| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
Beej
Joined: 05 Mar 2005
Location: Eungam Loop
|
 Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2009 4:09 pm Post subject: Fan Death: "Urban myths, foreign dolts" |
 |
|
Here is a liitle piece on fan death from Esquire magazine.
http://www.esquire.com/style/answer-fella/korean-fan-death-0209
Why Do Koreans Think Electric Fans Will Kill Them?
This week, Esquire�s Answer Fella dispels an urban myth that may or may not leave you with hypothermia.
By: Answer Fella
I just arrived in South Korea, and my colleague says that I can die if I sleep in a closed room with a fan on. He insists that "fan death" is an actual danger. What the hell?
"I'm told that every Korean believes that fan death is real," Jeffery Hodges, a professor at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, tells AF. "I've heard as explanation that the belief originated at a time when Koreans were first able to purchase electric fans and used them to such an extent that electrical systems were burdened, so the government spread a rumor that running them overnight was potentially fatal."
Hodges also shared the following passage from the government-issued Cultural Guide for Migrant Workers in Korea: "In some cases, a fan turned on too long can cause death from oxygen deficiency, hypothermia, or fire from overheating." "Some Koreans," he adds, "give outlandish explanations about how the whirling blades of a fan can sever oxygen molecules."
So far as AF is able to determine, no scientific literature exists to support the existence of fan death, nor does it seem to be a perceived threat in any other country but Korea. File it � like the faith of the French in the healing power of Rochebaron cheese smeared on the *beep* � under "Urban Myths, Foreign Dolts." |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Guri Guy
Joined: 07 Sep 2003
Location: Bamboo Island
|
| Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2009 4:18 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Urban myths, Korean dolts maybe. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
ruffie
Joined: 11 Oct 2006
|
| Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2009 6:38 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| I would love to have been at the Offices Of Esquire Korea when the English version was delivered for review. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Ya-ta Boy
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Location: Established in 1994
|
| Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2009 7:36 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
| "I'm told that every Korean believes that fan death is real," Jeffery Hodges, a professor at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, tells AF. " |
That's a bit of a stretch. I'd like to see what uni issued that 'professor' his diploma. The University of the Thai Post Office? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
T-J
Joined: 10 Oct 2008
Location: Seoul EunpyungGu Yeonsinnae
|
| Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2009 7:55 pm Post subject: Re: Fan Death: "Urban myths, foreign dolts" |
|
|
| Beej wrote: |
"I've heard as explanation that the belief originated at a time when Koreans were first able to purchase electric fans and used them to such an extent that electrical systems were burdened, so the government spread a rumor that running them overnight was potentially fatal."
|
This actually sounds like a plausible explanation. Most superstitions have a logical reason behind them. Don't walk under a ladder, something might fall on your head. Don't open an umbrella indoors, you might break something. It's easier and sometimes more effective to just say it's bad luck, rather than explain the actual reasons why it shouldn't be done. The extent to which it was a government spread rumor......?
| Beej wrote: |
outlandish explanations about how the whirling blades of a fan can sever oxygen molecules."
|
This is the explanation I was given by my teacher at Yonsei.  |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
NoExplode
Joined: 15 Oct 2008
|
| Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2009 9:08 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Well, these are the same people who invented a Mad Cow outbreak to serve political and Nationalistic lies. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
diver
Joined: 16 Jun 2003
|
| Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2009 9:11 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Ya-ta Boy wrote: |
| Quote: |
| "I'm told that every Korean believes that fan death is real," Jeffery Hodges, a professor at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, tells AF. " |
That's a bit of a stretch. I'd like to see what uni issued that 'professor' his diploma. The University of the Thai Post Office? |
When he says "I am told that..." he is recounting what someone else has said to him. He is not saying "every Korean".
I have been told that every Korean believes in fan death as well. However, I do not believe that every Korean believes in fan death.
And, excuse me...but I have a DEGREE from the Thai Post office, NOT a diploma.
 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Guri Guy
Joined: 07 Sep 2003
Location: Bamboo Island
|
| Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2009 10:43 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I have met a few South Koreans who don't believe in Fan death, but I'd say a large majority do.
If only they'd pay foreigners (why risk Koreans) to sleep in rooms with fans on. Then they could dispell this nonsense once and for all. Unless of course they declared that the genetically superior Korean body is more susceptible to such things.  |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
NoExplode
Joined: 15 Oct 2008
|
| Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2009 12:06 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Guri Guy wrote: |
I have met a few South Koreans who don't believe in Fan death, but I'd say a large majority do.
|
They all believe in it. It's just some are aware enough to sense that foreigners think they are gullible shmucks, so they won't admit they believe in it until you grill them over and over. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
fadedgirl
Joined: 26 Nov 2006
|
| Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2009 2:08 am Post subject: |
|
|
I was told that Korean doctors actually tell their patients about fan death and not to leave the fan on. A Korean friend told me this. I asked her if this applied to everyone or only Koreans. She said it only applied to Koreans, but that I better leave my window open just a crack just in case. SO I had to ask her how come it didn't happen to South Koreans who live outside of Korea.
no answer. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
theholyinnocent
Joined: 06 Apr 2008
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
hugekebab
Joined: 05 Jan 2008
|
| Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2009 6:42 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Ya-ta Boy wrote: |
| Quote: |
| "I'm told that every Korean believes that fan death is real," Jeffery Hodges, a professor at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, tells AF. " |
That's a bit of a stretch. I'd like to see what uni issued that 'professor' his diploma. The University of the Thai Post Office? |
I've never met one that doesn't. Not an exaggeration. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Hanson
Joined: 20 Oct 2004
|
| Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2009 6:51 am Post subject: |
|
|
| diver wrote: |
| Ya-ta Boy wrote: |
| Quote: |
| "I'm told that every Korean believes that fan death is real," Jeffery Hodges, a professor at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, tells AF. " |
That's a bit of a stretch. I'd like to see what uni issued that 'professor' his diploma. The University of the Thai Post Office? |
When he says "I am told that..." he is recounting what someone else has said to him. He is not saying "every Korean".
I have been told that every Korean believes in fan death as well. However, I do not believe that every Korean believes in fan death.
And, excuse me...but I have a DEGREE from the Thai Post office, NOT a diploma.
|
Well done, sir. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
