Hi! It's Editor.S with the 18th MNM. It’s already summer, and we need to take care of our health to avoid the heat. Let's give our best for the remaining days! Let's review this week's sessions. This week's sessions were truly exceptional, arguably the best we've had so far!

During the morning PSC session, we had a discussion about our homework for the past two weeks, "What have you sold?" To sell something, we need to consider marketing and profit, costs, and the importance of being interesting and appealing. Depending on whether we will be consumed or do the consuming, we need to think about how to position ourselves toward our target audience. This requires strategic planning! Determining a strategy ultimately comes down to knowing what you want! We need to have a clear understanding of what we desire in order to set goals and formulate strategies. Let's build upon our experiences of selling from the past two weeks and clarify what we want to sell, then create a strategy on how to sell it effectively!

The session by Professor Kim** from the College of Engineering, which revolved around the theme of humanity and creativity, was highly praised as "the best session so far" by some participants due to the incredible insights shared. We discussed whether AI can have emotions, empathy, and creativity. We explored the concept of "humanity" and discovered that the structure of the universe and the structure of human thoughts are remarkably similar. It was fascinating to realize that there are a few differences between how the universe is created and how human thinking is structured. Before embarking on new endeavors, it's beneficial to delve into how historical figures approached similar situations and seek guidance on making decisions for the next steps. What does it mean to engage in creative work? It seems that being creative is an innate trait. Have you heard of "The Little Mermaid" story? The youngest mermaid princess was highly curious and had a strong imagination. While her sisters had no interest, she secretly loved a prince from afar. In her overwhelming love, she traded her tail for legs, gave up her voice, and turned into sea foam. It's important to choose one thing and not become a mere bubble! Let's utilize our innate creative traits to turn impossibilities into possibilities, solve societal issues, and innovate!

In the morning, during the Soul of Leadership session, we explored the theme "Good is the enemy of great. That's why so few things become great." We discovered that greatness is achievable when the disciplined thinking of disciplined individuals leads to sustained, consistent actions. So, how can we develop discipline? We discussed the importance of keeping the mission at the forefront by focusing on something more, sharing the vision, and returning to the mission. Through group discussions on what each of us is focusing on, beyond mere profitability, in our respective tasks, we learned the importance of clarifying the organization's vision and providing equal value to both colleagues and customers through shared stories.

In the afternoon session, we were honored to have Director Nabi No So-young join us, and it was a time that truly elevated the intensity of the discussion. The question of what constitutes the right path for each individual was at the forefront. Although we often find ourselves deeply contemplating this question throughout our lives, we often neglect to truly understand who we are at our core. Instead of relying solely on our intellect to make decisions and judgments, we must learn to listen to the stories our bodies have to tell. Despite the tendency to be constantly swayed by external influences, we must train ourselves to be keenly attuned to our bodies' reactions and gain self-awareness. It felt like delving into a profound philosophical lesson after a long time. Do you happen to recall the distinctions between Eastern and Western cultures? By comparing Eastern and Western paintings, we were able to grasp a better understanding.

Eastern art, often referred to as Eastern painting, is typically viewed from a first-person perspective. It strives to present a consistent image that retains its identity regardless of the observer or the location. Furthermore, Eastern paintings incorporate calligraphy within the artwork, treating the written text and the visual representation as interconnected entities. This perspective asserts that the text and the image are intrinsically linked. Ultimately, Eastern art values the concept of harmony. On the other hand, when examining Western paintings, we often notice a focus on a singular perspective. There is an evident presence of logic, systemization, and linear thinking. The pursuit of meticulous detail led to the establishment of laws within the Western art tradition, emphasizing cause and effect and a text-centered, linear mode of thinking. As we find ourselves in the 21st century, hailed as the era of the East, let us embrace an image-centric age and view our lives with a sense of longing, excitement, and curiosity. Let us reflect upon our position and purpose while considering the bigger picture and live our lives accordingly!

Looking back at the sessions held this week at METES, we learned a lot. METES continues to offer various sessions to support the growth and development of makers and help with their projects and businesses. We'll keep you updated with METES’s news every week and support your challenges and growth as a maker! Let us know if you need anything!