said, the joke was "stupid," yes, but hardly "racist/prejudice." It's a commentary on ignorance rather than the Chinese "race." Regardless, the joke is gone... the world is once again safe.
I simply become angry when it seems that people are being censored, and when the post was originally pulled, that's what I believed happened, and I didn't appreciate that, so I became upset and I apologize for that. If it happened to you, you would be upset in a similar manner as well, bet you anything.
I like your posts, but I was very disappointed, that's what I was feeling, frustration, disappointment and quite frankly I was furious of the apparent censorship.
And if I had not posted those posts would you guys have re-opened this forum? I don't know, it's too late to tell because you pulled it and then only re-posted it after my comments.
I don't think it's racist to say that Chinese people eat Chinese food.
He didn't say that Americans would be ordering food from every Chinese person, because every Chinese person works at a Chinese restaraunt. He didn't say that at all. Instead, he used the fact that man, many Americans enjoy Chinese food, which, for its American base, is usually consumed through means of delivery. If there were a direct line to China, perhaps more deliveries would be made. This is rediculous, as no one would order food all the way from China. It would cost too much. Hense the humor.
If every joke had to encorporate every aspect of the object it was making fun of in order to not be insensitive, humor would be incredibly prententiously politically correct, and would cease to be funny. The joke could have read "62 million simultaneous calls (for takeout, or toys, or cheap electronics, or perhaps thousands of other goods and services which the Chinese are well known for making, or perhaps just to chat with the largest country in the world about it's vast historical significance and amazing achievements over the past 4000 years, or maybe to broaden our political horizens, or who knows, this line could be used for so many different things)".
That would include a well rounded assessment of China. But who the hell wants that. It was a one-liner about one aspect of China, it's food business within America, which is an aspect that many Americans can relate too. Humor should relate to the people. When you don't find it funny, just don't laugh. But there's no reason to be angry about something you don't find funny.
Isn't this the same Thomas Ricker guy who stir up stuff about the Meizu and instead of accussing the meizu, he uses the word "Chinese"? By the way it's CHINA and the US and NOT "CHINESE and US" or else you say it's Chinese and Americans.
For all of you that don't get, being politically correct is more about sticking up for the people who's voices can't be heard. So as you sit there and laugh at the non-intellectual jokes that you come up with, or some pathetic one liners, think about that. Although you truly are a reflection of what this world has become, dip-shits that don't care about anyone but themselves.
@ Jacob - No, but the perception that we could use those 63 million call slots from America to order Chinese food from China, that is an ignorant view of what exists in China and how we as Americans view the Chinese. If this were said about a Chinese restaurant in America, that may have been funny, but we are talking about China here, and most of you don't even know anything about China or the Chinese.
Things we should be grateful for that come from China - Ice Cream, Medicine, Silk, Fireworks/Gunpowder/other types of arms, Tea, and more.
Things that don't exist in China - Chinese food, they just call it food.
Are you kidding? That was hilarious! I also like the "Great Wall of Fiber" suggestion conceived below.
That Chinese restaurants tend to serve a lot of take-out might be a stereotype, but it's a harmless one. Anyway, the very concept of "take-out" is much more condescending to overcasual, lethargic Americans than Chinese.
What's much more threatening to racial harmony is people overreacting to benign, well-intentioned humor like this.
I didnt see the original post. But how would a statement referring to chinese takeout be racist??? I love Chinese food. If someone said "62 million simultaneous calls (for advanced microprocessors?)" .. would that be racist too?
Quite frankly, if anything the fact that chinese food is great is something china can be proud of. It's a huge testament in their favor that every culture in the world loves chinese food. It must taste great, how else can so many people love it.
Seriously is there a chinese person getting offended when people say that their food is popular?
Also, I bet if the statement was the other way around (chinese people calling america) "62 million simultaneous calls (for hollywood movies?)" .. that too would be deemed racist .. how can we dare say they like chinese movies so much?.
Sadly, when it comes to joking about two cultures, someone will figure out a way to show that you meant something racist against the culture that you aren't.
Now that we've thrown 'em off the trail, use the form below to get in touch with the people at Engadget. Please fill in all of the required fields because they're required.
"62 million simultaneous calls (for takeout?)"
I don't know if you guys know this, but this is a racist/prejudice statement, and not funny. I know you guys try your hardest to add slight wit to your stories, but this is really pathetic and you should be ashamed of writing that.
I don't know if you know this, but you need to grow a sense of humor, and not take things so personally. I know you try your hardest to be the first comment, but your lack of humor is pathetic and you should be ashamed of writing that.
Even if it wasn't racist/prejudice it was still really stupid.
It's interesting how different people read a joke like that. I read it as being a scatching commentary on Americans' distorted sense of internationalism -- which is how Thomas, an American living abroad, intended it. Either way, I can understand how some might take it the wrong way, so we've pulled the line.
I just thought it was in poor taste. I sincerely appreciate the benign humor that takes place on Engadget at times, but what if someone from China read this and saw that, or what about a Chinese-American?
