In this blog post, I’ll talk about my experience as a “fake gifted student”—which began when I was in middle school—the insights I gained from it, and my resolutions for the future.   It was my first year of middle school. Among my friends, there were some who went to other schools or universities every Saturday to study. They attended math and science gifted education centers, and since I...

In this blog post, we’ll examine the differences between light rail—which has recently garnered significant attention—and conventional subways, as well as its types, pros and cons, and the feasibility of its implementation.   What is light rail? Light rail is short for “lightweight rail” and refers to an electric rail system that is lighter than conventional heavy rail (standard subways) and...

In this blog post, we’ll examine the theory of costly signaling to explore why altruistic behavior can be explained evolutionarily—and what its limitations are—using specific examples.   Introduction: The Paradox of Evolution and Altruism A fundamental tenet of evolutionary theory is that traits advantageous for survival and reproduction spread through natural selection. How, then, can...

In this blog post, we’ll explore how the costly signaling hypothesis explains altruistic and conspicuous behavior in humans.   Concepts and Background All living beings fundamentally aim to survive and, in the process, cannot help but act selfishly. However, among people, altruistic behaviors—such as small acts of consideration or service, or even risking one’s own safety to save others—are...

In this blog post, we examine the causes of the sharp increase in thyroid cancer diagnoses and screenings in South Korea, as well as the resulting issues of overtesting and overdiagnosis.   Trends in the Increase of Thyroid Cancer in South Korea Since the 1990s, the number of thyroid cancer patients in South Korea has risen sharply. According to data from Statistics Korea, the number of...

In this blog post, I’d like to share my thoughts on reexamining Islam and Muslims through the lens of my personal experiences and historical and political contexts.   Muslims and Me There are approximately 1.3 billion Muslims in the world. Before attending university in Korea, I grew up in Indonesia—a country with a Muslim majority—and was naturally exposed to Islamic culture from a young...

In this blog post, using the controversial “awake surgery” scene from the drama as a starting point, I’ll explain in simple terms what this surgery is and how it’s performed, along with real-life examples.   The Difference Between the Drama Scene and Reality A scene from a recently concluded hit drama became a hot topic: a patient, while awake, had his skull opened and reacted to electrical...

In this blog post, using the sci-fi film ‘Gattaca’ as a starting point, I’ll discuss the causes of discrimination stemming from scientific and technological advancements and what we need to prepare for.   Science Fiction and Gattaca: How Discrimination Is Portrayed The science fiction genre captivates many people by presenting visions of the future through its unique imagination...

In this blog post, I will examine the debate over genetic engineering and “designer humans” through the movie “Gattaca,” and summarize the arguments for and against, along with critiques of each.   The Movie “Gattaca” and Lives Defined by Genetics The movie “Gattaca” depicts a society where advances in science, technology, and biotechnology allow for the manipulation of genetic information...

In this blog post, we will examine the growing importance of decision-making alongside advancements in science and technology, as well as the ethical responsibilities of engineers, through case studies and theory.   Advances in Science and Technology and the Importance of Decision-Making Humanity has grown alongside the development of science and technology, from the creation of tools in...