Letters from Taiwan

“I’m Sorry, We’re Retarded”

That was the response by nuclear engineers at one of the powers stations to news that they had made a huge mess of well, building the nuclear power plant, having put wires and various components in completely the wrong way. Their excuse (other than the one above)? They couldn’t read the manuals properly because they were all in English.

No, I am not kidding.

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About

Letters from Taiwan is an online diary of what engages and interests me about Taiwan as well as a record of my journeys and discoveries in the region. It is an extended letter of admiration and gratitude to this beautiful country that has so hospitably been my home for over a decade.

Originally from the UK, I arrived in 2000 as a teacher and now work full time as a professional in the field of medical devices.

This blog does take an active, passionate and often partisan interest in Taiwan's current affairs, with particular emphasis on its history, politics and economy. I believe that Taiwan is geographically and politically situated at an important juncture of global hegemonic struggle.

The very identity of the nation and the peoples living here, and the ongoing contest over the definition and meaning of those identities is a field study in contemporary nationalism and nation building. It is because this contest is far from resolved that I find the word 'contingent' the most suitable current descriptor.

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