2011/12/25 & 2012/1/1

Dear all,

These two sessions are cancelled.

Wish you a merry Christmas and happy new year.

We will resume our discussion on 2012/1/8. See you all next year!

The Road Ahead for Middle Class Families

http://www.rd.com/money/the-road-ahead-for-middle-class-families/


1. Middle class families are the largest group in most societies.
From wiki, the defintion is obscure: The middle class is any class
of people in the middle of a societal hierarchy. What do you think
about the middle class family? Use your words to describe it.

2. In most middle class families, the parents usually try to give
their kids a beteer education in order to have more competitiveness.
Do you think it is the most important thing that a middle class
parent need to do for their kids?

3. In order to have your own dream family, how much money do think
you need? Why?

X men

2011 X men- First Class trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=frcCCHb9LHc

Outline of X men-- Check story introduction and "reflecting social issues"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X-Men

Main Characters and their superpower
http://comics.ign.com/articles/708/708826p1.html


I believe X men series movies are remarkable pieces that people can't miss.
Except for being a popular superhero film with some breath taking special effect of the movie, there are metaphors for social issue involved in the story. Let's talk about it!


1. Which super ability you'd like the most? Why?

2. If there were Mutants in the world, which side will you support, to "cure" them or to accept them as normal people?

3. Imagine if you were one on Mutants, what treatment will you expect? Try to imagine it from every angle.

4. There are many stories implying the minority who are under oppressive forces but eventually incur destroying war against the majority. Tell an example and share your opinion.

New Rule

If one has plans or any unexpected things so he/she is not be able to join the study session that week, please leave a message or send an e-mail to everybody to ask for leaving no later than 5 p.m., if no, then one should be the host next Sunday.

The host can decide the deadline for asking for leaving if only he/she announces in the previous session or members should regard the deadline as 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Jacqueline Liu

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2011/11/20/2003518743

few questions to discuss
1.do you think she is guilty? why? would you do it if you were her?
2.what do you think of the reaction from Taiwan government?
3.Is this the only one case or still exist in all units of Taiwan embassy?
4.Is the housekeepers so bad that they sue her just for their green cards?
or they just feel they didn't deserve this kind of treatment so they sue?

Commitment Phobia

The thing is that my girl friend told me that she was awakened by a vivid and terrifying nightmare, in which her boyfriend was kneeling down in front of her, showing the ring and asking her to marry him. (OS: What? How can she describe such a romantic and pink scenery as a nightmare!!)

“Was that because your boyfriend showed you an ugly ring in the dream?” I asked. This was the only reasonable explanation coming cross my mind.
“No, it’s nothing to do with the ring. I just...not ready for it and to tell the truth I am afraid of marriage even though we have been together more than 8 years.” she replied.

I thought the commitment phobia only occurs in men. Obviously, I am wrong. It does exist in modern relationships and spreads like a epidemic disease. Maybe it’s because we fear of lost options or fear of making poor decisions. Let’s discuss this phenomenon this week and share your experiences to us!

Relative Materials:
Why are men scared of commitment? Their 10 reasons.
http://www.ivillage.com/why-are-men-scared-commitment-their-10-reasons/4-a-283799

Black men fear commitment (film)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amc07-wfUcs

Discussion Questions:
1. Would you like to get married some day? If your answer is yes, why and when? Tons of people say “marriage is the tomb of love.” Do you agree or disagree with the statement? Why?

2. Except for Muslim, the most part of world adopt monogamy, which is a form of marriage that an individual has only one spouse, in consequence marriage becomes a ethic barrier which stops us to have another relationships. Do you think that the monogamy system results in commitment phobia?

3. Do you suffer from commitment phobia? Why? What are you afraid of? Give us your reasons.

4. In general cases, women tend to enter the marriage around 30 because of the biological limitations (the baby things); however, men have no age limitations. In this theory, women are suitable to married with older men, and men could be cradle robbers. Do you think what is the best age difference for husband and wife? Gentlemen, will you have a relationship with woman older than you or you prefer be a manther? Ladies, will you have a relationship with man younger than you or you prefer be a cougar?

Flood--No longer natural disaster

In the past, flood was considered one of the major natural disasters. Think again.

Natural disaster is defined as a disaster caused by the nature that human being cannot control or prevent. In this case, the government can just provide fund to relieve victims’ pain and loss. Unfortunately, it is usually trivial.

If the disaster is now defined as man-made, mainly due to the breach of duty from the government employees, the victims have right to claim state compensation to substantially relieve their pain and loss.

Follow the flow of the news events below, and read the law.

Don’t ignore your legal right.

Typhoon Kalmaegi, 2008:

Central weather bureau issued warnings on July 18 2008

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2008/07/18/2003417755

The heavy rainfall induced flood and caused loss of lives and property on July 19.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2008/07/19/2003417912

who’s responsibility?

http://www.nownews.com/2008/07/20/11490-2307131.htm

“JUSTICE in time” state compensation, Nov 13 2011.

http://news.chinatimes.com/domestic/11050610/112011111300232.html

http://n.yam.com/ebcnews/society/201111/20111113262518.html

Protect your right, claim your money.

