Otaku culture

What is Otaku?
Original meaning of the term Otaku is "individuals immersed in something professinally". But in korea society, the meaning changes. the otaku receive a "negative" attention. They seem like a social misfit and dirty, fat person. For example, when we think the otaku, We can remember the man holding a pillow with female character on it. (The man appeared in a TV program-화성인 바이러스. After broadcasting, The man attract a large crowd.)

Anamation otaku
There are various kind of otaku in korea. Generally speaking, the otaku is anamation otaku. They go beyond loving animation and its character, They buy character's clothes and behave as if they are character in animation wearing the costume. It is named "costume play". In korea, there are also some places holding a costume play contest.

The need to change awareness about otaku
In korea society, the otaku still receive a "negative" attention. But they are not wrong but "different". Anyone loving and immersing something could be otaku. When we look around, We can find some kind of otaku. Besides the otaku achieve recognition in many ways. Now we should accept otaku generously.

(extra) Reset syndrome

 It is a compound word syndrome and reset, which means that it is returned to the initial state of the system when the computer has caused an error. So it refers to the phenomenon that have an illusion that we can reset if there is any number of incorrect or wrong parts even in the real world as to initialize the computer. They are displayed mainly by a generation familiar to computer, Sometimes it leads to serious crime.

 

 This term is firstly made in Japan, 1990. It was widely known by becoming clear the criminal, a junior high school student(14 years old) in elementary school, of mutilation murder case is maniac of a computer game occurred in Kobe, Japan in May 1997. From the late 1990s, the term appeared in Police White Paper in Korea. Currently, cyber investigation team of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency has been defined reset syndrome as a kind of Internet addiction.

 

 Exemplary features of the reset syndrome is that they can not distinguish the real and virtual worlds. People who have reset syndrome show social maladjustment phenomenon that attempts to restart easily by discarding relationships or work which do not like his own.

 

 Committing the crime, they can not recognize that is a criminal act in a terrible case. They consider it just a kind of game when they do theft, assault, even murder. They think if they reset the guilt conscience of their own, there is no act of their own too.

(extra) Hikikomori

It is a term that started out in Japan since the 1970s, has emerged with solitary hermits appears as a social problem the mid-1990's. Hikikomori is the noun form of the Japanese "Hikikomoru" meaning "hidden". It refers to people who can not adapt to social life, live only in the house.

 

Symptoms are similar to "Bangkok jog"(people who live cooped up in a room) that began to appear in Korea in the late 1990s. These have in common that life remains cut off with the outside by creating a fence of their own against society. Ministry of Health and Welfare of Japan are classified into Hikikomori that people seen these symptoms for more than 6 months from 2001.

 

There is an example to spend while being trapped in a room for more than 3-4 years or even 10 years by terrible people. Typical symptoms are these. ① avoid talking with people. ② immerse watching TV or in the Internet at night and sleeping while the daytime. ③ show depressive symptoms and sense of loss and self-loathing. ④ behave like a spoilt child to parent or even use violence.

 

Researchers point out several factors as the cause that rapid growth of society, psychological burden by unemployment, an introspective nature, discontinuation with neighborhood and relatives and so on.

(extra) Bystander effect

 

 It is also referred to as audience effect. Dictionary definition of the bystander is a person who just looking at near without any participation. Thus it is a phenomenon that if what was happening around, people do nothing and just looking at near. Commonly used in particularly when you do not help a stranger who placed difficult circumstance among the various phenomena that occur by remaining indifferent.

 

 Several factors such as personality and ability that can help acts to help people in danger. However, according to the results of a study, in general, the probability is low that help the people who are facing difficulties, if the so many people stand around. And idle time until action becomes longer even going to help them. Because of psychological factors that there are many people who keep an eye on, even in the absence of my own, someone would be help him. In this way, the psychological term that to avoid their responsibilities refers to "diffusion of responsibility".

 However bystander effect is not displayed to everyone. The contrary, there are some people who come forward if the more people watching, the more actively in the everything. Politicians usually belong to this type.

 

 It is also used as a medical term. In this case, it refer to phenomenon when apply radiation to the cells, the surrounding cells that are not directly exposed to radiation are affected similarly with the cells shot radiation directly.

(extra) Heat island

 The downtown that densely crowded population and buildings appears its temperature higher than other regions in general. In this way, heat island is the region that represents specially higher temperature than the temperature of the surroundings. the heat island phenomenon is clear in autumn and spring that diurnal range is greater or winter than summer and appear badly at night than daytime.

 

 The meteorologist W. Schmidt of Austria confirmed the fact that the temperature is higher when go to the urban center by investigating the temperature distribution of the capital Vienna in 1927. Thereafter, climate of downtown was found to have a unique phenomenon that different from the surrounding.

