Sparta

Cho Seung-hui

Yes, he said some bizarre things in his rant (about his children, how can you have children if you're dead?) but I think the temptation is there by people who want to talk and think about this to write it off as: bizarre, nuts, psycho.

On Sky and CNN this morning I saw some of the other students getting their 15 seconds of fame to make their comments. I don't think, even though they are there, they know what to say about Cho. Because obviously no one registered that he was there, unless it was for their amusement. The word loneliness comes up a helluva lot in descriptions of him. And loneliness is a mutual contract between the lonely and those who choose to exclude.

It's interesting how people will respond to this sort of thing. They'll say he (Cho) was mad, suffering mental disorders, they'll speculate about all those flaws that can be thrown together to say: 'he was bad'.
While I am not condoning his actions, I don't think it is fair to disconnect him from his environment and pretend that those around him had nothing to do with happened. If it took his roommate 9 months to figure out what he was studying, maybe it is fair to say:
how can a society live with itself when it is so disconnected?

When a community (in this case students) sees the suffering, unhappiness, disconnectedness of someone on a daily basis and reinforces it, ignores it etc. I think some responsibility rests on the good people (at V Tech and elsewhere) who did (and tend to do) nothing. People try to find somewhere to click, and are so busy fitting in and looking cool, they have no consciousness left for those left out. Even if someone is perpetually rude to you, and weird, if they have no friends and you do, you're always in the stronger position, and a smile and a few kind words can make all the difference. I know it sounds flowery, but to someone on the other side, in hell, it's a reprieve.

I also think one enormous positive that is emerging out of this is that people, including Westerners (Americans, Canadians etc) are taking a more serious look at Asians in the position of trying to hack it abroad. Not easy. And of course, Asians, especially South Koreans, will be taking a long overdue look at the enormous pressures they put on their children. I went out with a lawyer in Singapore who basically posponed her life (relationships, fun etc) just to get her degree and a job. An intelligent, attractive girl, by the time she was 27, she had still not been in a single relationship, and was still living with her folks (whom she owed for their sacrifice to put her through university).

I think the East-West relationship will be scrutinised more closely now, especially by Westerners in the East, and Asians working in the US and elsewhere.

The pressure on kids in Asia to study and perform at school and university (school more so) is staggering, even obscene. I often saw kids coming home at 10pm or midnight, having been attending extra classes all afternoon and evening. I have even taught kids in their apartments on Saturday's and Sundays.

Meanwhile, mention has been made that Cho was acting out his version of OLDBOY, a Korean blockbuster flick that shows a man who is locked up for 15 years who then goes on a rampage.
Our movies provide an interesting outlet for those individuals who can't cope. Movies become not just a place for escapsim, but obsession.


Home

Unlike my previous abode, this one has a garden and space. I don't mean to fill it up with books and magazines I have already read. Going to have a more spartan living space. Probably need to buy a bunch of huge pillows (just not poofs, please) for the lounge. Should be moved in and settled in by tomorrow.

Diary Card

Today I am heading to Dewetsdorp to shoot a beauty pageant. Mixed feelings. Feel I have so much other stuff to do. Wanted to go running this morning but way too tired. Maybe when I get back (what's the chance?).

Had lunch with Rone yesterday (who I met in Clocolan ages ago). Was a bit creepy for me saying grace in Cubana (a restaurant). When you sign your gratuity, I feel, is when you determine how grateful you are for your food.

Candice also called last night to say that Ane is pregnant. And Allan's Louise is pregnant too.

And Andre sms-ed me this morning to encourage me to do tomorrow's timetrial. He says: JY KAN WEN (You can win). Will go out and probably ride the Glen Route instead.