Sunday, July 7, 2013

the grand minjok idea WAS a scheme


     Every four years, 50 million people, come together. These people fill up large stadiums, big plazas and huge theaters. Most of these people either have red shirts on or tattoos with the color of red and blue on their faces or both. The most recent occurrence of this event was 2010, and such happening is estimated to repeat itself in 2014. During these events, people forget whether someone is a person he or she knows or not. The important thing is that they are all together, looking towards the same goal. This event, which actually is the World Cup, helps the Korean minjok to once again be one, being a reminder of what kind of people we are. However one thing that people are not aware of is the truth of the term minjok. For quite a time, Koreans have known the word minjok as something that binds a certain group of people, especially with the same ethnicity, together. Some even think as if the term existed ever since Dangoon ruled the Korean peninsula. However the reality is that minjok is fairly a recent ideology, and it did not even originate from Korea. Also, while people think of minjok as a bright and family-like concept, the true purpose of the idea is much darker than what the general people view it as.

     Before further explanations on the truth of minjok, it is vital to consider the following question:  What is the definition of minjok? Thinking about this question for at least a minute will make someone’s mind burst. The question is mostly about where the limitations of a single minjok should be placed. Standards such as race, ethnicity, cultural identity and country of birth are all the lines that should be considered when define minjok, but none of these words successfully draw the accurate line between two different minjok, for example the Korean minjok and the Chinese minjok. This mere fact that minjok is so hard to define leads to countless arguments on what the true definition of it truly is. Still in a general sense, minjok is mostly linked to a group of people that are sharing the same idea and maybe the same ethnicity. With this in mind, it is possible to look at certain historical clues that tells us how the term minjok has originated in order to investigate further in how this ideology is influencing our lives.

     The beginning of minjok dates back to the French revolution, a French nationalism, a kind of bond that makes people get together for the same political purpose. However, the real usage of it is shown right before the Second World War. In a popular theory, Adolf Hitler was behind the widespread of the idea of nationalism, in other words, minjok. As Germany lost World War I, the country landed on an enormous amount of war debt which caused the entire society to collapse. Hitler, who was the potential leader of Germany at that time tried to figure out a method to unite the citizens of Germany in order to reconstruct the country from the pit it had fallen into. He decided to borrow the ideology of ‘nationalism’ from the old French Revolution. The nationalism of the Germans were set by Hitler, under the following beliefs: 1) People of Germany are special, unlike any other race, as they are superior to all the others. 2) The main cause of the disaster Germany is facing is the Jewish, and they had been a parasite to the people of this country for a long time. 3) The only way to recover from the crisis Germany is facing is by starting a war, win the war and take over all the other countries that lead to our fall. This German Nationalism, this set of beliefs, this German community, the German minjok ideology of the 1930s is exactly what people know as the Nazis. Some may rage upon this saying, that our identity of the Korean minjok could never be the legacy of the Nazis. Fortunately, the Nazis are not the direct link to how our nationalism was formed as the story moves on, to when the Japanese adapt this term for similar usages.

     Japan, which was always a frontier in adapting western ideas, again took the idea from Germany for the similar reason, to form a stabilized army. Japanese imperialists also given the citizens the ideas that are quite like those of the Nazis that enabled themselves to morally justify “taking over the entire Asian region”. The strength of such brainwashing was so intense, becoming the secret of how kamikaze forces were created. However, the real usage of such nationalism comes to the surface as Japan acquires its first colony, South Korea. The very first action that the Japanese took as they inferior to Japanese. For this to work, what the Japanese needed to do was to differentiate the two groups of people. This is where the term of minjok comes out. The Japanese government at this time used a double plan. To the outer world, they implanted the idea that the Japanese people and the Korean people were initially one. The government then stated that the long division caused the Korean side to eventually be contaminated, and that the Japanese has the justification to rehabilitate the country. From the inside the Japanese government promoted the idea that the Korean people are inherently inferior to the Japanese, giving out the righteousness of the Japanese colony. Surprisingly, as time passed the people of Korea began to rather accept this idea of nationalism, and making the word ‘minjok’. Leaders of Korea then used it temporarily to unite the people to get their country back. In the end, the Leaders have succeeded, and Korea gained independence.

