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johnslat · Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2015 5:26 pm Post subject: And you think you have it bad

"For six months, Suki Kim worked as an English teacher at an elite school for North Korea's future leaders — while writing a book on one of the world's most repressive regimes. As she helped her students grapple with concepts like "truth" and "critical thinking," she came to wonder: Was teaching these students to seek the truth putting them in peril?"

It DOES remind me of Saudi in at least some ways, though.

Regards,
John

http://www.ted.com/talks/suki_kim_this_is_what_it_s_like_to_teach_in_north_korea?utm_source=newsletter_weekly_2015-06-13&utm_campaign=newsletter_weekly&utm_medium=email&utm_content=talk_of_the_week_button

esl_prof · Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2015 7:01 pm Post subject:

Very powerful! Thanks for sharing, John!

Enkates · Joined: 11 Jan 2015 Posts: 58

It remind me of America in at least some ways! Granted NK is over the top, but do you really imagine Americans are any more free than that? What with its huge prison population, death penalty, chronic poverty and the lies and propaganda?

esl_prof · Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2015 7:47 pm Post subject:

johnslat · Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2015 10:22 pm Post subject:

Dear Enkates,

" . . . do you really imagine Americans are any more free than that?"

Nope, I don't imagine it - I know it. Talk about "over the top." Have you ever lived in a REALLY repressive society - and no, Amerika doesn't count. Smile

Regards,
John

Enkates · Joined: 11 Jan 2015 Posts: 58

Why wouldn't America count? Because you cannot accept the fact that you are neither free nor equal?

Since I have lived in several human societies in the current era, and in and out of the U.S., of course I've lived in really repressive societies.

None as bad as North Korea, but still pretty horrendous. America just doesn't seem to be repressive on the surface because such pains are taken to hoodwink the populace.

johnslat · Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2015 12:23 pm Post subject:

Dear Enkates,

You're entitled to your opinion, of course. What repressive societies have you lived in? Mine are Iran and Saudi Arabia.

Don't think, please, that I'm in denial about the fact that there's plenty wrong with the U.S. There certainly is. But writing, as you did, that Americans have the same "freedom" as North Koreans is hyperbole that actually works against any attempts to effect change.

It's so over the top that it makes your position seem ludicrous.

Regards,
John

Enkates · Joined: 11 Jan 2015 Posts: 58

You forgot to include the USA on your list. The thing is that America is s much more subtle about its repression than the old school style. I maintain that with 300 TV stations, 31 flavors and endless variety of Subway sandwiches, political apathy, football fever, other vacuous entertainment, and our practically force-fed diets of lite beer, sugar and corn we are no better off than the North Koreans with their tinplate dictator demi-gods and rationing. They are given no choices while we are given such a dizzying variety that in the end we do exactly as we are directed and imagine it is our individual choices. How is that any better? Sure we don't worship the dynastic Kims, but we are free to do so if we want to.

buravirgil · Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2015 1:53 pm Post subject:

johnslat · Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2015 2:05 pm Post subject:

Dear Enkates,

" . . . . 300 TV stations, 31 flavors and endless variety of Subway sandwiches, political apathy, football fever, other vacuous entertainment, and our practically force-fed diets of lite beer, sugar and corn we are no better off than the North Koreans with their tinplate dictator demi-gods and rationing."

I think I may see the problem. Some people can choose wisely while others can't.

That would help explain our different viewpoints, I think.

Regards,
John

plumpy nut · Joined: 12 Mar 2011 Posts: 1652

johnslat · Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2015 4:47 pm Post subject:

Dear plumpy nut,

It's possible that Enkates may find all the choices available in the US - the 300 channels, all the fast-food choices ,and the on/off button on TVs, etc.- too distracting, too tempting, or too challenging.

Or perhaps, while he personally has no problem, his opinion of most/all other American, based on the surely small sample he knows, is that they do.

I and most, maybe all, of the people I know don't have that difficulty, which is likely why our opinions differ.

Regards,
John

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

An interesting tidbit:

"Ask a North Korean: do you learn foreign languages?"
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/05/north-korea-learn-foreign-languages

Sashadroogie · Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2015 5:13 pm Post subject:

Every day I weep for my EFL brothers and sisters chained to their piggie-made pens day in day out. How they die a little inside, never knowing what it is to breathe in the free air of the Glorious Motherland!

Every one of you is trapped in a nightmare of piggie proportions. Only I and the Comrades know what it is to truly live!

Keep your 300 channels of lies. We are imbued with the spirit of the 300 of Thermopylae!!

HIC!!

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

"Educating North Korea - Documentary"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ur7IwW5NA0s