중앙데일리

Sunglasses and technology

Sunglasses were first developed for American military pilots in the 1920s by an American optical goods maker, Bausch & Lomb. At that time, pilots are said to have suffered greatly because they could not block the strong sunlight during their high-altitude flights. After research, the company succeeded in manufacturing sunglasses for pilots under the brand name “Ray-Ban.” Since the mid-1930s, the firm has produced sunglasses for the public.…

Sept 29,2003
Rulers and natural disasters

In the age of myths and legends, natural disasters were sufficient justification for a change in power. Ancient people believed that worldly authority was granted by Heaven. Natural disasters such as a drought or flood could bring down one ruler and give power to another. In the 10th century B.C., Moses exercised divine leadership over his Israelite tribesmen, who were the subjects of Egypt. According to the Bible, Moses invoked 10 plag…

Sept 27,2003
The ills of corporal punishment

A while ago, it was reported that the case of some policemen who beat a citizen in a fit of anger would be handled in the courts. While drunk, the citizen had assaulted a policeman and caused a commotion. But even a lawbreaker who challenged public authority should not be informally, physically punished. Even the military has said that any sort of violence should be banned, and if that rule is violated the perpetrator would face criminal cha…

Sept 26,2003
Getting the elderly to spend

In most cases, descriptions of old sages in literature, both Eastern and Western, make them appear older than they really are, to emphasize the wisdom that is said to come with advanced years. But these days, respect for age is less, and concern is rising about the economic burden it represents. Daichi Sakaiya, a Japanese author and economic critic, has had many careers, including a stint as the minister of the economic planning agency. Ca…

Sept 25,2003
Crisis consciousness clocks

The clock is one of the things that has developed along with the evolution of human civilization, with a history dating back 6,000 years. There are various types of clocks, including the gnomon, which indicates time by utilizing the relationship of the sun to its shadow, the water clock, pendulum clock and atomic clock. In the 20th century, new clocks were devised to alert human beings to impending crisis. The Doomsday Clock, which gives a…

Sept 24,2003
Where the green goes

“On a day as green as dazzling. Long for someone whom you miss. There, there, in the place of autumn flowers, green colors have worn out, and autumn leaves turn red...” It is a poem by Midang Seo Jung-ju, “The Green Day,” which singer Song Chang-sik has remade into a popular song. The poem follows the shift from “sunny days” to “the loss of green” to “autumn leaves.” That is the same principle of leaves turning red, botan…

Sept 22,2003
Old and grisly tradition

Hara-kiri is a method of killing oneself originating in Japan; it is also called seppuku. In Japan, it is called a sophisticated method of suicide which requires utmost composure and calmness. The Japanese from early days have considered the abdomen the seat of the soul, adding another dimension to this self-disembowelment. But the first one to disembowel himself was not a warrior. In 988, the Heian era in Japan, a famous thief, Haka Madar…

Sept 21,2003
A melting pot or mosaic?

Many Koreans think America and Canada are similar countries. My Canadian friend pointed out that the conception is wrong, and the two countries are quite different. According to him, while the United States can be described as a “melting pot,” Canada is a mosaic. Both countries are made up of immigrants, but while America has tried to “melt” each member into society and create “one America,” Canada has recognized and accepted the differe…

Sept 19,2003
History’s lesson in strategy

Watch the situation and define your attitude. Those were the secret orders that King Gwanghaegun of Korea’s Joseon Dynasty gave in 1618 to Kang Hong-rip, commander of the Joseon reinforcement army that was dispatched at the request of China’s Ming Dynasty. For both king and subject the wish was the same: they did not want to confront Later Jin Dynasty, the country of the Manchus and predecessor of the Ching Dynasty, which was on the rise. E…

Sept 19,2003
Citizens need to be given hope

Chuseok is one of the biggest holidays in Korea. But hardly anyone felt happy during the holiday season this year. Rather than happiness, citizens felt frustration and almost a fury on the verge of explosion. Whenever families and friends gathered around a festive meal, people couldn’t help but complain about the country and the government. It is quite strange that citizens worry about the president and the government, not the other way a…

Sept 17,2003

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