주제 공지 [09/01]Nanotechnology-smaller, many unknowns

[Vincent(카페지기)]

 

Topic1 

Nanotechnology-smaller, many unknowns

Not long ago Kyoto protocol, carbon dioxide output restriction of developed countries act, was in effect. This event signifies that we admitted that science and technology, creation of civilization, are no more the crusade to our problems, rather threatening ourselves and Mother Nature. Yet again our civilization, rapidly developing science and technology ever before, creates nanotechnology which will overturn, outweigh all previous achievements. People expect revolution of nanotechnology in an optimistic way, however we should not forget brighter the light make the darker the shadow.

Science and technology, since that industrial revolution is developing so rapid that we, ourselves could not cope with it or endure the consequences. Nuclear technology gave cheap energy, however danger at the same time. With the collapse of USSR so did the security of nuclear weapons which lead to spreading of nuclear weapons.
Nanotechnology, after the new millennium, is the fastest growing technology which would change our next century. This technology enables manipulating atoms and molecule structure, unlimited. Nano-sized particles contain lots of surprises: not only can the behavior! of small particles be changed, but also, their mobility through out the space. In contrast to larger micro-particles, nano-particles have almost unrestricted access to human body. Nano-particles are extremely mobile that once airborne they can drift on endlessly. Thus, harmful they are deadly they get. Nanotechnology enables us to fully control the ultimate toy box of nature-molecules, atoms- which leads us to unlimited capability to create new things.
Three conditions which will satisfy success of nanotechnology are said to be knowledge engine of science, innovation and entrepreneurship which connects industry and technology, and the most import!ant of all, firm understanding and control of nanotechnology by the people. So far none except U.S. satisfies them.
Nobody knows what changes this technology will bring us to. Inter-boundaries disappearing between technologies from complex, fast development make nano-experts, including government officials, to be puzzled where this technology would lead us.
The effort to control over technologies had been a failure, spreading of nuclear bombs, for example. It is evident that because of the social system pursuits economic interests and often neglects others, it is likely that guideline for this technology would fall in to wrong way. It seems inevitable that how we manage to control it or not, sooner or later the dark side of nanotechnology would be used to satisfy the greedy, selfish needs of human nature. Some say only solution is, do not open the Pandora’s Box at first place. Nanotechnology, certainly the spotlight technology of the 21st century, will be the 2nd industrial revolution and will have enormous impact to our society, the economy and life in general.
However, on the other hand, although nanotechnology is revolutionary and dangerous at the same time and risks too high, accountable, transparent, responsive and inclusive decision making can sustain good characteristics for public good. Until now scientists and engineers have been developing their creation by the interest of politicians and enterpriser, no scrutiny or discussion between non-scientists. It is matter of how we level and control the knowledge not the matter of how we stop it. Unless we change the whole basis of capitalism nanotechnology, emerging of nanotechnology cannot be stopped. The Pandora’s Box is inevitable to be opened just like the myth says.

Warm-up questions
1. Have your life changed after beginning of information age? How?

Auxiliary questions
1. Do you think advantages of nanotechnology are great or vice versa?
2. All the current humanity values would be changed considering the capabilities of nanotechnology. Can you accept the changes?
3. Do you think engineers and scientist should consider the impact to society? Also do you think they have their own right to control over their creation?
4. Technology Assessment department in Korea have been established recently. Do you agree that this department get full influence in overall development of technology in Korea in the long term?

Main Question

Do you think developing nanotechnology is equivalent to Pandora’s Box? Do you agree opening it or not? Why?

Topic2

Humanities in crisis

Nothing can advance without the basics

However, the nation’s academic field has been neglecting the basics _ the humanities.

Last month, 121 professors at Korea University’s college of liberal arts issued a statement to assert that Korea’s study of the humanities has been neglected and to call for a solution.

The humanities are social sciences related to mankind, such as philosophy, literature and history.

"The humanities, which search for human values and the ultimate meaning of life, are valuable cultural assets that we should keep forever. But in Korean society where a blind faith toward market principle and effectiveness prevails, the foundation of humanities study and the reason for its existence are threatened," the professors said in the statement at a symposium held in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the humanities college’s establishment.

People have talked about the "humanities in crisis" since the 1990s. But it is the first time for humanities professors in Korea to collectively proclaim the crisis, reflecting the seriousness of the situation.

The professors cited two major reasons for the situation: universities’ commercialization as a consequence of a blind faith in market principles and effectiveness, and humanities scholars’ inactivity in coping with the situation.

"Following the commercialization of universities, study and teaching activities are being degenerated into a subject for measurement and a commercial product," they said.

Fewer and fewer university students have been applying for humanities majors, instead preferring majors directly related to employment, such as management, medicine and engineering.

The government’s support also concentrates on practical majors _ financial support for humanities majors accounts for only 0.7 percent of the total support for research and development projects. Many universities have abolished humanities departments and are instead setting up law schools, graduate business courses and medical graduate schools.

The professors also noted that scholars feel responsible for not actively developing proper methodology to adapt humanities to changes in society.

"Humanities scholars need to boost their creativity in criticizing what is wrong in society and present detailed alternatives," they said.

A renaissance of the humanities, however, does not seem easy, as the discipline, unlike science and technology, would not bring tangible results in the short term, although the study is supported financially and in other ways, experts said.

Sociology professor Lim Hyun-chin at Seoul National University (SNU) said the nation needs to approach the issue from the viewpoint of ``cultural assets,’’ rather than the viewpoint of a national strategy, to boost the humanities.

Korean history professor Cho Kwang of Korea University, who organized the professors’ statement, said their move did not mean to present detailed countermeasures but to boost public understanding that the humanities are the basis of all sciences.

On Sept. 26, deans of 80 universities nationwide, including SNU, Yonsei University, Sogang University and Hanyang University, also delivered a statement at Ewha Womans University to urge the nation to increase its support for the humanities.

Questions

1. What is your major? Why you choose that major?

2. Many people are not conscious of this phenomenon.

Then, Have you heard about 'crisis of Humanities'? If so, how did you feel?

3. Why The humanities is faced with crisis?

(There are some reasons.- People avoid to enter The humanities course because it is useless for employment. Or that is the internal problem of The humanities. Because Humanities academy is so conservative, academy should endeavor to attain free atmosphere. And so on.) Tell us your opinion freely.

4. To solve this problem, What kind of efforts are needed?

[bloody]

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