     Ever since Korea recovered from the colonization of the Japanese, the country had gone through a series of great changes. During the 1960s and the 1970s, one of the most controversial leaders of South Korea took over the nation through military power. This man was in reality, a dictator, but was one of the most important figures in the development of Korean economy. Park Jeong-hee was the person who was responsible for constructing all the basic infrastructures of a modern country. He was also responsible for the great development that followed even though Korea just recovered from the Second World War. Despite this leader was a great one, he was a dictator, and needed a plan to maintain his power without being overthrown by the citizens. Park Jeong-hee thought such plan was essential especially since the people were craving for freedom and democracy after the independence. Park Jeong-hee then brings out the old weapon, the weapon called the Korean nationalism. The former president once again used the concept of minjok, in order to set the priorities of the country to be development and recovery. He shouted out that it is important for everyone to be together, to join their workforces for the country. Just as expected the people of South Korea focused more on what the president told them less concerning about their personal gains and freedom, eventually leading to the gigantic development our country was enabled to flourish. This call for gathering workforces is the most recent time of which the term Korean nationalism was officially used by a strong power.

     In summary, between the ideology of the Nazis to the nationalism of contemporary South Korea lie several cases of which the idea of minjok was used in order to change the interest of the citizens of a country, from their personal interest to the overall development of the country. Unlike what many think, the term minjok is not a jolly and family-like idea. Looking back at what history tells you, the concept of minjok is merely an idea spread out by the government or another superpower for the purpose of distracting you from seeing what the real truth is. But is this true? It may be the grounds of the creation of the term, but in the current society it is hard to see any depression or government secret behind the shouts of the red demons during the world cup season. In conclusion, it can be said that the idea of minjok has fundamentally changed. While in the past it was for putting people together for a purpose, today it is for being together for a purpose. People are not being forced or brainwashed into believing that we are one, but they are rather unconsciously just the same minjok. No one teaches a person to like Kimchi, or perhaps Dokdo, or even the Korean national soccer team, although they are quiet bad in performance. These are simply what makes our minjok our minjok. Having these factors is exactly what makes us Korean. However this is where the contemporary definition of minjok becomes hard to set. With all the foreign workers flowing into Korea and with the increase of Korean people immigrating to other countries, what is the correct line that differentiates the Korean minjok from the rest?

     Going back to the past, all the countries that had the concept of nationalism had a similarity. The lines drawn to divide ‘us’ to ‘them’ was purely by the countries people and the race. For the Nazis, their minjok was consisted of only German people of the German race. For Japanese, the people superior to the inferior Koreans were no one but the Japanese themselves. The reason to why this was possible was the fact that back then, moving to another country to live there and learn the culture at the place was a very rare occasion. So, back then there were no conflicting values on who should be included as our minjok and who should not be. Coming back to the present, many people are moving around making it hard to set the standards on who is our minjok and who isn’t. For example, while some believes Sam Hammington, an Australian person who moved to Korea who speaks perfect Korean and shares many of the cultural identities that we have, to be part of the Korean minjok, others do not. Like this, the conflict is open on whether minjok should be considering more on the cultural parts and the beliefs an individual has, or on the ethnic and racial aspects of an individual.