國家賠償法 State Compensation Law

第 2 條

本法所稱公務員者，謂依法令從事於公務之人員。

公務員於執行職務行使公權力時，因故意或過失不法侵害人民自由或權利者，

國家應負損害賠償責任。公務員怠於執行職務，致人民自由或權利遭受損害者亦同。

前項情形，公務員有故意或重大過失時，賠償義務機關對之有求償權。

第3條

公有公共設施因設置或管理有欠缺，致人民生命、身體或財產受損害者，國家應負損害賠償責任。

第 8 條

賠償請求權，自請求權人知有損害時起，因二年間不行使而消滅；

自損害發生時起，逾五年者亦同。

Discussion:

1. Is the place you live vulnerable to flood? How well are you aware of message about the warnings of strong rainfall or flood?

2. If you were the policymaker, what is your plan to reduce the citizens’ damage from flood?

3. The defense of the Central Weather Bureau is that precise weather forecasting is difficult under current technology. Do you buy it?

4. Let’s try to propose as many cases as possible that the victims can claim state compensation.

Social Networking, Good or bad?

Just to remind you that today's discussion will start at 9:00pm. We will try to start and finish it on time.

Do you have facebook account or use twitter to post your real-time thinking to share with your friends? If you use some sort of social networking sites do you find yourself addicted to these social networking sites? This week we will discuss something about social networking. There are loads of articles or criticism about social networking both in Chinese and English. However, I found the following one is quite recent and may give you some fresh ideas about the use of social networking.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/kashmirhill/2011/11/11/penn-state-scandal-teaches-ashton-kutcher-a-google-before-you-tweet-lesson/

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/technology/ashton-kutchers-joe-paterno-tweet-should-celebs-manage-own-twitter-feeds/2011/11/10/gIQAOFJX9M_story.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/07/AR2009070701162.html

1. Do you use some sort of social networking sites? What is it or what are they? Are you a heavy user of social networking sites?

2. Do you feel liked being watched or followed? What are your opinions about posting every single thing you do or place you go on social networking? Do you do that?

(If you do not use social networking sites or apps, do you feel alien when you friends discuss something about social networking sites or apps)

3. Should celebrities or famous people be responsible for false messages (or misguided paid adverts) that they posted?

4. As some may know that in China you can not access Facebook (unless you know how to go through the big firewall). What are your opinions about this.

5. Can you think of any good or beneficial uses of social networking sites or apps?

Nobel Economic Laureate: For those who invent unpaid furlough

http://www.chinapost.com.tw/editorial/2011/10/31/321493/Calling-out.htm


http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2011/11/02/2003517274


http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2011/11/03/2003517358

1. As an empployee, what do you think about unpaid furlough? Do you think it is a wise measure when the business of your company gets worse?

2. Some high-tech company owners spoke to support the furlough. From their standpoints, taking furlough is better than laying off labors. What is your opinion?

3. If you were forced to take a long upaid furlough (maybe 2~3 weeks or longer), what will you do? How do you spend your time during this kind of unexpected "vacation?"

4. The President election will be held next year. Do you have any expectation on those candidates? Or if you were the President, what will you do to protect employee's right while keeping economy prosperous?

LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender) Pride Parade

Today, we are going to discuss something about gay/lesbian issues in Taiwan or around the world generally.

http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/national/national-news/2011/10/30/321372/LGBT-Pride.htm

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you have friends who are LGBT?

2. What do you think how open the Taiwanese society is toward LGBT? (Think of the rating 1 to 5 with rate 1 the less open and rate 5 the most open)

3. Are LGBT being treated the same or differently? Are there any discrimination? Share some of your or your friends' experience with us if there are any.

4. Do you support same-sex marriage? Why?

5. If you are an important person (such as President) in Taiwan who has power to make things happen or make dreams come true, what right will you advocate to prevent or improve LGBT discrimination?

Anyone wants to take over 10!23 discussion?

New rules

According our discussion on Sept. 18, we reached a consensus in two new rules:

1. Make sure to inform the host two days before the discussion if you cannot attend. The one who absents without notifying in advance will be the host on next Sunday.

2. The host can defer the discussion to next week if less than three people (<3) can participate in discussion. Of course, the host have to announce it on our blog to inform everyone.

control your impulsive purchase

http://moneyland.time.com/2011/09/26/want-to-stop-spending-try-thinking-about-cash/

In this article, it teaches people several tactics to prevent themselves
from buying implusively. But in our daily life, impulsive purchase more or less is
happening every single day. Therefore, living in such a poor era it has become a very huge issue in our life. I am here wondering,

1. Do you buy something impulsively often? how often?
2. Do you think the way in this article does work? why? why not?
3. Do you have some skills can teach us not to buy impulsively?Give us some examples.
4. Is saving money one of the ways to earn money? Or you may have the other better
advices.

Cancel the meeting on Oct. 9

Since it's a long weekend, and most of us have plans, we suggest to cancel the meeting. Next host will be Vincent, please note you will host the meeting on Oct. 16. Thanks~

Illegal Housekeepers

Not long ago, the celebrity Mr. Li-zen, Li was accused of counterfeiting documents in order to hire an illegal housekeeper. Her wife, also a famous anchorwoman, Ms. Tao, said to the press, with tears in her eyes, that it's because of the hard time when two elders in their family were sick, but still, they admitted the fact they are wrong. Today I would like to talk about the legalization of hiring a foreign housekeeper. While this is a common phenomenon in our society, why our government regards it as an illegal action? Let's discuss the following questions:

1. Does your family hire a foreign housekeeper or nurse? What are their duties? Are they hired illegally?

2. Some other celebrities were accused of having their home nurse do chores such as grocery shopping, doing laundry, and even walking the dog. Do you think it's reasonable forbidding people hiring foreign women to assist chores?

