In Lewis Dartnell's book "Becoming Human," it is mentioned that common epidemics such as colds, flu, and shingles are diseases that humanity acquired as we settled down and began raising livestock. Colds are viruses transmitted from horses, chickenpox and shingles are viruses transmitted from poultry kept at home, and the flu is a virus transmitted from pigs and ducks. Measles is a virus transmitted to humans from dogs and cows. #Epidemics, #Cold, #Flu, #AnimalViruses, #Infection, #Origins, #BecomingHuman

The customer is always right. The customer is king. There are businesses and stores that display such slogans. I feel uncomfortable whenever I see these slogans. It only makes me think that the owner is extremely money-hungry. If the customer is king, then the employee must be a servant. If the customer is always right, then the uncomfortable employee is always wrong. Isn't this an absurd situation? There can be unqualified customers, and there are often wrong customers. In any case, the truth is that the owner of that business or store is a slave to money. #TheCustomerIsKing, #TheCustomerIsAlwaysRight, #Slogan, #Uncomfortable, #MoneyWorshippingOwner, #SlaveToMoney

A few days ago, I was riding in a junior colleague's car on the way to a funeral when I noticed that the AC temperature was set uncomfortably high. He explained that he was trying to save on fuel costs by increasing the fuel efficiency. But does cranking up the car AC temperature actually improve fuel economy? The short answer is no. Setting the AC temperature higher has little impact on fuel efficiency. Many people believe that setting the AC temperature lower will consume more fuel, leading them to crank up the temperature to save money. However, this is a misconception. In reality, car AC compressors operate at a constant speed, and the temperature is controlled by mixing engine waste heat with the cooled air. Therefore, the set temperature has minimal impact on fuel consumption. According to a study conducted by the Korea Energy Economics Institute, using the AC in both gasoline and diesel vehicles can reduce fuel economy by up to 31.43% (3.1 km/L). However, the average differe...

Every morning, I religiously consume a concoction of supplements and enzymes. Years of this routine have ingrained it into my habit, an autopilot response. As I age, my desire for a fulfilling life intensifies, not merely longevity, but a healthy existence that spares my loved ones the burden of my care. A graceful, dignified farewell, if you will – a concept I term "well-dying." Despite whispers of inefficacy surrounding these daily supplements, I persisted, believing it's better than nothing. However, a recent announcement from the National Cancer Institute in the United States shattered my illusion, exposing the futile pursuit of these expensive placebos. I delved into the article, only to discover that domestic experts echoed similar sentiments: "These products contain minuscule amounts of purportedly active ingredients, rendering them ineffective. To achieve any benefit, one must consult a physician and adhere to Food and Drug Administration-approved medication...

Last weekend, I delved into the Netflix drama "The Wind Blows," and from the very first scene, I was captivated. The captivating plot and cliffhanger endings had me compulsively pressing the 'next episode' button. After completing the entire series, I felt like I had stumbled into a curious and perplexing realm, akin to Alice falling down the rabbit hole into Wonderland. Much like Alice's bewilderment in the fantastical world of Wonderland, I found myself grappling with the complexities and contradictions of our own reality. For instance, my least favorite type of restaurant is a buffet. The temptation to indulge in an all-you-can-eat spread, justifying my actions by the hefty price tag, often leads to overindulgence and self-reproach for my gluttony. Similarly, the vast amount of knowledge I've acquired through learning often remains dormant, piling up like an insurmountable tower instead of alleviating my ignorance. My education, particularly the emphasis on...

  Does turning up the car AC temperature improve fuel efficiency? Answer: No Many people believe that setting the car AC temperature lower will consume more fuel, so they raise the temperature to save fuel. However, this is not the case. In reality, car AC compressors operate at a constant rate, and the temperature is adjusted by mixing in waste heat from the engine. Therefore, there is no significant correlation between the set temperature and fuel efficiency. According to a test conducted by the Korea Energy Management Corporation, using the AC reduced fuel efficiency by up to 31.43% (3.1 km/L) for both gasoline and diesel vehicles. However, the average deviation from the mean due to the AC setting temperature was only 2.37% (0.4 km/L). This means that the AC setting temperature itself has little impact on fuel efficiency. If you are concerned about fuel efficiency, it is more important to change your driving habits. Drive at a constant speed of 80-90 km/h: Avoid sudden accelera...

