Will Buckingham | 白忠修
@willbuckingham.com
Writer (HELLO, STRANGER, Granta 2022) & philosopher. In Tainan, Taiwan, with a foot in Scotland. Faculty @ Parami University, Myanmar. Director @windandbones.bsky.social
https://www.willbuckingham.com
https://www.windandbones.com
https://www.willbuckingham.com
https://www.windandbones.com
Pinned
Will Buckingham | 白忠修
@willbuckingham.com
· Dec 12
Somehow, I've not yet mentioned this on Bluesky. But my latest book, "Hello, Stranger" (Granta 2022) is about how most of the 8 billion people on this planet are strangers. So dealing with strangers is one of the central problems of human life.
blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/pro...
blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/pro...
The best bit about getting a haircut in Taiwan is when they use the wall-mounted vacuum cleaner to literally Hoover your head.
November 14, 2025 at 3:35 AM
The best bit about getting a haircut in Taiwan is when they use the wall-mounted vacuum cleaner to literally Hoover your head.
Spending the day here in Tainan at the 臺灣文學翻譯暨出版國際論壇 / Taiwan Literature Translation and Publishing International Forum. A great talk from Renata Obadálková & Pavel Drábek reminding us "Literature is done by people, and people need to meet... Humans make books. It’s not contracts that make books."
November 11, 2025 at 5:05 AM
Spending the day here in Tainan at the 臺灣文學翻譯暨出版國際論壇 / Taiwan Literature Translation and Publishing International Forum. A great talk from Renata Obadálková & Pavel Drábek reminding us "Literature is done by people, and people need to meet... Humans make books. It’s not contracts that make books."
Look at this @drhannahstevens.bsky.social. Henceforth, I'll be restlessly scouring the dusty record shops of Tainan, and I will not rest until I secure us a copy. 😆
(風雨情 - 年輕人) Cui Tai Jing - YMCA [Taiwan, Disco] (1979) Decided to upload this tonight, I had to share it with you all instead of letting it sit in my vinyl rack.
https://redd.it/8mn324
https://youtu.be/AW7UnY0UoZs
https://redd.it/8mn324
https://youtu.be/AW7UnY0UoZs
(風雨情 - 年輕人) Cui Tai Jing - YMCA [Taiwan, Disco] (1979) Decided to upload this tonight, I had to share it with you all instead of letting it sit in my vinyl rack.
youtu.be
November 11, 2025 at 1:17 AM
Look at this @drhannahstevens.bsky.social. Henceforth, I'll be restlessly scouring the dusty record shops of Tainan, and I will not rest until I secure us a copy. 😆
Shit's just got real in my morning Mandarin class.
November 11, 2025 at 1:02 AM
Shit's just got real in my morning Mandarin class.
I'm just finishing writing a paper about Naomi Sím's wonderful story Emerald Orchid Love Letter (翠蘭ê情批 / Chhùi-lân
ê chêng-phoe), and the relationship between divination and translation. It's been incredible amounts of fun. Oh, and you can listen to the story (and find links to buy the book) here.
ê chêng-phoe), and the relationship between divination and translation. It's been incredible amounts of fun. Oh, and you can listen to the story (and find links to buy the book) here.
Naomi Sím (沈宛瑩) | Tâigael: Stories from Taiwanese and Gaelic
taigael.com
November 5, 2025 at 6:05 AM
I'm just finishing writing a paper about Naomi Sím's wonderful story Emerald Orchid Love Letter (翠蘭ê情批 / Chhùi-lân
ê chêng-phoe), and the relationship between divination and translation. It's been incredible amounts of fun. Oh, and you can listen to the story (and find links to buy the book) here.
ê chêng-phoe), and the relationship between divination and translation. It's been incredible amounts of fun. Oh, and you can listen to the story (and find links to buy the book) here.
At first glance, Taiwanese bureaucracy seems supremely Apollonian (all that orderliness). But I'm slowly coming to realise that, at heart, it is Dionysian through and through.
I fully approve the above comment.
