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Korea Herald
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Korea Herald
[Kim Seong-kon] Do not wage 'war against the academy'
In the 1960s, the great literary critic Leslie A. Fiedler wrote an epoch-making essay, 'The War against the Academy.' In the article, Fiedler advocated the free spirit of the 1960s against the trend toward institutionalism in literary criticism, such as the formalistic New Criticism, and proposed psychological and mythological approaches to literature instead. Such approaches, Fiedler wrote, were a 'revolt against school and in particular against the University. Given the opportunity, the writers of the 1960s prefer, theoretically at least, to go on the road rather than into school; and even, if forced so far, would choose the madhouse over college, prison over the campus.' In his essay, Fiedler criticized the rigid inflexibility of academics who wanted to institutionalize literary creativity and works of the imagination. Six decades have passed since then. Now in 2025, we are witnessing a different type of war within the academy: This time, it is the war against elite, prime universities. Newspaper reports say that our politicians are planning to change the name of ten national universities to 'Seoul National University,' differentiating them by numbers only, such as Seoul National University I, II or X. As a result, the government would provide abundant funds to upgrade them to suit the name, Seoul National University. To make this ambitious project succeed, our politicians must consider various aspects and circumstances. For one thing, they should know that building 10 prime universities is a long-term project that requires patience, endurance and perseverance. For example, Harvard and Oxford each have a long tradition of intellectual history, academic excellence and illustrious human resources. Indeed, a prestigious university is not something you can conjure up overnight. Moreover, we should consider the fact that neither name nor money make a first-rate university. Instead, it requires outstanding students with brilliant minds, eminent professors, and global recognition based on stellar accomplishments, plus a profound intellectual atmosphere. Funds are imperative to give a university such distinctions. However, funds can also be easily wasted if not managed properly by prominent researchers and discreet administrators. Therefore, it will not be easy to carry out the project successfully. Perhaps we can learn from the case of the University of Paris. In 1970, the universities in Paris were dissolved and split into 13 universities. They were called the University of Paris I, II or XIII. But experts have pointed out that the new system has inadvertently made the prestigious Sorbonne invisible under the name Paris IV, and has consequently lowered the prestige of French universities in the international rankings. In 2017, therefore, Paris IV Sorbonne, and Paris VI Pierre and Marie Curie merged as Sorbonne University and in 2019 Paris V and Paris VII merged to form Paris City University. Experts predict that the same thing may happen to South Korea as well. Indeed, the idea of creating 10 universities bearing the same name might eventually make it hard for the original SNU to stand out, thus lowering the rank and prestige of Korean universities in the international assessment. Prime universities represent 'intellect.' Indeed, they say that Seoul National University is an emblem of 'intellect' in South Korea. Among its many important qualities, 'intellect' makes our universities and society elegant and sophisticated. That is why the project is not supposed to be a 'war against intellect.' We hope, too, that such a project is based on 'intellect," not on 'emotion.' If we become emotional, we can easily become jealous, angry and impetuous. Isaac Bashevis Singer once said, 'The very essence of literature is the war between emotion and intellect, between life and death.' He then continued, 'When literature becomes too intellectual — when it begins to ignore the passions, the emotions — it becomes sterile, silly, and actually without substance.' By the same token, we might say, 'if we become too emotional, ignoring intellect, we may become frivolous and superficial, losing decency and dignity.' Indeed, we should pursue the harmony of intellect and passion in our universities and society. In addition, the government should give autonomy to universities and refrain from interference. It also should encourage competition among universities because competition is what gives rise to legendary universities. Unless the goal of the project is to make everyone a graduate of Seoul National University without any competition, the government should instead make tremendous efforts toward building and sustaining ten first-class universities. It would be easy to share the name Seoul National University with local national universities. However, it would not be easy to make ten equally distinguished, first-class universities, even if they all bear that much-coveted name. Our politicians must overcome these obstacles if they want to pursue this project successfully. Alternatively, they may want to make prime universities compete with each other by giving incentives to those that excel. Recently, Sungkyunkwan University and Hanyang University have reportedly been competing with Seoul National, Korea and Yonsei universities. We do not need to wage a 'war against the academy.' Instead, we should make peace with the academy.
