Future Yet to Come: Sociotechnical Imaginaries in Modern Korea

South Korea's rapid technological advancement is attributed to government support for science and technology. Future Yet to Come explores how sociotechnical imaginaries have shaped Korea's scientific, medical, and technological projects, highlighting the country's unique culture and language. The book emphasizes the interconnection of science, medicine, and technology with politics, corporations, and society and their impact on the human condition. It appeals to students and scholars of Korean and East Asian studies, as well as those interested in comparative medicine, STS, art history, media studies, transnationalism, diaspora, and postcolonialism.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 284 pages
Publication date: 30 June 2022
Publisher: University of Hawai'i Press

South Korea is a country that boasts cutting-edge electronics, state-of-the-art medical facilities, and ubiquitous high-speed internet. Its remarkable journey from the ashes of the Korean War (1950-1953) to rank among the world's most technologically advanced societies is often attributed to the state's proactive promotion of science and technology in nation-building projects. This book, titled "Future Yet to Come," argues that a longer historical arc and a broader disciplinary approach are necessary to fully understand these transformations.

The contributors to this book shed light on the sociotechnical imaginaries that have shaped, sustained, and contested Korea's scientific, medical, and technological projects in pursuit of desired futures. With a particular focus on visual culture and the life sciences, the essays present competing visions held by individuals and institutions of power regarding the use and purpose of scientific engagements. They showcase Korean specificities in culture and language, as well as the myriad social, political, spatial, and symbolic arrangements that have influenced the incorporation of and changes to existing systems of knowledge and material practices.

The book explores a wide range of topics, including moral epistemologies, imperialist or developmentalist tendencies in public health regimes, and the new configurations of the self enabled by bio industries and media technologies. By expanding both the regional and global understanding of translation, accommodation, and transfer, it contributes to a deeper understanding of the complexities involved in these processes.

Tracing imaginaries across the vicissitudes of Korea's past serves as a way to recall its history and make visible its shifts and resilience in dynamic political economies. It reminds us of the deep interconnectedness of science, technology, and society and the importance of considering the long-term consequences of our actions.

In conclusion, "Future Yet to Come" is a valuable contribution to the field of science and technology studies, offering a comprehensive and interdisciplinary perspective on Korea's technological advancements and their societal implications. It provides insights into the complex processes of translation, accommodation, and transfer and sheds light on the competing visions and dynamics that have shaped Korea's scientific, medical, and technological projects. By exploring the past and present, this book contributes to a better understanding of the future and the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.

Weight: 478g
Dimension: 153 x 229 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780824889630