Deeper Waters

Each mode of transportation, whether it be trains, airplanes, or ships, are constantly moving back and forth in order to transport people, resources, and ideas. Rarely do these vehicles stop moving; there are always more things to move and projects to finish. Arguably, transportation serves as one of the primary backbones of civilization. The reason why is because of its reliability to always complete its purpose; even if there are difficulties or delays, the train or airplane will keep on moving. Much is the same way for superheros, whose powers not only give them more stamina physically and mentally, but also allow them to develop experiences that force them to either persevere or hide. In other words, the only reason why superheroes are "powerful" is because of their efforts to always move forward and aid those that are less fortunate. 

What many people fail to recognize is that repetition leads to change. From a surface-level view, doing the same thing each time seems illogical, a waste of time. However, reality proves that the case is much different, and repetition is the key to breaking out of restricting continuities. Real repetition is not just "practice makes perfect", it is about the mindset that is applied throughout the process. Superheros would not be heroes if they never learned how to effectively use their powers. Ranging from skills such as super speed, flight, or  teleportation, each ability needs to be tested, weighed on a scale of capability and extent of control. As obvious as it may be, a superhero is not powerful if they fail to exercise their power, which they may have come to innately hold, because then they simply become just  like everyone else. And most individuals are powerless, much to their own accord. As of the current, the majority of people remain in a state of inaction, repeating the same days with no external or internal progress. Those people are not satisfying the needed criteria for true repetition. Instead, they are exercising ignorance and laziness. With no goal or means of underlying motivation, then there is no progress, and no change.

But are superheroes strictly ones that we seen in movies? Those with supernatural abilities that automatically set them apart from others?  Depending on your perspective of the definition "superhero", the answer could go either way. However, in my opinion, superheros are the people around us that seem to go unnoticed, but actually are lifting us up everyday. Those that quietly move through life, slowly leveling up but never flaunting their triumphs or bringing others down.  A great example of this is a mother and her never-ending contributions to her family. From morning to night, day to day, and year to year, mothers are always taking care of their child from the moment they are born, expending both emotional and physical energy into making sure their children are loved and cared for. In that way, the question what makes a superhero a superhero becomes totally pointless. There are no qualifications, because those that are truly superheros have no epic action scenes, a big moment where they save the world. Showing up each day and giving your best, while slowly but steadily gaining momentum towards a bigger target destination, is what a superhero truly is. They never lose sight of their personal values, their path.

However, there can not be only times of moving forward, which repetition emphasizes. There also needs to be periods of reflection. As constant as trains, planes, and ships move, there are also always times of grace, where maintenance checks are done and the pilots can rest. Thus, repetition and reflection go hand in hand, or, rather, must fundamentally coexist together for advances in life to be experienced. And this reflection includes not only on past successes, but also of failures, because how else will we be able to escape the stagnation of the past, whose hold relents against any meager attempts of escape. So change and repetition. Polar opposites, yet they are as intrinsically intertwined as a superhero is to their power, whatever ability that may be.

A problem is fostered through a mental dilemma that becomes increasingly larger until it can no longer be ignored and a nagging feeling within the chest develops. Everyone experiences problems, ranging from the standard universal obstacles such as family conflicts and economic hardships, to the more unique ones that pertain to each individual's environment and ambitions. However, the attitude towards approaching a problem and the strategies adopted to remove such limitations differ from person to person. This is due to the fact that everyone's expectations for their lives are different; there are some that dream farther than their current circumstances, while there are some that want to cruise through life, without any stress or anxiety that comes with thinking of one's future. A common misconception of what a hard-working person looks like is that such an individual is constantly looking forward-taking the steps to the next best thing, like picking attractive fruits on a tree. However, a person that actually understands how to solve a problem, and thus the one that truly overcomes adversity, is one that utilizes critical thinking. In other words, a person that reflects on their past actions and deciphers ways to improve their past mistakes. Who moves past momentary satisfaction and analyzes how a person has reached the state they are in now to reach farther, not relapse into old habits. The standard solutions presented by society are most often not enough, or only temporarily solve an issue; to truly remove a problem is to first understand the root of the cause from all angles, to attempt numerous solutions that may fail but can be improved each time they do. That way, an issue cannot only be solved, but deeply understood and prevented in the future with the aid of lessons gathered from the process.

