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.
The Environment Crisis: Don’t cut Defense Budgets!
It is one of the terrible ironies of this moment that at the same time that we are seeing reports that carbon dioxide emissions jumped 6% between 2009 and 2010 (with the United States and China leading the pack as linked economies), military budgets for traditional warfare are skyrocketing. People seemed to be still deluded into thinking we will fight the next war with missiles and aircraft. The climate war is here, but we are unprepared.
The solution is not to ask ministries of defense to cut their budgets and dedicate that money to planting trees. We all know that as good as the intention may be, such an approach will never work. The only solution is to redefine the concept of “security” and increase the amount of spending within defense ministries on environmental issues. Innovative countries like Korea are capable of making the transition. The only question is whether they can do it quickly enough.
Some individuals may disdain the idea of working closely with the military or “militarizing” the issue of the environment. I would argue that we really do not have any choice at this point.
STS Forum in Kyoto
Emanuel attended the STS Forum in Kyoto (October 2-4, 2011), meeting with individuals from industry, research and NGOs concerned with the impact of technology on society. There was a strong focus on the challenges of nuclear power in the conference and energy in general.
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.”
Two essential laws of politics
I tend to be naive about politics. Or should we say I am politically naive.
Sometimes it is a studied posture of someone who actually knows how things work, but pretends not to know. Sometimes I am literally that naive and that simple when it comes to politics. And then sometimes I tend to treat the political world in terms of what I want it to be, instead of in terms of what it really is. If I could just give up the naive assumptions and play the game smartly.
Daejeon Mug is available at last!
Release of the Daejeon Mug
The Daejeon Mug Highlights Daejeon’s unique ecosystem with a delightful design by the graphic artist Ryu Miso. The three rivers that define Daejeon, the Gapcheon, Yudeungcheon & Daejeon Cheon, are lyrically represented in this original design. The front side is in English and the backside in characters suitable for Koreans, Chinese and Japanese.
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.