debate - The Balkanization of the internet

I jumped into a discussion at the weblog of Stanford Law professor Lawrence Lessig (who has lent out his weblog this week). While I agree with the basic problem, people only being interested in their own backyard, some of the examples were way out of line with reality.
My comment: "Sorry for messing up your idea about balkanization: I write this from Shanghai. While I still think your idea might be valid, the technological means you mention are not as powerful as cultural barriers. On a practical level: China has no walled intranet - some government departments have been playing with the idea years ago, but it has never materialized. Censorship does exist, but technological means have failed to do their job. In fact, the ongoing People’s War against Pornography did not rely that much on technology but on email addresses and phone numbers where concerned citizens could complain.I do think it is a good idea when you guys at your side of the fence have an idea what is happening here. I’m in the early phases of a project here, but you can already have a peek at www.chinaherald.net/connecting.html."
Join the frenzy if you feel like it.