As aforementioned, everyone's expectations and experiences are distinct to them self. In my case, one challenge that I overcame through my own accord and efforts was the fear of judgment, specifically through writing book reviews. From the moment I mastered the ability to read, my love for exploring new worlds and perspectives has been ever growing. Through the years my appreciation for reading and books has expanded to new forms; instead of just merely reading, I now derive joy from watching other individuals sharing their own opinions on a piece of literature, author interviews, and following the Booker International Prize updates each year.  And through this expansion of just reading, I developed a desire to also be one to not simply read, but to also share my personal insights and opinions on the texts I have written. 

Unfortunately, such a task was not as easy as I initially thought. When sitting down to write a review, I realized good interview wasn't solely sharing my opinions of my enjoyment levels, but actually examining the underlying themes, characterization, quality of writing, and what question the author was trying to answer or present. Because a good writer does not just outright state the message of their stories, but hints at it throughout the book; it is up to the reader to grasp the hidden meanings. 

In order to really learn how to write a good book review, one that I knew would be released to an unpredictable abyss, that's to say an audience I was unfamiliar with,  I became a reviewer of the review; instead of just looking at a piece of literature or it's review as an outsider, I inserted myself as a part of it. I joined the story or review as if I was participating first hand-investigating the language, implied concepts, and intentional nuances-and upon those experiences, I pushed more and more  sincerity into my words, ultimately translating to my reviews that became more thoughtful and unique to me.

This constant feeling I felt throughout this process, a mixture of hesitation and frustration, which is still ongoing challenge I am navigating, pushed me to solve a weakness I saw in myself, and improve something that was originally lacking. I didn't want to wait for my skills to develop through external factors such as English classes at school, but internally and of my own effort.However, I am still not satisfied, no matter how much my confidence has risen. Through continuing reading more and within genres outside my comfort zone, such as authors like Toni Morrison, Han Kang, and Patti Smith who's themes are quite abstract and require deeper thinking, as well as searching for more interviews and reviews, I am constantly expanding my mind and fulfilling my want to express my love for reading and contributing to conversations that are both perceptive and subjective, which are sometimes the best forms of connection and framework for the building of communities.

Collective Intelligence is the collaboration of ideas, sharing of opinions, and acceptance of diversity. In contrast, mob mentality is the rejection of these principles. Mob mentality means to be influenced and completely accepting of other people's ideas and opinions, instead of creating one's own through gathering knowledge and creating personal judgments. 

The difference between collective intelligence and mob mentality can be seen with one of Plato's works, "The Allegory of The Cave", which  is a philosophical dive into the importance of perspective and questioning the beliefs around us. Through his quoting of Socrates, he conveys to the reader the importance of seeking the truth, even when another idea seems more compelling or comfortable. The story begins by describing a cave shrouded in darkness, where three prisoners, not once exposed to the world above, know only the shadows of the objects the guards are holding out of their sight. When one prisoner gets a chance to leave and see the sun and life above, his world expands. His previous vision of the world is disregarded and he sees his reality for what it is through the acceptance of his previous ignorance. His willingness to acknowledge the truth  despite being exposed to falsehoods before that point is the very essence of collective intelligence. When he goes back to the cave where the two remaining prisoners continue to be held captive, he bestows upon them the wonders of the world above only to be rejected. The prisoners want to continue to believe only what is in front of them, clinging to what is most comfortable. Their unwillingness, a direct contrast from the prisoner who was able to leave the cave,  demonstrates the consequences of mob mentality.  Not only will they miss out on the beauties of the world above, they will be forever stuck in a constant cycle without growth or change.

The moral of this story is that we must see beyond the influences in front of us.  This is especially important now in the digital era, where social media and biased news are constantly being pushed in front of our faces. The media we consume is not always factual, and oftentimes the act of being influenced goes unnoticed. To prevent this,  we have to spread awareness about the harmful effects of a conformity mindset and be accepting of new, unfamiliar ideas, no matter how uncomfortable it may feel.  This is why collective intelligence is so much more important in order to combat mob mentality; it enables us to grow as a society and see things to their full potential. If communities, schools, and workplaces adopt the ideals of collective intelligence,  new innovations and ways to problem-solve will be able to have impacts not just locally, but globally as well.

