I had an interesting talk with my coworker (fellow engineer) from China. He had just been back there for a month, so I asked him what people thought about the whole Google thing.

At first he explained that he thought most people wouldn't care because they all use Baidu. But when I explained that Google was going to turn off censorship and filtering or leave, he seemed to get a little flustered. I think he couldn't imagine either possibility. He said he thought they would stay, but with less filtering than before.

I felt like the subject was getting touchy so we left it there. But I do find it plausible that Google's move will shock the average Internet user in China, especially if it shocks my relatively well-informed friend.