  A Plea for Affection in a World of Friction As I watched a recent broadcast, I was struck by an interview with korean singer and actor Cha Eun-woo. Amidst the lighthearted conversation, the host posed a final question, "Do you have any hopes or dreams?" Eun-woo paused, taking a deep breath before softly replying, "I wish the world would be a little more affectionate." The word 'affection', a term I hadn't heard in a while, resonated deeply within me. Affection, meaning 'to have deep feelings of care and love for someone or something', encapsulates the essence of human connection. It's the glue that binds us together, the lubricant that smoothens our interactions when friction arises. A world devoid of affection is a world parched and barren, prone to conflict and strife. It's a relentless race where individuals are consumed by the pursuit of 'more': more possessions, more recognition, more validation. Like gazelles constantly on...

  Mental Strength and Creativity: Lessons from Dr. Park Mun-ho's Lectures Dr. Park Mun-ho, a renowned neuroscientist, offers valuable insights into enhancing mental strength and cultivating creativity. His lectures, spanning a vast range of disciplines from quantum physics to biology and history, emphasize the importance of knowledge accumulation, positive thinking, and pattern recognition in fostering these qualities. 1. Strengthening Mental Resilience Dr. Park draws an analogy between anticipating a surprise and predicting future events. By enhancing our ability to predict, we can effectively prepare for challenges and reduce stress. This predictive capacity stems from analyzing past data and identifying patterns. 2. Cultivating Effective Learning While IQ and academic performance are closely linked in high school, the focus shifts to creativity and problem-solving in later stages of life. However, Dr. Park highlights that memorization remains crucial for building a strong founda...

I received speech training at work yesterday. Although I thought I had enough experience in speaking, I quietly attended the mandatory training. The instructor was U Seol-li, an announcer, and I was amazed at how well she spoke and how enjoyable she made the practice sessions. No matter how experienced one may be, it's always burdensome to get on stage or observe from the sidelines. Instructor U taught us how to overcome stage fright. Practice a lot on the spot. During the waiting time or while giving a speech, strike confident poses. It's said that practicing in the actual environment is more effective than practicing alone at home or in the office. There are limitations to practicing at home or in the office. When you're tense, your muscles tense up. Your heart beats faster, and your hands, arms, and legs shake. Muscle reactions provide a signal to the brain that you're tense, leading to a vicious cycle of becoming more nervous. Therefore, it's said that tension c...

I've often pondered what's most crucial for sustaining relationships. I used to think that by being attentive, considerate, and kind, I could ensure a recurring role in the dramas of others' lives. However, among the thousands of contacts stored on my phone, less than 20% are those I've met or exchanged greetings with in the past year. "Do I need to clean up my contacts?" I entertained this thought briefly, but then I hesitated, thinking, "Why bother? They might feel hurt if they find out I deleted their contact after finally reaching out..." It wasn't just about contacts. Upon closer observation, I realized I was expending energy on people who did not contribute to my life. "I don't want to meet them..." I would think, yet I couldn't bring myself to reject them outright. (Though now, sometimes, I handle such situations adeptly.) "Why do we form relationships with people who don't benefit our lives? Is it for everyone...

In psychology, there's a term called "delay of gratification," which means delaying current happiness for the sake of future benefits. Some say it as follows: "We postpone today's happiness in pursuit of an uncertain happiness in the distant future." Depending on how you hear it, it can be interpreted as "Let's enjoy today." They travel abroad every year, believe they deserve luxury gifts at least once a year, enjoy expensive whiskey, drive luxury cars, and feel entitled to such a life, thinking, "It's our one and only life, so why shouldn't we indulge?" It's natural for desires for such a life to arise. However, experiencing the increasing fear as expectations rise, it's not difficult to feel apprehensive about enjoying today while dawn breaks. Therefore, many modern individuals willingly endure delayed gratification through considerable labor, even accepting depression and chronic diseases. Is delayed gratification f...

