Xander ✺
@spectralcodex.com
Front-end developer (React/TypeScript/Astro), biogeography grad, history and map enthusiast, leftoid/anti-fascist, Wikipedia supporter. Non-American resident of Taichung, Taiwan 🐙
🕸 https://spectralcodex.com
🕸 https://spectralcodex.com
Reposted by Xander ✺
'Taiwan's average temp in Oct reached 27.4°C, the highest for the month since records began in 1951, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said on Friday. According to the CWA, last month's average temp was 2.2° higher than the long-term October average of 25.2°'
focustaiwan.tw/society/2025...
focustaiwan.tw/society/2025...
Taiwan's October average temperature hits 27.4°C, highest on record: CWA - Focus Taiwan
Taiwan's average temperature in October reached 27.4 degrees Celsius, the highest for the month since records began in 1951, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said on Friday.
focustaiwan.tw
November 8, 2025 at 11:37 AM
'Taiwan's average temp in Oct reached 27.4°C, the highest for the month since records began in 1951, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said on Friday. According to the CWA, last month's average temp was 2.2° higher than the long-term October average of 25.2°'
focustaiwan.tw/society/2025...
focustaiwan.tw/society/2025...
Reposted by Xander ✺
This visualization of Japan’s M6.8 yesterday is phenomenal. Offshore S-net detected it and issued earthquake alert before any land station detection. Numbered circles show JMA intensity (not same as MMI). Offshore is where we need to be in Cascadia as well.
The underwater seismometer network is so great, as evidenced from yesterday's EQ off-Tohoku.
Reposting unofficial visualization by x.com/kotoho76/sta...
Reposting unofficial visualization by x.com/kotoho76/sta...
November 10, 2025 at 4:10 PM
This visualization of Japan’s M6.8 yesterday is phenomenal. Offshore S-net detected it and issued earthquake alert before any land station detection. Numbered circles show JMA intensity (not same as MMI). Offshore is where we need to be in Cascadia as well.
Reposted by Xander ✺
New KMT Chair Cheng Li-wen attends memorial event for White Terror victims organized by pro-unification group. The event honored, among many others, convicted and executed CCP spy General Wu Shi, whom the CPP named a Revolutionary Martyr in 1973.
www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/...
www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/...
Memorial not focused on spy: KMT’s Cheng - Taipei Times
Bringing Taiwan to the World and the World to Taiwan
www.taipeitimes.com
November 9, 2025 at 2:00 AM
New KMT Chair Cheng Li-wen attends memorial event for White Terror victims organized by pro-unification group. The event honored, among many others, convicted and executed CCP spy General Wu Shi, whom the CPP named a Revolutionary Martyr in 1973.
www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/...
www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/...
A map of population decline in Taiwan from 1980 to 2020 from an article by Di Hu in the International Journal of Geo-Information. Local populations sometimes peaked in the 1960s, particularly in eastern Taiwan, so that decline is already baked-in by 1980. Not surprised to see Yunlin here!
November 8, 2025 at 8:34 PM
A map of population decline in Taiwan from 1980 to 2020 from an article by Di Hu in the International Journal of Geo-Information. Local populations sometimes peaked in the 1960s, particularly in eastern Taiwan, so that decline is already baked-in by 1980. Not surprised to see Yunlin here!
Mong Tong's Taiwan Mystery II features a montage of unusual architecture and occult phenomena from around the country. It was released along with an art book featuring photos and imagery from many of these sites. The music is also really great; dreamy instrumental psychrock. youtu.be/kwHcZaPLl58?...
Mong Tong - Taiwan Mystery II
YouTube video by Mong Tong
youtu.be
November 8, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Mong Tong's Taiwan Mystery II features a montage of unusual architecture and occult phenomena from around the country. It was released along with an art book featuring photos and imagery from many of these sites. The music is also really great; dreamy instrumental psychrock. youtu.be/kwHcZaPLl58?...
Reposted by Xander ✺
If you prefer using interpolated "early-arriving" model tracks for tropical cyclones (last cycle's models interpolated to this cycle, then compared against the official JTWC/NHC forecast made using these guidance), I've replicated this method on my site:
polarwx.com/tropical/?st...
polarwx.com/tropical/?st...
