Posts

Showing posts from June, 2025

The Cheugugi of Joseon: The World’s First Scientific Rain Gauge and Its Multifaceted Significance

Image
  The Cheugugi of Joseon: The World’s First Scientific Rain Gauge and Its Multifaceted Significance 1. Introduction: Scientific Beginnings Reflected in the Cheugugi The idea of measuring rainfall quantitatively underpins modern meteorology. Remarkably, the first officially adopted scientific instrument for measuring rainfall at a national scale originated in the 15th century Joseon Dynasty of Korea. The Cheugugi was more than a mere measuring device; it symbolized an effort to interpret natural phenomena scientifically and represented a transformative innovation in state administration. Cheugugi, the world's first rain gauge 2. King Sejong and Jang Yeong-sil: Pioneers of Scientific Innovation In 1441, King Sejong issued a decree for systematic measurement of rainfall nationwide, aiming to improve agricultural productivity and establish fairer tax policies. This initiative was not merely observational but sought to capture precise, objective data on how much rain fell , inte...

10 Unsolved Mathematical Problems – The Final Challenge for Human Intelligence

Image
  10 Unsolved Mathematical Problems – The Final Challenge for Human Intelligence Unsolved Questions and Their Deeper Meaning "They are great because they remain unanswered. They are human because their meaning is still unclear." 10 Unsolved Mathematical Problems – The Final Challenge for Human Intelligence   1. What Is a Mathematical Conjecture? A mathematical conjecture is a question for which no complete proof has been found—yet. These are not problems that can be solved with a simple calculation. They require rigorous, logical proofs or counterexamples to resolve. Some of these problems lie within pure theoretical mathematics, while others are deeply tied to the physical world. What they all have in common is this: no one has yet solved them, despite generations of effort . 2. Why Do Unsolved Problems Matter? Solving a mathematical conjecture is not merely an academic achievement. It often leads to the birth of entirely new mathematical tools, theories, and...

The Ontology of Mathematical Programming — On the Limits of Logic and the Unexpressible

Image
  The Ontology of Mathematical Programming — On the Limits of Logic and the Unexpressible 1. Introduction — I Was Never Good at Calculations Since childhood, I’ve been deeply fascinated by mathematics. Not by problem-solving or calculations per se, but by the persistent question: “What is mathematics?” Why does 1 + 1 equal 2? Why is multiplication a repeated addition? Why do mathematical rules work the way they do? Even as I stumbled through standard education, I found myself drawn not to formulas, but to the nature and origin of mathematics itself. Over time, one realization emerged with clarity: Mathematics is a kind of programming language. Mathematics as an Executable Language   2. Mathematics as an Executable Language Mathematics is structured around symbols, rules, and logical order. Operators like + , × , = , ∈ , and ∑ resemble functions or control flow in code. Addition is repeated increase Multiplication is repeated addition Mathematical...

Does Light Disappear? — Photons, Energy, and the Final Question of the Universe

Image
  Does Light Disappear? — Photons, Energy, and the Final Question of the Universe Preface — Perhaps the Beginning of All Questions We see light every day. The rising sun in the morning, the starlight in the night sky, the familiar glow under a lamp. But when we peer deeper into the true nature of light — the photon — the universe quickly becomes bewildering. Does light truly exist? Can light disappear? Where does the energy of a shining star eventually go? And how are these questions tied to the ultimate fate of the cosmos? This essay follows that trail — a quiet yet profound journey of thought. Does Light Disappear? 1. Light Is Energy — But Not Matter Light, or more precisely, the photon, is one of the most fundamental elements of the universe we interact with. A photon is both a particle and a wave , and it possesses zero rest mass — it has no mass. But to say it has no mass does not mean it is nothing . Photons: Carry energy, Have momentum, Are affect...

The Path to Reviving Rural Communities: The Need and Feasibility of Energy Self-Sufficient Rural Models

Image
  The Path to Reviving Rural Communities: The Need and Feasibility of Energy Self-Sufficient Rural Models Energy Self-Sufficient Rural Communities to Prevent the Disappearance of Farming Villages Can rural areas revive themselves? Empty villages, declining populations, and unstable farm incomes have become the recurring phrases that define Korea’s rural crisis. Yet, a new approach is gaining attention—one where rural communities generate and sell energy to sustain themselves. This is the emerging model of “energy self-sufficient rural communities.” This is not a mere policy slogan. Successful cases are already emerging worldwide, and some regions in Korea are beginning to realize this model. More importantly, this approach offers a powerful integrated solution to Korea’s complex rural challenges—population decline, income instability, energy security, and carbon neutrality. Rural Crisis and Structural Challenges The challenges facing rural Korea go far beyond weak agricultur...

Breaking the 3000 Barrier on KOSPI and the Lee Jae-myung Government’s Capital Market Reforms: A New Turning Point for the Korean Stock Market

Image
  Breaking the 3000 Barrier on KOSPI and the Lee Jae-myung Government’s Capital Market Reforms: A New Turning Point for the Korean Stock Market The Path Toward KOSPI 5000 In June 2025, the KOSPI index broke through the significant psychological and structural threshold of 3000 points, signaling more than a temporary rebound—it marks a fundamental shift in the market. Investors and analysts alike have begun cautiously discussing the possibility of a "KOSPI 5000" era. But is the Korean stock market truly positioned for this long-term leap forward? And what are the key driving forces behind such a potential breakthrough? The Journey Beyond KOSPI 3000 Toward 5000 Begins 1. The Essence of Breaking 3000: The Beginning of Trust Restoration After nearly three years of volatility and sideways movement following 2021, exacerbated by global supply chain disruptions, inflation pressures, rapid U.S. interest rate hikes, and geopolitical uncertainties, the Korean stock market is witnes...

Korea’s Unique Age Culture: Why Do Koreans Ask Your Age?

Image
  Korea’s Unique Age Culture: Why Do Koreans Ask Your Age? One of the most common questions foreigners hear when they first arrive in Korea is: “How old are you?” At first, it may seem like a simple question born out of curiosity or small talk. However, this question carries a deeper cultural significance in Korean society, rooted in language, respect, and social structure. Korea’s Unique Age Culture: Why Do Koreans Ask Your Age? 1. In Korea, Age Defines Relationships In Korean culture, age is far more than just a number. It determines how people speak to each other, address one another, and even how they behave in social situations. The use of honorific or informal language is based on age difference. Titles like oppa (older brother), noona (older sister), hyung , and unni are assigned based on relative age. Traditional etiquette such as allowing the eldest to eat first is still commonly observed. Knowing someone’s age helps define the relationship and the ap...

In the Age of AI, Knowledge Faces a Crisis — And We Must Act Now

Image
  In the Age of AI, Knowledge Faces a Crisis — And We Must Act Now – ChatGPT Surpasses Wikipedia for the First Time In April 2025, a historic shift occurred. For the first time ever, ChatGPT’s monthly traffic reached 780 million, surpassing Wikipedia’s 716 million visits . (Source: SimilarWeb, April 2025) This milestone reflects more than numbers—it reveals a profound transformation in how we seek and consume knowledge. We must take action now 1. The Rise of ‘Zero-Click’ and the Fall of Open Knowledge Platforms AI tools like ChatGPT and Google AI Overview have changed how users interact with information. Instead of clicking through to source websites, people now consume summarized answers directly from AI interfaces. This ‘zero-click’ trend has caused: Significant drops in source website traffic Reduced incentive and revenue for content creators A growing detachment from original, verifiable information Most notably, Wikipedia’s global traffic has dropped by ...