Japan has no culture

[meangry1]

There, it's been said.

Often times, Americans who romanticize Japan feel this need to discuss the culture of a country they only know of through popular culture and art. They talk about the centuries of culture, the fitness level of the people, and any number of odd ends.

The reality is this; Japanese culture is completely exportable; it is built on selling itself. It is built on shiny signs advertising products. It is about smoking cigarettes in an arcade. It's about mediocre storytelling done in horrible animes. The centuries of culture Americans seem to believe exist have been put on the back burner; much of it is not even remotely as relevant as the problematic issues birthed through the history of their own nation.

The reason for this is simple; the only way for this group of people to rebound and build itself up is to seem like a comfortable and all too kawaii soft drink. Or a mysterious and androgynous male character who basement dwellers feel exemplify their strengths. Japanese culture is unlike that of the United States; whereas all entities within American have had a say in the way culture operates, Japan, like European nations, is completely based upon national and racial superiority.

 

[Violetta]

Thank you so fucking much. Seriously. I needed to read something like this for once.

 

[Excess]

ITT: I think popular things from this country sucks because that makes me look so cool. Am I cool yet?

P.S. Monster says hi.

 

[meangry1]

ITT: I think popular things from this country sucks because that makes me look so cool. Am I cool yet?

To some, sure.

 

[Excess]

To some, sure.

And you know that is what this thread will inevitably become, between them and the weeaboos.

Also, Monster is still awesome. Even though I'm only half way through.

 

[Zaq!]

Japanese culture is unlike that of the United States; whereas all entities within American have had a say in the way culture operates, Japan, like European nations, is completely based upon national and racial superiority.

Context is usually a great thing... but not this time. Say again?

 

[FeatherDaemon1]

Nothing of any worth has been said.

You took one superficial, biased view of a country and you are ready to pronounce judgment. Just shows your own blindness and ignorance.

It's really too bad that you have no idea what you're talking about. My ex-wife was Japanese. I've been to Japan. I've studied it while I was in college. I know more about it than you do. Your criticism is juvenile.

That same supposed analysis could be applied to any developed country. Every country is multifaceted. There are varied avenues which culture takes and could be found.

You have a bias against Japan that's fine with me. Nobody is required to like it. Just don't be so short-sighted to think that Japan is in one class and the U.S. and other countries are in another. That accusation can not be substantiated in any reasonable way, shape or form.

 

[meangry1]

Context is usually a great thing... but not this time. Say again?

American culture is not racist or exclusionary based upon someone not being of their race.

Was that too hard to understand?

 

[meangry1]

Nothing of any worth has been said.

You took one superficial, biased view of a country and you are ready to pronounce judgment. Just shows your own blindness and ignorance.

It's really too bad that you have no idea what you're talking about. My ex-wife was Japanese. I've been to Japan. I've studied it while I was in college. I know more about it than you do. Your criticism is juvenile.

That same supposed analysis could be applied to any developed country. Every country is multifaceted. There are varied avenues which culture takes and could be found.

You have a bias against Japan that's fine with me. Nobody is required to like it. Just don't be so short-sighted to think that Japan and the U.S. are in one class and other countries are in another. That accusation can not be substantiated in any reasonable way, shape or form.

Nothing you have said is of any consequence. Your romanticism of Japan shows through. Congrats on 'studying it' and having an ex-wife who is Japanese. You still do not address the inherently exclusionary nature of Japanese culture outside of its exportables.

 

[Zaq!]

American culture is not racist or exclusionary based upon someone not being of their race.

Was that too hard to understand?

The way you originally stated it, yes. Now the question is why you chose to use Japanese people/culture as an example in your post. That says a lot to me... and likely to others.


Flame on!

 

[JackVanderson]

Everyone drop this pointless conversation, it's never going to end and it's only going to spiral into hellish chaos. This topic is flame bait, not an actual topic, it's just here to intice arguments.

 

[meangry1]

The way you originally stated it, yes. Now the question is why you chose to use Japanese people/culture as an example in your post. That says a lot to me... and likely to others.


Flame on!

Because Japanese culture, unlike any other, lives and breathes simply on its commercialism rather than anything inherently developed. The rich tapestries have been mowed over for soda dispensers and housing.

The main difference is, most people do not see the inherent dangers in romanticizing a consumer culture which, in reality cares little for its workers, which infiltrates other nations and bankrupts them. Why are American car companies in trouble? Because they have to deal with the UAW. And Japanese car producers in this nation? They doesn't have to worry about a UAW, because they believe it is acceptable to pay workers piss for wages.

Japan has completely mobilized their culture into something purchased with enough currency in a bottle. But that culture doesn't make gaijins who romanticize Japan into what they truly desire; respectable Japanese citizens. They simply look at people with their kawaii animals and laugh because they got a kid to buy a can of soda with bright colors and japanese scribbles for over seven dollars American.

 

[player 01]

Define culture exactly?

Culture is an ever changing entity, sure Japan TODAY doesn't resemble the TRADITIONAL culture that people you pointed out venerate as you claim. I'm curious exactly what point you're trying to make, Japan has no culture because its so commercialized and creating mediocre pop culture? Yeah because that's definately the definitive way to define an entire race of people.

Culture is a maliable thing, it changes and adapts to keep pace with the times otherwise it dies off, Japan has no culture because its so commercial? Japan is a modern, industrialized, capitalist nation of course it has a commercial culture, if its exportable all the better, that's a good thing for both them and us, us who don't live in Japan, people being able to have a wide array of cosmopolitan goods improves the the well being of the individual and creates an international culture and economy that's part of globalization.

