Munhak Jin
@munhakjin.bsky.social
The exiled East Asianist in far-off Tatooine...also known as Merced.
Reposted by Munhak Jin
"The value of art is not how much it costs and how little effort it requires, it's how much you would risk to be in its presence"
October 24, 2025 at 1:45 PM
"The value of art is not how much it costs and how little effort it requires, it's how much you would risk to be in its presence"
I'm always surprised to see foreign exchange students here. If I had the chance, I'd like to ask them this:
What are you doing in California's Tatooine of all places? If there's a bright center in the universe, you're definitely on the planet it's farthest from.
What are you doing in California's Tatooine of all places? If there's a bright center in the universe, you're definitely on the planet it's farthest from.
October 5, 2025 at 4:41 PM
I'm always surprised to see foreign exchange students here. If I had the chance, I'd like to ask them this:
What are you doing in California's Tatooine of all places? If there's a bright center in the universe, you're definitely on the planet it's farthest from.
What are you doing in California's Tatooine of all places? If there's a bright center in the universe, you're definitely on the planet it's farthest from.
The "K-Pop Demon Hunters" soundtrack was playing on Merced's local radio station, which almost exclusively focuses on 80s-90s music. And I can't get "Soda Pop" unstuck from my head. It truly is the age of 末法.
September 19, 2025 at 3:27 PM
The "K-Pop Demon Hunters" soundtrack was playing on Merced's local radio station, which almost exclusively focuses on 80s-90s music. And I can't get "Soda Pop" unstuck from my head. It truly is the age of 末法.
History isn’t about learning the supposed glories of the past; it’s about marveling over our never ending stupidity.
September 11, 2025 at 4:01 PM
History isn’t about learning the supposed glories of the past; it’s about marveling over our never ending stupidity.
There seems to be a pattern here. Every time I talk about the collapse of an order in a historical era, whether it's the fall of the Ming Dynasty or the descent into the Genpei War in the Heian Period, something crazy happens.
September 10, 2025 at 10:43 PM
There seems to be a pattern here. Every time I talk about the collapse of an order in a historical era, whether it's the fall of the Ming Dynasty or the descent into the Genpei War in the Heian Period, something crazy happens.
Two pieces of advice I give incoming freshmen:
1) Writing is a skill to be developed. Our writing often starts out as garbage. My writing as a student was also garbage, so don't be afraid to write.
2) Go to any campus event to score free food. Nothing is free beyond campus. Be shameless.
1) Writing is a skill to be developed. Our writing often starts out as garbage. My writing as a student was also garbage, so don't be afraid to write.
2) Go to any campus event to score free food. Nothing is free beyond campus. Be shameless.
August 29, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Two pieces of advice I give incoming freshmen:
1) Writing is a skill to be developed. Our writing often starts out as garbage. My writing as a student was also garbage, so don't be afraid to write.
2) Go to any campus event to score free food. Nothing is free beyond campus. Be shameless.
1) Writing is a skill to be developed. Our writing often starts out as garbage. My writing as a student was also garbage, so don't be afraid to write.
2) Go to any campus event to score free food. Nothing is free beyond campus. Be shameless.
Now that we have a Tangut language workshop hosted by the CMRS Center for Early Global Studies this summer, I'd definitely like to see workshops for 'Phags-pa, Khitan, or Jurchen.
July 24, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Now that we have a Tangut language workshop hosted by the CMRS Center for Early Global Studies this summer, I'd definitely like to see workshops for 'Phags-pa, Khitan, or Jurchen.
A paradox of fools: people who go out of their way to waste their time to post a comment about how they "don't care" on some random media outlet that already clearly does not align with their political identity. Doesn't that in itself indicate that they actually care enough to waste their time?
June 26, 2025 at 8:11 PM
A paradox of fools: people who go out of their way to waste their time to post a comment about how they "don't care" on some random media outlet that already clearly does not align with their political identity. Doesn't that in itself indicate that they actually care enough to waste their time?
Dear academics: if you’re going to contact me about a collaboration and if I respond positively in a prompt manner, don’t be an ass and ghost me. I get we’re all busy, but that doesn’t give you license to waste my time.
June 19, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Dear academics: if you’re going to contact me about a collaboration and if I respond positively in a prompt manner, don’t be an ass and ghost me. I get we’re all busy, but that doesn’t give you license to waste my time.