November 6, 2025 at 4:32 PM
If you prefer using interpolated "early-arriving" model tracks for tropical cyclones (last cycle's models interpolated to this cycle, then compared against the official JTWC/NHC forecast made using these guidance), I've replicated this method on my site:
polarwx.com/tropical/?st...
polarwx.com/tropical/?st...
Reposted by Xander ✺
Check out @jordynhaime.bsky.social on "Taiwan's Israel Charm Offensive" in the latest issue of her newsletter.
"Now let’s turn to what has been absent from Taiwan’s messaging: any acknowledgement of the accusations of starvation and genocide of the Palestinian people by the Israeli government."
"Now let’s turn to what has been absent from Taiwan’s messaging: any acknowledgement of the accusations of starvation and genocide of the Palestinian people by the Israeli government."
Taiwan's Israel Charm Offensive
Taiwan's appeal to AIPAC is disappointing, but comes as no surprise
jordynhaime.substack.com
November 6, 2025 at 3:10 AM
Check out @jordynhaime.bsky.social on "Taiwan's Israel Charm Offensive" in the latest issue of her newsletter.
"Now let’s turn to what has been absent from Taiwan’s messaging: any acknowledgement of the accusations of starvation and genocide of the Palestinian people by the Israeli government."
"Now let’s turn to what has been absent from Taiwan’s messaging: any acknowledgement of the accusations of starvation and genocide of the Palestinian people by the Israeli government."
Reposted by Xander ✺
Taiwan's plan to set up mission in Estonia hits wall over name
@matejsimalcik.bsky.social explains why the dispute over a name reveals much deeper tensions in Europe–Taiwan relations, haunted by 🇨🇳’s retaliation against Lithuania. ⤵️ 1/5
🔗 asia.nikkei.com/politics/int...
✍️ @thomchau.bsky.social
@matejsimalcik.bsky.social explains why the dispute over a name reveals much deeper tensions in Europe–Taiwan relations, haunted by 🇨🇳’s retaliation against Lithuania. ⤵️ 1/5
🔗 asia.nikkei.com/politics/int...
✍️ @thomchau.bsky.social
Taiwan's plan to set up mission in Estonia hits wall over name
China's past retaliation against Lithuania for engaging with Taipei haunts Europe
asia.nikkei.com
November 3, 2025 at 10:45 AM
Taiwan's plan to set up mission in Estonia hits wall over name
@matejsimalcik.bsky.social explains why the dispute over a name reveals much deeper tensions in Europe–Taiwan relations, haunted by 🇨🇳’s retaliation against Lithuania. ⤵️ 1/5
🔗 asia.nikkei.com/politics/int...
✍️ @thomchau.bsky.social
@matejsimalcik.bsky.social explains why the dispute over a name reveals much deeper tensions in Europe–Taiwan relations, haunted by 🇨🇳’s retaliation against Lithuania. ⤵️ 1/5
🔗 asia.nikkei.com/politics/int...
✍️ @thomchau.bsky.social
Flashback to 2013 when gonzo Taiwanese news animators covered the Rob Ford crack video scandal. Too bad they stopped producing new content around 2018. www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VzL...
Rob Ford's crack smoking video finally found by police!
YouTube video by TomoNews Funnies
www.youtube.com
November 2, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Flashback to 2013 when gonzo Taiwanese news animators covered the Rob Ford crack video scandal. Too bad they stopped producing new content around 2018. www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VzL...
Reposted by Xander ✺
German broadcaster DW interviewed the new chair of the KMT, Cheng Li-wen. Cheng says that the 3% of GDP defense budget is excessive, calls Putin a democratically elected leader, and that NATO is to blame for Russia's war against Ukraine.
Here are some gems (?) from the interview:
Here are some gems (?) from the interview:
October 31, 2025 at 4:14 PM
German broadcaster DW interviewed the new chair of the KMT, Cheng Li-wen. Cheng says that the 3% of GDP defense budget is excessive, calls Putin a democratically elected leader, and that NATO is to blame for Russia's war against Ukraine.