     Personally, I think that it is not right to draw a line on who is included in our minjok or not. The idea of minjok is simply a helping hand, to gather people around to achieve goals that one person alone cannot achieve. Nowadays, the term minjok is mostly used when there is an event that unintentionally gathers people together. So, in a way, people who are enraged by the provocation by Japan, people who are shouting out for the victory of the South Korean soccer team, people who are part of the Korean identity during these special events are truly the ones we can call ‘our minjok’. And no matter where you live and where you were born in and what kind of skin color you have, one can be our minjok if they feel the same like everyone else in Korea. In conclusion I believe it is unnecessary to define minjok in the first place, the important thing is the feeling. The feeling just like when you hear good music. You do not know what kind of music is good, it is just that it IS good. In the end, for me, minjok is just a word. But the important thing is the bond that this word carries. The bond of which makes me understand other people and interact with them. The bond that helps me know if I am home or not. The bond that ensures me who I am. The bond called minjok.

Monday, June 3, 2013

A Collection of Optical Illusions

JUST SIT BACK AND ENJOY!



21st Century: How Long Will We Live?






Life Expectancy: Numbers are rising. We will live forever, in time.

Right now, the 3rd of June, 2013, there are 11 people on Earth who was born in the 1800's. These people are all older than 112 years old, being the oldest among the oldest people alive in the world. These people are now receiving medical help to maintain their lives, as their bodies are not strong enough to sustain itself. In a way, the medications are playing a huge role in their survival. If these people were living in 1913, with the age over 112, unfortunately they will not be able to stay alive much longer. Since the mortality rate of a person increases geometrically as someone ages. without the aid of medical procedures, it can be said that it is almost impossible to live over the age of one hundred let alone a hundred and ten. However, as science develops and medications improve, people are expected to live much longer than just 110.



The medical industry has flourished and the understanding of biology has increased incredibly in the recent times. This had led to scientist expecting to create the 'Elixir of Youth'. Science experts also claim that the first person to ever peak the age of 150, has already been born. Furthermore, with the demand of wanting live longer, there currently is a field of study called 'Life extension science'. 'Life extension science' is a study devoted to find methods to slow down or reverse the process of aging to extend both the maximum and average lifespan. Longevists(people who want to live longer themselves) believe that when the technology of tissue rejuvenation becomes possible to be applied to mankind, the average lifespan of a man will be indefinite. Although this does not sound logical, science can give a theory of how such technology will be brought to life. The reason why such is possible lies in the process of aging. The process is simply an accumulation of damage as cells regenerate in the body. This damage is a result of oxidation, like the way iron rusts. If scientist are capable of manipulating the DNA of humans, change the properties the cells have regarding reproduction, it is clear that laboratories will certainly be able to design humans to not age at all. However, there is no way in the status quo that people will be able to develop such complex technology. Even though experts say they will, all this sounds just like any other science fiction. There must be more evidence of how this seemingly unrealistic idea is not entirely a dream. The evidence lies in nature itself. Nature already has an answer to a much higher level of preventing aging. It already the opened the door to immortality.

Nature currently has a prototype of immortal organisms. It is a very well known micro-organism, the Hydra.The hydra is very much the closest thing that can be compared to Marvel Comics' 'Wolverine'. Hydras regenerate their cells not by reproducing them from the stem cell like humans, but the simply divide a currently existing one into half. This allows the accumulation of defects and toxins to be diluted. In conclusion, hydras basically, do not age. This is called senescence, or biological immortality. Apart from hydras, there are different animals that are thought to undergo senescence and they are: tardigrades, bacteria, jellyfish, and lobsters.


In the end, the hope mankind has, going towards immortality is not totally absurd. Although it may sound hypothetical, the chances are that people will some day reach a point of creating immortal humans.There are current science groups working on the creation of immortal humans. The pioneer of such research collaboration is the SENS Research Foundation that supports several research pathways that could lead to engineered negligible senescence in humans. Some time in the future, people may be transformed into a species that do not die just because it's time for them to go.




Dreaming of mortality in the 21st century might be a little risky. However, in the 21st century people will exceed the Guinness World Records of the oldest person ever alive. I might be able to hit the age of 150, and my parents and teachers might be able to meet their 130th birthday. Moreover, in the 21st century, people will have hope in science, of which that one day, mankind will not be able to exceed their limits, whatever it is.



