David Sacks presents an entertaining and informative piece of linguistic and cultural archaeology which unlocks the mysteries of the 26 letters which comprise the English alphabet and also charts the histories of alphabets around the world, as well as of Chinese and Japanese ideograms.
A conflict between the United States and the People's Republic of China (PRC, or China) over Taiwan is becoming increasingly imaginable, a result of China's growing military capabilities and assertiveness, the emergence and coalescence of a separate Taiwanese identity, and evolving U.S. calculations about its interests at stake in the Taiwan Strait. If deterrence fails and a war erupts, the result would be calamitous for Taiwan, China, the United States, and the world, resulting in thousands of casualties on all sides and a profound global economic depression.