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■ Introduction: Where Has the Spirit of Democracy Gone? “Diversity.” “Freedom.” “Empathy.” These words are celebrated as modern virtues. Yet we must ask — do we still understand what they truly mean? In our time, emotion often overpowers reason , and social pressure replaces critical thought . The very core of democracy — the dignity of intelligence — is being quietly eroded. The foundation of democracy is not naïve optimism or empty tolerance. It is anger — a rational, moral anger against the suppression of thought itself. Democracy begins not in comfort, but in intellectual defiance. ■ The Birth of Democracy: Anger as an Act of Reason Historically, democracy has always emerged from a struggle against intellectual oppression. In ancient Athens, citizens challenged authority and debated in the open square. During the Enlightenment, thinkers defied monarchs and dogma, proclaiming that reason — not power — must govern human life. Behind every democratic movement lies the sa...

In our time, the word intelligence has been stripped of its depth. Society often equates intelligence with the amount of knowledge one possesses or the speed of mental processing . Worse still, intelligence has become a tool — used for self-interest, for manipulation, or as a banner for self-proclaimed “freedom” detached from responsibility. This is not intelligence. It is a childish imitation of intellect , an arrested stage of human maturity that has become normalized. True intelligence is far deeper than cleverness. It could rightly be called a philosophy of circulation and sustainability . 1. The Infantilization of Modern Intelligence Modern “intelligence” is often nothing more than cunning — the ability to exploit systems, people, or narratives for personal gain. Society applauds this as shrewdness, mistaking calculation for wisdom. We reward the tactician, not the thinker. Similarly, the notion of idealism as freedom has been corrupted. Freedom has been reduced t...

A society that abandons intelligence loses its sustainability, rationality, and harmony. This essay unpacks how intellectual stagnation—what I call “Stagnant Intelligence” —inevitably leads to regression and cultural decay. Prologue｜The Slow Collapse of an Unthinking Society The decay of a civilization does not begin with war or disaster. It begins the moment a society abandons intelligence . When people stop thinking and start conforming, when emotion replaces logic, and when stability is valued over truth, the collapse has already begun—quietly, imperceptibly. Intelligence is not the same as knowledge or education. It is the invisible architecture of sustainability, rationality, harmony, circulation, and dynamic balance that sustains any functioning society. A society detached from intelligence becomes a dying village —a community that still stands, yet no longer grows. I. The Loss of Sustainability — When the Future Disappears An intelligent society sees both the prese...

Societies often operate on layers that are invisible to everyday observation. Beneath visible economic activity lies a psychological and structural framework that sustains inequality, exploitation, and control. Authoritarian regimes, in particular, strategically use poverty—both domestically and internationally—to maximize governance efficiency and extend influence. This article explores the psychological and social structures behind domestic shadow economies and authoritarian governance , as well as their role in international power dynamics . 1. Poverty and Shadow Economies: The Domestic Perspective Many shadow economies rely not on free-market competition but on disposable labor . Low-income populations and socially vulnerable groups are forced to take high-risk jobs or accept unstable contracts. Organizations can replace labor easily while maximizing profit. The underlying psychology is simple: individuals endure risk and hardship for survival. This survival bias becomes a res...

In recent years, monetary policy has become a central topic worldwide. A crucial question arises: what does maintaining low interest rates truly mean for a nation’s economy? In fact, for countries where exports play a significant role in supporting the economy, maintaining low interest rates can be highly conducive to structural reform and economic improvement . This article examines why this is the case and why a nation’s inflation and deflation resilience is crucial. 1. Why Maintaining Low Interest Rates Matters: The Export-Supported Scenario Low interest rate policies are more than just a tool to reduce borrowing costs. In countries with active exports, they provide several key advantages: Stable foreign currency income : Export revenue stabilizes domestic liquidity even under low interest rates. Encouragement of investment : Firms can invest in equipment, productivity, and innovation at lower costs. Room for structural reform : Resources can be allocated to long-term produc...

When central banks raise interest rates, the official explanation is typically that this is an inflation control measure . However, in practice, rising interest rates do not always curb inflation. Instead, they often serve to stabilize the earnings of financial institutions . This article examines the theory versus the reality of interest rate hikes and explores their effects on the real economy. 1. The Official Explanation for Raising Interest Rates Central banks justify raising interest rates with the following logic: Higher interest rates → higher borrowing costs → reduced consumption and investment Slowing down an overheating economy → controlling price increases In theory, this functions as an inflation control measure While this makes sense in textbooks and on paper, real markets often do not behave in this idealized way. 2. The Reality: Earnings Stabilization for Financial Institutions In reality, rising interest rates create a favorable structure for financial insti...

■ Introduction: The Hollow Word “Adulthood” “Grow up.” We’ve all heard it — but what does it actually mean? For some, being an adult means holding a job, paying bills, or taking responsibility. But these are merely conditions , not essence . To me, adulthood is not a matter of age. It’s the ability — and the choice — to pursue intellect . That is, to seek understanding, to think deeply, to be willing to face truth even when it’s uncomfortable. Being an adult is not about how long you’ve lived — but how consciously you live. ■ Maturity Is Not Measured by Years Time alone does not make us wise. Experience itself means nothing unless it’s reflected upon. Consider this: There are young people capable of profound reflection and emotional awareness. And there are older people who still live reactively, never questioning their impulses. This tells us something essential: Maturity is not a byproduct of time — it’s a product of intention. To be an adult is to choose aware...