Recently, some youngsters have been very active in the name of patriotism, from anti-CNN to the boycott of Carrefour. However, it is necessary to point out the distinction between them, or more precisely, between punishment for public goods and retaliation for self-interest.
I support anti-CNN for the reason that any media who claimed to report truth, nothing but truth, should never break the rule. Those who are producing fake news are not only irresponsible for the abused victims, but also demolishing the trustworthiness of media. As de Tocqueville remarked, the newspaper is a critical part of a large-size democratic society. But now, it is so disappointing and upsetting to hear that "in such situations, no one can trust any news anymore" (A German researcher told me in email). Please note that it is not only the western media are to be blamed, but a number of Chinese media are doing nothing better. Hence, if any positive international respondence is expected, anti-CNN should go beyond the limit of patriotism, with the new name anti-fake-news rather than anti-CNN.
On the contrary, I could see nothing but retaliation in the boycott of Carrefour and what can be expected as reciprocation in the long run is probably also retaliation. That means the boycott can only get things worse and worse. Please remember: Liberty, equality and fraternity are justified values for human society, but patriotism is not.
Fortunately, the situation is not so terrible as it seems on the internet. I did some shopping in Carrefour on purpose and found nothing unusual. It is perhaps because the patriots are used to being much more active on the virtual web than in the real life. That's good news.
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