3. As one of government's concern to forbid hiring foreign housekeeper is to protect job opportunities for domestic employee, share your opinion on this aspect.

4. I heard lots of stories about the foreign housekeepers stealing or doing something bad, how can we avoid things like that happening?

5. More and more facilities hire foreign labors, do you think it should be abandoned, too?

Should there be more question you can bring up during our discussion.

Teacher, Leave Those Kids Alone

In this week's discussion, we will focus on education.

I've found two articles related to this topic in Times website. You can read the first one for this week's discussion. If you have more time, you can read the second one as well.

links are provided below:

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,2094427,00.html

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1644924,00.html

After reading the article about Korea’s Hagwon phenomenon, it reminds me of my old times when I prepared my university entrance exam. In terms of crammed schools, Taiwan and other Asian countries (Japan, China, Korea) are quite alike. We went to after-school institution to cram a lot of information that is barely used in daily life. And my teacher also told us that “if you don’t study now, you will regret for the rest of your life.” I figured that she’s trying to say “Receiving admission from top universities promises you a better treatment or life in the future.” However, this “one size fits all” education is not suitable for all kinds of students. Our education officials realized this point and try to make it right by enforcing reforms in education. Today, we will discuss our experiences in old school days and your opinions about education.

Questions:

1. Have you ever been to cram schools when you were in schools? What subjects did you take in cram schools? Did you like to go to cram schools?

2. In the past few years, Taiwan ‘s ministry of education made some educational reforms. As far as I know, they stressed the importance of creativity and innovation not just memorization of knowledge alone. Do you think students now are less stressful and more creative?

3. If you have kids, will you send them to cram schools or talent schools (for example schools teaching dancing, music)? Why?

4. Do you think “a ticket to top university” is a guaranteed way for a promising life in the future?

5. If you were an educational official who has power to enforce educational reform, what aspect of education will you change or what would like students to learn in schools?

Organ Transplantation Scandal

Reading material:
http://www.chinapost.com.tw/editorial/taiwan-issues/2011/09/02/315271/Discriminating-against.htm

Five unfortunate people just survived from the risky organ transplantation surgery but now they may face another unexpected challenge in their life, HIV infection. It is because that the organs they receipt came from an HIV-infected donor who die in an accident. This incident was a result of series of mistakes. The donor’s family had no idea about his illness; the transplant team of NTU hospital failed to follow the SOP. In fact, not only the five patients but also the members of transplant team had a high risk of HIV infection. The HIV expertises claimed that people should be kept tracking until May 2012 to determine if they were infected. I think it would be a great suffering to those people. This case may be the worst medical malpractice case in Taiwan’s recent history.

Let’s discuss some questions related to this issue!

1. In our society, the politicians tend to name a few scapegoats in this kind of scandal, especially near election time. Who do you think should take the responsibility to this event? (The coordinator, the leader of organ transplant team, Department of Health or the whole system?)

2. Imagine that if you were one of the patients who received the HIV positive organ, could you deal with the cruel truth and how will you react to it?

3. One of the patients plan to get married after the risky surgery. If you were this patient’s boyfriend/girlfriend, would you still get married with her/him?

4. Do you agree that the authorities should put a person’s HIV/AIDS status on their national health insurance card to prevent the same mistake happens again?

5.Have you considered donating your organ(s) or whole body after death for transplantation or research? Why?

Blockbuster of Recent Taiwanese Movies

The movie theaters in Taiwan have been dominated by Hollywood movies for a long time. However, the situation has changed recently. In 2008, the movie "Cape No. 7," directed by film director Wei Te-sheng, hit a new high record of box office income among local movies. Since then, many audience start to buy tickets to go to see Taiwanese moives. Investors also show their high interst paying money for local film production.

In the link below, President Ma praises the Taiwanese film industy in his weekly online speech. Please see the report for detail.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2011/08/28/2003511867

1. Have you ever gone to movie theaters to see local films in recent years? Which movie did you see? What reason motivates you to buy the ticket?

2. What do you think about the success of Taiwanese moives? Do you think their success is nothing but lucky? For example, why do the recent movies like "Jump Ashin" and "You Are the Apple of My Eye" stimulate so many discussions and earn much praise of audience?

3. Taiwan cultural and creative industry has long been ignored since most people don't think it would be a business. After the global recession and financial crisis of US government, technology and conventional industries are declining. Do you think the movie or other creative industries will be the next star for Taiwan?

Internet subscribers vent their anger

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2011/08/20/2003511204

Chunghwa Telecom is an overwhelming Monopoly internet access
provider in Taiwan. Consumers of broadband Internet service
and 3G mobile Internet connections in taiwan have been
exploited for a long time by Chunghwa Telecom.
Taiwanese government has claimed that the Popularization of
internet is higher than many countries for many times. But
the question is where the quality is,do people feel fair
since only 10M bandwidth after paying for 100M bandwidth,
and why Taiwanese government doesn't compare the unit price
with Japan or korea. Hence, here comes few questions:

1.Which internet broadband service do you use? Why? How is
it? Whcih one do you recommend us to use?

2.Over ten thousand people have clicked "like" to vent
their anger about Chunghwa Telecom's services. What do you
think?Did you click it or express your emotion on it.

3.How about Chunghwa Telecom response to these compaints?
Do you think they really have very bad attitude and only know
how to suck the blood from stupid Taiwanese citizens?

