Sunday Book Club

Can art be taught?
What makes art truly great?

Hi art lovers!

I am delighted to announce our upcoming event on Korean Folk Paintings "Beyond Joseon Minhwa" at AmorePacific Museum of Art.

Minhwa means "paintings by the people" and was beloved by ordinary people in the late Joseon Dynasty. These paintings offer a unique perspective that differs from both traditional East Asian and Western paintings. Created by diverse artists—including court artists, craftsmen, and aspiring painters—these works were typically unsigned and decorated the homes of the rising middle class. Free from the strict rules of traditional painting, their interpretations of nature and society are more flexible and lively, setting them apart from more serious artworks.

These paintings can make you smile or surprise you with their bold confidence. Though the artists may not be well-known, they were highly skilled craftspeople who made their living through their art. What's most captivating is their childlike purity and uninhibited approach to painting—this is why we're increasingly drawn to Minhwa.

While I've already visited the exhibition, I'd love to experience it again with you before it closes. Wear comfortable shoes, as there are many paintings to see. When you allow yourself to view the artwork with an open mind, the experience becomes even more enjoyable. Don't miss this chance to explore this vast collection of Minhwa.

Note
If you bring earphones, you can listen to the audio guide on your phone.

I firmly believe that rereading is the best way to rediscover knowledge. We read this book last March, and as several of our members have noted, it's one of the finest books we've covered in our book club.

“What is it that cosmology finds out about the world?
How do we fit into it?
Why are we here?“

The later Hawking believed that the theory of the universe and observership are inseparable. We create the universe just as much as it creates us.

We hope science reveals truths about nature, the universe, and ourselves. However, since science is conducted by humans, we often drift toward anthropic reasoning. Just as we created the concept of God to fill gaps in our understanding, we tend to compensate for scientific uncertainties with god-like explanations. We assume the universe must be divinely designed on a grand scale!

The later Stephen Hawking's views evolved from those in "The Origin of Time," and author Thomas Hertog traces this evolution and its importance to us in our current challenging environment. This is why I chose this book instead of Hawking's original work. Thomas Hertog was Hawking's student and collaborator for the last 20 years of his life.

Brace yourself! We will cover all kinds of physics theories, from the Big Bang to quantum physics. Don't worry though—none of us fully understand these concepts either. It's reassuring to know there are others like me grappling with these big questions. I believe reading this book will help us better appreciate our [Read Aloud] sessions with SF fiction 🙂

Dune was the first "serious" sci-fi book I ever read, and I’ll admit... it is quite an intimidating pillar of sci-fi literature! It’s a classic, but I've heard all kinds of opinions about it: some call it a masterpiece, others never made it past the first few pages.

What makes Dune so interesting is how much there is to talk about: the writing style, dense world-building, character development, and the various layers of symbolism. There’s a lot going on and I thought it would be fun to explore it together.

Hopefully, you will have enough time to (re)read this brick of a book! We’ll focus only on Book One, so no pressure to read the whole series. But if you’re a Dune fan and have read beyond, we’d love to hear from you!

Even if you didn’t love it or couldn't finish, read half the book then watched the movie, you're welcome to join too!

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“Are you prepared for the future?”

Whether you're optimistic about AI's rise or concerned about its apocalyptic potential, this book is for anyone trying to make sense of our rapidly changing world.

Just as the way we tell our stories shapes our personality, how we share and process information has always shaped human society. With AI's emergence, we stand on the verge of a transformation that could fundamentally alter what it means to be human—and we may not even realize it yet. Harari argues that we're not just creating tools; AI represents a new form of intelligence that has evolved alongside humans but now exists in "inter-computer realities." Like human-created concepts such as money, gods, and nations that have shaped our world, AI systems might create their own "inter-computer realities" that could ultimately dominate ours.

**How do we harness the power of AI without losing our humanity?

How do we preserve democracy in an age of algorithmic manipulation?**

While we don't have clear answers to these questions, it's crucial that we ask them ourselves rather than simply deferring to ChatGPT without careful consideration.

If you've read Yuval Harari's previous works like Sapiens, Homo Deus, and 21 Lessons for the 21st Century, this book is an essential next step. Even if you're new to his work, you'll find plenty of thought-provoking insights about navigating our unpredictable world.

Remember: we're here to discuss, not to prove. None of us can predict the future with certainty. In our book discussion, we'll practice engaging with diverse ideas and perspectives. Let's listen to each other and maintain mutual respect.😀

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