Chinese online sleuths score
Human flesh search engine helps topple abusive top bureaucrat
By MARK MAGNIER, Los Angeles Times
First published in print: Sunday, November 23, 2008
BEIJING — The private eyes in China‘s most famous detective agency rarely sleep, are relentless in pursuing their prey and can put Interpol and Homeland Security to shame. Oh, and they work for free.
But before you think about hiring them, there‘s a catch. The detectives are all online: millions of people working together as a "human flesh search engine," a bizarre term meant to capture the mix of cutting-edge and old-as-the-hills tactics used in a growing number of Internet vigilante campaigns here.
And once again they have found their target, fueling a scandal that has captivated millions while underscoring the anger and lack of trust many feel toward officials, police and the law.
In late October, a video surfaced on the Internet showing an unnamed official at a seafood restaurant in the city of Shenzhen near Hong Kong facing off against a family. The video, widely distributed on the Internet, shows the official talking, pushing and yelling at family members after allegedly grabbing their 11-year-old daughter.
"I did it, so what?" the official says, according to an accompanying transcript. "How much money do you want? Give me a price. I will pay it!"
Then pointing at the girl‘s father, he reportedly adds, "Do you know who I am? I was sent here by the Transportation Ministry in Beijing. I have the same seniority as your mayor. So what if I grabbed a little child‘s neck?"
The video enraged Internet users, setting into motion the human flesh search engine. These investigations — some would say witch hunts — include the use of databases, photo analysis, search engines, social networking sites and hacking into private online accounts. This is complemented and often trumped by kibitzing on a massive scale in a culture where personal connections are the key to getting things done.
"With that kind of speed and manpower, sooner or later someone gets lucky," said Liang Shuxin, 33, a blogger and deputy editor of the popular online Tianya Forum, who has participated in human flesh searches.
In short order, the white-shirted, pot-bellied official on the video was identified , 58, party secretary of the Shenzhen Maritime Administration. Lin was subsequently fired, and his reputation left in tatters.
Beijing has been tolerant of the occasional campaign against bad-apple officials provided they‘re at a low enough level and citizens don‘t focus too much on a broad condemnation of the system. The Chinese restaurant scandal appears to be the first time the tactic has brought down a central government official.
With that kind of speed and manpower, sooner or later someone gets lucky," said Liang Shuxin, 33, a blogger and deputy editor of the popular online Tianya Forum, who has participated in human flesh searches.
附非完整版翻译
中国最有名的侦探机构中的私家侦探很少睡觉，一直在无情地追寻猎物，让国际刑警组织都黯然失色。而且他们还是免费的。但在你考虑雇用他们之前，有一点比较困难。这些侦探都是网络在线人群，数百万人共同工作进行“人肉搜索”。这种方法融合了最先进的最古老的战术，而且正在吸引越来越多的网络义务警员参与进来。
他们又一次发现目标，揭露了一桩吸引数百万人注意的丑闻。这桩丑闻同时表明，许多人对某些官员、警察和法律缺乏信任。10月末，一段视频出现在网上，一个不知名的官员在一家酒楼试图将一个小女孩拖入洗手间后与女孩家人对峙。视频激怒了网民，他们发动人肉搜索。这些调查包括使用数据库、照片分析、社交网站及利用黑客行为进入私人账户。很短时间内，这名官员被确认。此后该官员被免职，名声一落千丈。
有人认为，这起事件反映了百姓和官员之间巨大的权利不平衡。人肉搜索事件的增多也反映了北京在管理网络用户时所面临的困境。著名博客迈克尔安迪说：“这难以管理。你很难找到一个人为此负责，而且速度也不会这么快。”
一直以来，北京对于偶尔发生的针对害群之马官员的人肉搜索比较容忍。也有分析人士指出，在这场猫鼠游戏中，人肉搜索者也知道不能跨越红线，以防惹上麻烦。 天译时代翻译培训收集整理
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