Here's a video about aging and more!

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Nacirema's are not the only weird people.


     Although I usually say "I am a person who understands diverse cultures", I was flabbergasted by the body rituals done by the Nacirema. What I wrote about this particular essay, <The Body Rituals Among The Nacirema> was that I could not understand why these kind of actions are done and also that I realized there still are people who act out rituals somewhat similar to the ones done by the ancient Mayans. I thought these people are cruel, worthy of criticism and should be rather, say, civilized. I felt sorry for these people, thinking that they met the wrong culture that made themselves suffer.

     Unfortunately, I was one of the foolish. It turned out, the Nacirema was no other tribe but word made up to symbolize the American people. My first thought of figuring this out is that I misinterpreted the entire passage, and that I should take back what I said. However on my second thought, I realized that I was right. American people really are just like how Horace Miner portrays. American people are highly reliant on actions that from a alien, will probably look strange. Paying to change their outer looks, amputating a leg because it is not usable. Other ironic things, such as paying to go to health clubs and at the same time denying the existence of stairs.
    
     I recognized, as I learned the true meaning of Nacirema, that I was not much of a understanding person. I figured that I am the same as any other man, having an unreasonable rejection towards new and awkward customs. However, the correct interpretation of the passage did not necessarily teach me cultural relativism. It simply made me think on the fact that people across the globe might not picture our own, Naerok's culture as the most desirable. Eventually, I learned that we do not have the right to criticize other people's cultures.

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

a little bit political................?


I guess the world is teasing artists....
This picture really made me think that 9gag is not necessarily a website for morons....
In this world of capitalism, competition, and the rat race, I know that it is hard for a company to advertise.
I never thought advertisements bad, but the comparison between graffiti an advertisements....was a bit surprising.
I believe that the situation towards street art must change, looking at the fundamentals of advertisements and graffiti....


I really agree with this one...
Seriously people who say they believe in god, don't care about using bad words, don't care about other people who need help, don't accept variety of thoughts and sexual orientation......I think I am glad that I am an atheist

The Real Problem of Global Warming

     The emotion banging in my head was anger. I was angry that we, humans are knowingly eliminating our own home we are living in. I was angry that the greed of minorities are not only shredding Earth to pieces but also tricking people to believe in the untrue.

     The message of 'Age of Stupid' is simple. Fail to stop global warming now, no hope to saving life on Earth. 3 years more of what we do now, and our world's destruction status will be in an irreversible state. According to the film, the only way to stop the world from total destruction is to maintain the 2℃ limit of the average temperature on Earth. With this ceiling broken, there is no going back. The small effects of this 2℃ difference will bring the rise of the sea levels, the breakdown of the ozone layer, and eventually accelerating the process of global warming. The film predicts that the average temperature will rise by 6℃ soon after the 2℃ limit is broken. Ultimately, the world will fall well before people realize that it is really too late.

     However, the seriousness of the situation is not only due to the factual information that the increase of 2℃ the world will be over. The real problems are mainly the reactions of people. The flick portrays how scientist are acting worldwide to give out warnings and how individuals are also working to spread ideas of using wind turbines and other renewable energy sources. Unfortunately, their works do not turn out so well. In the case where a town's people are going against a man's wind turbine, one of the protesters against the turbine says that she does care about global warming but she will win this fight against turbines. The town's arguments of disagreeing are these: 1. The turbine damages the view. 2. The house prices drop because of these turbines. This means that people are not acknowledging the severity of the status quo. While people are very much aware that global warming is happening, they are not seeing how deadly the results can be. The film states that mankind were brilliant at seeking benefits in front of themselves but they never were bright in looking at incidents in a longer perspective. So this means that people cannot help but to look into their advantages right in front of them. But also there actually is another reason why people are not being able to think for the environment.
  