A Tragedy Brings Up the Meaning of Life

Today I read the news about the death of the president of Taishin Financial Holdings Co., Mr. Lin Keh-hsiao (林克孝). Mr. Lin is a person who loves mountain climbing. The accident happened when he challenging a tough route in Ilan mountain, he fell down the cliff and died. This is not his first time for this risky route, and he has two companions who are both familiar with the mountain, however, the tragedy still happened. While feeling a pity for this man, there are some issues worth of thinking.

Taishin Holdings president found dead after fall in Yilan
http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/local/taipei/2011/08/13/313231/Taishin-Holdings.htm


1. Are you an adventure lover? Have you tried actitvies such as rock climbing, white-water rafting, surfing? Or more exciting like bungee jumping or skydiving? Share your experience.

2. Say you were a family of Mr. Lin, will you stop him from his favorite yet highly dangerous activities?

3. Mountains are Mr. Lin's favorite. He even published a book called "Finding the Way" talking about a ancient path in Ilan mountain. This passion touched me. Please share things that you are passionate about and are executing.

4. In the opposite side, share things that you've dreamed of but never had a chance doing.

City Wandering

Every time when I got tired of work and need to take a breath, I would

like to escape from the office for a city wandering. It doesn't take very

long time. It may not cost much. But it is a kind of quick remedy for

coping with stress, at least to me.

http://thedailybubbletea.com/2007/02/28/228-memorial-park-and-surrounding-area/

Above links are blog articles written by a Taiwanese's son-in-law.

Through the window of an American immigrant, every streets, buildings,

scenes look different.

Taiwan Tourism Bureau Video Clip:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqETnl1mWrc

Discussion:

(1) If you have a one-day break, how will you arrange your time?

(2) What is your favorite city or town in Taiwan? Why?

(3) "If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then

wherever you go for the rest of your life, it stays with you, for Paris

is a moveable feast." --- Hemingway

Paris is so attractive that it has become a symbol of romance. What

makes a city so famous? Ancient relics, magnificent museums, left

banks or something else?

(4) What do you think about the pros and cons of Taiwan tourism? Do

you think promotion and advertisement can bring more tourists here

and make them impressive?

Why Exercise Won't Make You Thin?

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1914974-1,00.html

The article is rather long but the conclusions of some studies mentioned are quite interesting.

Some of my female friends went to yoga or aerobic classes after work to stay thin or to lose weight. However, this article poses a question: does exercising really make you lose weight? According to the author, the answer to this question is “NO”. You can read the article to find out why (If you can not read the whole article before our discussion, please read page 1. You can finish it later on.)

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you exercise regularly? What kind of exercise do you do? Why do or do not exercise?

2. Have you (or your friends) ever tried to lose weight or go on a diet? What are your (or your friends’) ways to lose weight?

3. Celebrities and fashion models always care much more about their weight and appearance than normal people do. Do you think “thinner is prettier?”

4. Imagine that you are in a “Girlfriend or Boyfriend Supermarket” where there are only two kind of people left for you to choose from to be your girlfriend or boyfriend, would you choose someone who is obese but rather funny and have a sense of humor or someone who have perfect body (thin and have muscles) but rather a boring person?

5. To be announced later in our discussion.

PLASTIC SURGERY

http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/05/19/korea.beauty/index.html?iref=allsearch

“Nature is beauty” is out of date, while plastic surgery is catching on in all races and ages. In the film, a 12-year-old Korean girl wants her eyelids to be done with plastic surgery because she thinks that having Western-like eyelids would make her pretty and give her a bright future. Also, many parents are eager for their children to be successful, so they will invest their money in plastic surgery to transform their kids’ appearance, even the tongue muscle.

1. How do you define beauty? Do you think it has a correct answer?

2. Do you know someone who had plastic surgery? How did they look like before and after?

3. Do you think the government should ban the plastic (cosmetic) surgery for children, even if they have their parents’ permission?

4. It seems like that more females undertake plastic surgeries than males. Do you think appearance is more important for woman?

5. Have you ever considered having plastic surgery? If yes, which part of yourself do you dislike?

6. Would you mind if your partner had or is going to have plastic surgery?

Are you a fast food fan?

A retired prison guard ate his 25,000th Big Mac few weekenks ago, 39 years passed to the day after eating his first Big Mac.

Don Gorske was honored after reaching the meaty milestone during a ceremony at a McDonald’s in his hometown of Fond du Lac. Surely McDonald’s most loyal customer, Guinness World Records recognized Gorske’s feat three years and 2,000 Big Macs ago, and the 57-year-old says he has no desire to stop.

"I plan on eating Big Macs until I die," he said. "I have no intentions of changing. It’s still my favorite food. Nothing has changed in 39 years. I look forward to it every day."

Gorske, who appeared in the 2004 documentary "Super Size Me," which examined the fast food industry, looks nothing like one might expect of a fast food junkie. He’s trim and walks regularly for exercise, and he attributes his build to being "hyperactive."

Discussions:

1.Are you a fast food fan like the role in this article?Or do think this guy is crazy?

2.Do you have preference to fast food(whatever Mcdonald, KFC, Carl's Junior, or any other brand)?

3.Do you think fast food is good or will it make people have obesity? Why?

4.How often do you east fast food? Why?

5.Do you think having a meal with your chasing target at fast food restaurant is stingy? Why? Why not?