Contrary to popular opinion, emotions are not the distinguishing factor that makes humans human. Humanity has not gone this far, has not been labeled the only intelligent beings on earth, because of emotion.  In fact, it is because of our capacity to hold consistent willpower to keep pushing forward that distinguishes humans from other animals and A.I.. This is how society has been able to function and flourish thus far. Unfortunately, however, this key principle is being constantly challenged by those that only want to expand their own wealth, status, and power. Those that want to breeze through life, by cheating and taking advantage of others. People that chase only after temporary desires are overwrought by their emotions, which is why they cause harm to themselves and the people around them.  Emotions are a crucial part of human identity, as they can form the intentions behind our actions that start processes and progress . But the most important ability of humans is  consistent willingness and effort to keep those emotions in check. These are the true factors that fuel and preserve connection, drive, and growth of one's self and society.

Society cannot be run by kindergartners, who let their ephemeral feelings drive their actions. This will only lead to chaos in a world that needs structure and strong leadership to run. In other words, stability, something that is not constantly changing and disappearing, as emotions are. If we only acted on fleeting sentiments, everything that past generations have taken so long to build will come crashing down: autonomy, trust, and fulfillment. In their place will come violence, corruption, and war. This is not just a theory, but happening now in reality. Confirmation bias and mob mentality has been an increasingly rising trend, and if we keep on moving at this rate, nothing will even be left to save. Politicians are spreading false lies, intentionally sparking panic among the public so they can utilize it to their own gain. This is why it is so vital and needed to keep our emotions regulated, so that we do not become blind followers of something that leads us to our doom. 

A polarized country will get nowhere, but splinter forever until chaos breaks lose. A good leader is one who understands that in order for a community to thrive, we need each other, not just a single high power or selfish authorities, but reliance and dependence on our family, neighbors, and country. Take the Great Depression, for example. The failure of banks, especially local ones that served their communities, went bankrupt because people no longer had incentive to trust that their money was in a safe place and extinguished their accounts  This panic and lack of trust in the bank and the economy further increased the country's poverty and inability to get back on it's feet. With trust, however, which is formed through experience and effort, we can all collectively utilize the opportunities we have the ability to create and grasp. But only with willingness will we be able to do so, something that all humans have the power to act upon. 

Empathy is the basic principle, or critical root, to a harmonized society. And, as exemplified by nature, without secure roots, plants shrivel up and die. And without plants, ecosystems become in a disarray, until only one species survives to the end.  The world is constantly changing, but empathy is something that will always remain important. Unfortunately, individuals are increasingly disregarding the true meaning of empathy for temporary emotions, when in reality, these two ideas should exist in tandem. Extreme individualism, or selfishness, is changing emotion from a language of connection to a language of self-justification. 

Although the main cause of the loss of empathy within the world cannot be pinpointed to one factor, there are a few core reasons to why this is happening. First, the failing education system, that lacks the curriculum and teaching structure to teach the importance of working together, in harmony. Nature vs. nurture may be one of the most debated arguments, but it remains true that both are valuable in the shaping of an individual.  In the case of nurture, environment plays a key role in influencing our actions and mindset. Through our childhood and adolescence, the most crucial period of cognitive development, we spend most of our time in a school setting. Thus, it is very important that what we are learning in school and how we are taught to think translates to our behaviors and attitudes as we get older and enter the real world. Especially since this directly affects the security of society, whether it will collapse or flourish. As the Department of Education is being removed and the funding of learning institutions and foundations stopped, our ability to emphasize and understand our reality becomes threatened. To think critically, we have to be taught the ways to navigate complex conversations and abstract themes. Those in authority know this and are intentionally hurting the fundamental roots of society holding us together, which is why we must persist in the fight for our freedom, our right to learn, and our right to demand reform, such as change within our education systems.