 

 In the city, ① changing in the ground surface heat balance with increasing construction, paving ② increasing emissions of artificial heat, the pollutant due to fuel consumption ③ greenhouse effect by atmospheric pollution ④ making so many high-rise buildings ventilation is difficult affect heat island phenomenon. Because ground covered roads, buildings, concrete plays the role of the reflector which absorbs and stores solar heat and reflects more than soil contained water.

 

 In particular, the smoke of the city is the main substance that causes heat island phenomenon so it is also called as "island of pollution". The velocity of the wind, the amount of the clouds, the size of city also influence on heat island phenomenon. If density of building increases 10%, temperature of downtown increase 0.16°C. Most tropical night also appears in heat island.

(extra) Ringelmann effect

 It refers to a phenomenon that the competence of the population and the increase in the members of a group is not proportional. That is, the competence of the individual decreases as the size of the population bigger. It is the opposite concept to synergy effect. It is a concept that began with experiments of psychologist Maximilien Ringelmann of Germany.

 

 Ringelmann carried out a tug of war experiment in order to measure the contribution of the individual belonging to the group. According to the experiment, in a group of two people belonged, the magnitude of the exerting power by one person was 93% of their own power. But in a group of three people belonged, the magnitude of the exerting power by one person was 85% of their own power. Thus, Ringelmann found the fact that the more participants engage in a tug of war, the less power exerted by each individual. This proved individuals do not their best when they are just one of several people.

 

 This Ringelmann effect is utilized, such as strategies for constructing in business management. For example, constructing team members as a small number or form that are not placed in the team such as a certain number or more of talent corresponds to this.

[Extra] Power of minorities

Minorities are very influential when they are persistent and consistent. They need to make their case repeatedly so that people can see its continued relevance. Major social changes, such as the abolition of slavery, began with the influence of just a few people, but as they stuck with this principle more and more people became convinced by their arguments, until eventually social change was able to happen. In the case of national wars, these minority influences may take considerable time to have an effect, but over time they begin to challenge the generally held belief that the war is justified. It took several years, for example, for the minorities opposed to the US war in Vietnam to have an effect, but eventually they were able  to convince enough people of their case that the US government perceived a need to end the conflict.

Smartphone

The convenience of smartphone
In today's korea society, most individuals has a smartphone even children. Smartphone provides so many useful application and so, Many individuals can enjoy convenience. today's Smartphone provide the time for arrival of bus,substation and Social network service such as kakaotalk, facebook and twitter.

The problem
Many individuals can enjoy convenience using smartphone. But there are some problem. individuals lost "real communication". They communicate in the network not in reality. Just sending a kakaotalk or writing a comment in facebook is all communication they behaved. It is a real problem. Because these communication make a sense of "emptiness" after all.

Another problem is "smartphone addiction". individuals touch smartphone frequently all day all night. It seems smartphone is only one friend of them. They hold smartphone all day, if there are no smartphone, They seem to be a restless.

Solution
Sometimes, It would be better off keeping away from smartphone and think about my human relationship and already wasted life for using smartphone frequently.

Why don't we write some letter to friend and family? I think It is refreshing and a totally new experience. one by one, The more you back to analogue such as writing a letter, the easily you can resist a temptation of smartphone.

Defendency theory(Extra)

  Defendency theory explains backwardness of advancing country and reasons of that.

  After second world war, defendency theory is suggested by south american theorists through specific reality that time. Because south america suffer from poverty despite of export-focus development theory, industry development, global corporation development, south american wonder "why we have poverty still now?". Also, sociologists in south america have question about "What is underdevelopment? And why underdevelopment continue still nowadays?". These thinking about underdevelopment problem magnifies to defendency theory. Most south american theorists suggest that develop theory in western society cannot apply to south america, so they want to make theory for practical development of south america.

  The problem of defendency theory is in theory itself. Inequality problem in defendency theory appears among other countries and in one countries, it not only appears between developed country and third world country(developing country).

  I think dependency theory is extension of third world theory. And there are many efforts to avoid inequal relation between developing country and developed country today. But I think inequality on that relationship still continues. It always remains in global relationships, I think so. Our conception about this global structure : it is rightful, fair thing cannot disappear well.

Through this course.

What is the most useful/interesting thing I have learned in this course.

Through this course, I have learned so many things related to sociology. I'm impressed the class of introduction to sociology/introduction the most. Especially, through the class, It was meaningful for me that learning for "operationalization". I think I got useful knowledge considering I majored in sociology. I remember that professor said operationalization is one of the most important concept that the intellectual must have.

Although this course is "Introduction" to sociology, I think It would be better if we learn about sociology detailedly such as specific sociologist and their ideology about society.
I wish we could do group project. For example, 4-5 people gather statistics, research material and discuss the subject and make a presentation. Then, They announcement presentation in english.