Discrimination against homosexuality

Here is a video which I saw on a friend's Facebook wall. I was quite touched about the humanity shown in it and I was also interested in this kind of test to the public. Let's have some discussion.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=0bzup1jQEJE

1. After watching the video, assume you were one of the customers in that restaurant when the thing happened, what will you do?

2. "Texas is one of the 29 states where guys can be refused service." What do you think about this announcement?

3. When you see a homosexual couple, do you tend to observe more than what you do to straight couple? And what do you think if you see them hold hands, hug, or even kiss in public?

4. Do you have preference for lesbian other than gays? Do you think people do act differently when they face gays and lesbians?

5. What do you think it will happen when the same test applies in Taiwan?

6. New York just passed the law to legalize same-sax marriage, but the opposite voice seems won't give up fighting, the opposition plans to use methods to weaken the power of those legislators who vote for the law. What do you think about the news?

Study session cancel tonight.

Dears,
I'm so sorry I totally forgot to prepare the topic for tonight until now. I've been through a crazy week. And I don't wanna rush having one without preparing well, so please allow me to cancel. I'm deeply sorry about this, please accept my sincere apology>

6/19 Harsh Light on Two Men, but Glare Falls on Women

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/19/us/19schwarzenegger.html?_r=1&ref=arnoldschwarzenegger

Only days after Dominique Strauss-Kahn, a French politician, was accused of sexually assaulting a maid at a New York hotel, Arnold Schwarzengger, the former governor of California, admitted that he had fathered a child with a household employee and hid a the child from his wife for 10 years. The question on many women's minds in recent weeks was the same cry of outrage that hangs over every male sex scandal:" How could he be such a pig?" So, are men just born this way? What are you gonna do with cheating?

Questions:

1. From Tiger Woods to Dominique Strauss-Kahn, and then Arnold Schwarzenegger, do you think men are more likely to have an affair when they are getting more power? Does power really turn regular guys into sexual predators?

2. Will you lose the faith on those celebrities having several affairs or accused of sexual harassment? Or do you think their profession has nothing to do with their private life? (e.g. You are a big fan of Tiger Woods, but you still love him after he said he has sex addiction. Because you think you just like to watch him play golf. It doesn’t matter how his behavior is like. )

3. When having an affair, women are accused of infidelity and disloyalty, but men are just being called “playboys” or “predators”. (It’s not necessarily so, but under most circumstances, especially in Chinese society.) Why’s that different treatment on different genders?

4. It seems like marriage doesn’t guarantee you a better relationship, and there are numerous cases describing the unhappy marriage. Do you still have faith on marriage? What does it mean for you to get married?

5. If your better half cheat on you and have an affair with the third person, how are you gonna do with this, and what about the children? Will you tell them the truth?

Taiwan welcomes individual Chinese tourists

After a long talk with China authorities, individual travelers from Mainland China are finally able to visit Taiwan by the end of this month. As reported in news, department stores, food vendors in night markets and gift shops are happy to see this finally happens and have well prepared to welcome these tourists from China. However, except positive effects on local economy, individual tourists also bring possible problems to us. So read the article below and share with us your views about self-organised individual trip policy （自由行） and views about Chinese people in general.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2011/06/09/2003505339

http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/2011/06/02/304670/Individual-China.htm

1. Do you support “self-organised individual trip policy” or are you against it? What are your points?

2. Tourists from other countries can travel around Taiwan or go to any places as they wish except tourists from Mainland China. Do you think it is a little bit unfair for them because they receive different treatment?

3. From my personal experiences, some of my friends quite dislike people from Mainland China (of course some really like them or perceive neutral thoughts). What are your attitudes towards people from Mainland China? Do you have any good and bad personal experiences to share?

4. After we have more close contacts with people from Mainland China, in your opinion, do you think this will change Taiwan’s relationship with China?

5. Since this policy will take effect at the end of this month, do you think this will help KMT win more ballots?

FOOD SAFETY

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2011/06/03/2003504838

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSx_fqtdjL0

The latest outbreak of food tainted by plasticizer focused our attention on food safety concerns again. Ironically, at this time, these contaminated ingredients were made in our hometown, Taiwan, famous for its good manufacture qualities, rather than infamous China. The most horrible part for me was that health authorities claimed that they had discovered this scandal by accident. It meant there were huge holes in Taiwan’s food safety examination, and this event could be just a tip of the iceberg. Who knows how long we have been eating these plastic things without any awareness and how these accumulated toxins in our body will impact our health?

Discussions

1. The Taiwanese are crazy about daily supplements (including my parents). Many famous daily supplements are involved in the scandal. Do you eat any daily supplements? Have you, your family or friends eaten any listed products? Will you keep eating daily supplements after this event?

2. Have you changed or considered changing your diet habits after this news has come out? How? Please share your experiences. Did this event defeat your trust in the food industry in Taiwan?

3. Since many tainted products were exported to other countries, it has become international news and has seriously damaged Taiwan’s image. What do you think we should do to reverse the bad image?

4. TV talk shows that discuss the current events are very popular in Taiwan. These shows create a whole new occupation, TV pundits (名嘴). However, those TV pundits often give alarmist or unproven opinions to boost broadcast popularity. In this event, all media and TV pundits emphasized that the plasticizer may damage our reproductive organ. It apparently resulted in public panic; thus, many clinics have been full of worried parents and their kids since the news broke out.

