In this blog post, we’ll examine, from the perspective of modern evolutionary biology, the role genes play in shaping phenotype and how their influence is understood in the context of interactions with the environment. We use the biological term “gene” very frequently in everyday conversation. For example, there are countless expressions referring to genes, such as “genes for height,”...
In this blog post, we’ll explore what the advancement of gene-editing technology means for individuals’ lives and free will, and examine the issues surrounding “natural humans” and “designer humans” through the lens of the films ‘Gattaca’ and ‘The Truman Show’. Advances in Genetic Engineering and the Questions Raised by “Gattaca” Genetic engineering and human...
In this blog post, we’ll explore the history of genetic engineering and GMOs, their advantages and limitations, safety controversies, and the extent to which we can control their impact. Warnings About Genetic Engineering The film ‘Planet of the Apes’ has been remade several times; based on a novel, it was first adapted into a movie in 1968, and sequels and reboots have been...
In this blog post, we’ll examine how the conventional wisdom and knowledge that humans have held have changed through the evolution of science from classical physics to quantum mechanics. “I think, therefore I am.” This is the first proposition presented by Descartes to establish an unshakable foundation of knowledge, in opposition to the skeptics of his time who argued that, because...
In this blog post, we examine whether reductionism helps us understand complex phenomena or whether it distorts the whole. Reductionism is the view that, when interpreting complex phenomena, breaking them down into their most basic units and analyzing each one will ultimately lead to an understanding of the phenomenon as a whole. This perspective has been applied not only in science but...
In this blog post, I’ll explain the characteristics of SNS, focusing on its definition, how it differs from social media, its relationship with blogs and messaging apps, and its role as a platform. What is the difference between SNS and social media? SNS stands for “Social Network Service” and refers to community-based websites whose primary purpose is to build and maintain online...
In this blog post, we’ll explain the history and physical principles of arch structures—which have been in use for over 6,000 years—in a simple and accessible way. The Pont Neuf in Paris, France; the Ponte Vecchio in Florence, Italy; and the Richmond Bridge in Australia are all considered historic and beautiful bridges in their respective regions. A common feature of these bridges is their...
In this blog post, we examine Slovakia’s military structure and equipment, its cooperation frameworks with the V4, NATO, and the EU, and the impact that the recent pro-Russian government has had on its national defense and foreign policy. The Concept of National Defense National defense is a general term referring to all means and systems mobilized to ensure the security of the state and...
In this blog post, I’d like to introduce the different types of skiing, their characteristics, and why skiing is so appealing. My First Impression of Skiing “Winter is coming” is a famous line from a popular American TV series, but personally, those words make my heart race. In Korea, the arrival of winter means the start of the ski season—which lasts only a few months a year—and I usually...
In this blog post, I’ll summarize the background, plot, characters, act-by-act structure, and musical characteristics of Bedřich Smetana’s opera ‘The Bartered Bride’. About the Composer Bedřich Smetana (1824–1884) is a composer widely revered as the founder of Czech national opera. He first made a name for himself as a pianist, and after the 1848 Revolution, he became aware of...