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I posted it before the day, But so many posting appear and I think that professor couldn't see this posting. So I posted it again:)

[Extra] Controversy in regulations on free trade

The practice of selling a product in a foreign market at a price lower than it commands in the producer's domestic market is called dumping. Critics of free trade often argue that foreign governments give substantial support to their own exporting companies. Government support may permit these firms to extend their export markets by offering lower prices abroad. In retaliation for this interference with free trade, the US adds import tariffs to products that foreign firms dump on US markets to bring their prices in line with those of domestically produced products. However, business often complain that charges of dumping must undergo a lengthy investigative and bureaucratic procedure before the government assesses import duties. US firms claiming that dumping threatens to hurt their business can file a complaint with the US International Trade Commission, which - on average - rejects about half the claims it receives.

Lowbrow drama

Lowbrow drama
In korea, there is a "lowbrow drama" trend. This drama unfolds in absurd story. For example, in the drama, the character was caught in the act of "adultery" by his wife or husband or just die suddenly. The reason? There is no reason why they behaved in that manner. As mentioned earlier, this drama is lowbrow.

Who made drama lowbrow?
director of drama made all story. At first, they write a scenario nomally. then, add some lowbrow element to the scenario. This is traditional reason why lowbrow drama exist.

But today, There are additional element which made drama lowbrow-"terrible acting" terrible acting were made of inserting new face actress or idol singer (This situation is common in the korea especially.) although drama scenario is nomal, the new face actress is enough to make drama vulgar using poor acting.

Why is lowbrow drama catch popularity in korea?
There are some reason why lowbrow drama can catch popularity.

First, "Addiction of individual"
Individuals start watching drama just thinking finish "this" up. But They soon addicted. Especially, Because the drama has so many attractive element, They fall in the drama quickly and easily.

The Second reason is due to the "drama reflect reality". Drama is not science fiction film but reflection of real world. So, individuals are sympathetic to situation in the drama. Also, They can get vicarious satisfaction through the drama.

Conclusion
Maybe "lowbrow drama" trend will continue to catch popularity. In these circumstances, Director should think appropriate drama and individuals also consider the drama critically.

Third world (Extra)

  Third world is total definition of developing countries that belong not to any cold blocks(East-West).

  The term "Third World" is used since 1960s in China. In sociology, there are 3 worlds in the world. First world is advanced capitalism countries like America and Western-Europe : high econimic develop countries. And Second world is socialism that has conflict with first world. Finally, third world is countries that not conclude in first and second world.

  These divide methods of 3 world theory used not since after eruption of socialism in soviet union and eastern-europe.

  Today, divide methods of 3 world are usually economic ways. In this methods, Third World is countries that being industrization through gaining capital and skills and ideology of developed countries. In other words, third worlds are developing countries.

  As most people know, third world contains poor countries. In global relationship, third world countries usually show inferior features. I think discrimination and poor chance to third world countries are important and remarkable problem in the world. We must care developing countries by various methods.

The character of blood type

Is there a relationship between personality and blood type?

I say , " It is not !!! "

Expert says. "Spirit and personality of the human gene to born ,There is a portion that is formed"

IN MY OPINION, I think >>

In after birth, character is constantly changed, so that , there is no convincing that blood type determine character of person. 

Being evaluated separately and conclude tentatively in the blood type people,  

It is that making a mistake unscientific.

< Barnum effect >

People Barnum effect that is used in terms of psychology, that there is a tendency to accept the accurate information once the information coming from the outside.

A type of people think I am a timid person.

However, Timid is a universal feature that everyone has!!

I think there is no relationship between personality and blood type, to determine the character by dividing the property of everyone has that there is no meaning.

Feminism(Extra)

  Feminism is movement and theory that writes caution and statement of woman restraint.

  This term start in middle 19th century. Feminism origins in liberty, and according to feminism, women belong to men because of restraint about social working and succeed in society. Feminism about liberalism shows these features.

  Feminism about Marxism disagree to feminism about liberalism and also it suggested that when private possession exists, right equality of opportunity cannot establish.

  Feminism about socialism suggests that feminism about Marxism overlooks feature of sex. And it claims that women restraint is important conception. So feminism and women restraint must be investigated by using capitalism and patriarchal system.

  I think Feminism is important both women and men. 3 types of feminism criticize each other but their basement is same : feminism and respecting women's rights.  To them, women liberation is important conception and most important object. I think feminism has good object but when it develop deepen, it must have some problems and make conflict between men and women.

(extra) Big Brother

It is a term that began by novel <1984>(1903 ~ 1950) of the famous novelist George Orwell for sociological satire and insight of the UK from. As positive meaning, for the purposes of the good, it means protection monitoring to take care of society. However, in a negative meaning, refers to the means of social control of those in power who were grounded in conspiracy theories.

