Patrick Thomsen’s story, and ultimately his research, was personal to him. His exposure to multiple cultural perceptions as a gay man led to his investigation of a Korean gay man’s navigation of race, culture, religion, and sexual invisibility. Although not Korean himself, it was his lived experiences that drove the story. It was evident in his manner as he spoke that he was comfortable. I suppose this was shocking to me. Not because of the subject itself but because it was so personal to him. However, upon reflection my first metaphorical blinders were removed. I noticed that, yes, it was close in proximity, but it was also distant. He was able to take a facet of his life, find a gap in the sector, and use the two to drive it. Initially, I would approach research as something completely separate from myself. But Thomsen showed it does not have to be that way.
Thomsen also addressed how what we contribute to the research world connects to the past, present, and future (Knowledge Genealogy). He was disputing and utilising previous Great Works, creating his own, knowing the combination of the two could be used for the future. As an undergrad, I have studied with my second metaphorical blinders on, with only the regurgitation of past Works in view. Knowledge Genealogy, as a concept, is a far better approach. In research as an undergrad (from a prescribed text and a small selection of possible endpoints) I can still contribute to the past, present, and future, even if in a passive way.