However, nurture, or the environment, cannot be solely to blame for the rising trend of ignorance and the attraction towards momentary pleasures. There needs to be intentional, expended effort by an individual if they truly seek to integrate empathetic ideals into their lives. This can be categorized as nature. Knowing and taking the steps to implement this will not just be for the benefit of society, but for one self as well. Otherwise, true human connection and the sharing of introspective thoughts that fuel a person's will to achieve their ambitions will be unattainable. In a sense, knowing empathy is being in tune with one's emotions, because only then can we seek to understand the emotions and thoughts of others. In Henry David Thoreau's piece, "Where I Lived, and What I Lived For", Thoreau stresses the dangers of false perceptions and submitting to the glamour of temporary fears or pleasures. We need to embrace reality, to see things clearly and live with meaning. And to reject momentary feelings, so that only then can we live through a fulfilling and harmonized life with ourselves and others.

If this still remains unclear, the vital place of empathy within our lives can also be seen through the logical sense. The reason why society has laws is so that everyone, no matter their background or identity, can have the same opportunities. Although this is not fully the case right now, especially with the elimination of DEI and the unfair deportation of people within the United States,  laws do serve a purpose despite the many critiques about our legal systems. Without laws, it becomes a battle of the "survival of the fittest", or a battle of the assets and social connections. This is why laws are so important for a society. And, in order for such policies to be successfully implemented, there needs to be adequate trust and faith in its ability to create a fair game board. Credit, for example, is only able to exist because of our trust in the credit system. Everything ties back to empathy, trusting and caring for each other to the point that we make choices not just for our own self, but for the well being of our community. There is no debate about that, and if there is, then the world we reside in and the standard of living we enjoy now is in crucial danger.

Throughout my learning career, I have encountered both passionate teachers and unbothered teachers. It is the same for my fellow peers, as there are some that know their ambitious dreams and goals, and those that care only about their grades, if that. The root of this issue is hard to identify, why some people carry motivation and passion, while others fail to do so. Is it the fault of the individual and their upbringing, or the way the education system is run? I believe it is a mixture of both. Although it is up to one's own responsibility to give their best effort and adequately prepare for the future, a limiting environment is no less a factor of the loss of creativity and willingness in students.

Education, for many decades, has been taught and evaluated through the standardization of tests and assignments that follow a linear curriculum and rubric. Although in the current age, every student is able to access basic skills through the school system, many do not actually actively engage in the lessons unless they do further research on their own time or with outside materials provided by their parents. This is especially promoted because of the grading method, where it is not about learning, but rather about memorizing, cramming information, and rereading flashcards over and over to get the best result on an exam. Thus, naturally everything learned is forgotten by the next unit. And this type of mindset is sometimes encouraged by the teachers as well. When I asked my teacher a question about the class's topic, I was given the answer, "Don't worry about it. It isn't on the test." Students have come to adopt such ideals because the system is set up in a way that their grade they receive is a direct indicative of their level of intellectualism, or they believe so. In other words, whether they are an A, B, C, and so on a student. These may just be letters, but to a student, their letter is the only thing that matters. Furthermore, this is not just the situation in schools, but universities as well. Colleges continue to assess the SAT and AP scores of potential scholars as a factor when determining their acceptance or rejection.  There is absolutely no place to slip up, so why would students even try go beyond the minimum needed to pass?

There needs to be new ways to foster learning without the use of short-term exams and an uncompromising grading scale. A possible solution for teachers to adopt is to assign hands-on projects and interactive lessons that facilitate a students' desire to learn and exercise skills such as critical thinking.  More specifically, ones that stress the finding of new perspectives and ideas, to stay open and aware. Unfortunately, it would be difficult to design a new grading system to replace our current one, since bias and personal judgment would have to play a part. But in a way, that is already happening, or perceived to be happening, as students and parents are actively voicing their opinions or opposing values onto teachers, believing themselves or their child was wronged. So, what really needs to be evaluated is the effort the individual provides into the present task. In that way, there would be no competition against one's peers but themselves, which would allow them to grow as a person and understand their true vision in life.