@Luke - I have a great sense of humor, and I do find the post slightly funny, but as a human being with a conscience, I was not comfortable with the fact that the focal point of this post ended up being about this one comment. I personally feel that the post could have been a great one, especially with the significance of what it really means for both our countries, China and America. And at the end of the day I felt like I was reading a blog called Laughgadet, cause that is what the post ended up being, instead of informative, it became Engadget making a mockery of itself, which is a shame.
At least we are not censored by Brian Lamm, oh wait, the post was removed. I do appreciate that you have opened the comments back up, and it would be nice to have further information about this topic, because it could be significant.
Gabe,
Duuuuuude...
"I insist that you explain why you though it was funny that 63 million Americans would be ordering Chinese Food using this hardline to China, is that what you really think of the Chinese people? Are you a bunch of racist cowards?"
http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/23/olpc-goes-after-deep-pocketed-donors/comments/8298828/
As BestSnowman already said, the joke was "stupid," yes, but hardly "racist/prejudice." It's a commentary on ignorance rather than the Chinese "race." Regardless, the joke is gone... the world is once again safe.
Thomas
I simply become angry when it seems that people are being censored, and when the post was originally pulled, that's what I believed happened, and I didn't appreciate that, so I became upset and I apologize for that. If it happened to you, you would be upset in a similar manner as well, bet you anything.
I like your posts, but I was very disappointed, that's what I was feeling, frustration, disappointment and quite frankly I was furious of the apparent censorship.
And if I had not posted those posts would you guys have re-opened this forum? I don't know, it's too late to tell because you pulled it and then only re-posted it after my comments.
I don't think it's racist to say that Chinese people eat Chinese food.
He didn't say that Americans would be ordering food from every Chinese person, because every Chinese person works at a Chinese restaraunt. He didn't say that at all. Instead, he used the fact that man, many Americans enjoy Chinese food, which, for its American base, is usually consumed through means of delivery. If there were a direct line to China, perhaps more deliveries would be made. This is rediculous, as no one would order food all the way from China. It would cost too much. Hense the humor.
If every joke had to encorporate every aspect of the object it was making fun of in order to not be insensitive, humor would be incredibly prententiously politically correct, and would cease to be funny. The joke could have read "62 million simultaneous calls (for takeout, or toys, or cheap electronics, or perhaps thousands of other goods and services which the Chinese are well known for making, or perhaps just to chat with the largest country in the world about it's vast historical significance and amazing achievements over the past 4000 years, or maybe to broaden our political horizens, or who knows, this line could be used for so many different things)".
That would include a well rounded assessment of China. But who the hell wants that. It was a one-liner about one aspect of China, it's food business within America, which is an aspect that many Americans can relate too. Humor should relate to the people. When you don't find it funny, just don't laugh. But there's no reason to be angry about something you don't find funny.
Isn't this the same Thomas Ricker guy who stir up stuff about the Meizu and instead of accussing the meizu, he uses the word "Chinese"? By the way it's CHINA and the US and NOT "CHINESE and US" or else you say it's Chinese and Americans.
Just my 2cents.
Goramit! That's a lot of calls!
For all of you that don't get, being politically correct is more about sticking up for the people who's voices can't be heard. So as you sit there and laugh at the non-intellectual jokes that you come up with, or some pathetic one liners, think about that. Although you truly are a reflection of what this world has become, dip-shits that don't care about anyone but themselves.
Mentioning the fact that many Americans order takeout food from Chinese restaurants is racist? I don't follow your logic. Please explain.
@ Jacob - No, but the perception that we could use those 63 million call slots from America to order Chinese food from China, that is an ignorant view of what exists in China and how we as Americans view the Chinese. If this were said about a Chinese restaurant in America, that may have been funny, but we are talking about China here, and most of you don't even know anything about China or the Chinese.
Things we should be grateful for that come from China - Ice Cream, Medicine, Silk, Fireworks/Gunpowder/other types of arms, Tea, and more.
Things that don't exist in China - Chinese food, they just call it food.
Are you kidding? That was hilarious! I also like the "Great Wall of Fiber" suggestion conceived below.
That Chinese restaurants tend to serve a lot of take-out might be a stereotype, but it's a harmless one. Anyway, the very concept of "take-out" is much more condescending to overcasual, lethargic Americans than Chinese.
What's much more threatening to racial harmony is people overreacting to benign, well-intentioned humor like this.
I didnt see the original post. But how would a statement referring to chinese takeout be racist??? I love Chinese food. If someone said "62 million simultaneous calls (for advanced microprocessors?)" .. would that be racist too?
Quite frankly, if anything the fact that chinese food is great is something china can be proud of. It's a huge testament in their favor that every culture in the world loves chinese food. It must taste great, how else can so many people love it.
Seriously is there a chinese person getting offended when people say that their food is popular?
Also, I bet if the statement was the other way around (chinese people calling america) "62 million simultaneous calls (for hollywood movies?)" .. that too would be deemed racist .. how can we dare say they like chinese movies so much?.
Sadly, when it comes to joking about two cultures, someone will figure out a way to show that you meant something racist against the culture that you aren't.