I blog quite a bit on Taiwan politics, but I can hardly keep track of all the news and commentary, all by myself, nor comment meaningfully on any great part of it. Further, sometimes I just get so tired of the parade of hypocrisy that is politics, I can't face the task of assembling a commentary that doesn't become a rant. I was wondering if the answer to the twin problems of great scale and periodic burnout might not be a group blog that writes in both English and Chinese, links to major blogs in both languages, and has a pro-Taiwan, pro-democracy slant. Would anybody want to erect something like that?
[Taiwan] [Taiwan blogs]
This sounds interesting, but also sounds like a lot of work. I personally have been dealing with an issue that could eventually involve an attempt at trying to get Taiwanese politicians involved in. I'm going to look for your email address and give you the story there.
ReplyDeletehi, am oiwan from hk. i have been reading your blog for sometimes and introduce it via global voices online (am one of their editors). i share with your feelings concerning taiwan political blog (i have lived in hsinchu for two years). now a group of media activists from asia is building up a collective platform for dialogue and communication. it haven't been launched yet (it will be on 1 of sept). am one of the organizers. you may want to take a look and see whether you like to join in. my e-mail is owlam AT yahoo.com
ReplyDeletecheers, oiwan
I certainly could not help you create such a blog, but I would definitely read it! Taiwanese politics seem so convoluted that I would welcome any attempt to seperate the players and their parties and platforms!
ReplyDeleteMichael, I've been thinking the same thing for a while now. Let's talk about it.
ReplyDeleteI would be interested in getting involved.
ReplyDeleteAwesome!!!! I think this is a great idea! It will move your blog to the status it really deserves- not just for entertainment, but for activism. It is a project more worthy of your time and talent. OK, now I'm happy.
ReplyDeleteRead something, somewhere a few months back speculating that successful blogs in the future would be collaborative because it's easier to maintain high quality if the contributors weren't forced to churn out material day in, day out.
ReplyDeleteAnyways, that was the argument.
On the other hand, there's always the danger that other folks stop contributing and the whole thing becomes a one-man show. I could be wrong, but didn't something like that happen with AsiaPundit?
Just tossing out the pros and the cons here. Like the other folks say, it sounds interesting.
How good is your Chinese reading ability and of others interested in collaborating?
ReplyDeleteThe reason I ask is I could spend a limited amount of time doing translations from Chinese to English if that would be helpful.
I could certainly help out on the hosting/progrsmming side. Let's talk.
ReplyDeleteI have opinions about Taiwan politics and am interested in sharing my thoughts occasionally on this potential platform. Gret idea!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea, Michael. I would like to participate.
ReplyDeleteIt's been a long time that I have been thinking of translating some of you guys' work into manderin. For those self-righteous- thinking-themselves- highly-educated pan-bluers, knowing that some views are from "foreigners" might really touch them and whack them awake from their drunken state. A group blog with you guys involved might have the same effect.
Great idea. Keep us up to date on how it develops and let me know if there is anything I can do.
ReplyDeleteHeh
ReplyDeleteI'm not really good at news commentary, but I'd be happy to contribute my meager output.
ReplyDeleteSounds promising. I look forward to seeing how this turns out.
ReplyDeleteI'm interested. PM me on Forumosa.
ReplyDeleteMichael:
ReplyDeleteWill the group blog be one that holds a neutral stance, where both blue supporters will be given equal chance to express their opinion as their green counterparts?
I wouldn't mind helping out as I have the hosting power and now have improved graphic design skills. Can we use a CMS so its collaborative like BoingBoing? My contact info is at my site www.taiwanindependence.net
ReplyDeleteI never had an interest in Taiwanese politics until I married my wife, who is from Taiwan. I find it really fascinating how the politics work or try to work in Taiwan; especially the public brawls that occurs in their Parliment. Sometimes I wonder how any other county can take Taiwanese politics seriously or worse the country as a whole seriously.
ReplyDeleteTaiwan is one of the largest economies and trading countries in the world. And while Taiwanese brawl, they don't invade other countries and murder hundreds of thousand, they don't spy on every phone call made by their citizens, their citizens are not subject to arrest at the President's whim, and they have universal health insurance. I could name at least one very fucked up country that doesn't meet those criteria.
ReplyDeleteMichael
I am anxious to see the outcomes of this.
ReplyDelete