1.sohyun chun(Stella) 2.Korea Urgently Needs Its Own Core Technology 3.Korea does not have leading parts in 360 different types of techology. Although we are placed 12th largest economy over the world,it is miserable to know that we do not have top level technology.Also, this article mentions that core techology should be considered priority than other mass production techology. The reason why I pick this article is that, I think scinece is also related to sociology, becuase if country developes science field, it is beneficial to people's level of life, and enhances country's level as well. So science and techology is related to political sociology. To do this, I think education and role of ministry should be developed.Techology is so important for country's economy as well, since it enhances various production and innovation. I wish korea develops its core techology.
--------------------------------
Home> Editorials Updated Nov.28,2008 12:41 KST
Korea Urgently Needs Its Own Core Technology
The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology conducted a country-by-country survey of 364 technologies involving 10 core industries and found that Korea has none of them. The United States has 270, the EU 60 and Japan 34. In terms of comprehensive technology, Korea’s level was estimated at only 72.8 percent of the top countries, translating into a lag of 6.8 years. Experts who took part in the survey said the technological gap would narrow in five years but did not see Korea holding the best technology in any field. It is embarrassing that the world’s 12th-largest economy does not have a leading position in over 360 different types of technology. It is also scary. In a world where only the best can survive, the survey results tell us that one day we may end up losing the race.
Semiconductors and LCDs, which are areas in which Koreans thought they were the best, are led by the United States and Japan. Korea may be a bit more advanced in terms of production technology, but it still relies on the United States and Japan for lucrative semiconductor circuit manufacturing facilities and key component technology. Even here, Korea’s level was only 81 percent of the top countries, translating to a lag of 3.8 years. The same was the case for IT/electronics and communication, where Korea boasts a fairly advanced level of technology. Korea was 9.1 years behind in disaster technology, 8.1 years in medical technology and 7.3 years in biotechnology.
In the world of global competition, mass production technology is less important than core technology, which is harder to catch up with. The only reason Korea is a few years ahead of China and India in the semiconductor, automobile, steel and shipbuilding industries -- whose revenues are used to buy raw materials -- is because of its lead in production technology. But this lead is shrinking. The Korea Development Institute said Korea was 3.8 years ahead of China in terms of technology and five years ahead of India. And in the IT field, where changes are rapid, China and India can overtake Korea within one or two years.
The government’s research and development budget for this year is W11.1 trillion. Only 25 percent of this will be invested to develop core basic technologies, because the bulk of the funding has been concentrated on large national projects involving technology that is closer to being commercialized or can be used to stimulate the economy. We need to boldly increase investment in core technology. Without it we cannot survive
1. Ji-A RYU 2. the internet-based elite from below 3. Recently we have faced a fascinating phenomenon so-called Minerva syndrome in Korea. People follow him calling him as even an Economic President, even though they don't know who he is. His analysis and prediction have been so accurate that many people got to listen to him when he wrote a critical article about the policies of Lee administration. As a lot of people are interested in him and even respect him, the mass media begin to deal with Minerva also. For me. it is very interesting. The anonymity based upon internet influences real world and even mass media which can make discourse easily listen to him even though they don't know his identity. Isn't it dangerous to give the ideas of someone unknown through mass media which have a powerful tool to make people believe? When mass media deal with someone's words importantly, mostly the person is in the authoritative position of some particular fields as an occupational expert. The high position of the field can make an authority in the real world so-called elites. However, in Minerva's case, actually, we don't know his occupation and his position also. Only his accurateness gives him the nickname economic president the most authoritative position in economy even in public. I think it is interesting in some ways. Firstly, he is the elite from below, not from above. Secondly, he is not the creature from nothing existing suddenly. He may actually be an expert of economy in the real world. He may have an authority in the real world. However, intentionally hiding his position, he can make a power from the scratch. It derives from speciality not simply the occupational status. Thirdly, I think we can call this Charismatic authority described by Max Weber, even though he explained Charismatic authority is substituted by bureaucratic authority. Finally, can we have a chance to expect authority by real personal specialty and ability in the internet basis? I know it will be overreacted. However, it is quite sure this phenomenon is very interesting.
