Read on Twitter
1/Here's a thread of my recent newsletter about Taiwan!
Americans have very little "consciousness" of Taiwan, compared to Japan and South Korea. That needs to change! https://noahpinion.substack.com/p/taiwan-is-a-civilization
Americans have very little "consciousness" of Taiwan, compared to Japan and South Korea. That needs to change! https://noahpinion.substack.com/p/taiwan-is-a-civilization
2/How much does the average American know about Taiwan? Precious little, I'd say. Except for bubble tea, most Americans probably wouldn't even recognize Taiwanese food!
3/Some Americans think of Taiwan as part of China (China's government certainly thinks it is!). This may stop them from thinking about Taiwan as a country.
But most Taiwanese people don't consider themselves "Chinese" in the national sense.
But most Taiwanese people don't consider themselves "Chinese" in the national sense.
4/America has not sworn to defend Taiwan. But we are taking a much more pro-Taiwan posture. And this new approach is BIPARTISAN, so it's going to stick around.
One more reason for Americans like me to learn a little about Taiwan!
One more reason for Americans like me to learn a little about Taiwan!
5/Now, I haven't been to Taiwan! And I certainly would never prevent myself as an expert.
But I do know a lot of Taiwanese people, and I'm pretty good at doing research online! So here's a quick intro to some of the things *I* found that are really cool about Taiwan.
But I do know a lot of Taiwanese people, and I'm pretty good at doing research online! So here's a quick intro to some of the things *I* found that are really cool about Taiwan.
6/For one thing, Taiwan has superior public health -- maybe the best public health system in the world.
They really kicked COVID-19's ass. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanwpc/article/PIIS2666-6065(20)30044-4/fulltext
They really kicked COVID-19's ass. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanwpc/article/PIIS2666-6065(20)30044-4/fulltext
7/In the U.S., about half a million people have died of COVID so far.
In Taiwan? Seven people.
In Taiwan? Seven people.
8/Now, thanks to their amazing public health system, Taiwanese people have been able to go back to a mostly normal life. https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/21/asia/taiwan-model-coronavirus-hnk-intl/index.html
9/Note that Taiwan also has one of the best (if not the best) health care systems in the world, and it's a single-payer system.
Socialists, take note! Taiwan is the #M4A success story you should be talking about! https://www.vox.com/health-care/2020/1/13/21028702/medicare-for-all-taiwan-health-insurance
Socialists, take note! Taiwan is the #M4A success story you should be talking about! https://www.vox.com/health-care/2020/1/13/21028702/medicare-for-all-taiwan-health-insurance
10/Anyway, in addition to great public health and health care, Taiwan has great urbanism.
Follow @TaipeiUrbanism to see how awesome the capital city is.
https://twitter.com/TaipeiUrbanism/
Follow @TaipeiUrbanism to see how awesome the capital city is.
https://twitter.com/TaipeiUrbanism/
11/Or read this great thread by the incomparable @alfred_twu: https://twitter.com/alfred_twu/status/1350723920144474115
12/Taiwanese cities have a look that I can only describe as "solarpunk"...
13/Taipei has one of the world's best subway systems... https://www.insider.com/taipei-metro-vs-america-2019-1