Do you love watching TV talk show? Do you tend to buy or not buy what the TV pundits told? Why? What impact does “TV pundits phenomenon” bring for the society? Do you think the government should regular the speaking of those TV pundits?

Apple frenzy- Catch up or fall behind?

In this week, the Apple iPad 2 made its debut in Taiwan on 5/27. Sometime earlier Miss. Cher Wang, the CEO of another smart phone and tablet company, has been observed to shop at the Apple store in Palo Alto. Every time Steve Jobs took a new gadget out of his pocket, the media and 3C fans will be crazy for that. Why Apple has such amazing magic power? What are secrets behind its success?

http://edition.cnn.com/video/#/video/tech/2011/03/25/

dos.santos.ipad.2.frenzy.london.cnn?iref=allsearch

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-13416272

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

===============================================

1. Have you had iPod, iPhone, iPad or iMac? What do you feel when you first get such devices? Could you share your user experiences? Do you think it really makes a big difference in your life?

2. Actually the touch panels, tablet PCs and hand held multimedia players are not new ideas. Many other companies launched similar products much earlier before Apple but finally no one got success in the market. Why? Let's discuss it.

3. Buying frenzy becomes a widespread sign to indicate the popularity of a product. Would you like to stand in a queue for more than 3 hours in order to buy something good or tasty? What do you think about that kind of "queuing culture"?

4. The technology is changing rapidly and shapes our daily life. Interestingly, many ideas can be found in science fictions or movies like AI, Star trek and so on. What do you think the world will be in 20 years?

Host on 6/5

Dear all,

According to our Host schedule, I will be the host for 6/5 discussion session. However, I have already made outing plans for 3-day dragon boat festival holiday. So I will be unable to attend 6/5 discussion session. Is there anyone who will attend 6/5 session and would like to change the order of being the host with me?

Tina

Shilin nightmarket renovation

Taipei city government decided to move Shilin ngihtmarket,its

location right now is at a site across the street from the

MRT’s Jiantan Station, to a renovated building with three

underground floors and a ground floor. According to the

office’s plan, about 100 of the 538 food stalls will be

moved to the basement and that has upset some vendors.

Furthermore, many netizens also voiced their opposition

to the plan on Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin’s Facebook page.

This is the original article for you to get more infomation.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2011/05/20/2003503707


Hence, it comes several questions which are valuable to discuss!


1.What is a famous nightmarket supposed to be and have in Taiwan

since it is an important place for foreigners to visit?


2.Do you think this plan will make Shilin nughtmarket become another

Jiancheng Circle? why?

3.Many people said Hau Lung-bin doesn't have the pressure to renew

his term of Mayor. Consequently, he ignored the voices and

arranged the relocation according to the original schedule.

Is it ture? what do you think?


4.Many politicans use facebook as a way to communicate with people.

Do you think this is a good way? Why? will it win more votes for

politicans?

Casino in Taiwan

Taiwan to allow up to 2 casinos resorts

http://www.ccw.org.tw/?p=1252

Singapore casino entry levy

http://www.marinabaysands.com/Singapore-Casino/Casino-Entry-Levy/

1. Do you like to gamble? What kinds of games do you usually play? Where do you play?

2. Have you ever been to a casino or to attend a gambling activity at a friend's place? If no, do you want to go?

3. What kind of gambler do you think you are? Do you prefer take high-risk game? What about in investment?

4. If you were a Singaporean, are you willing to pay NT$2000 to gamble for only 24 hours? Do you think this regulation solved Singaporean's doubt in casino in their country?

5. What do you think to have a casino in Taiwan?

5/8 Gap year and working holiday

Gap year travel: A golden opportunity after A-levels
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/activityandadventure/7953767/Gap-year-travel-A-golden-opportunity-after-A-levels.html

Working holiday: Why the worst jobs are really the best

Read more: http://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-advisor/working-holiday-why-the-worst-jobs-are-really-the-best/story-fn6ry5me-1226010472085#ixzz1JmzlGvHz

http://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-advisor/working-holiday-why-the-worst-jobs-are-really-the-best/story-fn6ry5me-1226010472085


Working holiday has now become a trend among the youth in Taiwan. After graduating from University or working for 1-2 years, they start to consider taking a long vocation and getting away from what they used to be. However, the job they are doing is usually something with a lot of labors, such as farming, grazing, collecting strawberries-- what they will never want to do in Taiwan.

Questions

1. What do you think about "gap year" and "working holiday"? Is it just for fun or can it actually mean a lot for some one's life?

2. If your friend, under 30, runs into some difficulties in his life or career, considering taking working holiday, what is your suggestion?

3. Do you think students passing the entrance exam of University are adequate to have a gap year to seek "the meaning of life"?


4. If you are newly graduate from University or high school, would you want to have a gap year or experience working holiday? Why and why not? What age will be the best time for you to do so?

Environment & Economy

Read links below to know more about Kuokuang projects and a blogger's views on trading off between environment and economy.

1:http://www.newyorker.com/talk/comment/2009/03/30/090330taco_talk_owen
2:http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2011/04/21/2003501308
3:http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/biz/archives/2011/04/26/2003501685

A few weeks ago, the project of KuoKuang petrochemical plant has been officially cancelled by the President Ma. In Taiwan, the dispute over the balance between environmental protection and economy development seems neverending. From the proponents' viewpoints, Kuokuang petrochemical plant will bring us tremendous income and offer a huge amount of job opportunities for our citizens. It also contributes the majority of GDP, fosters local prosperity
and attracts relevant industry to set up their headquarters or branches in Taiwan. Nevertheless, there is no free lunch. Heavy industries such as petrochemical industry, steel industry, auto industry and so forth are extremely high energy consumption. In consequence, the carbon dioxide emission of the manufacturers no doubt worsens the greenhouse effect which is believed to cause the globlal climate anomaly. The price paid for growing those heavy industries is higher than that. It also consumes gargantuan water resource, occupies residence of local species and affects the health of villagers.

