Now, I know that we know very little about the internal environment within Nk, but is there really no "rebel" groups within NK? Rich3232
People in NK are not only without information but they are also simply too disconnected and left without means of quick contact or communication from one place to the next to be able to form "rebel" or anti-government groups. Pyongyang is sectioned off for most individuals, and the northern part is as obscure as it is poor (so poor that authorities do allow some farmers to sell a portion of their crop--basically the only trace of capitalism you'll find there, lol). Besides, they're more concerned with living their lives and getting by (not saying that they all starve severely, that'd be inaccurate to say), so sometimes the government--as oppressive as it is--isn't even on the list of things North Koreans consider in day-to-day life.
And for anyone wondering about the current situation, take care to listen to Andrei Lankov; he's the only person in recent memory who has released a comprehensive and credible look into North Korea (he has lived there!). CNN and BBC have been overplaying things and have, so far, released only one article on his kind of opinion. There isn't good reason for NK and Jong-Un to give up their uh...already endangered security and comfort (if you can call it that), so if anything, conventional skirmishes may break out.
And if that's wrong, then I hope you took the time to reason with yourself on this matter. (It's likely that any missile fired will be test missiles at this point, though.)
PS: I know that the apathy of Seoul citizens towards this whole situation does not automatically lower tensions or suggest that war won't break out, but if you read CNN's polls, those Americans who do tune in to CNN are apparently very worried about the threat North Korea poses to the U.S. My suggestion: have a little bit more sympathy and concern for South Korea, which is within immediate range of missile contact. They have less time to intercept any missiles. Friggin insensitive people :P
Love kids. Don't really care for old people, even though I have some wonderful ones in my life. I know I'll be old someday, somewhat of a waste of resources myself, but I have no reason to hate them, especially not for being old. Why would I hate something or somebody so harmless? Exactly because they take up resources? Please, if I don't care about the elderly, why would I care about something like that?
I'm edgy and I don't really care for the world or what happens to it beyond my end. *Puts on sunglasses* So edgy. yeaaaaap
Just tell me it's horse meat before I mistake it for something else. And on the subject of what animals not to eat, I have to admit that there isn't any rational reason beyond eating things like dogs and cats besides "I'm used to seeing them as intelligent and loveable domestic pets and would rather not see them eaten". It is a shame to see us put some of the most intelligent creatures on the planet to the pan, but I can't make a decision strictly on what I might mistake for "moral" grounds when, for some, dogs and dolphins and bush meat are the most accessible err....meats.
I guess it's most helpful to be aware of how rational or irrational your preference for or against eating certain animals is; then you'll know the reach/limitations of your own argument. You may discount the idea of eating horse (and I would too), but others won't. And since this list of legally edible foods is probably only going to grow as we run out of things to eat, you might as well turn vegetarian altogether if you can't handle it all.
Not anymore. It's all about knowing what's needed and what's not. Think rationally: if getting angry isn't a pleasant feeling, don't feel it. Reason with yourself and know that it's not needed, and you'll find yourself turning off that instinct to get angry because you ran out of peanut butter.
And I'd rather not use anger to "motivate" myself in things unrelated to murderous revenge. It's good to think simply and have a clear head...
I don't care for participating in them, but I do like that they exist. I'm not a very competitive person, but I know the world needs some sort of competition. That's why I'll leave that crap to athletes and businessmen.
But no, I don't completely not give a damn about sports.
Just agree to never bring up religion. I know it's difficult (it shouldn't be), but it's a pretty simple principle. I've seen couples nearly fall apart because of conflicting political views, and that' just silly.
In order to love a culture, you need to be very accepting of both the goods and bads of that culture's country. Someday, you'll question your professed desire for wanting to be a part of [insert name of any culture here], because the negatives will probably overwhelm you at first and force you into a disillusioned state for some time.
For example, if you are an American, you may not like the strict conservatism of East Asian countries. You may not like their materialism (sounds ironic, because Americans are part of a consumer culture as well, but even the Korean, Japanese, Taiwanese, and Chinese education systems contribute to it, and the first question many East Asian parents will ask you will be: "What are your parent's jobs?").
You may grow annoyed with high-context cultures in general. Do you know what a high-context society is? It's one that is less open in communication and less direct. How about Confucianist traditions, do you think you'll adapt well?
It's not safe for you to idealize life in another culture like that. Take a slower approach and you'll probably find out even more fun things about Japan than you ever did. And if you try to befriend a native Japanese person here, absolutely do not start your conversation with anime or manga, because he/she is a person first and his/her culture last.
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