An undercover Internet commentator, known as ``Minerva,'' is intensifying a stir in cyberspace, pitting the nation's already divisive conservative and progressive forces against each other.
The commentator, who became famous after he correctly predicted the fall of Lehman Brothers and the plunge of the won against the dollar, drew keen public attention Tuesday night as MBC TV's prime time news program mentioned Minerva.
As a closing comment, anchorwoman Park Hye-jin said, ``These days economic commentator Minerva is stirring disputes. He came to contribute an article to a monthly magazine and a TV show aired a program critical of him.'' In response, anchor Shin Kyung-min said, ``That's because his analysis is logical and more accurate than the government's. What we need is not to silence him but to listen to him.''
In the latest article posted on Daum's online community Agora, Minerva (Greek goddess of wisdom) said, ``I will shut my mouth because the nation ordered me to remain silent.'' He has become one of the most popular commentators with articles harshly criticizing the Lee Myung-bak administration's economic policies.
In a contributed article to the monthly magazine Shindonga's December edition published Monday, he predicted that the Korean economy would collapse and the benchmark Seoul index might fall to as low as 500 points. It closed at 1,116 points, Wednesday.
``If the government continues its economic polices in the face of this stagflation, the Korean economy will collapse before March,'' he said. ``The KOSPI will drop to as low as 500 points this year. Prices of real estate in southern Seoul will be halved and the ongoing recession will continue until 2010.''
On his personal information, he only said he had worked at a brokerage house and lived overseas. But he declined to elaborate further. He is reportedly in his 50s.
He has written on Agora since July. In writings posted on the cafe, he predicted the U.S. sub-prime mortgage crisis would hit the Korean economy, something that took place exactly three months later. He also predicted the collapse of Lehman Brothers and the plunge of the won.
Since then, his articles have been regarded as a ``textbook'' among economy-sensitive Internet users. Some even say his articles are much more trustworthy than the government. He has been given nicknames such as the ``oracle'' and ``Internet economic president.''
But his articles have become a great concern for the government as he has constantly painted a gloomy economic picture.
As his influence grows, even Finance Minister Kang Man-soo said he wants to see the hidden commentator in person to explain how well the administration prepares for the economy crisis.
``We have considered contacting him to give him information or an explanation about government policies to relieve his mistrust of us,'' the minister said in a meeting at the National Assembly.
The ministry initially guessed Minerva to be a high-ranking official under President Lee Myung-bak's liberal predecessor Roh Moo-hyun.
His latest article was posted on Agora on Nov. 13. In it, he said, ``I will stop writing for a while. A man threatened to kill me. I'm aware that police began tracing me.''
In the ``Sisa 360'' program that covers social and political issues, the state-run KBS TV reported that Minerva's predictions will further fan negative views about the Korean economy and could cause critical damage to the overall economy, citing some economists and government officials.
``Hiding behind the anonymity, Minerva is spreading groundless rumors and negative economic views,'' the program's anchor Kim Gyung-rhan.
3. The election of Obama symbolize many things. This article seems to talk about the ethical duty of United States' politicians. It says people in America look forward to real ethnical change in politics as Obama addressed.
This article talks about the idealistic duty as a leader of a state. I think this is important responsibility for a politican. However, there is another realistic matter which most people don't have to care for. Another duty of a politican is to serve good economical social environment for people.
Therefore, I think becoming good politicans is not easy. Sometimes politican should be realistic and selfish for the country's benefit with international matter, but also should pursue the human rights and peace. I think this is similar to balancing on a seesaw.
-----------------------------
PRINCETON -- The astonishing story of Barack Obama's election as president has already done much to restore America's global image. In place of a president whose only qualification for the office was his father's name, we now have one whose intelligence and vision overcame the formidable obstacle of being the exotically named son of an African Muslim. Who would have believed, after the last two elections, that the American public was capable of electing such a candidate?