Q:
1. As a citizen of Taiwan, what is your opinion about the project of KuoKuang petrochemical plant in Changhua? Do you agree or disagree with that big development project? Explain your standpoints.

2. The first class of economy taught us human wants are unlimited while resources are limited. How to make a good tradeoff between multiple choices and payments does really matter. Do you have good solutions to balance between economy and environment protection?

3. Do you think the environmental justice is realized in Taiwan now? Share you viewpoints.

4. In this event and many others, we can see that our nation's policy is changing rapidly. Do you think that is a good phenomenon? Is party alternation really beneficial to Taiwan? How can we resolve the political confrontation to align our strength to make our country competitive and become a better place to live?

New Schedule

Dears,

I got all the votes, and I have to change my vote to Option B due to personal issue.

To sum up, we will have our meeting at 9:30 p.m. on Sunday.

See you guys then!!

4/7 topic:bullying

Bullying has highly increased in nowadays society wherever you are at. We may meet it in workplace or school. Furthermore, most people may have some experiences about it like mates were being bullied or ourselves were being bullied. It often makes people feel suffering a lot but they choose not to speak it out and finally it becomes the buried secrets. Thus, this week let's talk about these untold stories. By the way, here are two articles for dudes to refer and have a better understanding about bullying:

http://www.livescience.com/11163-bullies-bullying.html

http://ezinearticles.com/?Types-of-Bullying&id=2532016

1.how do you think of bullying? is right or wrong? or this is jsut a normal phenomenon so that we can't even judge it?

2.have you had the experiences of being bullied or bullying the others?

3.there are ways of bullying,which kind have your friends/you met? has it had influences on your friends/you? how and what?

4.how would you deal with bullying as if you were bullied? Give us some examples. Would you like to fight back? would fight back make everything worse? why? why not?

5.do you think bullying can be wholy vanished if people adopt some ways to prevent it? if so, how?

6.do you think the world is better without bullying?

7.if your kids meet bullying, what are you going to do?

4/1 Topic: Paparazzi

Recently in the gossip column, we’ve got bunch of big news. We’ve got 大小戀 in Taiwan and Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding in the British. However, any intention to spy others’ privacy causes confrontation. Let’s read related news and talk about the paradox as an audience.

Royal Wedding explainer: Schedule of events

http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/europe/02/15/royal.wedding.essential.facts/index.html

Comparing Kate with Diana is futile

http://edition.cnn.com/2011/OPINION/03/14/uk.monica.ali.comment/index.html?hpt=Sbin

1. What’s your favorite column in the newspaper? Do you usually read the gossip column?

2. Why paparazzi are so nasty yet so popular in the society nowadays?

3. Now social network is everywhere, such as Facebook, weibo, etc., it seems like everyone likes to share his life and to get a glimpse of others’ lives, what’s your preference while using the above programs? And what’s the purpose of using them?

4. Following the above question, how do you live in public while keeping your own privacy?

5. If you were a celebrity, how will you deal with the pressure from media? Are you the person who is afraid of public opinion?

3/25 From earthquake, tsunami to nuclear crisis

March 11, a devastating day on which multiple disasters deprived Northeastern Japan of innumerable lives that all Japanese can never forget, and a historic event that might change the fate of human beings. It’s the most powerful calamity Japan had since World War II. Japan is probably the best-prepared country for earthquake and tsunami, but they are inevitably suffering from the great loss of natural disasters. However, the deep-rooted Japanese spirit and samurai culture are well-presented in their performance after the dismal catastrophe, with which Japanese are still disciplinary, organized, and calm. All humans are supposed to get a great lesson from Japanese. Let’s see what you have learned from them.

Series of rolling disasters

http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/03/18/japan.disaster.week.sweep/index.html

How does Japan remain so calm?

http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/03/16/japan.cultural.order/index.html

Japan’s nuclear plant heroes

http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/03/16/japan.nuclear.heroes/index.html

Questions

1. What’s your opinion of the measures taken by the Japanese government handling the multiple disasters?

2. How do you perceive the calmness and stoicism presented by Japanese in such a terrible catastrophe?

3. I suppose you have watched a lot of news coverage either from foreign sources or of Taiwanese media. How do you feel about their professionalism and attitude? What’s the difference between foreign and Taiwanese media? How can we improve the standard of Taiwanese media?

4. Do you still have faith in nuclear power plant? Is it a good idea to put The Fourth Nuclear Power Plant on hold in Taiwan?

5. What is your take on the volunteer sacrifices of the 50 Heroes?

Enjoy Work?

Have you ever felt tired of 9-to-(5+N) life? Do you think you have been working hard but the dream is still far, far away from you? This week we are going to talk about work, life and career. Following are some links that you can find tips giving us a guideline for enjoying work. Feel free to share your opinions.