Also, some details based on the terms and condition info (spoiler: some caveats):
- the program includes two-night packages (possibly combineed with a Uni-Air special offer) on one hand and a lucky draw event in participating businesses on the other.
Also, some details based on the terms and condition info (spoiler: some caveats):
- the program includes two-night packages (possibly combineed with a Uni-Air special offer) on one hand and a lucky draw event in participating businesses on the other.
November 4, 2025 at 3:53 AM
At first glance, Taiwanese bureaucracy seems supremely Apollonian (all that orderliness). But I'm slowly coming to realise that, at heart, it is Dionysian through and through.
Oh, this will be so much fun. A discussion about #weaving, #art, #philosophy and more in the #Tanimbar islands of #Indonesia, with the weaver Yalanthy Masrikat, Shinta Klise, founder of Lamerenan Foundation, and Poppy Barkah from Wastra Indonesia.
You can sign up here: bit.ly/Tanimbar-Tales
You can sign up here: bit.ly/Tanimbar-Tales
November 4, 2025 at 2:16 AM
Oh, this will be so much fun. A discussion about #weaving, #art, #philosophy and more in the #Tanimbar islands of #Indonesia, with the weaver Yalanthy Masrikat, Shinta Klise, founder of Lamerenan Foundation, and Poppy Barkah from Wastra Indonesia.
You can sign up here: bit.ly/Tanimbar-Tales
You can sign up here: bit.ly/Tanimbar-Tales
Now the evenings are cooler, it’s nice to wander Tainan at night.
November 3, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Now the evenings are cooler, it’s nice to wander Tainan at night.
At my former place of work. These were, it is fair to say, pretty dark days. Watch it, and weep.
Dominic Shellard Vice-Chancellor of De Montfort University I Need a Hero full video 7 November 2012
YouTube video by UUK spin
www.youtube.com
November 2, 2025 at 12:37 AM
At my former place of work. These were, it is fair to say, pretty dark days. Watch it, and weep.
This Halloween, by sheer coincidence, I'm going to, err... get exorcised. After a series of small mishaps, a friend has said she'll take me to the temple to sort me out. In the UK, I'd be thinking, "That's crazy!" But this is Taiwan, so it's just daily life, as ordinary as going to the 7-Eleven.
October 31, 2025 at 9:56 AM
This Halloween, by sheer coincidence, I'm going to, err... get exorcised. After a series of small mishaps, a friend has said she'll take me to the temple to sort me out. In the UK, I'd be thinking, "That's crazy!" But this is Taiwan, so it's just daily life, as ordinary as going to the 7-Eleven.
Reposted by Will Buckingham | 白忠修
In a Taiwanese temple, a saliva goddess vanishes without trace... and a Hogmanay party is disrupted by an unexpected guest... 👇
books.windandbones.com/product/taigael-stories-from-taiwanese-and-gaelic
books.windandbones.com/product/taigael-stories-from-taiwanese-and-gaelic
October 30, 2025 at 7:16 AM
In a Taiwanese temple, a saliva goddess vanishes without trace... and a Hogmanay party is disrupted by an unexpected guest... 👇
books.windandbones.com/product/taigael-stories-from-taiwanese-and-gaelic
books.windandbones.com/product/taigael-stories-from-taiwanese-and-gaelic
My students in Burma / Myanmar are having a tough time at the moment. So in class, we've been listening to this nugget of utter joyousness from Yo-yo Ma and the Silkroad Ensemble. I love the interactions, the sense of shared delight. I feel like a lot of us needed this today.
Silkroad Ensemble, Yo-Yo Ma - Heart and Soul ft. Lisa Fischer, Gregory Porter
YouTube video by YoYoMaVEVO
www.youtube.com
October 30, 2025 at 2:18 AM
My students in Burma / Myanmar are having a tough time at the moment. So in class, we've been listening to this nugget of utter joyousness from Yo-yo Ma and the Silkroad Ensemble. I love the interactions, the sense of shared delight. I feel like a lot of us needed this today.