Obama's achievement raises the stakes for his first term in office. He campaigned on the theme that he is different from other politicians and will deliver real change. That appeal drew large and enthusiastic crowds, which, together with astute use of the internet, gained him an unprecedented four million donors, and induced a huge number of African-Americans and young people to register to vote.
This is the chance of a lifetime to break through the cynicism that has pervaded American politics for decades. But if Obama fails to make good on his promise of change, it will be decades before the electorate again places its trust in a candidate who claims to be different from the usual run of politicians.
Many Americans will judge the new administration by what it does at home. That includes raising taxes on those earning more than $250,000 a year, and using the money to extend health insurance to the tens of millions of Americans who -- uniquely for an industrialized nation -- do not have it. He has also pledged tax cuts for medium and lower-paid workers, and improvements to America's education system. Keeping those promises despite America's gloomy economic prospects will not be easy.
The biggest impact that Obama can make, however, is beyond America's borders. Last year, when speaking to the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, he called for a president who can speak directly to everyone in the world who longs for dignity and security, and say: "You matter to us. Your future is our future. And our moment is now." Indeed, it is now.
If Obama is to be that president, he should begin by keeping his promises to close the prison camp at Cuba's Guantanamo Bay and to end the Bush administration's practice of locking people away without ever telling them why or what they are charged with. He must also begin the process of withdrawing combat troops from Iraq, a task that he said would be completed in 16 months. Keeping these promises will be significant steps towards restoring America's image around the world.
Playing a constructive role in bringing about reform at the United Nations is also vital. The structure of the Security Council is 60 years old. It still gives the victors of the Second World War permanent membership of the council, and a veto over its decisions. To change that will inevitably dilute the privileges of those nations, including the United States. But if any U.S. president can overcome that historical shadow hanging over the United Nations, Obama can.
Given that Obama has a Kenyan father and has spent time in the African villages where his kin still live, it is no surprise that he understands the need for rich nations to assist developing nations. Last year, he pledged to double U.S. foreign aid by 2012, raising it to $50 billion a year. (That still leaves the U.S. lagging behind many European nations in the percentage of its national income that it gives in aid.)
U.S. aid also must be better targeted toward helping those living in extreme poverty. Regrettably, when then-Senator, now Vice-President Joe Biden was asked what spending an Obama administration might have to curtail because of the financial crisis, he mentioned the pledge to increase foreign aid. But doubling U.S. foreign aid involves a modest amount of money, compared to what will be saved by pulling out of Iraq.
Perhaps the most difficult aspect of turning the United States into a good global citizen is cutting back on its grossly excessive greenhouse gas emissions -- roughly five times the global per capita average. On this issue, the Bush administration wasted eight precious years during which we have gotten perilously close to the point at which an irreversible chain of events could occur that leads to catastrophe.
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni last year accused the industrialized countries of committing aggression against Africa by causing global warming. That may sound like hyperbole, but raising the temperature and reducing the rainfall of a predominantly agricultural nation can be as devastating to its people as dropping bombs on it.
Obama needs to make the U.S. a leader in reducing emissions. Then, having demonstrated his good faith, he and European leaders should be able to work out a deal that will bring China and India into whatever agreement replaces the Kyoto protocol when it expires in 2012. This may be the greatest ethical challenge of the Obama presidency, but, because so much hangs on it, the way in which he responds to it is likely to play a decisive role in how his presidency will be judged.
by Peter Singer
Peter Singer is a professor of bioethics at Princeton University. His next book, "The Life You Can Save: Acting Now to End World Poverty," will be published in March. -- Ed.
A very down to earth* kind of guy. I'm an environmental sociologist interested in establishing material and organizational sustainability worldwide. I'm always looking for interesting materials/technologies, inspiring ideas, or institutional examples of sustainability to inspire others to recognize their choices now. To be fatalistic about an unsustainable world is a sign of a captive mind, given all our options.
*(If "earth" is defined in a planetary sense, concerning comparative historical knowledge and interest in the past 10,000 years or so anywhere...) See both blogs.
