[theshadow]

Fascinating. This article (esp the part about young people not even thinking about their future knowing its already decided for them) reminds me of the novel 'Never Let Me Go' by Kazuo Ishiguro. Great novel but one of the criticism directed at the novel is "why are certain characters so passive towards their condition", "why don't they do something about it"? An instilled sense of duty is indeed a very powerful motivator.

[allochthon]

Every time I read about life in North Korea I'm reminded of "Meeks," a spooky little novel by Julia Holmes. Nothing in the book says it's about North Korea, but I think she must have been inspired by it.

[skyraider]

Sense of duty, or the realization that you are powerless to resist the iron grip of the state? Maybe both..