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Pennsylvania lawmakers clash over closing ‘Delaware' tax loophole
(WHTM) — A Pennsylvania Democrat proposed a bill to close a loophole that allowed big businesses to avoid paying state corporate taxes by establishing holding companies in Delaware. The Delaware Loophole allows large corporations to use a tax strategy to avoid paying state corporate taxes by establishing holding companies in Delaware. Democrats are moving to close the loophole, saying it would generate hundreds of millions of dollars for Pennsylvania. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Republicans counter that it would only make Pennsylvania less business-friendly than it already is. '73% of corporations active in our state pay no corporate taxes to the Commonwealth at all,' said State Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler (D-Philadelphia). '73%. They exploit loopholes to cheat Pennsylvania out of desperately needed tax dollars.' Rep. Fiedler proposed House Bill 1610, which would close the Delaware Loophole. She says it's a simple fix. 'If a national company sells 25% of its goods or services in Pennsylvania, it should pay PA taxes on that 25%,' said Rep. Fiedler. The bill requires what's called 'combined reporting.' 'Combined reporting is double taxation,' Sen. Greg Rothman (R-Cumberland/Perry/Dauphin) responded. 'It's going to drive companies out of Pennsylvania, and it's not fair.' Combined reporting has been around since 2004. Pro-business groups hate it, as they argue that they don't 'pay their fair share.' 'If businesses weren't paying their fair share, you'd have more businesses moving into Pennsylvania,' said Rep. Aaron Bernstein (R-Butler/Lawrence). 'Instead, businesses have been challenged and have moved out of Pennsylvania because of our high tax structure, because of the complications with it. We need to make our tax structure more competitive. This bill does not do that.' Democrats argue they've made pro-business tax code tweaks in recent years. Republicans say they've made tweaks to close the loophole. Twenty-eight states, including New York, New Jersey, and West Virginia, have combined reporting. 'Red states like Texas, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, and Utah. Blue states like Illinois, Michigan, Vermont, and Oregon,' said Rep. Mary Jo Daley (D-Montgomery County). However, in Pennsylvania, red and blue are not combining to move it. 'Everybody wants the lowest possible taxes,' said Rep. Michael Schlossberg (D-Lehigh). 'At the same time, we need to make the government operate.' Will Pennsylvania lawmakers legalize marijuana? Top lawmaker shares insight 'I look at this as just another tax hike on businesses in Pennsylvania,' said Rep. Keith Greiner (R-Lancaster). 'Incentivize and encourage people to come here.' House Democrats have the numbers to pass the bill in the House, which they expect to do on Wednesday. Then it's on to the Republican-controlled Senate, where the bill's fate is much more uncertain. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
TVA becomes first U.S. utility to apply for permit to build first modular nuclear reactor
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) became the first utility in the U.S. to apply for a permit to build the first modular nuclear reactor. A modular nuclear reactor is smaller in size and can be built more easily, faster, and cheaper than traditional reactors. The TVA announced this week that it submitted the first permit application to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to build a small, modular nuclear reactor. 'This is huge. Very exciting for the TVA, our region, and the nation,' Scott Fiedler, a spokesperson for the TVA said. The TVA hopes to build the reactor along the Clinch River in Oak Ridge. The permit application process took around three years, according to the TVA. It comes as Gov. Bill Lee pushes to make Tennessee a hub for nuclear energy. 'Nuclear energy has a lot of benefits,' Fiedler said. 'Number one, uranium. It's mined here in the United States and we have plenty of it. Two, very safe. Safe technology, we know a lot about it, highly regulated, and finally, it's extremely reliable and cheap. We want abundant, low-cost power to fuel American jobs, and nuclear is the way to go.' The Tennessee Valley Authority has already applied for an $800 million federal grant to help fund the project. Fiedler told News 2 nuclear energy will be the backbone of the power grid and drive the economy. 'Electricity, unlike any other commodity, gold, oil, it's truly now the building block of the economy,' Fiedler said. 'It will power our prosperity and drive American jobs, not only here in Tennessee, but if we can export this technology, it will drive a cleaner world, and all of that starts here in Tennessee.' ⏩ The NRC will review permit applications for two years. Then, there will be a six-month public comment period. The TVA can begin site preparations and non-nuclear construction as early as Jan. 2026. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Pa. awards $22.5 million in Solar for Schools grants to help 73 schools reduce energy costs
