Samantha Harvey’s “Orbital,” the 2024 Booker Prize winner, is not a novel about space exploration as technological triumph, but an ethical meditation on human ambition, fragility and perspective. Structured around a single day in orbit, the novel follows six astronauts and cosmonauts from different nations — Nell (United States), Roman and Anton (Russia), Pietro (Italy), Chie (Japan) and Shaun (United Kingdom) — whose interior lives form an existential constellation rather than a collective mission narrative. Through their diverse responses to life in orbit, “Orbital” asks the meaning of exploration itself and questions whether humanity’s reach beyond Earth reflects curiosity and care, or arrogance and denial. Each character embodies a distinct mode of engaging with meaning under conditions of radical displacement. Shaun seeks coherence through religious faith and art, yet remains divided between wonder and grief, articulating human consciousness as “a labyrinth of mirrors.” Chie carries the quiet devastation of her mother’s death, a loss intensified by the surre
Humility, perspective, human ambition in Samantha Harvey’s ‘Orbital’
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- Humility, perspective, human ambition in Samantha Harvey’s ‘Orbital’
Samantha Harvey’s “Orbital,” the 2024 Booker Prize winner, is not a novel about space exploration as technological triumph, but an ethical meditation on human ambition, fragility and perspective. Structured around a single day in orbit, the novel follows six astronauts and cosmonauts from different nations — Nell (United States), Roman and Anton (Russia), Pietro (Italy), Chie (Japan) and Shaun (United… Read more: Humility, perspective, human ambition in Samantha Harvey’s ‘Orbital’ - Superintelligence is not the answer to climate changePRINCETON – A variant of religious fervor, one that trades in GPUs rather than gospel, is sweeping through Silicon Valley. The dizzying valuations of AI startups that may never be profitable, and massive capital investment, have fueled debate on whether this euphoria constitutes a bubble. Skeptics see financial mania, whereas AI evangelists herald the birth of a digital deity. For… Read more: Superintelligence is not the answer to climate change
- SK Innovation E&S begins production at Australian gas fieldSK Innovation E&S, the energy unit of Korea’s SK Group, said Tuesday it has begun production at an offshore gas field in Australia in which it invested 14 years ago. The initial cargo of liquefied natural gas (LNG) produced at the Barossa gas field, located about 300 kilometers off Australia’s northwestern coast, has been transported to the nearby Darwin LNG… Read more: SK Innovation E&S begins production at Australian gas field
- Rare first edition of Chae Man-sik’s ‘The Muddy Current’ enters National Hangeul MuseumTo mark the centennial of Hangeul Day, the National Hangeul Museum is stepping up its drive to expand its collection of cultural heritage associated with the Korean alphabet, with a focus on public donations. Designating 2026 as the Year of Hangeul Heritage Donations, the museum is launching a nationwide campaign to encourage the sharing and preservation of materials that embody… Read more: Rare first edition of Chae Man-sik’s ‘The Muddy Current’ enters National Hangeul Museum
- WEDNESDAY, Jan. 28, 20261521-Holy Roman Emperor Charles V opens the Diet of Worms in Worms, Germany, which lasts until May 25 and produces the “Edict of Worms” denouncing Martin Luther 1807-London’s Pall Mall becomes the first street lit by gaslight 1813-Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” is published by Thomas Egerton in the United Kingdom 1819-British colonial officer Stamford Raffles lands in Singapore 1933-The… Read more: WEDNESDAY, Jan. 28, 2026
Latest Entertainment from Korea
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- Breaking Boundaries: ifeye × KITTO Taiwan Redefine Visual Storytelling in the January 2026 Pictorial — A Fusion of Innovation & IdentityPhoto Credits: Hi-Hat Entertainment The Convergence of Vision and Identity The January 2026 Pictorial from ifeye × KITTO Taiwan marks a defining moment in East Asian creative media. Framed as both a celebration and an evolution, the collaboration bridges art direction, fashion narrative, and technological fluidity to capture a new generation’s pulse. More than a photoshoot, this issue acts as a visual manifesto—an exploration of… Read more: Breaking Boundaries: ifeye × KITTO Taiwan Redefine Visual Storytelling in the January 2026 Pictorial — A Fusion of Innovation & Identity
