China is not known for its moderation. From mammoth construction projects to extreme public health measures, the government's reaction to perceived problems or obstacles is usually big, fast, and mildly frightening to outside observers. So, it should come as no surprise that official concern about overly-enthusiastic Internet use by teenagers has come to its logical conclusion in teen bootcamps. This week's Thursday Video, via China Digital Times, is a look inside one of the camps: 

There are two possible interpretations here. One is that this is a classic overreaction to a small-scale social problem. The Chinese government reflexively distrusts the chaos and independent nature of the Internet, and it's a small step from there to equating the medium with dangerously substances like alcohol and heroin. (On Monday, Passport noted a host of other ways China is showing its fear of the online world.)

A more menacing possibility lurks, however. China has recently proclaimed a new military doctrine dubbed "informationalization," which basically means dragging the military into the Internet age. It is also actively seeking ways to counter U.S. technological superiority. What better way to do this than to recruit obsessive and accomplished online gamers? The military will give these kids purpose, discipline, and exposure to sunlight for the first time. In return, they may be able to draw on their talents in a future cyber conflict.