Incoming...

[Sandy Buttcheeks]

All these years, the world has been slagging off anything that says "Made in Korea", as being inferior and likely to fall apart. I'm betting there are certain missile makers that are having a good old chuckle about that now.   

[The Peepmaster]

Not sure that's true. Samsung leads the world in technology, and other renowned companies include Hyundai.

There's so much that's impressive about Seoul and its infrastructure, with "state of the art" technology everywhere. I was most impressed when I was there in 2011.

Not sure that North Korea exports much to the world, and I haven't been there yet. :-)

[Diane CBPFC]

I drive a Kia - it is zippy and awesome 

[Sandy Buttcheeks]

All these years, the world has been slagging off anything that says "Made in Korea", as being inferior and likely to fall apart. I'm betting there are certain missile makers that are having a good old chuckle about that now.   


Given the well documented quality of Korean produce today, I bet there are a few people pure shitting themselves right now.   

[The Peepmaster]

I was having a cup of tea with my sister-in-law yesterday, who is Korean. I was discussing the "crisis" with her, and she shrugged her shoulders as it's been something she and her family have lived with all her life.

She's a tough cookie herself. Just a few weeks ago she was on life support, having contracted an infection on top of a number of cancers, and the doctors warned my brother they were likely to have to switch the machine off. They said she's have had to have had the constitution of a young fit rugby player to have pulled through that!

[Sandy Buttcheeks]

Haven't I always said that Korea, and it's people, are known for build quality in every walk of life? I rest my case.   

[Malc]

Like a number of Asian cultures, the Koreans have the potential to control the world. "Made In Japan" was a gag punchline in the 60s and 70s, it's a guarantee of quality now. The Koreans are the next Japanese, and after them come the Chinese, the Vietnamese, Filipino, Indonesian and other cultures. This WILL be the Asian century, that is widely acknowledged, and it's down to the examples and sense of competition demonstrated not by Europe but by other Asian countries.
Fact is, Asia is happy to trade with Europe and America, but they actually don't NEED us.

[The Peepmaster]

I do remember that cheap toys often had the Made in Taiwan/Hong Kong/China tag. I still get crap from China (a recent laptop battery springs to mind).

[Sandy Buttcheeks]

I do remember that cheap toys often had the Made in Taiwan/Hong Kong/China tag. I still get crap from China (a recent laptop battery springs to mind).

I get my crap from ebay now. It saves me going from shop to shop for it.

[The Peepmaster]

Talking of emerging economies, this might interest you, Malc...

[Malc]

Yes, I've been aware of the Philippines potential for ages, the animation industry has been using Filipino (and Filipina) artists for TV projects. I do think that over the next 30 years it'll be a phenomenal growth area.

[Sandy Buttcheeks]

Yes, I've been aware of the Philippines potential for ages, the animation industry has been using Filipino (and Filipina) artists for TV projects. I do think that over the next 30 years it'll be a phenomenal growth area.

Must tell my son that. He's doing animation at Uni and it may be a good carrot to dangle to get him to leave the nest.   

[Malc]

I hope he's doing computer animation. 2D is dead, man...

[Sandy Buttcheeks]

He is, Malc. Coming to the end of his second year in 3D Computer Animation and putting together some fascinating stuff. It absolutely amazes me watching his projects develop from start to finish. I think he must have some rogue genes in him...it takes me to draw breath. 

[Malc]

Computer animation was in its infancy (in fact it was a foetus) when I did animation at college. 2D was all that was available, and my course only had two animation students, it was part of a graphic design department.
My oldest son did show an aptitude for animation, but made the mistake of enrolling at Carlisle, which taught students using irrelevant software (not used in the animation industry).

I ended up working on Dangermouse, but those were virtually the last days of British-made TV animation. If I had my time again I'd get my teeth into 3D Studio Max or some Maya software. I love CGI animation. Disney has closed down yet another drawn animation studio in the States, they seem to have come to the realization (as I did) that when a customer emerges from a computer animated movie, like Shrek, and sees an ad on the theatre lobby wall for a 2D animated movie, they experience a really unsympathetic reaction. You can't keep them down on the farm once they've seen Paree.