The Conversation:

Tony Coolidge took a journey to discover his indigenous roots in the documentary Voices in the Clouds.  We discussed his journey, his non-profit organization, and indigenous groups in Taiwan and the U.S.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_7fBJCfITY

Questions:

In your documentary you take a trip to visit this group(Atayal).  Tell me about that.

What's the status of Taiwanese indigenous groups?

Are you still connected?  What's your status with indigenous groups at present?

Vocabulary: heritage committed article altering overcome limitations accomplish indigenous tribes festivals Atayal submitted screened motivation discrimination endanger preserved resources ties infancy barrier develop overseas corporations destiny

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Don Quan is the Kaohsiung City Producer for the 48 Hour Film Project. We talked about the concept behind the project, the motivation for bringing this project to Kaohsiung, the response from the community and government, and the status of Kaohsiung's film-making culture. The 48 Hour Film Project Kaohsiung will commence on May 27, 2011.

The Conversation:

Dr. Jia-hao Hsu is professor of political science.  We discussed cross-straits relations including: ECFA, 'One China' policy, 'the mainland',  and the Taiwanese fraud suspects arrested in the Philippines issue and its relation to Taiwanese identity.

Questions:

Has Taiwan realigned its definition of the 'One China' policy to fit China's definition?

What is the significance of Taiwanese using the term 'the Mainland'?

Was the deportation of the Taiwanese fraud suspects from the Philippines a result of the 'One China' policy or a matter of convenience since their crimes were committed in China?

Vocabulary: cooperation cautious flow perspective crucial restrictions expectation elected scale labor distance early harvest majority buy-off intention deep-grained pro-independence opposing separating competitiveness reunified tenets realigned core opinion poll dramatic shift survey issue ambiguous elaborate constitution sovereignty discourse provocative substantial constantly interpretation observation controversial authentic terminology fraud suspectstechnical error immigration metaphor identity vulnerable emphasize bureaucratic negotiate jurisdiction diplomacy futile

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The Conversation:

Tobie Openshaw is a South African-born photographer who has been working in video and photography for over 18 years.   We discussed his photography and documentary work on betelnut girls, betelnut girls' place in Taiwanese culture, the issue of exploitation vs. empowerment, and Tobie's perspective on betelnut girls as urban art. View Tobie Openshaw's betelnut beauty photo gallery here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tobie_openshaw/

Questions:

When did betel nut girls start emerging?

What are some of the issues surrounding betel nut girls?

Do you feel that Taiwanese have accepted it is not necessarily exploitation and may be empowerment?

Vocabulary: documentary tobacco rush stimulant arecoline aboriginal hospitality hut container transfer suppressed entrenched eradicated cash-crop unprepossessing clientele stall naked prostitution exploited feminist coerced harassed boundaries empowered strata turning tricks social class spokesperson broad realm stigmatize ancillary velcro

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The Conversation:

Eryk Smith has worked for a local magazine, an English-language newspaper, ICRT, and now as a freelance writer/ journalist/ DJ.  We talked about coming to Taiwan at a young age, growing up, third culture kids, the changes he has seen, and his overall perspective of Taiwan.

Questions:

Did you get the opportunity to live in other places in Taiwan?

What other changes have you seen over the last twenty years?

What is one thing that you would change about Taiwan?

Vocabulary: missionaries Protestant version Christianity twist of fate recall unanimously blend goodies proprietorsuccession frequentlycharacter express tolerant violence majorcesspool hull turbulent militaristic air raid drills second nature humble cell coup inferiority complex third culture kids identify hybrid jungle territory aboriginal hitch-hiking root issue peripheral superior morally behaviour reconsider

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The Conversation:

Dr. Frank Ying is professor of economics and dean of international affairs at National Sun Yat Sen University.  We talked about Chinese students coming to Taiwan universities, international students, the over-supply of universities, and the internationalization of higher education in Taiwan.

Questions:

What do you think about President Ma announcing he wants to really attract other Asia Pacific students to come to Taiwan because of low tuition fees and to study Mandarin?

Do you see that (tuition increases) happening here in Taiwan?

What does that mean for the statement of trying to make Taiwan a hub for Asia Pacific, if you raise the tuition, do you think that would turn those potential students off?

Vocabulary: point of view faculty arguments support observationmutualbenefit pursuepresumptions courses facilitiesreformed atmosphereresponse consider clarify options stipends fairness justice standards turn-off partially over-supply figures inevitabletrend pressure internationalization merge media lump sum effectiveness performancebell curve

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The Conversation:

Lisa is a Canadian writer living in Taiwan.  Lisa has recently published a book, 'Her Apparitions & Other Human Longings'. Lisa discusses the novel, her writing process and inspiration behind the book.  Does the name sound familiar?  Yes, singer/songwriter,  Nelly Furtado is Lisa's younger sister.

Questions:

What is it about schizophrenia that attracted you to put it in this book?

Have you been interested in writing for some time?

What were some of the challenges of putting this book together?

Vocabulary: emotionsdesire surreal schizophrenic inspired mixture plot chicken-scratches analyzing thread carpet intrigueculmination immigratediary essayempathy forum heart-wrenchingfictionimaginativezonelineardialogue reverence

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The Conversation:

Paul tells how he got into diving.  He talks about the diving scene in Taiwan and the Philippines.  Check out the Oasis Cafe for a cup of coffee and to find out more about diving in Taiwan.

Questions:

Orchid Island, Green Island, how do they compare to Kending?

Is there much mingling between foreigner divers and Taiwanese?

Tell me what the difference is between a divemaster and an instructor.

Vocabulary: certified foray snorkeling gear laissez-faire Wild West surroundings topography tip- toe navigator composition wade steep treacherouscoral concerns conception mingling validity ethnic all-inclusive entity territorial frictiondivemasterdelineateratioinfancy cliquishratioanomaly futility pervade tirade

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The Conversation:

Igor discusses The Warehouse, a community art gallery he has established in Kaohsiung.  He talks about the idea behind it, some projects he's initiating (such as sustainable farming), and about the art community in Kaohsiung. Click here for the location.

Questions:

What's been the response to this concept(sustainable farming project)?

Do you see more foreigners focusing their attention, being engaged, and wanting to have some kind of input?

When you get an idea for a project, how do you approach it? Do you plan each stage out or do you leave it open to evolve on its own?

Vocabulary: exhibition community inspiration interactions connections rescue contact evolve create network sustainable environment organic gardening compost fertilizer NGO generate spoon-feeding initial funds launch loops passion

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The Conversation:

Jason guides us through the history of Nichiren Buddhism (its emergence from traditional Buddhism), how he became exposed to it, and how it is applicable to modern day life.  For more info check out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nichiren_Buddhism

Questions:

How did you acquire more information about it, being in the U.S., was that difficult?

Explain a little more about Nichiren Shoshu.  How did it come into existence?

When you  practice, are you chanting, mediating, what are you doing?

Vocabulary:chant sect expose breathe suffering alter pray attain existence prophecy sutra emptiness enterprise priest

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