Knowledge is power. Otherwise, we become ignorant to who we are and where we are. We become stuck, without knowledge. Everything becomes out of our control, and thus we depend on higher authorities, people who have only their self-interests in mind. Since the dawn of history, an individual's level of education has determined their value to society, how they were appraised and seen. With education, although this is not always the case, comes more stability, security, and fulfillment. The future is bright, and unlimited. Without an education, we become easily silenced, which is why it is so important to reform our school systems and engage in movements protecting our right to learn and make a change. To reach new opportunities, we have to start at the beginning, and everything begins with knowledge. 

When trying to explain the human condition, it is essential to begin with where an individual's identity originates from and how they have shaped it in the present. When the bird leaves it's nest for the first time, their identity is no longer as a helpless child waiting for their parent to drop food in their mouth, but as a fierce animal that can hunt it's prey with their own speed alone.  In other words, humans need to always move forward in order to grow and improve; otherwise we become stuck in the nest created by the items provided to us, which are more often than not, insufficient. The movie "The Wild Robot" is a perfect example of this. The story begins like this; Roz, a robot programmed by humans to monotonously carry out assigned tasks without feeling or emotion, finds herself  alone on an island without her previous masters. Instead of being rooted in the same spot, an attractive option when in a circumstance that is foreign and unknown, she forms a relationship with a baby goose, an outcast on the island like herself, and takes on the role of being his mom. Throughout the majority of the movie, Roz tries again and again to help the goose learn how to fly so that he can migrate safely with the other geese before the coming winter. This is not an easy task. With clumsy wings and weak confidence, the goose is doubtful. However, Roz does not give up; in fact, even after losing one of her legs, she still keeps the goose's best interests in mind because she knows what values are important to her. Along this journey is where her true, sentient self begins to form. 

However, only at first glance does this movie seem to be about just Roz. In reality, one of the most compelling characters, or one the audience can see themselves most in, is the fox Flink. At the beginning of the movie, Flink, like all the other animals, subject Roz and the goose to hurtful remarks to intentionally make them feel like an outsider. He does this to make himself feel better, as he has never experienced the love he recognizes among Roz and goose. This all changes when he sees the effort that both Roz and the young goose implement into ensuring that the goose learns how to fly. He witnesses courage, vulnerability, and dedication of both beings. He experiences the true meaning of endurance as the goose trains harder and harder each day, beginning unable to even get off the ground to carrying heavy rocks in the air and flying across open water without any safety net. As aforementioned, Flink was always used to solidarity, being on his own without anybody's help and without helping others. However, when he develops a first-hand account of true effort and consequentially triumph, his approach to life completely changes. This is seen in the scene where a particularly dangerous winter threatens the lives of all animals on the island. As Roz gathers all of them into one space for their safety, the animals immediately start fighting, categorizing themselves as prey and predator; their identity that they were born into.  Flink recognizes that fighting will not get them anywhere; not near cooperation, and certainly not survival. So, he delivers a heartfelt, impactful speech that is not built on charisma or airs of superiority, but one where he recognizes his own past faults and establishes the truth of the moment. Which is, that they might have their own instincts to kill each other and constantly fight, but in the present, they all have the common goal to surive the harsh winter. At that moment, Flink became a leader through his honest attitude though utilizing what he learned through Roz and the goose. 

A society is trapped on a train. If they leave, they will not survive.  The train is divided based on class,  with the wealthy and privileged in the front cars that are luxurious and warm, while the poor and unfortunate are in the rear cars, which are dark and cold.  In this society, rules are in place so that each passenger receives their favorite meal each day. However as the food gets passed down the cars, the rich become increasingly selfish, taking more food for themselves and leaving the less privileged people with nothing to eat. This creates aggravation within the lower cars, causing a person named Gillian to propose that any person, regardless of their existing class, can rise to the front cars if they contribute the most to society. This causes passengers to adopt a survivalist instinct, fighting each other to receive the most amount of food and comfort for themselves instead of finding a solution together. This level of competition in the train is overwhelming, blinding people from caring or thinking about the misfortunes of others.

