That's Debatable

There was an era in the history of Taiwan that every student receiving education here would for sure learn about: the so-called “Dutch Formosa Era” in the 17th century. The Dutch Republic in the 17th century was a global superpower and occupied numerous spots all around the world, Taiwan included. The Dutch left traces of their presence and some still exist in modern day Taiwan, such as Fort Zeela...

Hi there, it’s your host Sharon. Let’s see what other activities in the “doing things alone” life have you done before? We’ll also talk about taking care of your mental health and being comfortable with your own company. Honestly, if there’s something you want to do, just do it!

Have you ever gone to the movies by yourself? Have you ever gone solo-traveling? What are your thoughts on doing things alone? Some might think it’s a bit “weird” to do things that one usually does other people by yourself, and much of this was due to societal pressure. How did this thought come about? Join Michelle and I (Hey it’s Sharon) today and let’s see what sort of activities we’ve done by...

Hey you, Sharon here. Today we’re continuing our chat with Hans about snakes. What should you do when you encounter snakes in the wild? How much have we humans affected the natural habitats of snakes in Taiwan? Also, Hans organizes educational programs where he brings non-venomous snakes to the classroom and talks with school kids about these fascinating creatures and the importance of respecting...

Are you scared of snakes? If so, why? Is it because of how they look? And some are venomous? Snakes are probably one of the most misunderstood animals out there. Sharon sits down with snake expert Hans Breuer. Let’s debunk some misconceptions about snakes and learn more about these mysterious beings. Hans also runs the website  Snakes of Taiwan , where you can find plenty of useful information on...

Hey you, it’s your host, Sharon Lin. Today joining me is my good friend, Kimberly Chang. Have you thought about studying abroad? Have you noticed why some schools in certain countries are more popular among Taiwanese people? What mentality is a healthy one to have when getting higher education in a foreign country? Wouldn’t it be a pity if you only hang out with people who have similar backgrounds...

Hi there, it’s your host Sharon Lin. Welcome back to That’s Debatable. Today, my guest Kimberly and I are continuing our discussion on Taiwan’s education scene especially with the Bilingual 2030 policy taking place. Being an educator is a tough job, needless to say. Yet, what are some of the most rewarding moments being an educator? What is the future like for the younger generation? Kimberly and...

Have you wondered what English education, and education in general is like in Taiwan? Today, I (This is Sharon writing, hi there.) invited a guest, Kimberly Chang, who has been a teacher in Taiwan and abroad to tell us more. Especially, in light of the Bilingual 2030 policy in Taiwan, how have things changed? What are some pros and cons of such a policy? Who would “benefit” the most? Has this poli...

Hello, it’s your host Sharon Lin. Today we’re continuing our discussion on working freelance with our wonderful guest Eilleen. Go listen to part 1 if you haven’t. What kinds of people are cut out for freelance work? Is it only suitable for “young people?” Let’s find out.

Have you thought about working freelance? Or do you already have experience working as a freelancer before? Today, host Sharon and guest Eilleen, who has worked freelance for many years, are here to talk about some stereotypes many people might have about working freelance. Such as, hmm, you wake up whenever you want? Workload is lighter than that of a full-time job? Check out  this article  for s...

It’s fair to say that in almost all cultures, passing gas, farting, is considered embarrassing, distasteful, and well, not cute.  And people find it funny, and make jokes about farting. When was the earliest fart joke in history? When we have company, should we fart? Should it depend on whom we are with? Why talking about these rather embarrassing stories actually helps create positive human bond...

Have you ever heard of the term ASMR? It stands for “Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response”, and it’s describing a tingling, relaxing sensation in response to specific triggering audio or visual stimuli. Sharon and today’s guest, Andrea, both find ASMR content relaxing. Guess what, maybe you’ve experienced ASMR accidentally, as they are not too uncommon in movies. Yet, many find ASMR “weird.” What...

A shared experience of many people growing up in Taiwan is that there is much space for improvement when it comes to our history education. Why do some people deem learning about history “not important?” What narratives do we usually get from textbooks? What’s usually missing? Sharon sits down with museum professional, Phaedra Fang, to break down some of the reasons behind this, and chat about why...

The ultimate debate. Say no more. Bring it on. 

Do you remember, or picture, the moment you feel that you’re an adult? The first time you start an internship? First time you got a part time job? There are many things that mark a person’s entering adulthood, and for many, getting a job is definitely one of them. However, not every time you get reasonable compensation for your work. These frustrating situations often happen to people whose expert...

Hot take alert. According to my wonderful colleague, Itamar, also known as the “hot take machine” in the office, Taiwanese food is, kind of meh…? What does he mean by this? Many foreign visitors came to Taiwan mainly for the food here. What do you mean? Hold on tight. Let’s hear him out. We will also talk about the history side of many common foods you see in Taiwan nowadays. 

Have you ever shared space with others? It could be roommates, housemates, families, partners, etc. Or are you in this situation now? When you share the same space with others, almost anything could be debatable. And guess what, not every adult looking person is here to REALLY communicate. For those who have had bad housemates before…(or even now), the struggle is real. Additionally, people from d...

Ah...New York City. This City is so-well known and much written about. You could probably name (and sing) at least one song about New York City. For many people in Taiwan, NYC is the “dream city.” What makes NYC so special? Is NYC really like how it’s usually portrayed in music, movies, and TV shows? How much of it is stereotypical? What stories of NYC are usually missing? Join Sharon Lin and Emma...

Welcome to the year 2023. It’s another new year. Some people make New Year’s resolutions every year. Some not only do so, but also post their lists on social media. Do you make so-called New Year's resolutions? Why or why not? Do people track their progress? Do you think one has to wait till a certain time, say a new year, to start something new? Cozy up and let’s chat more.

The UK is very diverse in many ways. Yet, it's quite common to hear people say that British food is...not good, and boring? Today, with our very own Issy Wells, let's find out more, and how the foodscene is way more diverse than one usually expects, mainly due to the nation's history and modern day immigration. 

Hello there, I'm your host Sharon Lin. Welcome back to That’s Debatable. Today Michelle and I are continuing our chat on the upcoming 2023 live action movie of The Little Mermaid, starring Halle Bailey. In today's episode, we talked more about how we learn about race in education, and that there's actually so much we have to unlearn. And hey, by the way, did you know that one of the ea...

This topic has been on my list since Disney dropped the 2023 live action The Little Mermaid teaser, especially overhearing what folks are saying online. The new movie stars Halle Bailey as the lead. Why do some people think a Black actor “could not” play the role of a fictional, fairytale character like the Little Mermaid? What’s the background of “why” some people think the way they do? Why do so...

Taiwan, ah, this lovely, eclectic, resilient, warm, safe, home we have. Honestly, it's a pretty wonderful place to live. However, there are pros and cons to everything. Have you heard of the term "ghost island" (鬼島）used to describe Taiwan? Many Taiwanese people, expecially the younger generation, use the term describing the frustration they face living in Taiwan. "Taiwan is a...

Socks and sandals, do they... go together? If you think, yeah, it's a look. Why? If you think these two items should never go together, why? Are there exceptions? Let's talk about it.

Creativity is a huge part of food culture. In Taiwan, people are definately not shy with giving their food a local twist. Boba or bubble milk tea is a well-known drink from Taiwan. You see drink shops selling boba drinks everywhere throughout Taiwan. However, should we put this beloved ingredient on...pizzas? Do they go with cheeze? Sweet and savory at the same time...? Today, Michelle and Sharon...