History is more than dates and milestones—it's a collection of countless human experiences. “Dust & Digits”exists at the intersection of statistical analysis and narrative storytelling, questioning what gets recorded and, more importantly, what gets left out. This podcast focused mainly on the modern history of China in the 20th century.

This episode examines the debated death toll of China's Great Famine (1959-61). We explore how the common figure of 30 million was derived from census data and demographic models. Does it represent excess deaths, lost births, or both?

Different methodologies yield vastly different numbers. Rather than seeking one definitive figure, we analyze how data limitations and political contexts shape our understanding. Statistics can illuminate this tragedy, but only when we critically examine their origins and inherent uncertainties.

In this episode, we explore China's "demographic dividend" — often cited as the secret behind its economic boom, but was it genuine growth or an illusion built on cheap labor?

We analyze how China's working-age population peaked from the 1990s to early 2010s, fueling rapid GDP growth. But who truly benefited? And at what social cost?

Now, with aging and low birth rates, can automation and innovation drive new growth? We look beyond the numbers to understand the real choices and costs behind economic success.

This episode examines the hidden costs behind China's economic miracle. While energy efficiency improved drastically from 1980 to 2020, total consumption surged eightfold. The resulting prosperity came with severe consequences: air pollution linked to an estimated 1.6 million premature deaths annually, and countless miners afflicted by silicosis.

Although official coal mine fatalities dropped significantly, many casualties remain unrecorded. By contrasting GDP growth with these human losses, we question the very definition of economic success and ask: whose lives powered this miracle, and how should they be remembered?

This episode re-examines China's celebrated literacy "miracle" — a drop from over 80% illiteracy in the 1940s to under 3% today. While often attributed to mass campaigns, we explore how shifting definitions and generational replacement played a crucial role. As older, less-educated cohorts passed away and youth universally gained access to schooling, the rate fell naturally.

Comparing China's path with other nations, we see that literacy growth often reflects broader social progress, not just targeted efforts. This story invites a deeper look: when data seems miraculous, what narratives and nuances lie behind the numbers?