Although the story Snowpiercer is fictional, the core ideas and events that occur can be applied to current society, and the future that will inevitably come if no changes are made.  Similar to the story, our society is divided based on class. Some people are able to live comfortably in warm homes and eat consistent meals without worry, while others have to fight for scraps and count on the possibility that things will get better. Rarely do people extend their fortune to others they do not know, instead we compete and compete until one person gives up and another succeeds.  If this continues, our society will not advance but rather decline, where greed, privilege, and selfishness dictate our actions. The gap between the wealthy and the poor will continue to widen, and the opportunities for normal citizens to have a better life will decrease. Our society should be based on principles of equality and justice, however that cannot exist in the current reality we live in. 

I am sitting across from my grandma in the middle of a mall food court. It is loud and chaotic, but we are silent, at peace with just each other's presence. The smell of grease fills my nose and the weight of the picture we paint does not escape my mind.  Two different generations, born in different countries, are sitting across from each other because one of them decided to take a chance at a better life. I am the representation of that better life. 

About 50 years ago my grandparents left Busan, Korea to come to America with the hope that their life would look up. They flew across the Pacific Ocean to an unknown land, knowing neither the language or culture; only the idea that their dreams would be answered.  I, a person who has not once experienced such a situation, who struggles even in language classes at schools, cannot begin to comprehend how they were able to create a place for themselves in society with a foreign language, customs, and people.  But I know what fueled them, what drove them to achieve their dreams and desires; hope. 

My grandparent's story and many other immigrants are not too different from the nature of swallows. In fact, at the core, they are not different at all.  The wing of a bird symbolizes freedom, hope, and the ability to become greater than what you started out as. Swallows, the tiny birds that do not even weigh 3 ounces, fly 8000 miles from Southern Africa to Great Britain each year to have access to food in order to sustain themselves for the season. On average, they fly for 6 weeks without stopping, only if the chance of food arises in front of them.  This journey is a risk, as if there is no place to rest or food to eat, they could die.  They only have to keep going with the belief that they will be able to persevere. Like the swallows, my grandparents never gave up, not until they reached their destination and not until their children were living a life they wanted for themselves. They worked long hours, rarely taking breaks, their one goal of living and extending a satisfied life to the generations below them constantly on their minds. 

Their hope and perseverance is why I am here now.  Why I will work hard as they worked hard for me. And in times of frustration and stress, when the idea of giving up is right within reach, I will remember what my grandparents and parents have done for me. How, like the swallows, they never gave up so neither will I.

Food is not complicated. Our relationship with food may be complicated,  but food itself isn't. Fundamentally, food provides energy to the body, allowing us to function through our day-to-day life. But that is not all what food is.  It is a means of connection, a way to connect past to present, generation to generation, person to person. 

Life is eternally changing. Memories are made and forgotten. But food, as a whole, does not change. Recipes can change and alter over time as people add their own preferences and invent new ways of enhancing flavors, but the foundation of that recipe stays the same. This is because food is timeless. This is because food is an element of culture that connects us to our past and our ancestors, who have lived during  different circumstances as us and yet we continue to be  connected through shared traditions.  

One dish that is essential to  Korean street food is tteokbokki. Many people refer to tteokbokki as their comfort food, the signature taste of both savory and sweet that can relieve the stress of a long day. In general, despite the many variations of tteokbokki, it is quite simple to make. To begin, you start by making the broth, which can be made by soaking anchovies and kelp into boiling water, with the addition of gochujang, soy suace, tuna oil, and gochugaru. Then, you add in the rice cakes, fish cakes, green onion, and, other personal preferences. In my case, sausage is a staple of tteokboki, a result of the preferences of my mom and aunt, which enhances the savory flavor. This abundance of ingredients come together to make a  spicy, flavorful dish in just 30 minutes.

This simple dish can then lead to wholesome moments of conversations between families and friends, enhancing a relationship and creating stronger connections. So much can be said over one meal, even more so when the dish is a comfort food like tteokbokki.  The combination of comfort and flavor can blossom into something beautiful, something like shared laughter or crying. That is because with food comes human connection.   

Tteokbokki to me and many others is nostalgic, and will continue to be nostalgic in the future as I grow and change. That is because the dish will always be familiar, a symbol of my roots that will never change. In other words, comfort. The future is uncertain, and life is not guaranteed. But food can connect us to the past, to people, and to stories that make us who we are.  In other words, food is essentially a time capsule that communicates a story  of who we are and where we come from, allowing generations of history and traditions to continue.