In this fascinating discussion, Tom Mullaney, a Chinese history professor at Stanford, and Wang Yongmin, the inventor of the Wubi input method, dive into the challenges and innovations of typing Chinese characters. They explore the technical hurdles early computers faced and the cultural implications of preserving the Chinese writing system. Wang shares his groundbreaking method of breaking characters into components for easier input, while also critiquing the widespread adoption of phonetic systems like Pinyin. Their insights illuminate the intersection of technology, language, and identity in modern China.
