Here are some good examples from QR#4.
Jessi Koo
Daniel Armand Lee, better known as the rapper-poet “Tablo” from the Korean group Epik High, is well-respected among the SIS community as an alumni graduate of 1998. However, netizens formed an online community called “We request Tablo the truth” and accused Daniel of lying about his Stanford degree and committing fraud. To set the facts straight, Mr. Fred Schneider was interviewed for an MBC television episode called “MBC Special” regarding the debate on the truth about Tablo.
Tiger’s Eye questioned Mr. Schneider and others on their thoughts about the issue.
Tiger’s Eye: When were you interviewed?
Mr. Schneider: MBC attempted to get the records straight and put the facts out there so they contacted the school and the producer came with a camera crew to interview me from 4:30 to 5:30. Just in case they might manipulate my words and cut certain parts, Mr. Cho also video-taped the entire interview separately.
Tiger’s Eye: Can you describe the Tablo controversy?
Mr. Scheinder: People said that Tablo didn’t go to Stanford; that his name, Daniel Armand Lee, isn’t his real name; and that he couldn’t have done what he did in high school and keep his grades up at the same time. [While he was in high school,] He wrote music for Kim Gun Mo, one of the hottest singers at the time, participated in visual theater, drama, and played soccer. They [netizens] believe that grades are everything to get into university, but clearly that’s not the case. He [Tablo] went to Stanford because he has individuality.
Tiger’s Eye: How would you describe Tablo?
Mr. Schneider: He is a very creative and intelligent individual. He was the yearbook editor-in-chief and a literature person. When he applied Early Decision to Stanford he wanted in and out as fast as possible so he attended a maximum number of summer classes and eventually got out after three and a half years, achieving both a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature and Master’s Degree in Creative Writing. That’s not something anyone can do.
Tiger’s Eye: How did Tablo take this situation? Did you get to meet him?
Mr. Schneider: No, I didn’t get to meet him but I did talk to him on the phone. He was mortified and he didn’t go out. His brother was also harassed.
Tiger’s Eye: Would you say that the netizens went all-out on Tablo because they were jealous?
Mr. Schneider: In the end it comes down to that [jealousy].
Tiger’s Eye: What is the psychological mindset of the people who accuse Tablo of fraud?
Mr. Damon Six: It’s called stupidity. (laughs) Well, I’d say that it’s true cognitive dissonance at work. The truth only strengthens their rationalization and argument that they’re correct.
Tiger’s Eye: What do you think about the Tablo controversy?
Ted Kim (12): It is beyond retardation. Why do they even bother? What do they achieve from it?
Jaimi Kim (12): How do you even explain that [Tablo controversy] without using any curse words?
Jeanne Han (9): I don’t think it really affects us as students so I don’t have any strong opinions about Tablo.
Yong Cha (10): I don’t really have an opinion but I know that it’s pretty heave heat and controversial. The government should do something about it.
David Lim (11): It’s ridiculous. It’s degrading the Korean society because they [Koreans] don’t even believe the Stanford professor who they have been “admiring” for the past 100 years.
Tiger’s Eye: If you could meet the netizens, what would you tell them?
Ted Kim (12): You’re pathetic.
Jaimi Kim (12): Nothing. They must have so little to do in their lives that they go on to ruin someone else’s.
Jeanne Han (9): I think that everyone has different situations. Since they weren’t in the situation I don’t think they should judge him in any way. They should just let him be.
David Lim (11): Are you that lifeless? Go find something productive to do.
Tiger’s Eye questioned Mr. Schneider and others on their thoughts about the issue.
Tiger’s Eye: When were you interviewed?
Mr. Schneider: MBC attempted to get the records straight and put the facts out there so they contacted the school and the producer came with a camera crew to interview me from 4:30 to 5:30. Just in case they might manipulate my words and cut certain parts, Mr. Cho also video-taped the entire interview separately.
Tiger’s Eye: Can you describe the Tablo controversy?
Mr. Scheinder: People said that Tablo didn’t go to Stanford; that his name, Daniel Armand Lee, isn’t his real name; and that he couldn’t have done what he did in high school and keep his grades up at the same time. [While he was in high school,] He wrote music for Kim Gun Mo, one of the hottest singers at the time, participated in visual theater, drama, and played soccer. They [netizens] believe that grades are everything to get into university, but clearly that’s not the case. He [Tablo] went to Stanford because he has individuality.
Tiger’s Eye: How would you describe Tablo?
Mr. Schneider: He is a very creative and intelligent individual. He was the yearbook editor-in-chief and a literature person. When he applied Early Decision to Stanford he wanted in and out as fast as possible so he attended a maximum number of summer classes and eventually got out after three and a half years, achieving both a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature and Master’s Degree in Creative Writing. That’s not something anyone can do.
Tiger’s Eye: How did Tablo take this situation? Did you get to meet him?
Mr. Schneider: No, I didn’t get to meet him but I did talk to him on the phone. He was mortified and he didn’t go out. His brother was also harassed.
Tiger’s Eye: Would you say that the netizens went all-out on Tablo because they were jealous?
Mr. Schneider: In the end it comes down to that [jealousy].
Tiger’s Eye: What is the psychological mindset of the people who accuse Tablo of fraud?
Mr. Damon Six: It’s called stupidity. (laughs) Well, I’d say that it’s true cognitive dissonance at work. The truth only strengthens their rationalization and argument that they’re correct.
Tiger’s Eye: What do you think about the Tablo controversy?
Ted Kim (12): It is beyond retardation. Why do they even bother? What do they achieve from it?
Jaimi Kim (12): How do you even explain that [Tablo controversy] without using any curse words?
Jeanne Han (9): I don’t think it really affects us as students so I don’t have any strong opinions about Tablo.
Yong Cha (10): I don’t really have an opinion but I know that it’s pretty heave heat and controversial. The government should do something about it.
David Lim (11): It’s ridiculous. It’s degrading the Korean society because they [Koreans] don’t even believe the Stanford professor who they have been “admiring” for the past 100 years.
Tiger’s Eye: If you could meet the netizens, what would you tell them?
Ted Kim (12): You’re pathetic.
Jaimi Kim (12): Nothing. They must have so little to do in their lives that they go on to ruin someone else’s.
Jeanne Han (9): I think that everyone has different situations. Since they weren’t in the situation I don’t think they should judge him in any way. They should just let him be.
David Lim (11): Are you that lifeless? Go find something productive to do.
Michelle Lee
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