Taiwan Through Time

We are joined by Iain Garner of the Taiwanese-based games publisher Neon Doctrine. He shares with us his insights into the world of game development and Taiwan's unique position in this industry.

In this episode we take a look at the missionary work of the Order of Saint Dominic and their influences upon nothern Taiwan.

It's 2023 (as least as I type this) and for most people Covid-19 is little more than a painful memory. The virus isn't gone and infections still occur, but the existential threat compounded by the ridiculous levels of hygiene theatre that turned the experience in an exercise in virtue-signaling is finally over. People are able to once again breathe easy and get back to living their lives. Yet some things linger still. In Taiwan most citizens still wear face masks. Why? It has less to do with the virus and more to do with the culture on Taiwan.

Suffering constant disruptions to their trade from the Dutch ensconced in southern Taiwan, the Spanish head to northern Taiwan to form a settlement of their own.

As beer was under a government monopoly for nearly a century in Taiwan, the craft beer industry is still a relatively new endeavour. I invited Joe Merrell from Taihu Brewing to share his knowledge and experience of working in this industry.

We look at Spain's history with Portugal and the steps that led them to claim the Philippines and start a colony in northern Taiwan.

We take a look at the indigenous' religion and their priestesses, their connection to their ancestors and how they deal with illness and death. We also explore the creative side of their society, looking at their architecture, their various crafts and their tattoos.

Using the work of anthropologist Janet Blair Montgomery McGovern, we take a closer look at the indigenous peoples of Taiwan, exploring their culture and society.

After two successive governors regularly requesting additional troops to deal with native hostility, Batavia finally relents and sends Hans Putmans troops.

We look at the confrontation between Zheng Zhilong and Hans Putmans known as the Battle of Liaoluo Bay and its aftermath.