Author Archives: Mike

About Mike

I'm an idealistic realist, humanistic technologist & constant student. And what, you want to Internet-stalk me too? Why, sure.

Jiro Dreams of Sushi Documentary Review

Posted on March 5, 2012 by Mike

“Once you decide on your occupation, you must immerse yourself in your work. You have to fall in love with your work. Never complain about your job. You must dedicate your life to mastering your skill. That’s the secret of … Continue reading →

Posted in Food & Drink, Movies, Reviews | 2 Comments

Half of China’s Millionaires Want To Leave

Posted on November 15, 2011 by Mike

…and most want to come to the US. Look, up in the air. There go our real estate valuations. (I kid, I kid.) (Sort of.) I’m sure the Chinese government is trying to keep their millionaires there, but it’s interesting … Continue reading →

Posted in Education | 9 Comments

The Learning: A Documentary on Four Filipina Teachers in Baltimore

Posted on September 22, 2011 by Mike

This is amazing: One hundred years ago, American teachers established the English-speaking public school system of the Philippines. Now, in a striking turnabout, American schools are recruiting Filipino teachers. Even more amazing: these Filipino teachers are leaving their families to … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Entertainment, Movies | 6 Comments

Why Are There So Few Filipino American Entrepreneurs?

Posted on August 23, 2011 by Mike

I co-founded a web development agency several years ago with a Filipino American buddy of mine. While talking about some industry news one day, he wondered out loud why there weren’t more Filipino American entrepreneurs. “I read about Chinese American, … Continue reading →

Posted in 8Questions, Business | 47 Comments

Japanese Scientist Creates “Poop Burger”

Posted on June 17, 2011 by Mike

DUDE WTF ASIA, indeed: Japanese scientist Mitsuyuki Ikeda has created a burger made from the protein extracted from human feces. “I admit that few people would be keen to eat it,” he stated. A+ for out-of-the-box thinking. F for palatability. … Continue reading →

Posted in (simple), Food & Drink, WTF | 6 Comments

Brian Wong, Founder and CEO of Kiip.me

Posted on May 27, 2011 by Mike

Who’s that baby-faced guy up there? Why, that’s Brian Wong, the youngest entrepreneur ever to receive funding from a venture capital firm. $4.3M from True Ventures at 19 years old, to be exact. What were YOU doing when you were … Continue reading →

Posted in Business | 2 Comments

Salman Khan, Founder of the Khan Academy, Educates The Masses

Posted on May 24, 2011 by Mike

Salman Khan is one of my heroes. No, not Bollywood’s Bad Boy. I mean the Asian American educator and founder of the Khan Academy. Khan’s father is from Barisal, Bangladesh and his mother is from Calcutta, India. He himself was … Continue reading →

Posted in Education | 8 Comments

How To Be a Bad Asian: I’m a Metalhead

Posted on March 23, 2011 by Mike

Life is hard enough as an Asian. Not all of us can get perfect SAT scores, graduate from medical school or trick out a Honda Civic. The pressure to embrace our culture remains but sometimes, we just don’t want to. … Continue reading →

Posted in How To Be A Bad Asian, Music | 44 Comments

Why Is There No Looting In Japan?

Posted on March 17, 2011 by Mike

Jack Cafferty, a CNN commentator, noticed something interesting. Amidst the devastation of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, there have been no reports of looting. He contrasts that to other recent disasters: One heart-wrenching byproduct of disasters like this one … Continue reading →

Posted in Current Events | 33 Comments

Did Respect for Authority Save Lives in Japan Quake?

Posted on March 15, 2011 by Mike

I noticed a curious phenomenon last week. When the earthquake and tsunami were first detected in Japan, the Japanese people responded to the alarms respectfully and obediently. This probably prevented thousands of needless deaths. This seems like a stark contrast … Continue reading →

Posted in Current Events | 10 Comments

Fat Cookies in San Francisco

Posted on March 9, 2011 by Mike

If you had been walking around Dolores Park in San Francisco, CA, two weeks ago, you would have been greeted with this intriguing sign: (Flickr photo credit: sandwichgirl) O rly?

Posted in Business, Food & Drink, San Francisco Bay Area | Leave a comment

Diabetes & Asian Americans, Part III: An Interview with Marianne Szeto, a Diabetty

Posted on February 14, 2011 by Mike

“The next two nights I stayed in the ER. They pumped me full of two liters of liquid in order to rehydrate my body, and I constantly had a flow of insulin through the IV. I did not go to … Continue reading →

Posted in Health | Tagged | 6 Comments