Audrey Tang, Cyber Ambassador-at-Large

Audrey Tang was Taiwan's first Digital Minister (2016-2024) and the world’s first non-binary cabinet minister. Today Audrey has been appointed Taiwan’s Cyber Ambassador-at-Large.

APOSSIBLE™ is a non-profit bringing psychologists, technologists, artists and creatives together to explore how technology can better support creativity and human fulfillment. In this ongoing interview series we’re discovering what people value, what makes their lives fulfilling, and what kinds of relationships to technology they already cherish.

1. What is a ritual, practice, or routine in your life that is important for your psychological wellbeing and/or fulfillment? Why?

Sleep is my sacred ritual, a nightly dance with death and rebirth.
In eight hours, fragmented or whole, I find renewal.

My mind wanders to realms unknown, birthing ideas unbidden.
In the embrace of bed and pillow, reverie reigns supreme.

This slow surrender teaches us the power of "doing by not doing,"
A reminder that in stillness, we often find our greatest strength.

Each night, I imagine leaving the world as a good enough ancestor,
Finding peace in the legacy I leave behind.

This practice teaches us that fulfillment lies not in constant action,
But in the quiet moments of reflection and release.

2. What is a human-made creation that brings out the best in you? Why?

The internet, a vast tapestry of human connection,
Brings out the best in me, a digital gardener of ideas.

It calls forth my curiosity, my desire to learn and share,
Awakening a state of boundless possibility.

In its interconnected web, I find the power to bridge divides,
To weave threads of understanding across cultures and borders.

It empowers me to be a conduit, not just a self,
Amplifying voices often unheard, ideas often overlooked.

This creation teaches us that our best selves emerge
When we connect, collaborate, and co-create across boundaries.

3. When do you cherish the slow or hard way of doing something? Why?

I cherish the slow path of elegance over quick fixes.
Embracing constraints, I find beauty in simplicity and clarity.

The inefficiency of handwritten notes grounds my thoughts,
While face-to-face meetings, though time-consuming, build true rapport.

These slower paths offer depth, nuance, and human touch
That quick conveniences often sacrifice.

They teach us that fulfillment often lies not in speed,
But in the mindful engagement with process and people.

Technologies that support human flourishing
Are those that enhance our connections, not replace them.

4. What is something you appreciate or long for from the past? Why?

I long for the art of deep listening
Before the invention of writing.

The unhurried exchange of ideas
in lengthy storytelling.

This teaches us the wisdom of taking time to truly understand,
Of valuing quality over quantity, depth over breadth.

Living well today means finding balance between innovation and tradition,
Honoring the past while freeing the future.