A solar array. (Robert Zullo/ States Newsroom) Pennsylvania has awarded grants totaling $22.5 million to 73 schools across the state to help pay for solar energy installations, the Commonwealth Financing Authority announced Tuesday. The awards under the Department of Community and Economic Development's Solar for Schools program will provide up to $500,000 to each school. The solar arrays they help pay for could save school districts millions of dollars in energy costs, state Rep. Elizabeth Fieldler (D-Philadelphia) said. 'I am so happy for each of these schools and excited to see names from nearly every corner of the state,' Fiedler, who introduced legislation to create the program last year, said. 'I've heard from rural schools who plan to include their solar panels in agricultural education and from city schools that are thinking strategically about rooftop solar with limited space. I have no doubt that the recipients will benefit from the program's flexibility to meet their school's needs and to make the most of their strengths.' The grant awards come as the legislature is preparing for the final month before the state budget is due June 30. The current budget included up to $25 million for the Solar for Schools program and Gov. Josh Shapiro has proposed to match that amount in the upcoming budget. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Fiedler's bill, which passed both chambers of the General Assembly with broad bipartisan support last summer, was created as a way to address the school funding crisis, rising utility costs and climate change together, her office said. 'As energy costs rise, diversifying our energy sources is more important than ever. Increased energy usage throughout the country also puts us at a higher risk because of the inadequate power grid,' state Sen. Camera Bartolotta (R-Greene) said. 'Schools that use solar panels will counteract that problem by improving Pennsylvania's energy security and lowering costs – saving millions of dollars of taxpayer money.' It also received strong support from building trade unions, whose members will benefit from the construction jobs the grants help to create. 'These new projects through Solar for Schools will open up doors for workers across the state,' said Robert S. Bair, president of the Pennsylvania Building Trades Council. 'Energy jobs are crucial in Pennsylvania. Labor needs to be on the forefront of growing industries like solar.' Union support was, in part, the result of a yearslong effort to strengthen relationships between environmental and labor advocates, who recognize the adoption of renewable energy sources requires skilled workers just as fossil fuel plants do. In the initial round of applications for Solar for School, districts from rural, suburban and urban areas requested $88 million, more than three times the amount available in the current budget. The grants awarded totaled less than the full $25 million because the money is divided between three regions and the DCED did not find enough qualifying applications in one of them, Fiedler said. While interest in renewable energy is growing and political support for such programs is broadening, solar energy still faces hurdles in state government. With the overwhelming response to the initial appropriation, Fiedler said she is hopeful that at least another $25 million Solar for Schools will be approved as part of the next budget. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
USA Today
26-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Kinsey Fiedler ties single-season Tennessee softball program record
Kinsey Fiedler ties single-season Tennessee softball program record No. 16 Ole Miss (34-12, 10-9 SEC) defeated No. 4 Tennessee (37-11, 12-7 SEC), 3-2, Friday at Ole Miss Softball Stadium in Oxford, Mississippi. Friday marked the Lady Vols' second consecutive loss after sweeping Auburn at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium. Despite a second straight loss, one Tennessee player tied a program record in the contest. Senior center fielder and leadoff hitter Kinsey Fiedler recorded her eighth triple of the 2025 season, tying Lindsay Schutzler's single-season mark for triples. Fiedler went 2-for-3 against Ole Miss, recording one RBI and one run. She is a Washington transfer, playing three seasons for the Huskies, and advanced to the 2023 Women's College World Series in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Fiedler was named to the Pac-12 All-Freshman Team in 2022. In 2025, Fiedler has started all 38 games for the Lady Vols. She has recorded a .390 batting average, totaling two home runs and 35 RBIs. Fiedler has recorded 53 hits, including six doubles and eight triples. She has scored 42 runs and has seven stolen bases. Follow Vols Wire on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).