 

 Big Brother that may be justified in the sense that they prevent social hardship have huge social disadvantage in fact. In novel <1984>, Big Brother is constantly monitoring the social through the tele-screen. Around the society, it is installed to the toilet further, which indicates so formidable infringement of privacy. Speaking of re-interpreted as conspiracy theory, it can be completed by information collection of Big Brother that the subject of strong power as the administrators of the power by enticing people and distorting the information.

 

 It looked very unrealistic entity of Big Brother in the past. However, a monitoring system much like that in the novel has began to be realized in the actual society led to the modern. In the United States, it is in a situation which that Department of Homeland Security is installed that is comparable to the scale of the Ministry of National Defense, and Patriot Act was passed to legally protect their monitoring behavior.

Totalitarianism(Extra)

  Totalitarianism is system and belief that strong govenment power can interfere all life of citizens because individuals have value of existence only in the entirety.

  The term "Totalitarianism" have generally used since 1930s. It starts to used a slogon of communism under the cold war after the Second world war.

  Generally Totalitarianism is understood opposite conception with individualism. According to these conception and definition, totalitarianism claims precedence and superiority of entirety about sections. In other words, totalitarianism emphasizes profits of groups more than profits of individuals, so government power interferes all parts of society : political, economic, social, cultural life of citizens and gives practical control to them.

  In 1954, a sociologist try to prove features of totalitarianism. He suggests that totalotarianism is political system that gains control entirety through modern industrial development. Also, through this belief, he distinguishes between tranditional domination of monarch with other dictatorship.

  Totalitarianism contains communism and pacism. I think most danger feature of totalitarianism is government of unconsious. We can know totalitarianism has many problem through these articles, but if society that belonged to you choose totalitarianism, you could believe government and cannot know any problems.

(extra) Noblesse oblige

 

 It is a word which means a moral obligation corresponding to the high social status. It started from the moral consciousness and initiative public spirit of nobles and the king in early Roman days.

 

 In early Roman society, tradition was strong such as donations and contribution of high class of society to the public business. These acts was recognized as being honor as well as a duty and was done competitively voluntary. In particular, it is more robust that the tradition of high class such as noble to participate in the war.

It is known as because nobles were victimized a lot in the lasted battle, during the 500 years since Rome founded, the occupied proportion of noble in the Senate significantly reduced in one fifteenth. Rome was able to secure its position as the leader of the ancient world thanks to be indebted to initiative and sacrifice of these nobles.

 

 Until the modern and contemporary, these moral awareness has been considered the best way to solve the conflict between classes. In particular, More than anything, willingness and initiative attitude of high class is necessary in order to integrate the people and exhibit their full potential facing a national crisis such as war.

 

 In fact, in World War II and World War I, more than 2,000 of Eton College were killed from the higher layer children of Britain was attending. Andrew, second son of Queen of England, entered the war as a pilot of combat helicopter at the time of the Falkland war. During the 6.25 war, 142 son of the U.S. military generals entered and 35 people lost their lives or was injured.

 

 Episode of Mao Zedong, leader of China, also famous. He instructed settling about the news of son of the death in battle that abandon the body in the Korean War.

Lookism(Extra)

  Lookism is belief that apperance judges superiority or inferiority amoung individuals. In Korea, these lookism prevalent in society.

  Lookism appears and be emphasized as a columnist Wiliam Safire in <<New York Times>>. He suggests that appearance is another discriminate factor like race, sex, religion etc.

  In detail, because appearance change and influence marriage and gain profits in working place, people invest lots of efforts to appearance and beauty.

  Most important problem of lookism is efforts to beauty can be one of illness. People who work hard diet or plastic operation have obsession and handicap of bodily reshaping.

  Since 2000s, lookism emerged to Korea society, and it spread whole society now.

  I think lookism is one of inveterate disease in society. Most people know "judge by appearance" is not right passage but they prefer to beautiful appearance unconsciously. I am also afraid of lookism in Korea working place. Promotion chance discrimination is important problem, but even in this part, lookism prevalents.

[Extra] Stratification of shoes in Europe by social class

In Europe from the early Middle Ages through today, elites have always worn very different shoes from commoners, and shoes, like clothing, have been simple way to note one's class status. The materials used to make shoes, from at least the tenth century, were very different for commoners and nobility. For instance, noble man and women wore shoes made from a variety of luxurious fabrics, including silk, velvet, brocade, and soft leather. Embroidery, vegetable dyes, and beading were used to further decorate elite shoes, while peasants and other commoners wore shoes made of leather or other animal skins. Clogs, simple footwear made out of a carved block of wood, were also a common form of footwear for peasants and other commoners throughout Europe.

- Dutchclogs

- English clogs

***Both images are allowed to use freely by Creative Commons.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clog