Instead of black or white, why not learn to survive in gray?

Taiwan hasn't been peaceful in the past few weeks. We are not stranger to political power struggles between various parties, corruption scandals and inefficient government, but we have democracy to be thankful for. The recent uproar has resulted in polarizing views in which some compare the opposing side as the "Red Guards" in the Chinese Cultural Revolution - a bunch of easily manipulated young people to uphold an absolute and uncompromising political view that deem everyone who holds a different view the hated enemy. How ironic it is, that these folks claim to be speaking for the very system that they are destroying.

However what really bothers me deeply is the amount of blind hatred that has consumed them. We all hold different views about the same things. Even the members of a religion have varying views on what the religion mean to the individual. In the movie American Hustle, the con man tells the Federal Agent that this world is "fucking gray". That's exactly the point that has been missed, that there is no such thing as black and white.

So why insist on this black or white? Why try to add more white into a pot of gray paint? It's pointless! The folks who like to claim that they stand with the side of the justice are often the ones violating this very justice. It's much easier to hold an absolute view because it makes it easier to be passionate about it. Think the Nazis and the Japanese Imperial Army of the second world war. People were made to believe that there is no alternative in allowing differences to exist, hence the war. However it was all nothing but a lie of the ones in power to satisfy his own insecurity. "Fuck the Government", anti-police views, campaigns that attacks the individuals are all maneuvers to convince the others to sympathize with the one who defines himself as the victim. These are, however, the stereotypical political moves that people are too smart to identify. Wisdom or not, instead of elimination, why not figure a way to live in the gray?

What is absolute is that we are already in an era of globalization. Nations find the last bit of competitiveness by signing trade treaties with one another. It's really the solution that isn't a solution. However as a country that relies mostly on export and import, there is no other choice but to except this reality. So instead of trying to live in denial and violently fighting against it, polarizing the society, why not spend protest time on upgrading skills and competitiveness instead?

Opportunities are fought and respect is earned. I still believe in the original "American Dream" where one has equal right to work hard for his dream, regardless of his origin. I really hope that our new Taiwanese dream doesn't become one that makes people think they deserve certain welfare because of their origin.

The irony is, the more time we spend on street protests, the higher the chance we will end up living in the streets. Perhaps it's good to practice before it happens for real.

Again, I am sick of living in a society sustained by hypocrisy. The only absolute value is what you believe yourself to be. There's no fighting against that.

I think it is very sad that I no longer feel comfortable sharing my thoughts with any person around me in real life, and that this has become my refuge.

Photo Entry: Little Liu Qiu 小琉球

Little Liu Qiu is an island off the coast of south western Taiwan, only a 30min boat ride away. It's a fishing village with a few thousand folks living on the island. We took a quick day-trip to tour around the island just like most of the tourists at this time of the year. Honestly, I don't know what I would do if I were to stay for more than a day. It's that small! However it also reminded me of my days in Taitung. It's just blue, blue and more blue. Blue from the sky, blue from the ocean. Of course, Taitung has mountains to offset the colors, but the over all atmosphere is very similar. Different from the other off shore island on the south eastern coast of Taiwan, the Green Island, Little Liu Qiu has a lot of coral rock formations where as Green Island is formed on dark volcanic rocks. These two islands seem to be the opposite of each other. The Green Island, being on the Pacific Ocean, is excellent for viewing sunrise, where as the Little Liu Qiu facing west is good for sunsets. Unfortunately, the last boat ride back to the mainland is at 5pm, so that was quite a pity.

I wasn't feeling much to take photos because our trip was rather boring, but the oceanic view is still worth showing. Of, turtles! Sea turtles everywhere!

Photo Entry: Shui Yan Village 八煙聚落

Shui Yan Village is a very small village located in the Jin-Shan District in New Taipei County. It's situated in the mountain not far from the coast in northern Taiwan. The village only has 8 house holds left and was once rather run down. However after some restoration efforts by a agricultural and culture group, the peace farm life picks up a new future. The step-paddy fields have been revived and it now attracts tourists and visitors. It's simply a rare spot of heaven so close to the city.





The weather was foggy and therefore I didn't try to take over all landscape shots of the village, but focused on the macro level of the very interesting life and details that really makes this little place unique.







Always smile for the camera!

Photo Entry: The Flea Market 善化牛墟

At the neighboring town where my grandparents live, there is a cattle trading market where people used to trade their cows. Back in the days when farmers still used cattle to work their fields, they will sell the cows when they become too old and weak to work, and this is where they will trade the cows. This also was one of the most happening market where people from all over town will come each month, as visitors and traders. However cows are of a rare sight these days and therefore, no cattle trade. The market still goes on, without the cows of course. It is now a market without boundary, which means, everything to anything sells. Used books and pornography DVDs to used powertools, fruits and vegetables to street food, and butchered meat to all kinds of live stock for either farm use or as pets. It's interesting because you can never expect what kind of items you will see next, but rest be assured, there's something for everyone!


















What kind of evil person will step on such cute little kitten?






Arhhh SCREW IT!


























Express Tailor!


Mud Fish!


Just a man having a moment with his fish.






Where the heartless find their supplement.


An old man selling folk remedy, claiming to be his ancestor's secret formula that cures everything. It's a secret that I can't tell you, but I can give you a discount on it.


Won't cost you an arm, but certainly a leg!






World's smallest sushi stand?


Comfy job!


Home Depot on wheels.


Grandma waiting for his love.... if you pay her NT$30/hr (parking)