
A Morning Ride Through Taiwan’s New Chapter
This morning, I set out on a simple bike ride into the hills just ten kilometers from TSMC’s global headquarters. What I found along the way was far more profound: a glimpse into how Taiwan’s Baby Boomer generation—who helped build the world’s tech infrastructure—is now quietly crafting the next chapter of Taiwan’s contribution to global civilization.
In a small mountain village, I ran into Professor An-Shi Chang from National Tsing Hua University and his wife, who have lived here for over a decade. For him, this rural retreat offers clarity, grounding, and the energy to pursue meaningful research. They invited me to share a beer—one not just any brew, but a craft beer made by a retired TSMC Vice President, who has transformed the company's spirit of precision engineering into a culture of artisanal brewing.
At a mountaintop café, the owner greeted me not with coffee, but with another glass of freshly poured craft beer. Down the road, I passed a vegetable vendor I’ve known since my youth—still rooted in the same soil, still smiling with the grace only age and nature can bestow.
I later stopped by a local café struggling as Taiwanese travelers head abroad. I reminded the owner: in today’s world, your competition is global, but so is your opportunity. Build on Taiwan’s unique strengths. Combine local treats like shui ban(steamed rice cakes) with refined experiences. Turn authenticity into innovation, and your customers—local and international—will return not just for coffee, but for meaning.
Before heading downhill, I took a photo of an old friend in front of the village temple. His quiet presence, the timeless backdrop—it all speaks to the elegance and resilience of Taiwan’s rural soul.
💡 In Taiwan today, we are witnessing a powerful shift: Baby Boomers who once powered the rise of the global tech economy are now bringing their experience, wealth, and worldview back into Taiwan’s cultural and lifestyle industries. They are helping reshape what it means to live well—not just in comfort, but in contribution.
📍This is Taiwan’s new innovation frontier. Not just semiconductors, but a way of life that merges local identity with global relevance.