While we have learned that humans are rational and social animals, looking at the current situation, we see efforts to be rational but actions filled with contradictions. While emphasizing the importance of social relationships, we create factions, fuel conflicts, and promote destruction. Despite constantly chanting slogans like "Let's not repeat the same mistakes through history," we find ourselves repeating those mistakes over and over again. Gary Marcus, a neuroscience expert from MIT, stated that humans instinctively prepare sloppy and inadequate solutions, leading to repeated mistakes. Why is the world full of incomprehensible events? In your book "Trailblazer," you mention: "The purpose of evolution is not perfection but adaptation and survival." The human body has numerous weaknesses. From the fragile spine that struggles to support body weight, to the inevitable flaws in the structure of our eyes, wisdom teeth, appendix, coccyx... These weaknes...

 In 2015, I listened to a lecture by Professor Dae-Shik Kim from the Department of Electrical Engineering at KAIST. The first slide had the sentence: "Must life have meaning?" The lecture discussed how, as AI technology evolves, humans will face challenges from machines armed with AI. From the universe's perspective, the world is the master, and individuals are the subjects. Individuals are born into given environments, age, and eventually disappear. Why are humans destined to age and die? Professor Kim references the world's first novel, the Epic of Gilgamesh. Humans were granted an elixir of eternal youth by the gods but it was taken by a serpent. When they asked for another, the gods sharply refused. As a result, humans live their lives running their course like relay runners and then exit. Nature, the master, gave more energy and resilience to the young, while the elderly, deprived of reproductive power, are neglected. And so, the question resounds again like a sh...

 The economy is currently facing turbulent times, and many people are struggling. I am currently reading a book titled In the Next Five Years, Only Those Without Debt Will Survive . The term "credit" is one coined by the financial industry. A high credit score means a customer is highly profitable. Therefore, it can be said that "credit" and "debt" are essentially interchangeable terms. The credit cards we use in our daily lives can also be called debt cards. Using a credit card essentially means using debt based on credit, and if you're utilizing revolving services, you're essentially taking out a high-interest loan. No one embraces debt out of love. If a family member falls seriously ill, a parent's business encounters difficulties, or multiple issues converge, the burden of debt can extend to the children. Many families find themselves in such situations, overwhelmed by the weight of debt and facing threats to their survival. The worst-case ...

The integration of AI technologies like ChatGPT and Gemini into business and personal workflows is driving significant changes. One of the most notable impacts has been in translation, where AI has drastically reduced both costs and concerns. For example, I have been relying on AI for quite some time now to draft press releases or prepare speeches for events. Furthermore, as the proliferation of smart factories equipped with robots and AI software continues to grow, there are increasing fears that jobs may be threatened. However, there are also those who argue that job opportunities will actually increase. Historical examples include the advent of the steam engine, carriages, and washing machines. When cars first appeared, there were concerns about the loss of coachman jobs, but taxis emerged instead. Similarly, the invention of the steam engine initially raised fears that machines would replace workers, yet lower costs and expanded markets created more jobs. When washing machines were...

Even if the job market is tough, finding good talent is equally challenging. It's truly ironic. Recently, a university asked me to mentor students aspiring for jobs in public enterprises. With my experience in HR, I felt I had useful insights to offer and happily accepted. Contemplating my advice, I decided to create a diagram. To summarize everything, I translated the key points into English, making them easier to remember and discuss like a puzzle. The ideal candidate for an HR manager is summarized as "USA" This stands for Unique qualities (U), Self-driven to create added value (S), and having a positive Attitude (A). Such individuals exceed expectations, plan thoroughly, execute effectively, check results, and find improvements (PDCA). When planning, they don't just brainstorm randomly. They research demand, consider their approach, highlight the value and impact, and compare with competitors to propose a strategy (NABC approach). Adopting these three habits will ...

 The wars currently ongoing between Russia and Ukraine, and Israel and Iran, have certain commonalities. While they may appear to be driven by geopolitical reasons on the surface, I believe the underlying reason for the United States' active involvement is its effort to contain China and maintain the dominance of the US dollar within the broader context. The US has only been able to maintain global leadership for less than 100 years. Following its de facto victories in World Wars I and II, the dollar was established as the world's primary reserve currency. By ensuring that all global oil transactions could only be settled in dollars, the US secured control over global finance and gained the power to regulate the industrial sectors of other nations through dollar supply management. The problem has recently intensified as the Chinese yuan started threatening the dominance of the dollar. China has strengthened its partnerships in Africa, the Middle East, and Russia through the Bel...