Reposted by Munhak Jin
June 17, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Certainly worth a read
I wrote a short column reflecting on the transnational reach and popularity of the 4B movement. Check it out here:
www.flowjournal.org/2025/02/retu...
www.flowjournal.org/2025/02/retu...
May 15, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Certainly worth a read
Reposted by Munhak Jin
Reposted by Munhak Jin
4 Copy Editors Killed In Ongoing AP Style, Chicago Manual Gang Violence
theonion.com/4-copy-...
theonion.com/4-copy-...
April 29, 2025 at 2:00 PM
4 Copy Editors Killed In Ongoing AP Style, Chicago Manual Gang Violence
theonion.com/4-copy-...
theonion.com/4-copy-...
Reposted by Munhak Jin
Chuck Schumer makes it to the New Yorker cartoon section. And not in a good way. Chuck, this is your legacy unless you seriously step up.
@schumer.senate.gov
@schumer.senate.gov
April 28, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Chuck Schumer makes it to the New Yorker cartoon section. And not in a good way. Chuck, this is your legacy unless you seriously step up.
@schumer.senate.gov
@schumer.senate.gov
Reposted by Munhak Jin
Hwaet!
We Gàr-dena in geárdagum...
We Gàr-dena in geárdagum...
April 24, 2025 at 7:15 AM
Hwaet!
We Gàr-dena in geárdagum...
We Gàr-dena in geárdagum...
Undergrads are referring to the '80s and '90s as the "late 1900s" now. Way to make me feel older.
April 16, 2025 at 10:37 PM
Undergrads are referring to the '80s and '90s as the "late 1900s" now. Way to make me feel older.
Reposted by Munhak Jin
Members of Congress should never be allowed to trade stocks. Period.
April 9, 2025 at 10:35 PM
Members of Congress should never be allowed to trade stocks. Period.
Reposted by Munhak Jin
“By mobilizing military and police forces to undermine the powers of constitutional institutions…and to infringe upon the basic rights of the people, the respondent abandoned his duty to uphold the Constitution and gravely betrayed the trust of the sovereign people of the Republic of Korea.” 1/
April 4, 2025 at 4:43 AM
“By mobilizing military and police forces to undermine the powers of constitutional institutions…and to infringe upon the basic rights of the people, the respondent abandoned his duty to uphold the Constitution and gravely betrayed the trust of the sovereign people of the Republic of Korea.” 1/
Reposted by Munhak Jin
I have a soft spot for Star Wars memes so forgive me for sharing them from time to time. Snorted out loud at this one.
March 26, 2025 at 2:08 AM
I have a soft spot for Star Wars memes so forgive me for sharing them from time to time. Snorted out loud at this one.
Reposted by Munhak Jin
The History of Political Authority
existentialcomics.com/comic/595
existentialcomics.com/comic/595
March 24, 2025 at 4:27 PM
The History of Political Authority
existentialcomics.com/comic/595
existentialcomics.com/comic/595
Growing up in a remote island in the Pacific, I had a naive romanticized view of what the mainland would be like. But then my first impression upon moving here in 1998 was the realization that people here can be really shitty.
March 21, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Growing up in a remote island in the Pacific, I had a naive romanticized view of what the mainland would be like. But then my first impression upon moving here in 1998 was the realization that people here can be really shitty.
I should add a new note on my syllabi: "If you're going to ask me to write you a letter of recommendation, you had better 1) make it clear that you're actually serious; and 2) take my class seriously and actually submit assignments." Just because I seem nice doesn't mean I'm friendly.
March 13, 2025 at 3:48 PM
I should add a new note on my syllabi: "If you're going to ask me to write you a letter of recommendation, you had better 1) make it clear that you're actually serious; and 2) take my class seriously and actually submit assignments." Just because I seem nice doesn't mean I'm friendly.
Random thought of the day: if we had themed sandwiches based on philosophers, what would they be? I had a thought of a sandwich with an everything bagel bun with filling that consists of ingredients that normally would clash but come out with a synthesis of flavor. It'd be called "Hegel my Bagel."
January 29, 2025 at 11:33 PM
Random thought of the day: if we had themed sandwiches based on philosophers, what would they be? I had a thought of a sandwich with an everything bagel bun with filling that consists of ingredients that normally would clash but come out with a synthesis of flavor. It'd be called "Hegel my Bagel."