Here are some gems (?) from the interview:
Here are some gems (?) from the interview:
Reposted by Xander ✺
I don't think it really matters that much which orthography one uses, as long as it is used consistently. The big problem in Taiwan is that it is still a mishmash of at least 5 of these systems.
But there are some things I wish people did keep in mind:
But there are some things I wish people did keep in mind:
Has anyone ever attempted a Mandarin transcription system alignment chart? 🍿
October 31, 2025 at 6:15 AM
I don't think it really matters that much which orthography one uses, as long as it is used consistently. The big problem in Taiwan is that it is still a mishmash of at least 5 of these systems.
But there are some things I wish people did keep in mind:
But there are some things I wish people did keep in mind:
A few snapshots from my travels today:
1) A recently restored Japanese colonial building suspected to be a former brothel (青雲閣)
2) Entrance to Qingshan Temple, Monga
3) A former 1980s cinema converted into a scooter parking garage
4) A semi-abandoned (yet inaccessible) commercial complex in Zhubei
1) A recently restored Japanese colonial building suspected to be a former brothel (青雲閣)
2) Entrance to Qingshan Temple, Monga
3) A former 1980s cinema converted into a scooter parking garage
4) A semi-abandoned (yet inaccessible) commercial complex in Zhubei
October 30, 2025 at 10:36 AM
A few snapshots from my travels today:
1) A recently restored Japanese colonial building suspected to be a former brothel (青雲閣)
2) Entrance to Qingshan Temple, Monga
3) A former 1980s cinema converted into a scooter parking garage
4) A semi-abandoned (yet inaccessible) commercial complex in Zhubei
1) A recently restored Japanese colonial building suspected to be a former brothel (青雲閣)
2) Entrance to Qingshan Temple, Monga
3) A former 1980s cinema converted into a scooter parking garage
4) A semi-abandoned (yet inaccessible) commercial complex in Zhubei
Spent 393 NT on a GoShare ride this afternoon... should have sprung for the daypass (399 NT)! I snagged the scooter just outside Hsinchu HSR and drove downtown... admittedly with the usual assortment of detours and distractions. Still, it really adds up!
October 30, 2025 at 10:19 AM
Spent 393 NT on a GoShare ride this afternoon... should have sprung for the daypass (399 NT)! I snagged the scooter just outside Hsinchu HSR and drove downtown... admittedly with the usual assortment of detours and distractions. Still, it really adds up!
Snapshots from a quick visit to Hawaii Cinema (โรงหนังฮาวาย) in Bangkok. Despite the abandoned appearance it was still operational when I visited in 2018, though it wasn't showing conventional films. From a scan of reviews on Google Maps it might finally be out of business as of 2025. #TheaterHunt
October 28, 2025 at 10:21 AM
Snapshots from a quick visit to Hawaii Cinema (โรงหนังฮาวาย) in Bangkok. Despite the abandoned appearance it was still operational when I visited in 2018, though it wasn't showing conventional films. From a scan of reviews on Google Maps it might finally be out of business as of 2025. #TheaterHunt
Reposted by Xander ✺
If current forecasts hold, Melissa will be the most powerful hurricane ever to strike Jamaica. Sustained winds at landfall may top 140 mph, along with localized rains of 40"+ and major storm surge. Here's my latest update with @drjeffmasters.bsky.social:
yaleclimateconnections.org/2025/10/meli...
yaleclimateconnections.org/2025/10/meli...
Melissa leaps from tropical storm to Category 4 hurricane in 18 hours » Yale Climate Connections
Catastrophic impacts are becoming increasingly likely for Jamaica, with Melissa expected to crash onshore by early Tuesday.
yaleclimateconnections.org
October 26, 2025 at 7:16 PM
If current forecasts hold, Melissa will be the most powerful hurricane ever to strike Jamaica. Sustained winds at landfall may top 140 mph, along with localized rains of 40"+ and major storm surge. Here's my latest update with @drjeffmasters.bsky.social:
yaleclimateconnections.org/2025/10/meli...
yaleclimateconnections.org/2025/10/meli...
