Capstone Rising!

19/03/2025 Mark A. Ashwill Commentary ai, capstone education, capstone rising, capstone vietnam, chatGPT, vietnam

This AI-generated image was created for the song. This is a song I created about Capstone Education, of which I'm managing director and co-founder, using AI-generated text and music based on my input. Follow this link or click on the image to listen. The lyrics are below. Turn it up, be inspired, and enjoy! Peace, … Continue reading Capstone Rising!

‘Sweeping’ university reforms planned as Vietnam plays ‘catch up’

17/03/202504/10/2025 Mark A. Ashwill Articles, Commentary demographic dividend, economic hubs, high-income country, higher education reform, national development, STEM, times higher education, vietnam

This article by Helen Packer in which I was quoted appeared in Times Higher Education (London) on 15 March 2025. (Note: THE doesn't have a paywall, but you must create an account to get three free articles a month.) New education plan aims to create four city hubs and expand enrolment as youth population swells … Continue reading ‘Sweeping’ university reforms planned as Vietnam plays ‘catch up’

What Does Vietnam’s Future Look Like?

14/03/202518/03/2025 Mark A. Ashwill Commentary economic growth and development, environment and climate change, future, politics and international relations, pollution, society and culture, technology and innovation, vietnam

This is an AI-generated image of Vietnam's future. It looks more like the present sans the cars and other vehicles. Below is a recent "conversation" with ChatGPT about Vietnam's future. It touches on all the key points. I asked it to say more about environmental pollution. Peace, MAA ChatGPT said: Vietnam’s future looks promising, but … Continue reading What Does Vietnam’s Future Look Like?

If You Were Evil and Wanted to Destroy America, How Would You Do It?

07/03/2025 Mark A. Ashwill Commentary alliances and global influence, america, chatGPT, cultural and psychological warfare, cyber warfare, economic destabilization, military weaking, political division and social unrest, president musk, trump, united states, USA

Speaking of "super dark," this Halloween-esque image is AI-generated. All he needs is a black MAGA hat a la President Musk. This is a question I asked ChatGPT. I was "inspired" by a related Instagram video. Here's its initial response: ChatGPT: That’s a pretty wild question! But if you're asking from a strategic, analytical perspective—like … Continue reading If You Were Evil and Wanted to Destroy America, How Would You Do It?

Is Donald Trump a Fascist?

15/02/2025 Mark A. Ashwill Commentary 2017, 2025, authoritarianism, autocracy, christofascism, fascism, kleptocracy, project 2025, trump, USA

So are his henchmen/women, including de facto President Musk. I asked Chat GPT this rhetorical question. Here's its namby-pamby answer, obviously based on what transpired during his first term. 2025 is not 2017. Let's ask the same question after the end of Trump 2.0 - if not before. My response would be: Is the Pope … Continue reading Is Donald Trump a Fascist?

Nothing But Praise for Chickpea Eatery Vegan Restaurant in Danang!

05/02/202507/03/2025 Mark A. Ashwill Announcement, Commentary chickpea eatery, danang, hoi an, vegan, vegetarian, xuan tu mai

From Tu Mai's Facebook account It's not often that I write about restaurants - this is probably the third time since I launched this blog in 2009 - but I feel compelled to put in a good word for Chickpea Eatery at its new location in Danang. Founded in 2020, there's also one in Hoi … Continue reading Nothing But Praise for Chickpea Eatery Vegan Restaurant in Danang!

“Pity the Nation” by Kahlil Gibran

04/02/2025 Mark A. Ashwill Commentary kahlil gibran, pity the nation

Pity the nation that is full of beliefs and empty of religion.Pity the nation that wears a cloth it does not weaveand eats a bread it does not harvest. Pity the nation that acclaims the bully as hero,and that deems the glittering conqueror bountiful. Pity a nation that despises a passion in its dream,yet submits … Continue reading “Pity the Nation” by Kahlil Gibran

It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like Tết/Đã bắt đầu trông như Tết rồi

28/01/2025 Mark A. Ashwill Commentary 2025, capstone education, it's beginning to look a lot like tet, lunar new year, reaching new heights, tet

Here's my latest song inspired by It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas. (I uploaded another version last year.) The Vietnamese version is below. Thanks to các cháu Thảo, Thanh và Duyên for their help! Reaching New Heights together! 😉 Enjoy! Peace, MAA It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Tet It's beginning to look a lot like TetEverywhere you … Continue reading It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like Tết/Đã bắt đầu trông như Tết rồi

The Larger Shift

22/01/202521/01/2025 Mark A. Ashwill Commentary asian century, BRICS, china, decline of the west, europe, india, morris berman, russia, the larger shift, us decline

Photo from El Confidencial Below is a post by Dr. Morris Berman a US historian and social critic whom I've known for many years. He points out the obvious when referring to "the tectonic shift from West to East," which is why I use the hashtag #Asian Century often and with confidence. (I've lived in … Continue reading The Larger Shift

“Trump’s election is a crisis like no other, not only for the U.S. but the world”

20/01/2025 Mark A. Ashwill Articles, Commentary andrew coyne, canada, hatred, inauguration, martin luther king jr., the globe and mail, trump

Credit: Evil Trump P-ñata Brand: Aztec Imports, Inc. “We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the hateful words and actions of the bad people but for the appalling silence of the good people.”✨― Martin Luther King Jr., Letter from Birmingham Jail On the occasion of Trump 2.0's inauguration, I thought it … Continue reading “Trump’s election is a crisis like no other, not only for the U.S. but the world”

An International Educator in Vietnam

Information, Insights & (Frequently) Intrigue

Author: Mark A. Ashwill