Sweeet, I was hoping to see you chime in on this one. Was really curious to your thoughts on it all.
Also, I love that I totally called it last year or the year before when I started theorizing about the "bankable moe-dreck anime trend". I think I'm gonna give him the benefit of the doubt on that point.
I felt through the entire thing that he was making some interesting points, but more than anything, he just is not use to that culture, and feels the one that he grew up with is better. On many points I agree with him, but that is because I also grew up in Western culture.
When it gets to cultures, I really do feel that it becomes very difficult to say much. You naturally agree with and like what you grew up with (the whole nurture part of the nature vs. nurture argument), and when you experience something different, you use what yo have learned to analyze it. So when something does not seem to make logical sense based on what you're use to, you won't like it.
Whatever the case, he talks about some things that I find rather interesting, and I did learn some things that I didn't already learn from my sister who taught English there for a year. So it was a fun read, but I still believe that much of what he says cannot be really taken as he said it, considering the culture difference.
Japan Bureau (Podcasters) | Posted 03/04/10 | Reply
Most of his points are valid, but you must take them with a grain of salt. A lot (not all, but a lot) of bloggers who decide they don't like Japan anymore, are people who thought Japan was cool and fresh and exciting, but deep down they really want it to be like home. So when it doesn't change to be like home and the honeymoon sets in, then resentment starts to grow. Some people can assimilate here, some can't. It's as simple as that. No matter where you live there will be problems, I guess the problems where Tim grew up are more comfortable than the ones here.
That said, I never have felt the desire to work in Corporate Japan, for most of the reasons stated, but mainly because of the fact that if you put family before work you won't advance. As soon as I get a free-pass visa (PR or spouse) I will be applying for jobs in the US again that I can telecommute for.
I think this article basically summed up (and then perfunctorily expounded on) my nervousness about the huge amount of people I see over here becoming completely enamored with Japanese culture. The only culture they know about is what is presented to them; the only reason it's so amazing is because, so far as I can tell, it isn't ours.
Still, I'm not sure I find much difference between Japanese pop music and our pop music.
SomeGuy
Canadian Liaison (Team) | Posted 03/05/10 | Reply
@AP Ichigo:
Sweeet, I was hoping to see you chime in on this one. Was really curious to your thoughts on it all.
Also, I love that I totally called it last year or the year before when I started theorizing about the "bankable moe-dreck anime trend". I think I'm gonna give him the benefit of the doubt on that point.
Desbreko
Abundant Love (Otaku Eternal) | Posted 03/04/10 | Reply
I think this sums it up pretty well.
Also, lol at him holding DBZ up as some pinnacle of anime greatness.
Kastom
Otaku Princess | Posted 03/04/10 | Reply
I felt through the entire thing that he was making some interesting points, but more than anything, he just is not use to that culture, and feels the one that he grew up with is better. On many points I agree with him, but that is because I also grew up in Western culture.
When it gets to cultures, I really do feel that it becomes very difficult to say much. You naturally agree with and like what you grew up with (the whole nurture part of the nature vs. nurture argument), and when you experience something different, you use what yo have learned to analyze it. So when something does not seem to make logical sense based on what you're use to, you won't like it.
Whatever the case, he talks about some things that I find rather interesting, and I did learn some things that I didn't already learn from my sister who taught English there for a year. So it was a fun read, but I still believe that much of what he says cannot be really taken as he said it, considering the culture difference.
I'd rather see in shades of gray.
AP Ichigo
Japan Bureau (Podcasters) | Posted 03/04/10 | Reply
Most of his points are valid, but you must take them with a grain of salt. A lot (not all, but a lot) of bloggers who decide they don't like Japan anymore, are people who thought Japan was cool and fresh and exciting, but deep down they really want it to be like home. So when it doesn't change to be like home and the honeymoon sets in, then resentment starts to grow. Some people can assimilate here, some can't. It's as simple as that. No matter where you live there will be problems, I guess the problems where Tim grew up are more comfortable than the ones here.
That said, I never have felt the desire to work in Corporate Japan, for most of the reasons stated, but mainly because of the fact that if you put family before work you won't advance. As soon as I get a free-pass visa (PR or spouse) I will be applying for jobs in the US again that I can telecommute for.
Thanks,
Ichigo
Allamorph
Spiritus Memorae (Otaku Eternal) | Posted 03/04/10 | Reply
I really like this guy now.
I think this article basically summed up (and then perfunctorily expounded on) my nervousness about the huge amount of people I see over here becoming completely enamored with Japanese culture. The only culture they know about is what is presented to them; the only reason it's so amazing is because, so far as I can tell, it isn't ours.
Still, I'm not sure I find much difference between Japanese pop music and our pop music.