(A)
How to Enjoy Work?
http://www.ehow.com/how_4725412_enjoy-work.html

(B)
When is it time to move on?
http://managementcraft.typepad.com/management_craft/2005/09/when_is_it_time.html

(C)
Nigel Marsh: How to make work-life balance work
http://www.ted.com/talks/nigel_marsh_how_to_make_work_life_balance_work.html

Q:
1. Do you love your work? Why or why not?
2. If everything is possible, what is your ideal job?
3. What is the most important factor that makes you accept a job offer?
4. When you feel frustrated at work, how do you find your ways out and return to the energetic status?
5. If you can have your own business, what will you do? Do you have any concrete plans (e.g. what, when, how) ?

How to Build a Fat Loss Diet by Sadie Bell

Hi folks,
Here is this week's topic--How to Build a Fat Loss Diet. Since most of Taiwanese have become fatter and fatter especially after lunar new year so that here comes this topic.

Deciding you want to lose weight is a big deal. However, if you want to be successful, you need to make realistic goals and set forth a plan that you're capable of sticking to. This includes building a diet intended to help you lose fat. You should always consult your physician before starting a new diet or exercise plan.

1. Log your everyday eating habits in a notebook or journal for one week. This will allow you to see what your habits are and help you make better choices. Not only log what you're eating but also emotional states so you know where your highs and lows sit with your food consumption. Track your time, food and portions, mood, how hungry you are and who you're eating with.

2. Track caloric intake for each meal or day. Tracking your caloric intake will help you understand when and what you're eating that could be contributing too many calories to your diet.

3. Review your food journal and identify what your major contributing factors are when it comes to weight gain. Decide on food to remove, when you eat too much and why, how frequently you eat and whether or not you eat when you're hungry. Decide on how you will cut back your caloric intake by removing high calorie foods and replacing them with foods lower in calories and higher in fiber like fruits and vegetables.

4. Plan your food week by building a menu that takes in account breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. With your week menu in hand, stick to it as much as possible. Detouring from the menu too much may put you over your needed caloric intake. For breakfast, try eating whole grain toast with a piece of fruit and water. Try a salad filled with dark leafy greens, a low-fat dressing and chicken breast for lunch. For dinner, eat grilled fish with steamed vegetables. Fresh fruit, vegetable sticks with low-fat dip -- or a handful of almonds for protein are healthy snack choices.

5. Include a simple workout routine into your fat loss diet. Eating better will not always help you lose weight by itself. Adding small workout sessions everyday can help burn fat and keep you under your needed caloric intake.

Discussion:
1. Do you think you are fat or thin? Why? Why not?
2. What’s your way to lose weight? How? Did you succeed? Share it with us.
3. Have you ever gone to gym or workout? How was it?
4. What’s your ideal weight and height? Do you care about your figure? Why? Why not?
5. Do you think a bit workout can lose your weight more or eating less?

Welcome our new members- Jeffery & Vincent

Hi, Jeffery & Vincent,

If you see this post, please leave a comment below~

Hope it gets smooth.

Jasmine Revolution

Please read the links below:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010%E2%80%932011_Tunisian_revolution

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egyptian_Revolution_of_2011

http://articles.cnn.com/2011-02-21/opinion/vandewalle.libya.uprising_1_moammar-gadhafi-libyan-citizens-libyan-army?_s=PM:OPINION

Questions:

1. What situation do you think is the best environment to create a revolution?
2. Do we have the same problems in Taiwan?
3. Since the revolution has spread to China, do you think it will successfully change anything? Or it will become another Tian An Men Incident?
4. In your personal point of view, do you wish this revolution succeed in China? Explain why.
5. On this tide of revolution, do you wish any changes happen in Taiwan?

Watch movies in cinema

http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/t-business/2009/01/21/192956/Moviegoers-can.htm Moviegoers can bring food to theaters: CPC

http://taiwanreview.nat.gov.tw/ct.asp?xItem=142503&ctNode=1446

Taiwanese movies are reclaiming long-lost local audiences

1.      Are you a regular movie-goer? How often do you watch a movie in the movie theater?

What kinds of movie will make you walk into cinema rather than rent a DVD?

2.      Why are most blockbusters Hollywood movies? What are features that most Hollywood movies have in common?

3.      It seems Taiwanese movies are getting more and more attention from local audience. Do you think Taiwanese movies will be able to hit the international market in the future?

4.      Do you eat while watching a movie? Do you think it’s a good idea of the CPC to regulate cinemas from prohibiting customers to bring outside food?

5.      Talk about a few types of people who make you feel annoying while watching a movie in the movie theater.

6.      When’s the last time you see a movie in cinema? Why you go to that movie and how do you like it?

Philanthropies

The China Post

http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/national/national-news/2011/01/27/289260/Chinese-billionaire.htm

民視新聞 video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bf2ikGkVtg

I read this news about Chinese billionaire 陳光標 coming to Taiwan for donation.

The man is trying to do good things.

However, not only Taiwan government but also the public don't agree with his way to do this.

Let's have a discussion about this.

1. Do you think the local government should receive Mr. Chen's request of dispensing "red envelopes" to individual household? Why or why not?

2. Though some people doubt Mr. Chen's motive of making the donation public, it is really generous of him to donate such a big portion of what he earns. What do you think about Mr. Chen's donating tour to Taiwan?

3. If you were a billionaire, what way will you return to society?

4. Do you do good things to society recently, including blood donation or volunteering?

5. During 921 earthquake, money from all over Taiwan flooded into highly devastated area, however, the money wasn't used in properly and effectively. If we want to make sure our money to have great effect, how can we do?