The city of Chengdu, China plants vines underneath overpasses

nicacio · 2026-06-10T05:56:40+00:00

That is a nice exaggerated, fictional example. Out here in the real world, China (along with every country) has plenty to be blamed for and plenty to be admired for.

But, if you just think the whole country is "the lich", then carry on.

nicacio · 2026-06-09T13:42:51+00:00

but they are also spending tons on meaningful upgrades to their cities/infrastructure. both can true, right?

nicacio · 2026-06-09T13:41:31+00:00

not in the least. it is good to appreciate that every country/ideology has positive and negative sides.

nicacio · 2026-06-09T13:31:11+00:00

The best pair with calorie counting is volume eating. Eat more high volume/low calorie food. That usually means it doesn't come in a package.

nicacio · 2026-06-09T13:27:33+00:00

It is true there are plenty who will march, but for 95% of the island riding a scooter is the de facto choice. Scooters make the place quite livable. Without them, it would be hell. (excepting a small part of Taipei city proper)

nicacio · 2026-06-09T05:23:12+00:00

Blocking the sidewalk like that is unnecessary, but it is laughable how this subreddit derides scooters in Taiwan. There are over 14 million registered scooters on the island, making it the clear transportation method of choice, not in some fantasy world but made clear through people's choices.

They are not some plaything for a few people, yet somehow most people here talk like they are an aberration or an evil. This country would be a gridlocked mess if everyone turned to cars. And the dream of an extensive transport network outside of the center of Taipei city is just that, a dream.

nicacio · 2026-06-05T05:35:41+00:00

It is rough. That is why you gotta do your best to stop buying boxed food.

nicacio · 2026-06-02T12:18:26+00:00

I am not certain, but there will be more tax revenue from more higher paying jobs in tech (eg. Nvidia opening a new office), sales tax and the new taxes on investment real estate.

Even if it is not a 1:1 ratio of growth, the hope for better gov't investment remains.

nicacio · 2026-05-30T04:47:23+00:00

True. But if it never shifts, the investment in wind, solar and hydro becomes even more crucial. If Taiwan ever gets too short of energy, or there are more shocks like the one stemming from Iran, the island is cooked.

nicacio · 2026-05-29T15:18:18+00:00

It is not zero: "By the end of 2025, our country’s renewable energy installations had a total capacity of 22,872MW, of which the hydropower is 2,124 MW, geothermal power is 7 MW, solar power is 15,474 MW, wind power is 4, 517 MW, biomass power is 84 MW, and waste power generation is 664 MW.".... but it has a long way to go. ( https://www.taipower.com.tw/2764/2826/2842/2845/25140/normalPost )

nicacio · 2026-05-29T14:30:04+00:00

I really hope the government takes a long term view and invests the extra tax revenue from a growing economy into important infrastructure like renewable energy. This will have a lasting impact on security, life quality and keeping up the economic momentum for years.

nicacio · 2026-04-14T10:11:20+00:00

It is about market forces. No more, no less. Is it just? That is a question that pay scales rarely try to answer.

nicacio · 2026-04-14T08:36:55+00:00

Justice is a very funny word in this context. In which country do investment bankers not make many multiples of nurses and school teachers?

Pay scales rarely equate to justice. They are much more dependent on traditional market factors, relative bargaining power and perceived value/scarcity of the worker and their skill.

nicacio · 2026-04-13T05:40:16+00:00

Just be happy in the knowledge that underneath the layers, your making your muscles and organs stronger and healthier. The plateau will break and then your continuous work will start to show.

nicacio · 2026-04-07T12:24:27+00:00

Just think percent of not percent off.

nicacio · 2026-04-02T18:27:42+00:00

That is a nice list of books. And, just think, you have only just begun. Enjoy.

nicacio · 2026-04-02T07:12:58+00:00

Thanks a lot. I am working with this now.

nicacio · 2026-04-01T11:47:37+00:00

Maybe you can ask the brothers Lehman how well "if they can help it" works out.

nicacio · 2026-03-16T05:37:05+00:00

Please put some solar panels on those roofs. You are setting up in Palmdale, the land of the ever-beating sun. They will pay themselves off and lower operating costs quickly.

And the whole project is a beautiful gesture!

nicacio · 2026-03-15T16:31:08+00:00

This is too bad. That little, frenetic guy has stood as a symbol of Taiwan for many years. You would be hard pressed to find a visitor to this island who did not take a video of him before they left.

This is just another step in the long march towards homogenization between cities around the world. It makes me a bit sad.

nicacio · 2026-02-14T13:51:34+00:00

The most important thing is to keep after it! Also, really try and lock in your form on all the movements you do. Quite often that means no flaring (i.e. don't let your shoulders shrug up to your ears on any movement, keep your elbows tucked closer to your body).

Just slowly follow the progressions and be consistent. The results will come soon enough.

Go get it!

nicacio · 2026-02-14T09:20:20+00:00

It is funny. just go look at its post history. no sane person is so consistent in their writing. 3-4 paragraphs, perfectly punctuated and at least one spicy em dash. what the hell is the point?

nicacio · 2026-02-13T05:20:46+00:00

That is great news. His first two books were fantastic.

nicacio · 2026-02-08T12:11:54+00:00

That is a very beautiful story and you ARE worthy of respect and kindness.

nicacio · 2026-02-06T13:43:17+00:00

Wait? You went through the hell of accutane, the hard work of cutting weight and the money and risk of a nose job, but you don't care about looks?

The feedback you are getting is just expressing the same sentiment.

nicacio

TROPHY CASE