What I’m into…
Urbanism
Have I ever mentioned that I love cities? Anyone who shares my passion will probably be intrigued by what urbanism means by the book… but given “urbanism” is such an umbrella term, I want to offer my interpretation on what it stands for: “everything about the conception, creation, development, and maintenance of cities.”
With some notable exceptions, very few cities were conceived with a master plan from zero. No matter how much mayors or planners attempt to shape and guide growth (imagine trying to tend every single plant in a 500-acre garden), no city can ever be fully controlled. That’s one of the most fascinating aspects of urbanism—to varying degrees, all cities are organic. Even Pyongyang!
I’m particularly interested in how new ideas and developments interact with what already exists in a given city. Broadly speaking, I’m supportive of thoughtful growth and new construction as ways to tackle today’s urban challenges. I consider myself a YIMBY (“Yes In My Backyard”) and believe that expanding housing options—both in supply and density—can help make cities more inclusive and sustainable. At the same time, I think this growth has to be paired with smart planning and infrastructure improvements to ensure neighborhoods can retain their unique character while welcoming more people and activity.
This very long book by the great Thomas Dyja with a special focus on New York might seem like merely a documentation of NYC history, but a lot of urbanist ideas are woven throughout it. I highly recommend reading it—especially if you feel a connection with the city. Of course, densifying cities without rethinking mobility would be shortsighted, which makes this a good time to segue into my next interest...
Transit
Transit isn’t always strictly tied to cities. Take airports, for example—they’re often deliberately located far from urban centers, yet they’re still an essential part of the transit ecosystem. But when it comes to transportation, my favorite mode is one I share with Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg and famous Amtrak enthusiast Joe Biden—railways.
Few systems match trains in their ability to move large numbers of people quickly, efficiently, and with minimal environmental impact compared to cars or planes. Advances in technology have given us rail systems for nearly every purpose—from high-speed rail that zips across regions to subway networks that keep cities moving without the gridlock and chaos of traffic.
I’ll admit, I’m less fixated on the technical details (though I know a fair bit, as this Twitter thread shows) and more drawn to the experience of riding trains. Some countries deliver it spectacularly—Japan and Spain come to mind. Others, like the UK and Italy, do quite well. And then there’s America the Beautiful, where the experience can feel more aspirational than functional.
I’d love to see rail systems expand across urban, suburban, and even rural areas, because I believe railways will continue to shape transit’s future for years to come. That said, building them in the U.S. is easier said than done. We routinely overspend on projects, set priorities that miss the mark, or build systems that feel outdated from the start. The longer this pattern continues, the harder it becomes to win public trust and build the kind of modern rail network that Americans deserve.
Consumer Tech
Most people who know me are genuinely surprised to learn that I’m still an elementary programmer—so much so that I refuse to link my GitHub here (for now, at least—stay tuned!). That’s probably because everyone knows my penchant for flashy new gadgets and consumer tech, and how I’m far too often the go-to tech support person in my friend group. In their eyes, no one who’s that obsessed with computers could be bad at coding… yet, somehow, I’m exactly that person.
As a kid, Best Buy was my happy place. Most people my age probably rushed straight to the GameCube or PS2 demo stations at Best Buy, but I was the one lingering by the laptops, cell phones, Hi-Fi audio systems, and iPods. I grew up in a time when the Internet was improving at a breakneck speed, and Nokia ruled the mobile world with hundreds of flashy designs every year. I couldn’t stop marveling at how much potential a pocket-sized device packed with computer chips had to change how we live.
These days, I still keep a close eye on technology news, though the landscape looks wildly different. From the chip shortage to the latest developments in AI, VR versus AR, and autonomous vehicles, I’m fascinated by what’s coming next—and occasionally a little wary, too. AI, in particular, leaves me both excited and uneasy. On one hand, it’s an incredible tool with the potential to streamline workflows, automate tedious tasks, and revolutionize urban planning. On the other, I can’t help but think about its unintended consequences—how it could reshape industries, challenge the authenticity of people’s own work, or leave entire sectors scrambling to adapt.
Despite my deep curiosity about AI and emerging tech, I’m still that geeky kid next door who can tell you exactly how much you should spend on a CPU or graphics card based on how you actually use your computer. I might know more than the average person, but if you want the real experts, I’d point you toward Linus Tech Tips and MKBHD, two tech YouTubers whose content I watch religiously. Honestly, if I could turn back time, I’d have started my own channel in the late 2000s doing exactly what they’re doing.
Geo-politics
What an odd pivot, right? This is the most controversial subject among things that I enjoy, but I love the dynamics of global politics, especially now that we are in the middle of a global realignment. As some might say, it feels like the cycle has reached its apex.
I was born in Taiwan, and the geopolitical implications of this meager island of 23 million people are immense. I grew up surrounded by conflicting information, with CNN (the US), CCTV (China), and even NHK (Japan) constantly blasting on a screen next to me, which led to a very interesting formative experience for me. But it was the idea that “I should trust no one” and “critical thinking is fundamental” that convinced me to get into geopolitics.
There are many, many instances when you might glance at the latest Washington Post headline, and think to yourself “this is such a childish act”. Remember when President Obama sent Russian diplomats home over their home country’s role in election interference? Remember how the meeting between Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un went unsettlingly well just because how they are such similarly pompous individuals? All politics are personal, and it is upon seeing how the personal element gets tangled into the art of deals, that makes reading and analyzing geopolitics addictive.
I also admire how young people are stepping up, showing up to local elections, and pushing political agendas. That kind of energy is the backbone of democracy. But when it comes to international politics, I still think nuance is often missing. Too many discussions lump countries into simplistic categories—pro- or anti-U.S.—without recognizing the complex layers of history, culture, and strategy that influence alliances. The world isn’t black-and-white, and that’s what makes analyzing it so rewarding.
My favorite formal source on this would be Zeihan on Geopolitics (the least partisan geopolitics person I could find), and my favorite informal source has to be Populism Updates, one of the best X accounts out there, that pledge to “make the global realignment FUN”.
What else?
I could let this page go on forever, but I know everything must end somewhere. Without going into too many details, I can tell you that I am also fascinated by the music industry, nonfiction books, traveling, fashion, lifestyle magazines, reading about unsolved cold cases… Put it simply, following me on Twitter is the best way for you to find out.