3 comments:
1.sohyun chun(Stella)
2.Korea Urgently Needs Its Own Core Technology
3.Korea does not have leading parts
in 360 different types of techology. Although we are placed
12th largest economy over the world,it is miserable to know that
we do not have top level technology.Also, this article
mentions that core techology
should be considered
priority than other mass production
techology. The reason why I pick this article is that, I think scinece is also related to sociology, becuase if country developes science field, it is
beneficial to people's level of life, and enhances country's
level as well. So science and techology is related to political sociology. To do this, I think
education and role of ministry
should be developed.Techology
is so important for country's economy as well, since it enhances
various production and innovation.
I wish korea develops its core
techology.
--------------------------------
Home> Editorials Updated Nov.28,2008 12:41 KST
Korea Urgently Needs Its Own Core Technology
The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology conducted a country-by-country survey of 364 technologies involving 10 core industries and found that Korea has none of them. The United States has 270, the EU 60 and Japan 34. In terms of comprehensive technology, Korea’s level was estimated at only 72.8 percent of the top countries, translating into a lag of 6.8 years. Experts who took part in the survey said the technological gap would narrow in five years but did not see Korea holding the best technology in any field.
It is embarrassing that the world’s 12th-largest economy does not have a leading position in over 360 different types of technology. It is also scary. In a world where only the best can survive, the survey results tell us that one day we may end up losing the race.
Semiconductors and LCDs, which are areas in which Koreans thought they were the best, are led by the United States and Japan. Korea may be a bit more advanced in terms of production technology, but it still relies on the United States and Japan for lucrative semiconductor circuit manufacturing facilities and key component technology. Even here, Korea’s level was only 81 percent of the top countries, translating to a lag of 3.8 years. The same was the case for IT/electronics and communication, where Korea boasts a fairly advanced level of technology. Korea was 9.1 years behind in disaster technology, 8.1 years in medical technology and 7.3 years in biotechnology.
In the world of global competition, mass production technology is less important than core technology, which is harder to catch up with. The only reason Korea is a few years ahead of China and India in the semiconductor, automobile, steel and shipbuilding industries -- whose revenues are used to buy raw materials -- is because of its lead in production technology. But this lead is shrinking. The Korea Development Institute said Korea was 3.8 years ahead of China in terms of technology and five years ahead of India. And in the IT field, where changes are rapid, China and India can overtake Korea within one or two years.
The government’s research and development budget for this year is W11.1 trillion. Only 25 percent of this will be invested to develop core basic technologies, because the bulk of the funding has been concentrated on large national projects involving technology that is closer to being commercialized or can be used to stimulate the economy. We need to boldly increase investment in core technology. Without it we cannot survive
----------------------
http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200811/200811280026.html
1. Ji-A RYU
2. the internet-based elite from below
3. Recently we have faced a fascinating phenomenon so-called Minerva syndrome in Korea. People follow him calling him as even an Economic President, even though they don't know who he is. His analysis and prediction have been so accurate that many people got to listen to him when he wrote a critical article about the policies of Lee administration. As a lot of people are interested in him and even respect him, the mass media begin to deal with Minerva also.
For me. it is very interesting. The anonymity based upon internet influences real world and even mass media which can make discourse easily listen to him even though they don't know his identity. Isn't it dangerous to give the ideas of someone unknown through mass media which have a powerful tool to make people believe?
When mass media deal with someone's words importantly, mostly the person is in the authoritative position of some particular fields as an occupational expert. The high position of the field can make an authority in the real world so-called elites. However, in Minerva's case, actually, we don't know his occupation and his position also. Only his accurateness gives him the nickname economic president the most authoritative position in economy even in public.
I think it is interesting in some ways. Firstly, he is the elite from below, not from above. Secondly, he is not the creature from nothing existing suddenly. He may actually be an expert of economy in the real world. He may have an authority in the real world. However, intentionally hiding his position, he can make a power from the scratch. It derives from speciality not simply the occupational status. Thirdly, I think we can call this Charismatic authority described by Max Weber, even though he explained Charismatic authority is substituted by bureaucratic authority. Finally, can we have a chance to expect authority by real personal specialty and ability in the internet basis? I know it will be overreacted. However, it is quite sure this phenomenon is very interesting.