Reposted by Xander ✺
Nüwa, the primordial mother in Chinese #mythology, shaped humans from yellow clay: some molded by hand, others flung from her rope. When the sky split after a clash of gods, she rose again, not in fury, but in care. Melting five-colored stones, she sealed the heavens and 1/2
October 26, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Nüwa, the primordial mother in Chinese #mythology, shaped humans from yellow clay: some molded by hand, others flung from her rope. When the sky split after a clash of gods, she rose again, not in fury, but in care. Melting five-colored stones, she sealed the heavens and 1/2
Reposted by Xander ✺
So @hirokoyoda.bsky.social and I went to hell last week. Literally! She wrote all about it here: blog.hirokoyoda.com/p/i-went-to-...
I went to hell last week
...and had a great time!
blog.hirokoyoda.com
October 26, 2025 at 5:51 AM
So @hirokoyoda.bsky.social and I went to hell last week. Literally! She wrote all about it here: blog.hirokoyoda.com/p/i-went-to-...
Reposted by Xander ✺
Finally read the paper and it's worth the buzz.
mRNA vaccines saved 20 million lives in a global pandemic and the technology is opening up new avenues for the treatment of deadly cancers. This is really one of the most impactful scientific developments of our time.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
mRNA vaccines saved 20 million lives in a global pandemic and the technology is opening up new avenues for the treatment of deadly cancers. This is really one of the most impactful scientific developments of our time.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines sensitize tumours to immune checkpoint blockade - Nature
mRNA vaccines targeting SARS-CoV-2 also sensitize tumours to immune checkpoint inhibitors.
www.nature.com
October 25, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Finally read the paper and it's worth the buzz.
mRNA vaccines saved 20 million lives in a global pandemic and the technology is opening up new avenues for the treatment of deadly cancers. This is really one of the most impactful scientific developments of our time.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
mRNA vaccines saved 20 million lives in a global pandemic and the technology is opening up new avenues for the treatment of deadly cancers. This is really one of the most impactful scientific developments of our time.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Xander ✺
According to this report, the parliament, now dominated by KMT & TPP, slashed the Ministry of Agriculture's animal and plant quarantine and epidemic prevention promotional funding by 60% during this year's budget review.
Today, first african swine fever outbreak in 20 years was reported in Taichung.
Today, first african swine fever outbreak in 20 years was reported in Taichung.
隨立法院由國民黨、民眾黨主導，審查今年預算時，則直接大刀一砍農業部動植物防檢疫宣導經費6成，在幾乎沒有預算下，難如過去在機場或港口有全面性的宣導，隨經費被砍，也首度在台中的養豬場驗出疑似非洲豬瘟病毒。
破功！我今年6月獲WOAH認證為3大豬病非疫區 台中今爆出現非洲豬瘟
news.ltn.com.tw/news/life/br...
破功！我今年6月獲WOAH認證為3大豬病非疫區 台中今爆出現非洲豬瘟
news.ltn.com.tw/news/life/br...
破功！我今年6月獲WOAH認證為3大豬病非疫區 台中今爆出現非洲豬瘟 - 生活 - 自由時報電子報
非洲豬瘟自2018年在亞洲大爆發，我國透過嚴守邊境模式盡力防堵並大力宣導，但今年宣導防堵邊境防檢疫的經費，藍白主導的立院大砍6成後，農業部今（22日）召開緊急臨時記者會，說明在台中養豬場疑似驗到非洲豬瘟陽性。我國今年6月才獲世界動物衛生組織（WOAH）認證為非洲豬瘟、傳統豬瘟、口蹄疫等三大重大豬病非疫區，其中沒有疫苗、藥物可醫治的非洲豬瘟，透過邊境嚴格檢查等方式，包含設置手檢站、高風險區快遞包裹等...
news.ltn.com.tw
October 22, 2025 at 3:32 AM
According to this report, the parliament, now dominated by KMT & TPP, slashed the Ministry of Agriculture's animal and plant quarantine and epidemic prevention promotional funding by 60% during this year's budget review.
