[stareatgoats]

Tremendous story, a well researched personal destiny as well as an introduction to the geopolitics of the last century. One takeaway is how obviously poisonous substances (Agent Orange) were sprayed over large swathes of land in Vietnam and elsewhere for military tactical purposes, causing medical conditions of varying severity for 3 out of 4 million people affected in Vietnam. It was heavily criticized at the time, as it could be suspected of being harmful to humans as well as the forests and crops that were targeted, but it did not stop the program. [0].

R.I.P. Bùi Tường Phong.

[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agent_Orange

[Synaesthesia]

It was chemical warfare. If you've seen the birth defects and health effects, it's shocking.

[byteknight]

Not taking away from the stats, but that stat is weirdly worded.

> 3 out of 4 million people affected in vietnam

Are there only 4 million total people? Were 4 million affected and 3 million a subset of effect? Are they trying to say 3 in 4?

[nohuck13]

"The government of Vietnam says that up to four million people in Vietnam were exposed to the defoliant, and as many as three million people have suffered illness because of Agent Orange" according to linked Wikipedia article.

[Maken]

Mi interpretation is 4 millions exposed to Agent Orange, 3 millions developed medical conditions as a result.