In my class at Parami University today, we're talking about skill, everyday expertise (we're all experts in our own lives and worlds), and attention to the small things. This also gives me an excuse to share this delight from Siri Lee / 李竺芯 during our half-time musical break.
李竺芯Siri Lee - 足芳足芳 Je prends, je prends. Je vais voir - Official Music Video
YouTube video by 李竺芯Siri Lee
www.youtube.com
October 29, 2025 at 2:11 AM
In my class at Parami University today, we're talking about skill, everyday expertise (we're all experts in our own lives and worlds), and attention to the small things. This also gives me an excuse to share this delight from Siri Lee / 李竺芯 during our half-time musical break.
Xunzi: The nature of human beings is bad, what goodness they have is artificial….
人之性惡，其善者偽也。
人之性惡，其善者偽也。
A different but, um, striking new example
Why the World Needs Confucian AI — and Taiwan Can Lead in AI Ethics｜Insight｜2025-10-27｜web only
As AI grows more autonomous, its ethical foundations—shaped largely by Western ideals of individualism and optimization—are being called into question. Jonathan Gropper proposes a Confucian alternativ...
english.cw.com.tw
October 28, 2025 at 12:06 PM
Xunzi: The nature of human beings is bad, what goodness they have is artificial….
人之性惡，其善者偽也。
人之性惡，其善者偽也。
It's been fun hanging out at the Tunghai University Taiwan Southeast Asian Studies Conference with this excellent crowd from Parami University: my colleague Dale Mineshima-Lowe, our awesome registrar Phyu Thet Wai, and our altogether brilliant student Moe Myat Kywe.
October 26, 2025 at 2:59 AM
It's been fun hanging out at the Tunghai University Taiwan Southeast Asian Studies Conference with this excellent crowd from Parami University: my colleague Dale Mineshima-Lowe, our awesome registrar Phyu Thet Wai, and our altogether brilliant student Moe Myat Kywe.
One thing I always forget when meeting Burmese friends is that I need to leave room in my suitcase for the copious quantities of snacks they will bring as gifts. Today, I'm lugging industrial quantities of laphet, sweets and savoury things back to Tainan. 😍 #Myanmar
October 25, 2025 at 12:37 AM
One thing I always forget when meeting Burmese friends is that I need to leave room in my suitcase for the copious quantities of snacks they will bring as gifts. Today, I'm lugging industrial quantities of laphet, sweets and savoury things back to Tainan. 😍 #Myanmar
Discover the taste of Southeast Asia… with colleagues and students from Parami University. Currently in the Family Mart at Tainan train station. On the way to the Taiwan Southeast Asian studies conference in Taichung.
October 22, 2025 at 5:39 AM
Discover the taste of Southeast Asia… with colleagues and students from Parami University. Currently in the Family Mart at Tainan train station. On the way to the Taiwan Southeast Asian studies conference in Taichung.
Reposted by Will Buckingham | 白忠修
“Languages are the vehicles of culture; they carry the spirit of their origins from generation to generation..."
—Wen Ruoqiao 温若喬 (Taiwan), translator and poet
Head to taigael.com to listen to our fabulous stories and read the reviews.
—Wen Ruoqiao 温若喬 (Taiwan), translator and poet
Head to taigael.com to listen to our fabulous stories and read the reviews.
October 19, 2025 at 2:20 PM
“Languages are the vehicles of culture; they carry the spirit of their origins from generation to generation..."
—Wen Ruoqiao 温若喬 (Taiwan), translator and poet
Head to taigael.com to listen to our fabulous stories and read the reviews.
—Wen Ruoqiao 温若喬 (Taiwan), translator and poet
Head to taigael.com to listen to our fabulous stories and read the reviews.
Just spent the afternoon at a concert of Taiwanese language music in Changhua, and this is a reminder that if you haven't listened to 曾立馨 / Li-sin Zeng / Hug Muzik yet, you really should. This whole album is glorious. Oh, and go and see them perform live as well.
music.apple.com/us/album/%E8...
music.apple.com/us/album/%E8...
