...and that's a limitation of the English-language blogosphere here: It is predominantly the domain of American men. Why? For one thing, there are more Americans here than natives of other English-speaking countries, and men may just more interested in computers and politics than women. "Kushibo," another American blogger, has another explanation: "We're just quicker to express our opinions, I guess."Well, at least I did say that, and unlike a certain reporter from a certain world-reknowned newspaper, he managed not to quote me out of context. The full quote, though, was less a dig at other Anglophones for being slow and more a dig at some of my fellow American citizens for being a whiny and opinionated lot, especially about things that aren't here the way they think they are or should be back in the States.
Ah, you can see what fun I must be at parties.
To be fair, that's not all I said about why Americans (to include kyopo and non-kyopo Americans in Korea) tend to dominate the blogs. I think Americans as a whole tend to be more established in non-hagwon jobs (which is the case with Oranckay, Space Nakji, The Marmot, Jodi at Asia Pages, The Flying Yangban, Lost Nomad, and me) than other English-speaking nationalities, not just because of the relative population numbers but because of the length (and depth) of the post-war US-ROK relationship. I guess I could include extra-territorial bloggers such as Plunge in that list. The hagwon experience, as I understand it, lends little time and opportunity for blogging on Korea's social and political issues, and also tends to concentrate on-line efforts on places like English Spectrum and Dave's ESL Café. (Of course, there are exceptions).
I think Mr Footman makes a good point about the dearth of women's blogs in the Korea-related blogosphere. There are very few and not many of them tackle the kinds of issues that Marmot's Hole does. Sphere: Related Content
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Oh my. Those should be some interesting articles.
ReplyDeleteFor me, a slight part of my decision to focus on personal topics was because it seemed like there were already so many political blogs out there. I didn't want to cover the same ground.
Also, I, too, do not work at a hagwon and never have.
Rest assured, the closest I've ever come to hagwons is seeing them across the street from the gym where I work out.
ReplyDeleteOh my. Those should be some interesting articles.
ReplyDeleteWe shall see. I think it depends on which direction he goes in.
For me, a slight part of my decision to focus on personal topics was because it seemed like there were already so many political blogs out there. I didn't want to cover the same ground.
Well, I would hope that you would still try your hand at some topics. Well, I guess you do on the ones that are important.
Also, I, too, do not work at a hagwon and never have.
I didn't think so, but I wasn't sure. Anyway, I have added you (and Nomad) to the list.
I once dated the owner of a hagwon in Korea, but that is another story...
ReplyDeletePlunge wrote:
ReplyDeleteI once dated the owner of a hagwon in Korea, but that is another story...
I hope it wasn't some fat guy named Mr. Lee who has thick fingers from too many soju binges. That would be gross.