Chase W. Nelson 倪誠志

The most glaring omission in Western media coverage of Taiwan is Taiwan itself. I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen a Taiwanese person interviewed! Instead, Taiwan is discussed almost as if it’s uninhabited land contested by China and the US. 1/3

“Taiwan is part of China” is not reality. It’s a prescriptive view that Taiwan SHOULD be part of China — not unlike Donald Trump calling Canada the 51st state or threatening to annex Greenland. 1/3

On Taiwan’s defense: this would be a SALE — Taiwan would pay for its own weapons, unlike the U.S.-taxpayer-funded military AID sent to Israel and Ukraine. Surely Taiwan deserves the chance to defend itself against invasion.

I live in Taiwan, and this place is a country, not a bargaining chip to be traded between China and the US. Yet, as Trump and Xi meet, the whole world is talking about this place with seemingly zero input from its leaders. 1/3

Popped into our heads and had to get it out! #FamilyGuy good old-fashioned values

I wept as I re-watched Mon Mothma’s Senate speech from Andor. It is a mirror of our present reality. “Of all the things at risk, the loss of an objective reality is perhaps the most dangerous. The loss of truth is the ultimate victory of evil… 1/2

West Michigan Xtreme Cardio

A big burden was lifted just now as the following popped into my head: YOUR JOB IS NOT to convince anyone else to be intellectually honest. YOUR JOB IS ONLY to make sure you remain intellectually honest yourself.

When you want progress in any endeavor, it’s good to find your “edge”—but pushing too far beyond your capacity is also counterproductive (or harmful). 1/4

Beginner guitar holiday meditation on Will Ackerman, “What Strangers Are These.” I am falling in love with this instrument—even a single note hits you deep on guitar. Peace, peace on all our Earth. There are no strangers.

Working to ensure that every kcal I consume this week assimilates as muscle and strength. DEADLIFT 6 x 325 lbs

Midwestern Winter Workout

Our strength fluctuates, going up and down like a squiggle on a line graph—as all progress. What matters is finding your limit for today. Pushing further risks injury and is “unprofessional”. Today the limit was 3 x 150 kg and that’s okay. A lifter is one who lifts; simply lift, then.

Shifen 十分 Waterfall 瀑布 just outside of Taipei in beautiful Taiwan.

God bless America

#Deadlift 6 x 295. Helping to gain strength and avoid injury: remembering to consciously USE MY LEGS, not just rely on my lower back.

“Those ashes, come spring, I will return to the orchard at the foot of the sandhill. They will come back to me again, perhaps as red apples, or perhaps as a spirit of enterprise in some fat October squirrel, who, for reasons unknown to himself, is bent on planting acorns.” —Aldo Leopold

Vote for Zohran Mamdani and/or Brad Lander today! Don’t rank Cuomo. 🙏🏽

No Kings in Holland, Michigan