"History Isn't Boring, How It's Presented Can Be," Says Formosa Files Podcast Host

By Noah Lindsey & Matt Bailey Eryk Michael Smith, the creator and host of the Formosa Files podcast, delivered a presentation today to students and teachers in the Lecture Hall, focusing on the historical complexities of Taiwan's democratization. He emphasized that history is best understood as stories and through understanding perspective, not as a collection of dry facts.

"I'm not a professional historian. I'm a podcaster," he told the audience. 

To illustrate his point about perspective, Mr. Smith asked the audience to imagine two people born in 1900—one in Taiwan and one in mainland China. He explained how their lives would have unfolded in massively different ways over the next 70 years, with the individual in China experiencing periods of immense suffering, famine, and political upheaval, while the person in Taiwan navigated Japanese colonial rule, the Chinese Civil War, and a long period of martial law. These events, he argued, shaped two entirely different worldviews.

Mr. Smith used the study of flags, known as vexillology, to transition his discussion to Taiwan's democratization process. He stressed that Taiwan’s democracy did not emerge overnight with the lifting of martial law, but was a result of a series of small, incremental changes and social movements. He highlighted key events like the Wild Lily Movement, which was instrumental in pushing for democratic reforms, and the peaceful transitions of power between political parties.

The podcaster then raised a fundamental question: "Is Taiwan a country?" He distinguished between de facto (in practice) and de jure (by law) status, explaining that he sees Taiwan as a de facto country and that many people, including himself, are content with this status quo. 

"Things are pretty good and going pretty well," he said. He noted that the main point of contention lies with those who insist on de jure recognition.

Mr. Smith concluded by reiterating that history is far from boring; the way it is taught is often the problem. He described history as a complex web of interconnected stories, not a tool for predicting the future. He argued that understanding these stories is the backbone of comprehending the modern world.

Mr. Smith, who has lived in Taiwan since the 1990's, was invited to speak by Mr. Lamprect. This was the first time he has hosted a guest speaker on campus, and he said it was a great success, expressing hope that they could do it again next year.