--------------------------------------------------------------
11-19-2008 17:37
'Minerva' - Doomsayer or Oracle?
By Park Si-soo
Staff Reporter
An undercover Internet commentator, known as ``Minerva,'' is intensifying a stir in cyberspace, pitting the nation's already divisive conservative and progressive forces against each other.
The commentator, who became famous after he correctly predicted the fall of Lehman Brothers and the plunge of the won against the dollar, drew keen public attention Tuesday night as MBC TV's prime time news program mentioned Minerva.
As a closing comment, anchorwoman Park Hye-jin said, ``These days economic commentator Minerva is stirring disputes. He came to contribute an article to a monthly magazine and a TV show aired a program critical of him.'' In response, anchor Shin Kyung-min said, ``That's because his analysis is logical and more accurate than the government's. What we need is not to silence him but to listen to him.''
In the latest article posted on Daum's online community Agora, Minerva (Greek goddess of wisdom) said, ``I will shut my mouth because the nation ordered me to remain silent.'' He has become one of the most popular commentators with articles harshly criticizing the Lee Myung-bak administration's economic policies.
In a contributed article to the monthly magazine Shindonga's December edition published Monday, he predicted that the Korean economy would collapse and the benchmark Seoul index might fall to as low as 500 points. It closed at 1,116 points, Wednesday.
``If the government continues its economic polices in the face of this stagflation, the Korean economy will collapse before March,'' he said. ``The KOSPI will drop to as low as 500 points this year. Prices of real estate in southern Seoul will be halved and the ongoing recession will continue until 2010.''
On his personal information, he only said he had worked at a brokerage house and lived overseas. But he declined to elaborate further. He is reportedly in his 50s.
He has written on Agora since July. In writings posted on the cafe, he predicted the U.S. sub-prime mortgage crisis would hit the Korean economy, something that took place exactly three months later. He also predicted the collapse of Lehman Brothers and the plunge of the won.
Since then, his articles have been regarded as a ``textbook'' among economy-sensitive Internet users. Some even say his articles are much more trustworthy than the government. He has been given nicknames such as the ``oracle'' and ``Internet economic president.''
But his articles have become a great concern for the government as he has constantly painted a gloomy economic picture.
As his influence grows, even Finance Minister Kang Man-soo said he wants to see the hidden commentator in person to explain how well the administration prepares for the economy crisis.
``We have considered contacting him to give him information or an explanation about government policies to relieve his mistrust of us,'' the minister said in a meeting at the National Assembly.
The ministry initially guessed Minerva to be a high-ranking official under President Lee Myung-bak's liberal predecessor Roh Moo-hyun.
His latest article was posted on Agora on Nov. 13. In it, he said, ``I will stop writing for a while. A man threatened to kill me. I'm aware that police began tracing me.''
In the ``Sisa 360'' program that covers social and political issues, the state-run KBS TV reported that Minerva's predictions will further fan negative views about the Korean economy and could cause critical damage to the overall economy, citing some economists and government officials.
``Hiding behind the anonymity, Minerva is spreading groundless rumors and negative economic views,'' the program's anchor Kim Gyung-rhan.
pss@koreatimes.co.kr
------
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2008/11/117_34684.html
1, Gowoon JUNG
2. Global ethical challenges
3. The election of Obama symbolize many things. This article seems to talk about the ethical duty of United States' politicians. It says people in America look forward to real ethnical change in politics as Obama addressed.
This article talks about the idealistic duty as a leader of a state. I think this is important responsibility for a politican. However, there is another realistic matter which most people don't have to care for. Another duty of a politican is to serve good economical social environment for people.
Therefore, I think becoming good politicans is not easy. Sometimes politican should be realistic and selfish for the country's benefit with international matter, but also should pursue the human rights and peace. I think this is similar to balancing on a seesaw.
