Google Korea to censor search results

this article on Google Korea's plan to censor search results really sort of disturbs me; partly because it's just another example of the ROK government trying to put up the appearance of solving a problem, but actually not really doing anything at all. Requiring "age verification" and national registration numbers to view content isn't going to really stop any kid.

The other thing is that it's another example of Google giving up some of the "Do no wrong" principles for the greed of getting in good in an Asian country. Rather then bending to the wishes of a paternalistic government, it seems the better idea would be to offer a far superior product that meets the needs of Koreans just as well far as it does for Americans, if not better.

Korea: Intact Culture

Anne Hilty writes some great articles on life in Korea for Seoul Selection and this week her topic was Korea's "Intact Culture" and what that means for foreigners visiting or living in Korea. It's a very well written and compassionate explanation for what can often be an uneasy relationship between Koreans and foreigners. I was talking at a party this weekend about what living in Korea was like and struggling a bit. It's hard to really convey to people who really know very little about Korea.

Nam-june Paik : RIP

One of my favorite artists, Nam-june Paik, died this week -
The Korea Times : Paik Nam-june to Be Buried in Homeland. I was first exposed to his art when I was living in Seoul and there was a big retrospective show of his. I was just blown away by his use of video and sculpture. It was through him that I gained an appreciation of the Fluxes.

Puppy poo girl

I just read about the Puppy poo girl. It's a very "Only in Korea" story, but it even has a write-up on wikipedia already and a Washington Post article. It's sort an "Any publicity is good publicity" story, but also very telling about the conflict between the value of style, status and importance, and the strength of social conformity.
via Streetwise in Seoul: The Poop Letter

Korea to Canada: Trans-Eurasia Journey Home

Was looking at this blog this morning Trans-Eurasia Journey and wishing I was in Mongolia. What a trip! Love to do it myself someday.

Dok-do: Now open for business

Dok-do Tour2Korea.com

When I lived in Korea, Dok Island was a big deal. Those were the days when the dispute over ownership with Japan was in full swing. It's hard to image that people can actually go there no and it's set to be a full on Korean tourist trap. I know it's silly and sort of a scam, but even I'd like to go there some day if only see this worthless piece of rock that has been such a huge bone of contention.

DPRK - a state of mind

a state of mind

My friend Thawley strongly recommended seeing this documentarty on life in North Korea.

Joi Ito's Web: Blogging about Blogging Archives

Joi Ito's Web: Blogging about Blogging Archives

When I lived in Korea, it was really on the cusp of all this technological change. It's almost like I was there in some pre-historic time, "The Age of the B.B.". Now so much has changed with the Internet and cell phones.