Korean Job Discussion Forums

[EFLtrainer]

There's an article in the Korea Times today titled, "Hwang Over-shares Credit." http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/200508/kt2005080420430510440.htm

It is a sad example of ethnocentrism. I don't recall ever hearing a scientist state that another scientist had been given too much credit for work within a study, particularly when they do not appear to be involved in the resaerch themselves! There have been disagreements over the years where different persons and/or groups fought over who had acheived something first, but never anything like this I can recall. And any credit for a paper is usually an in-house issue, not as public one.

The design of a study/experiment is the single most important factor. If a study/experiment is well-designed all it requires is properly trained technicians to conduct it. That a scientist of any level would not recognize this and equate scientific achievement with lab work is mindboggling.

Then the reporter editorializes equally ineptly stating that the description of the lab work supports the idea of unearned credit.

While I have never seen this sort of ethnocentric commentary from a Korean scientist before, it is typical of media in Korea - and elsewhere - that reporting is no longer reporting, but editorializing as well. This is so common now it doesn't surprise me anymore. It's a daily occurance on any news broadcast from the US, for example.

I am very glad that Hwang is doing his research and is obviously not bound by ethnocentric values. I believe the complainant, a Mr. Park, is an abberation. But how unfortunate.

Where are we headed when the news is no longer reporting, but editorializing, no longer free and no longer even attempting objectivity? And how important is it that there be international cooperation in science? Two steps forward and three back seems to be the new paradigm.

[Ya-ta Boy]

[Ya-ta Boy]

Just to keep people fully informed. The following is from aniwitok (?) 's post of May 23:

[EFLtrainer]

[dogbert]

Let's just hope our next U.S. president has enough pride and scientific curiosity not to hold back the U.S. in this area while the next generation of Chinese and Koreans laugh in our faces. Idiot.