-----------------------------
PRINCETON -- The astonishing story of Barack Obama's election as president has already done much to restore America's global image. In place of a president whose only qualification for the office was his father's name, we now have one whose intelligence and vision overcame the formidable obstacle of being the exotically named son of an African Muslim. Who would have believed, after the last two elections, that the American public was capable of electing such a candidate?
Obama's achievement raises the stakes for his first term in office. He campaigned on the theme that he is different from other politicians and will deliver real change. That appeal drew large and enthusiastic crowds, which, together with astute use of the internet, gained him an unprecedented four million donors, and induced a huge number of African-Americans and young people to register to vote.
This is the chance of a lifetime to break through the cynicism that has pervaded American politics for decades. But if Obama fails to make good on his promise of change, it will be decades before the electorate again places its trust in a candidate who claims to be different from the usual run of politicians.
Many Americans will judge the new administration by what it does at home. That includes raising taxes on those earning more than $250,000 a year, and using the money to extend health insurance to the tens of millions of Americans who -- uniquely for an industrialized nation -- do not have it. He has also pledged tax cuts for medium and lower-paid workers, and improvements to America's education system. Keeping those promises despite America's gloomy economic prospects will not be easy.
The biggest impact that Obama can make, however, is beyond America's borders. Last year, when speaking to the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, he called for a president who can speak directly to everyone in the world who longs for dignity and security, and say: "You matter to us. Your future is our future. And our moment is now." Indeed, it is now.
If Obama is to be that president, he should begin by keeping his promises to close the prison camp at Cuba's Guantanamo Bay and to end the Bush administration's practice of locking people away without ever telling them why or what they are charged with. He must also begin the process of withdrawing combat troops from Iraq, a task that he said would be completed in 16 months. Keeping these promises will be significant steps towards restoring America's image around the world.
Playing a constructive role in bringing about reform at the United Nations is also vital. The structure of the Security Council is 60 years old. It still gives the victors of the Second World War permanent membership of the council, and a veto over its decisions. To change that will inevitably dilute the privileges of those nations, including the United States. But if any U.S. president can overcome that historical shadow hanging over the United Nations, Obama can.
Given that Obama has a Kenyan father and has spent time in the African villages where his kin still live, it is no surprise that he understands the need for rich nations to assist developing nations. Last year, he pledged to double U.S. foreign aid by 2012, raising it to $50 billion a year. (That still leaves the U.S. lagging behind many European nations in the percentage of its national income that it gives in aid.)
U.S. aid also must be better targeted toward helping those living in extreme poverty. Regrettably, when then-Senator, now Vice-President Joe Biden was asked what spending an Obama administration might have to curtail because of the financial crisis, he mentioned the pledge to increase foreign aid. But doubling U.S. foreign aid involves a modest amount of money, compared to what will be saved by pulling out of Iraq.
Perhaps the most difficult aspect of turning the United States into a good global citizen is cutting back on its grossly excessive greenhouse gas emissions -- roughly five times the global per capita average. On this issue, the Bush administration wasted eight precious years during which we have gotten perilously close to the point at which an irreversible chain of events could occur that leads to catastrophe.
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni last year accused the industrialized countries of committing aggression against Africa by causing global warming. That may sound like hyperbole, but raising the temperature and reducing the rainfall of a predominantly agricultural nation can be as devastating to its people as dropping bombs on it.
Obama needs to make the U.S. a leader in reducing emissions. Then, having demonstrated his good faith, he and European leaders should be able to work out a deal that will bring China and India into whatever agreement replaces the Kyoto protocol when it expires in 2012. This may be the greatest ethical challenge of the Obama presidency, but, because so much hangs on it, the way in which he responds to it is likely to play a decisive role in how his presidency will be judged.
by Peter Singer
Peter Singer is a professor of bioethics at Princeton University. His next book, "The Life You Can Save: Acting Now to End World Poverty," will be published in March. -- Ed.
(Project Syndicate)
2008.12.01
--------------
http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/
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