The various forms of mobility in modern society, through advancements in mobile technology and transportation such as migration, immigration, the movement of people and goods, computers and the flow of information and capital, are widespread phenomena. A mobility society is characterised by expanding spatial boundaries based on mobility.
If a migration to cities since the Industrial Revolution is simply a shift in residential locations, mobility in the information age encompasses broader social, political, economic, and cultural changes. Beyond philosophical thinking about how human life will change shortly, we will confront practical challenges. With the emergence of the 4.0 industry, led by the internet, robots, artificial intelligence, big data, blockchain, Internet of Things, 3D painting, nanotechnology, and other technologies, society is undergoing rapid changes. The convergence of scientific and technological advancements with existing industries and services transforms human life in new ways.
Communities form based on the needs of their members, where individuals with similar demands come together to cooperate and move towards cooperative associations or social enterprises. Efforts are also made to include those who cannot directly participate in these communities, forming “a community of cooperation and inclusion.” For example, in Wonju, there is a senior cooperative where elderly individuals create their jobs without taking opportunities away from the youth. Similarly, in Munrae-dong Creative Village, artists have formed a community. This lecture prompts the audience to consider their own “needs” and how communities formed around those needs should progress. Today, as mobility technology has made society more fluid and anonymous, it questions, “What kind of community should we create?”
Potatoes, like peppers, tobacco, and tomatoes, are eggplants native to the Americas. It is known as the crop of the soul alongside the legend that they were a divine gift. In ancient Latin America, potatoes and corn were pivotal in large-scale engineering projects. Due to their high potato productivity, civilisations such as the Mayans, Aztecs, and Inca were possible.
This lecture examines the path of potatoes ingrained in modern life, exploring how potatoes were the source of Inca civilisation and a staple for indigenous people in Latin America. Additionally, it reflects on the value of potatoes embedded in the history and culture of indigenous communities in Latin America.
Using public transportation to commute to and from work, moving from Seoul to Busan, and traveling by airplane is typical for modern individuals. However, these everyday activities have only become prevalent recently with the advancement of mobility technology. With mobility, modern individuals enjoy a more flexible and abundant lifestyle yet face the busiest and most stressful times in human history. This lecture explores the flexible life of modern individuals based on the history and evolution of mobility technology. Furthermore, it examines mobility within the economic and cultural aspects of contemporary life and illustrates how mobile devices have transformed interpersonal communication, encompassing the overall structure of modern life.
Peppers, like potatoes, tobacco, and tomatoes, are eggplants native to the Americas. With varieties such as cayenne, habanero, tabasco, harissa, curry, paprika, and chili, peppers are widely used as spices worldwide. While many might assume peppers originated from regions like India or Turkey, their roots lie in Latin America.
Portuguese explorers played a pivotal role in spreading peppers worldwide. Five years after Columbus arrived in the New World, another significant voyage occurred in 1497. Considering peppers were also known as “Indian pepper,” “Calicut pepper,” or “Guinea pepper,” it’s assumed there might have been a third route from Brazil to Africa and Asia by the Portuguese, bypassing Europe altogether. This lecture explores the path peppers took to reach Africa, highlighting how the transatlantic slave trade influenced the connection between the Americas and Africa. Furthermore, this lecture examines how peppers arrived in Korea and when they became a staple in Korean kimchi recipes.
Tobacco has been known in Latin America since around 16,000 years ago, but its widespread cultivation began between 5,000 and 3,000 B.C. years ago. Tobacco and clay pipes were discovered in the Maya, Aztec, and Caribbean regions. In these cultures, tobacco was considered a crop bestowed by the gods, and the rising smoke symbolised communication with the gods. Tobacco was introduced to three Northeast Asian countries in the early 17th century. In Korea, tobacco was introduced during the reign of King Gwanghae in 1616, passing through Japan and rapidly gaining popularity. This led to extensive tobacco cultivation, resulting in widespread tobacco planting in fertile lands to fulfill the increasing demand.
This lecture explores how Columbus’s encounter with Native Americans smoking tobacco played a pivotal role in its rapid spread to Europe, where it became crucial for early European settlers, and examines the underlying politics behind the rapid diffusion of tobacco.