     Many governments, global organizations and companies(especially oil companies) are not willing to accept the severity of the problem. Like what the two links above show, the big and powerful are afraid that they will lose their power over the economy and the political system. Their current control over power are blinding them from reality, making them think as if everything is a game. Governments and global committees are changing their stances every time in order to seek benefits. Different communities have different views towards global warming. One says global warming is beneficial, that there is not much to worry. Others propose that global warming is serious that the government will work to stop the problems occurring. Moreover, companies are working to fake reports on global warming and climate change, to stop restrictions from taking away their profit. There are cases in the movie, which companies pay for the government and different political parties to change policies. Their willingness to accept their economic losses for the future do not exist at all. To sum up, the main problem of many organizations are these. First off, the authorities are not taking care of the problem. Second, these superpowers are confusing normal citizens on the regards of global warming. Like I have mentioned above, the people's uncaring of the status quo can be, in a way, due to the strong and influential, trying to deny the problems.

     I feel anger. I feel rage towards the selfish, blind people thinking that it is okay to delay actions necessary to restore the ozone layer, stop the sea level from rising, help the extreme weather change go back to its normal state, and eventually saving Earth from becoming a dead, lifeless planet. I believe that with a bit of consciousness, it will be possible to save the future of the planet although we only have 3 years to count down. The only thing that has to be done is alarm the world not only on facts but on the severity of the status quo. It is needed to educate the people and the workers and the politicians. It is time for science to work on teaching people more than making theories. In a nut shell, this is how we should start as a tipping point in making a change.

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Ends VS Means


Can the End Justify the Means?

Prezi: http://prezi.com/z5zbh7z8pv-i/should-the-end-justify-the-means/?kw=view-z5zbh7z8pv-i&rc=ref-35264215


-The general sense: it is not justifiable; laws give limits to what should be allowed and what should not be considered as justifiable.(Normal rules in laws do not overlook the means for the ends.)
 **However, it is necessary to think of it in a more specific way: cases where this idea of the justification of means is a dilemma

1. Cases in life where the ends can be more prioritized over the means

i) Ambulance
     -the ambulance doesn't follow the general rules of the traffic order
     -there is a law actually considering the urgency of the car, enabling the ambulance to have an excuse
     -the set rules are only active when there is a patient on the board.
*still this case is that an example of which the normal street laws are bent for the purpose of saving a life: but in some cases when the patient isn't that much in a serious status, we need to ask whether it is THAT necessary to break the normal law on the road.

ii) White lies
     -lies are normally seen as not justifiable, however the term 'white lie' goes against this thought.
     -white lies are lies told to others with the reasoning of not making them hurt their feelings.
     -also the placebo effect can be categorized as a white lie.
*the placebo effect: actually this method of remedy, using flour based medicine in order to TRICK the patients to use their mental power is actually not justifiable. What the patient wants is a proper cure, and we can see that these doctor misused the different information that they have and what the opponent has.
*officially, the method using the placebo effect is not considered legal in most cases of the US and also S.Korea.

2. Cases in which the focusing of the ends led to disasters.

i) The melamine incident
     -several years ago, China was under a discussion due to their act of using melamine in baby products
     -after the truth revealed, China faced many hardships and was asked to change the current system in making baby cream and milk.
     -this situation can be viewed to be a case of where China had a problem of ignoring the moralities in making products, only focusing on the ends of reducing the entire cost of production.

ii) The Death Note
     -although it is a Japanese anime, the concept of trying to eliminate all the criminals something we should talk about.
     -in the anime, the main character finds a notebook that has the power the kill anyone with who has their name on the note.
     -the main character, Laito decides to eradicate all the criminal masterminds in the entire world.
*the problem of this anime is that whether it is justifiable to actually kill people if these people are considered dangerous and a civil menace. Laito himself, dies at the end of the comic series, making us ponder what he did was justifiable at all.

DEBATE
1) The wrongdoings and the contributions of the president Park.
2) The problems regarding life and death in the cases introduced by Michael Sandel.