Maybe:

it is precisely the weirdness of Meon Nara that proves the stubbornness and ubiquity of the ugly ideological weed we call anti-Semitism. It is a weed most commonly found among those desperate for scapegoats -- such as failed Muslim societies and impoverished communist dictatorships. But South Korea ranks among the most dynamic, successful and well educated nations on Earth. The fact that Rhie's comic could become a best-seller in this sort of locale provides bizarre but convincing proof of Ruth Wisse's famous description of anti-Semitism as "the most successful ideology of the 20th century."

Why won't anti-Semitism die? The Muslim world's bloodthirsty demonization of Israel and the Jews who inhabit it obviously plays a major role. But another factor -- which is more relevant in capitalist, secular nations such as Korea -- is that Rhie's caricature of the all-powerful Jew, like all stereotypes and prejudices, has a tiny grain of truth behind it.

Thanks to agitation by outraged American -- most notably Rabbi Abraham Cooper of the Los Angeles-based Simon Wiesenthal Center, who travelled to Seoul last month -- Meon Nara's publisher is taking the book off store shelves.

"Are Jews Too Smart For Their Own Good?"

Not Rabbi Cooper.

Anti-Semitism has the same roots as anti-intellectualism--the perception of superiority without the power to justify it in the eyes of people for whom power is the only morality. There are also banal motives, such as the "uncoolness" of Jewish culture--a status shared with Russians and a few others, but made more prominent by being successful.

There are also banal motives, such as the "uncoolness" of Jewish culture--a status shared with Russians and a few others, but made more prominent by being successful

Which cultures ARE "cool" by this definition? While I can see how Jewish (or Russian, for that matter) culture may seem dreary and staid to someone not used to thinking, I suspect such people regard ALL cultures other than their own as "uncool".

Ilya: "Which cultures ARE "cool" by this definition?"

I gave no definition, but if we imagine "coolness" as imitation or consumption of cultural output we could say that the US, Japan, Hong Kong, Australia, Britain, Jamaica, Ireland, Italy, and Brazil are cool, among others.

Ilya: "While I can see how Jewish (or Russian, for that matter) culture may seem dreary and staid to someone not used to thinking"

The question is whether people who aren't part of those cultures affect their styles, not whether their virtues and accomplishments are appreciated. Taking umbrage at this fact is mindless and idiotic.

I can't speak for the US, Brian, but Japan, Hong Kong, Australia, Britain, Jamaica, Ireland, Italy, and Brazil aren't cultures, they're countries.

Jewish culture isn't exotic enough, that's the problem. It's too familiar to seem exotic and enticing.

Adrasteia: "Japan, Hong Kong, Australia, Britain, Jamaica, Ireland, Italy, and Brazil aren't cultures, they're countries."

Context is a big part of reading comprehension, wouldn't you say?

jaed: "Jewish culture isn't exotic enough, that's the problem. It's too familiar to seem exotic and enticing."

On the contrary, some elements of Jewish culture are quite exotic by virtue of age, but some exotic things are just strange without being particularly interesting or seductive. Seriously, who thinks King David is cooler than Rameses the Great? And he's the coolest Jew until Jesus.

Not to start off a "Top 10 coolest" list or anything but Einstein was extremely cool. Just to counter your Ramses vs. David example ^_^

Einstein was cool, but he never really participated in Jewish culture.

Well, I can certainly attest to this fact:

It isn't their culinary delights, that got them where they are, coolness or not.

Anyone with Matzah Balls?

:)
:o

:)
:o