Today, first african swine fever outbreak in 20 years was reported in Taichung.
Today, first african swine fever outbreak in 20 years was reported in Taichung.
Went to Costco in Taiwan the other night and saw a woman shoveling an entire plate of complimentary onions into a soft drink cup to take home. It was especially odd because the diced onions were also doused in ketchup and mustard. People love free stuff!
October 23, 2025 at 3:25 AM
Went to Costco in Taiwan the other night and saw a woman shoveling an entire plate of complimentary onions into a soft drink cup to take home. It was especially odd because the diced onions were also doused in ketchup and mustard. People love free stuff!
Reposted by Xander ✺
Taiwan reports first suspected outbreak of African swine fever
focustaiwan.tw/society/2025...
focustaiwan.tw/society/2025...
Taiwan reports first suspected outbreak of African swine fever - Focus Taiwan
Taiwan on Wednesday reported its first suspected domestic outbreak of African swine fever, becoming the latest country affected by the deadly pig disease that has hit 68 countries and territories sinc...
focustaiwan.tw
October 22, 2025 at 8:16 AM
Taiwan reports first suspected outbreak of African swine fever
focustaiwan.tw/society/2025...
focustaiwan.tw/society/2025...
Reposted by Xander ✺
Eye-popping geopolitical analysis essay about how historical shifts pivot on changes in energy production, and how 2025 is one of those pivot points.
by sci fi author Charlie Stross, one of my longtime favorites who anticipated today’s reality over the years, but realizes now what he got wrong.
by sci fi author Charlie Stross, one of my longtime favorites who anticipated today’s reality over the years, but realizes now what he got wrong.
New blog entry: The Pivot: www.antipope.org/charlie/blog...
The pivot - Charlie's Diary
www.antipope.org
October 17, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Eye-popping geopolitical analysis essay about how historical shifts pivot on changes in energy production, and how 2025 is one of those pivot points.
by sci fi author Charlie Stross, one of my longtime favorites who anticipated today’s reality over the years, but realizes now what he got wrong.
by sci fi author Charlie Stross, one of my longtime favorites who anticipated today’s reality over the years, but realizes now what he got wrong.
Reposted by Xander ✺
Scrutiny by U.S. Customs and Border Protection made an impact.
Giant pledges to put its practices in line with the @ilo.org "Fair Recruitment Initiative".
Noteworthy, Taiwan has been excluded from ILO under the pressure of China (which does not absolves Taiwan but certainly does not help).
Giant pledges to put its practices in line with the @ilo.org "Fair Recruitment Initiative".
Noteworthy, Taiwan has been excluded from ILO under the pressure of China (which does not absolves Taiwan but certainly does not help).
Giant begins reimbursing migrant workers for broker fees - Focus Taiwan
Bicycle maker Giant Manufacturing Co. Ltd. said Thursday it has begun reimbursing migrant workers for expenses they paid to secure their jobs and pledged not to deduct future broker fees from their wa...
focustaiwan.tw
October 16, 2025 at 11:45 PM
Scrutiny by U.S. Customs and Border Protection made an impact.
Giant pledges to put its practices in line with the @ilo.org "Fair Recruitment Initiative".
Noteworthy, Taiwan has been excluded from ILO under the pressure of China (which does not absolves Taiwan but certainly does not help).
Giant pledges to put its practices in line with the @ilo.org "Fair Recruitment Initiative".
Noteworthy, Taiwan has been excluded from ILO under the pressure of China (which does not absolves Taiwan but certainly does not help).
Eastern Taiwan's ill-fated Taroko Gorge is under evacuation orders due to a landslide barrier lake that formed today (8/17). The debris is 25 meters tall and as you can see in the attached photo of the Swallow's Grotto (via the national parl FB page), water levels were already high this afternoon.
October 17, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Eastern Taiwan's ill-fated Taroko Gorge is under evacuation orders due to a landslide barrier lake that formed today (8/17). The debris is 25 meters tall and as you can see in the attached photo of the Swallow's Grotto (via the national parl FB page), water levels were already high this afternoon.