I agree a tourist’s view is superficial. But “Potemkin” claims suggest fake, unreal. Life in urban China — for a certain class, obviously — is materially pretty much as it’s represented to be. 1/

If you think short videos and memes are taking you to the true heart of anyone, you’re obviously a bit credulous. But exchanging kindnesses at a person to person level, however superficial they may be, is a contribution in human affairs. 2/

If your politics is threatened by that, it’s time to review your politics. I support a strong commitment by the US to Taiwan’s security. There’s no contradiction between that and warm feelings towards ordinary mainland Chinese. 3/

I strongly support Ukraine, look forward to its joining NATO, but support person to person connections with Russians as well as Ukrainians. Geopolitics is a shitty game, but mutual dehumanization makes it so much worse. Israel/Palestine, both sides of that, shows where that leads. 4/

I have not yet visited Taiwan. It is very high on my list. I have heard extraordinary ordinary things, the best kind from my perspective. /fin