[KS] Re: Contemporary Discussion

[michael Robinson]

Dear Lance:

I'm not sure of how other groups work, but a "country" focused group is
bound to attract people with very different interests and experiences about
that place over time.  It seems to me that we get from the list what we want
and are not forced to deal with issues that others are interested in.  I,
for one, don't have the mental energy any more to follow the romanization
debates and comments.  So I don't.  If you want a contemporary political
list for korea I'm sure there is one out there, otherwise, enjoy what comes
up on this list.

Mike Robinson
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----- Original Message -----
From: Lance Kelly <bushrngr at chollian.net>
To: <korean-studies at mailbase.ac.uk>
Sent: Monday, July 17, 2000 10:25 PM
Subject: Contemporary Discussion


> Is there any discussion list the talks about contemporary issues in
> Korea rather
> than this all this rather historical rhetoric.
> I'm living in Korea and was hoping I'd learn about contemporary Korea in
> this
> discussion group. I find much of this discussion about history but
> nothing really
> talking about whats happening to this society and its various
> reconstructive
> habits.
> Much of what I see as happening in Korea is largely not related to past
> deriliction
> but rather visionaries of bright future through overcomercialisation and
> individualism.
> I rather feel more concerned about the issues of environmental damage,
> English
> western influences and technological societal devastation, and some
> rather outdated
> or outmoded concepts of what are issues for todays Koreans.
>
> Could we perhaps generate discussion on the concepts of family structure
> and the
> challenges faced by young Koreans in a more open liberalistic society?
>
> Environmental Vandalism
> What about discussion of environmental vandalism bye large conglomerate
> companies
> and teh lack of government intervention in simple national park
> management on the
> Dong River and other areas which have now become so polluted that people
> can no
> longer swim them?
> One of my students raised an issue the other day which has given me to
> ponder. The
> cellular phone sales in Korea last year topped 23 million. What are
> batteries made
> of ? Heavy metals Im told!! What happens to the used batteries of
> millions of used
> heavy metal?
>
> The use of the English Language.
> American society and its predominant influence on the English language.
> I'm
> somewhat miffed at the concept of many Korean's believing that American
> English is
> the one True English language.  The way in which language has been
> taught in this
> culture has been a total disgrace. Im in favourof Konglish as a new
> variation on
> the English language.
>
> Society and Social Upheaval.
> A gracefull society built on peace and harmony and social values is now
> being
> influenced by some very untoward western values which give rise to many
> social
> difficulties between the young and the old in this society.
> Anyway that should generate some discussion I hope.
> Regards,
> Lance Kelly BSSc Ass.Dip.
>



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