Theme: Reply: to the Uncertain

Uncertainty lies in the future that we can only imagine in the present. The past, that we can only look back through historical fragments left to us, is also clouded by uncertainty.…and from these unknown worlds of the future and the past, come questions. At TEDxSNU 2020 Summer, we would like to talk about those who reply to these questions which arise from the uncertain and the unknown.

Let us picture ourselves in a forest surrounded by thick fog. Front and back, all we can see is the white sheet of fog. We can’t even really determine where we are. Yet, we cannot wait for the fog to clear. We may not know where to go, or how to get to where we must – we may not know if this is the right way. Nonetheless, we must go forth, step by step, into the uncertainty that lies ahead.

Each step we take is a reply that we offer to the world full of uncertainty – and each step, not knowing where to go, can go anywhere. As we go forward with each step, our step can lead us to someone else, lost in the fog, and we may talk about the past that we walked by, and the future that we can walk together. We may even find out where we are now.

We want to hear ideas worth spreading that are found in the blurry past and the future yet to be pioneered. Through the event of TEDxSNU, we would like to use the opportunity to share ideas with one another, and maybe, with what we learned from the event, we can confidently step into the world of uncertainty. At TEDxSNU 2020 Summer, we would like to hear from those who voice their replies in the world fogged with uncertainty. Please join us at TEDxSNU to share your idea worth spreading.

KB Chung-choon Maru
Hongik-ro 18, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Seoul, Seoul Teugbyeolsi, 04055
South Korea

C-yoon Kim

professor at Konkuk University School of Medicine

Cryopreserved human is a favorite subject for movies or novels, which is commonly regarded as just science fiction. However, Scientist C-Yoon Kim, as a professor and scientist studying cryonics, believes that human being cryopreserved is not just science fiction as a lot of things are becoming possible these days. Actually, the science and technologies have progressed enough to make the fantasy about cryopreservation come closer to actualisation. Although many things are still unclear, scientist C-Yoon Kim continues his research on thawing procedure that is not yet fully developed and contemplates the various ethical issues accompanied with cryopreservation services. Even if it is uncertain whether his steps will lead us to realization of our imagination, his steps are also bringing other imaginations to reality. Stories of scientist C-Yoon Kim may help you envisage a possibility beyond fantasy.

Inmo Yang

Violinist

What comes to mind when you think of 'classical music'? Music pieces―written by many composers such as Beethoven, Schuman and Paganini―are reborn as the specific sound and reach the audiences by the instrumental musicians. In the process of performing the music, which appears in variable ways in accordance with the composers' original intention and the musicians' interpretation, instrumental musicians distill myriads of thoughts and values. Violinist Inmo Yang, who recreates the music of maestros including Paganini in a perfect and creative way, will talk about the instrumental musicians' role as a messenger ―connecting the composer with audiences―and the value of the classical music.

Joosam Kim

Art restorer

Joosam Kim is an art restorer. All masterpieces of artists cannot be as perfect as you can see in a book over the years. All artworks are injured and scarred over the course of time. Working to preserve the value of these artworks, he provides optimal diagnosis and treatment of the condition of the artworks hidden in the fog. He notes that rather than aiming to improve the current state of the piece, it is more important to not damage it even further. He will tell you the story of constantly challenging himself and discovering the meaning of the preservation of injured and wounded artworks so that they may not be forgotten.

Kyogu Lee

Professor at the Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology at Seoul National University

Can a computer become a musician like Bach? It is hard, at first, to imagine a computer compose and perform music inciting human sentimentality – or, at least, to the extent that Bach’s compositions reach out to our feelings. In fact, many would say that such thought is merely a blind, uncertain possibility of the future. Yet, Professor Kyogu Lee gives us a technical insight into such uncertainty. Listening to his pioneering research on Machine Musicianship and Acoustic Analysis, why don’t we let ourselves enjoy the music of the future where machines compose and perform?

San Hong

Photographer

San Hong is a photographer. She believes that uncertainty of death ironically enhances the value of death, and that, in turn, can function as power of our life. Based on this thought, she has planned and operated the project called 'A memorial photo for funeral' since 2018. A stranger is invited to talk about death and life, and take a photo. San Hong desires that this experience can allow people, who stick to moving forward, to deliberate another goal of life. She thinks that taking deep roots that can sustain life and carrying out them is the most important thing in the uncertainty of life, rather than merely trying to move forward.