The Asia Institute seminar brought together a broad range of experts and students, including students from Japan and even an individual originally from North Korea, to discuss what youth in Korea can do to prepare the way for the future reunification of the Korean Peninsula. The participants broke into two groups: one discussing in Korean and one in English. The results of the seminar will be forthcoming as a short paper.
Today in Korea
Talk at POSTECH on the Future Challenges we face (November 11, 2011)
Emanuel delivered a talk in Korean at POSTECH on Friday, November 11 entitled “A Global Perspective on the Challenges of the Future.” The audience consisted of a group of POSTECH undergraduates with a deep concern about the future of education and their role in society..
Emanuel described the serious challenges posed by climate change, the superannuated society and rapid technological change. He stressed the need to focus education in science in technology on addressing these issues, rather than simple applications like displays and smart phones.
“Korean Technology Beyond Motherboards and Displays” (article in Korea IT Times)
KOREA IT TIMES
Korean Technology Beyond Motherboards and Displays
Taekwando and Oriental Medicine at the Center of Korea’s Future
Thursday, November 10th, 2011
Emanuel Pastreich
http://www.koreaittimes.com/story/18156/korean-technology-beyond-motherboards-and-displays
The term “technology” demands our special attention because the challenges we face require us to move beyond the rather limited significance assigned to the word. “Technology” generally refers to applied techniques for design and the fabrication of parts for the electronics industry, and to a lesser degree to mechanical engineering, energy generation, and biotechnology. But rapid changes in society such as the environmental crisis and the aging population are putting great pressure on us to expand the definition of technology to allow for new and novel solutions. As Albert Einstein said, “We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.” Technology also must be taken up to another level.
Yale Vice President for West Campus visits Kyung Hee University
Professor Scott Strobel, Vice President of Yale for West Campus, visited Seoul National University Advanced Institutes of Convergence Technology and Kyung Hee University on November 4, 2011. At Kyung Hee University he delivered a fascinating talk about Yale’s West Campus project and how a group of far-sighted
AICT Holds ConTech conference “A Smart and Humane World” at KOEX
AICT (Advanced Institute of Convergence Technology) at Seoul National University hosted the CONTECH international conference “A Smart and Humane World” on convergence technology on November 3, 2011, bringing together experts from around the world to discuss the implications of the convergence of technological fields for our world. Emanuel served on the international advisory board for this event. Several themes are related to the Kyung Hee University-AICT research project for which Emanuel was co-researcher.
Vegan Restaurant opens in Hoegi-dong
Actually, the place., “Simple Waffle,” only serves vegan waffles so far, but the owner, who goes by the name Pooh Lee, has great ambitions. Vegan food is hard to find in Korea, and I think a true Vegan could starve without some help. I stick to vegetables myself, but commonly you find a taste of meat or fish in just about everything.
So it is impressive that there is now a place that calls itself Vegan near Kyung Hee University. In Korea, oddly, eating meat is associated with being modern. Just like throwing away paper cups is somehow “modern.” I love Korea, but this cultural assumption is one of the great challenges.
Climate Change in Seoul
Our house still has mosquitoes at the beginning of November. They come up through the water pipes. I stopped by a neighborhood pharmacy and asked if they had insect repellent.
“No,” said the store owner, “We don’t have anything left.”
Talk on Technology and Human Experience at Korea Institute of Patent Information
Emanuel made a presentation at the Korea Institute of Patent Information on October 26, 2011, in which he spoke about the tremendous challenges posed by rapid technological change and its implications for us.
What Emanuel does not like about Korea
I have received numerous criticisms of late to the effect that I am too positive about Korea. Although I think my writings do contain numerous criticisms of Korean practice, it is certainly true that I go to great lengths to keep the tone constructive and positive. That said, I have decided to give a short list of serious issues with Korea that I have.
The white or brown sauce that is squirted on food at restaurants:
So many times we find at Korean restaurants that the cooks feel that they have to squirt a white or brown sauce in lines on top at the food at the last minute to make it look better. The sauce does not add to the flavor and I wish we could just eat the food.
Not being able to see the name of the station from my seat on the subway
How many times on the subway have a found that the sign indicating the station at which the train is stopping at is invisible from where I am sitting? The visibility of signs is clearly far worse in Seoul Metro than in other major subway systems I have ridden.
Korea Launches a Campaign against excessive drinking
Amazing to witness how quickly new campaign to encourage people to drink less as part of their work has gained speed in Seoul. There are signs on the subway, in workplaces, government offices and on TV aggressively driving this point home.