China’s ‘human flesh search engines’ explained

A new documentary takes a second look at one of China’s most interesting, if awkwardly named, web trends: ‘human flesh search engines.’

Believe it or not, the term ‘human flesh search engine’ has nothing to do with porn. Or cannibalism. It is the English translation of the Chinese phrase for a crowd-powered web search that typically — though not necessarily — involves harnessing the moral outrage of many to publicly shame the few.

The classic case:

The human flesh search engine first shot to prominence in 2006, thanks to the macabre actions of Wang Jue, a nurse from Heilongjiang Province.

Now known as the “Kitten Killer of Hangzhou,” Wang Jue uploaded a video of herself crushing a kitten to death under her high heels. People identified her location by studying the backdrop to the video and traced the offending pair of stilettos to a purchase made on eBay.

The stilettoed murderess eventually issued a public apology, blaming her actions on her devastation following her failed marriage. Both she and the cameraman who recorded the kitten killing lost their jobs.

via The Human Flesh Search Engine – Forbes.com.

China’s cyber-sleuths have also mobilized to denounce alleged traitors and shame cheating spouses. The so-called ‘flesh hunters’ have been likened to lynch mobs.

This film is definitely worth a watch. It steers clear of hysteria, dissecting some of the high profile cases and exploring the many ways Human Flesh Search Engines have — and could — be used.

Watch part one, here. To watch part two, email info[at]daedalumfilms.com for a password.