Everybody loves SMS democracy

The below is from a new blog about China's entertainment industry called Hollwood China. Danwei warns Xinhua and China Daily editors to read this carefully before reproducing:

Taking a cue from the financial and public relations success of "Super Girls", the Standing Committee has decided to leave the fate of Taiwan up to the people.

"We wanted to send a message to the rest of the world that we are progressive, and what says progressive like the fate of an entire island being decided by how accurately people can manipulate their thumbs?," said a Chinese offical who wished to remain anonymous.

"Plus," he went on, "this could be a real money-maker for us. I have heard that Taiwan plans to pay people here on the mainland to text a vote in their favor. It doesn't matter to us; we get a percentage of each text. We expect to make a few million US dollars out of the text messaging alone. Then you have a sudden surge of Taiwanese investment into our work force. It's just smart business. All I can say is, I hope they are paying some people with some fast thumbs and good reception, because the clock is ticking."

Another official, also wishing to remain anonymous, says he thinks Chinese will enjoy the entertainment value of voting on Taiwan.

"I'm pretty sure if we are tabulating text votes about whether to nuke Taiwan, we will have a pretty good ratings share--specially in Taiwan. I predict it will be much higher than "Super Voice Girls."

"I could see China reach a point where pretty much all major decisions are left in the hands of its people and their phones," says Smythe Willard, a Professor of Asian Studies at Harvard. "And I wouldn't be surprised if they used the Olympics to press that kind of thinking on the rest of the world. Suddenly, a gymnast's score wouldn't be decided by a crooked judge from France. It would be decided by a bunch of drunk guys with Nokias in a bar in Chengdu. In my opinion, that is progress."