The Way Home by Li-Sin Zeng on Apple Music
Album · 2023 · 11 Songs
music.apple.com
October 18, 2025 at 10:20 AM
Just spent the afternoon at a concert of Taiwanese language music in Changhua, and this is a reminder that if you haven't listened to 曾立馨 / Li-sin Zeng / Hug Muzik yet, you really should. This whole album is glorious. Oh, and go and see them perform live as well.
music.apple.com/us/album/%E8...
music.apple.com/us/album/%E8...
If you're a philosopher—and also the kind of person who'd make a brilliant colleague—then you should think about coming to work with me at Parami University...
www.higheredjobs.com/internationa...
www.higheredjobs.com/internationa...
Philosophy Instructor - HigherEdJobs
Jobs in higher education. Faculty and administrative positions at colleges and universities. Updated daily. Free to job seekers.
www.higheredjobs.com
October 16, 2025 at 2:43 PM
If you're a philosopher—and also the kind of person who'd make a brilliant colleague—then you should think about coming to work with me at Parami University...
www.higheredjobs.com/internationa...
www.higheredjobs.com/internationa...
Taiwanese trains always seem characterised by such a deep, cathedral-like hush, I can't help thinking that the need for Boisterous Carriages is significantly greater than the need for Quiet Carriages.
focustaiwan.tw/society/2025...
focustaiwan.tw/society/2025...
High-speed rail's latest 'Quiet Space' rules - Focus Taiwan
Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) has implemented new "Quiet Space" rules requiring passengers to use earphones and make phone calls in the gangways, effective Sept. 22.
focustaiwan.tw
October 14, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Taiwanese trains always seem characterised by such a deep, cathedral-like hush, I can't help thinking that the need for Boisterous Carriages is significantly greater than the need for Quiet Carriages.
focustaiwan.tw/society/2025...
focustaiwan.tw/society/2025...
The excellent @drhannahstevens.bsky.social in @fictivedream.bsky.social . This was written when we were at the Taiwan literature base.
ICYMI today in #MicroMonday we're featuring A Micro-Second of Silence by Hannah Stevens @drhannahstevens.bsky.social #microfiction #MicroMonday. Please click on the link and enjoy fictivedream.com/2025/10/13/m...
October 13, 2025 at 10:27 PM
The excellent @drhannahstevens.bsky.social in @fictivedream.bsky.social . This was written when we were at the Taiwan literature base.
Teaching my students at Parami University in Myanmar about nonfiction storytelling using Making Comics and Understanding Comics by @scottmccloud.bsky.social. I still find these books some of the best, most practical guides to the craft of storytelling, whether in comics or in any other form.
October 13, 2025 at 2:05 AM
Teaching my students at Parami University in Myanmar about nonfiction storytelling using Making Comics and Understanding Comics by @scottmccloud.bsky.social. I still find these books some of the best, most practical guides to the craft of storytelling, whether in comics or in any other form.
It was so good to be up at 梓書房 / paperbooks in Taichung yesterday to attend this event with writers Naomi Sím and Kiú-kiong, talking about their writing, our @windandbones.com book, Tâigael: Stories from Taiwanese and Gaelic, and the challenges of translating between minoritised languages.
October 12, 2025 at 1:49 AM
It was so good to be up at 梓書房 / paperbooks in Taichung yesterday to attend this event with writers Naomi Sím and Kiú-kiong, talking about their writing, our @windandbones.com book, Tâigael: Stories from Taiwanese and Gaelic, and the challenges of translating between minoritised languages.
I've introduced a mid-class dance break for my students at Parami university, because sitting in front of Zoom dulls the spirit. And today's track of choice was the brilliant Sauljaljui, with Power跳起來.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=qo7m...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=qo7m...
【POWER跳起來！】2025排灣族魯凱族運動會主題曲MV
YouTube video by 牡丹鄉公所mudantownshipoffice
www.youtube.com
October 9, 2025 at 4:16 AM
I've introduced a mid-class dance break for my students at Parami university, because sitting in front of Zoom dulls the spirit. And today's track of choice was the brilliant Sauljaljui, with Power跳起來.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=qo7m...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=qo7m...