- Xiaoting in Full Bloom: Kep1er’s Shining Star Redefines Power, Grace, and Global Glamour in Wonderland China’s January 2026 Cover StoryPhoto Credits: KLAP ENTERTAINMENT Kep1er’s Xiaoting Captures the Moment Kep1er’s Shen Xiaoting steps into 2026 as a muse of modern elegance, fronting the January 2026 Wonderland China cover with an aura that’s both futuristic and fiercely grounded. As one of the brightest stars of her generation, Xiaoting embodies the balance between aspiration and artistry that defines global pop’s next chapter. “Confidence is not just… Read more: Xiaoting in Full Bloom: Kep1er’s Shining Star Redefines Power, Grace, and Global Glamour in Wonderland China’s January 2026 Cover Story
- BTS’s V Radiates Timeless Charisma in GQ Korea x Cartier’s February 2026 Cover: A Monument to Modern Elegance and Emotional PrecisionPhoto Credits: GQ Korea – Cartier – BigHit Music. – BTS V x Cartier: The Sound of Stillness and Strength For GQ Korea’s February 2026 issue, the cover unfolds like a cinematic confession. BTS’s V (Kim Taehyung)—known for his magnetic duality of mystery and warmth—joins forces with Cartier, the house synonymous with precision, artistry, and legacy. Together, they create a visual symphony that celebrates… Read more: BTS’s V Radiates Timeless Charisma in GQ Korea x Cartier’s February 2026 Cover: A Monument to Modern Elegance and Emotional Precision
Learn People & History of Korea
- The Evolution of Busan: A Historical Journey Through South Korea’s Second Largest Metropolitan CityAncient Beginnings: The Founding of Busan Busan, known as the second largest metropolitan city in South Korea, has a rich history that dates back to ancient times. The earliest recorded existence of Busan can be traced to the Goryeo Dynasty, where it was referenced as a vital coastal settlement. Its strategic location along the southeastern coast of the Korean Peninsula… Read more: The Evolution of Busan: A Historical Journey Through South Korea’s Second Largest Metropolitan City
- The Evolution of Pyongyang: A Journey Through History, Economy, and Political DynamicsIntroduction to Pyongyang Pyongyang, the capital city of North Korea, serves as a prominent symbol of the nation’s history and culture. Geographically located on the banks of the Taedong River, in the southwest part of the country, Pyongyang is situated within a strategic area that has historically facilitated trade and cultural exchange. The city’s origins can be traced back to… Read more: The Evolution of Pyongyang: A Journey Through History, Economy, and Political Dynamics
- The Evolution of Seoul: From Ancient Korea to Modern Metropolis and BeyondAncient Beginnings: The Founding of Seoul The city of Seoul, known today as the vibrant capital of South Korea, has ancient roots that trace back to the Three Kingdoms period of Korea, specifically the kingdoms of Baekje and Silla. Evidence suggests that Seoul was originally established as a settlement given its strategic geographical advantages. Nestled within the Han River basin,… Read more: The Evolution of Seoul: From Ancient Korea to Modern Metropolis and Beyond
- Exploring Korean Traditional Games in Squid Game: From Season 2 to Upcoming Season 3Introduction to Korean Traditional Games Korean traditional games have long been an integral part of the country’s cultural landscape, offering more than mere entertainment. These games, which range from simple children’s pastimes to complex community activities, hold significant cultural significance and often serve as a means of preserving history and promoting social interaction. Rooted in centuries of tradition, these games… Read more: Exploring Korean Traditional Games in Squid Game: From Season 2 to Upcoming Season 3
- Unveiling the Past and Present of Saju: The Art of Korean Fortune TellingIntroduction to Saju Saju, a traditional Korean fortune-telling practice, is an intricate art that seeks to interpret an individual’s fate based on their birth date and time. The term “Saju” translates to “four pillars” in English, referring to the four critical components derived from these time markers: year, month, day, and hour. This method holds significant cultural value within South… Read more: Unveiling the Past and Present of Saju: The Art of Korean Fortune Telling