Also America is somehow different and/or superior because 'everyone' has a say in the culture whereas Japan and European nations just venerate their own racial and national superiority? What exactly does that mean, are you somehow implying that because America is 'diverse' it somehow means that America's culture is better because people are colour coded and yet older nations are homogenous? Race and 'diversity' doesn't really mean cultural dynamicness, as culture is based on thought which itself can be diverse no matter where or what you are, now more than ever with a wide array of communication methods making different schools of thought available to pretty much everyone. Technically culture can't really stagnant anymore since all cultures in all countries are diverse, whether it be religion, political thought, 'counterculture' or even just manufactured goods like food or clothing, any sort of act or thought that expresses some sort of creativity necessary that goes beyond sustaining day to day survival is culture, and so while TRADITIONAL Japanese culture may be stagnating, modern Japanese culture as a whole is no more or less real than that of any other industrialized state.

Sorry if all this sounds random and cobbled together, but its hard to actually make an appropriate response to you OP seeing as it is so vague written, its hard to really grasp any actual meaning from it, or that maybe just be me, if you could perhaps clear it up and be more specific about why Japan has 'no culture' in your view, then i'd be happy to make a more consice response.

Until then, it just proves you're not really very good even at ranting, as most people are able to actually define exactly what they're trying to say, unless of course the somewhat charged title and pitiful excuse for an OP is meant as flame bait towards the local weeaboos.

 

[FeatherDaemon1]

Nothing you have said is of any consequence. Your romanticism of Japan shows through. Congrats on 'studying it' and having an ex-wife who is Japanese. You still do not address the inherently exclusionary nature of Japanese culture outside of its exportables.

Yes, I do like Japan, that is not the point. I was establishing credentials on the subject. You are babbling and trying to sound intelligent.

You are making a broad, unsubstantiated accusation which you can only back up with anecdotal evidence. It is well known that the Japanese are generally homogeneous in their culture. Yet, you would accuse every single individual in Japan of being insular and racist. That is stupid.

You are basically trying to say that we don't and can't know the "Real Japan" like they're an esoteric secret cult. Nonsense, complete nonsense. Anybody with a little time and effort can move to Japan, learn the language, learn the customs and be treated normally. Not every Japanese is going inherently hate this outsider. Any outsider, in any country with time and effort can become part of any community. Will they share a common heritage? Hell no, but can they be accepted, yes. If you take a Brazilian and drop him off in Finland there is going to time for acculturation.

 

[meangry1]

Yes, I do like Japan, that is not the point. I was establishing credentials on the subject. You are babbling and trying to sound intelligent.

You are making a broad, unsubstantiated accusation which you can only back up with anecdotal evidence. It is well known that the Japanese are generally homogeneous in their culture. Yet, you would accuse every single individual in Japan of being insular and racist. That is stupid.

You are basically trying to say that we don't and can't know the "Real Japan" like they're an esoteric secret cult. Nonsense, complete nonsense. Anybody with a little time and effort can move to Japan, learn the language, learn the customs and be treated normally. Not every Japanese is going inherently hate this outsider. Any outsider, in any country with time and effort can become part of any community. Will they share a common heritage? Hell no, but can they be accepted, yes. If you take a Brazilian and drop him off in Finland there is going to time for acculturation.

Sound intelligent? Not really. I AM intelligent though.

 

[player 01]

American culture is not racist or exclusionary based upon someone not being of their race.

Was that too hard to understand?

lol

Oh now this too fucking funny to be true.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGElD9srKmU&feature=channel_page

Or if this doesn't count because it's not an explicitly segregationist enough, then explain why Native American reservations still exist.

 

[meangry1]

lol

Oh now this too fucking funny to be true.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGElD9srKmU&feature=channel_page

Or if this doesn't count because it's not an explicitly segregationist enough, then explain why Native American reservations still exist.

Because they wish to, obviously.

 

[player 01]

Sound intelligent? Not really. I AM intelligent though.

Being intelligent doesn't mean you can't be deluded.

I once knew this guy who was an expert of most world history, especially Chinese history during WWII, but he's so deeply biased due to his right wing political views he actually stated that communism was all a conspiricy by white women to emasculate Chinese men, and that the US congress is secretly controlled by the ghost of Joseph Stalin:stickout

 

[meangry1]

You are basically trying to say that we don't and can't know the "Real Japan" like they're an esoteric secret cult. Nonsense, complete nonsense. Anybody with a little time and effort can move to Japan, learn the language, learn the customs and be treated normally. Not every Japanese is going inherently hate this outsider. Any outsider, in any country with time and effort can become part of any community. Will they share a common heritage? Hell no, but can they be accepted, yes. If you take a Brazilian and drop him off in Finland there is going to time for acculturation.

I am not arguing about a secret 'esoteric' cult. I'm arguing that the rationale that people who romanticize Japan as being a rich culture laden with history, custom, and the like are missing the plot completely. To the point where they celebrate the very same things their decry in their own nation for the simple fact that it is different. And as such, it makes them stand out as being different than their peers, or so they would like to believe.

Then again, no selling Japan as being a predominantly xenophobic nation is also of concern. You may not see it. Others do.

 

[FeatherDaemon1]

Because Japanese culture, unlike any other, lives and breathes simply on its commercialism rather than anything inherently developed. The rich tapestries have been mowed over for soda dispensers and housing.

Anecdotal musings not based in fact.

The main difference is, most people do not see the inherent dangers in romanticizing a consumer culture which, in reality cares little for its workers, which infiltrates other nations and bankrupts them.

Nonsense. The government and business community of a country is responsible for its own resources and economy. If they refuse to see the signs and make sound economic decisions it is their own fault.

Why are American car companies in trouble? Because they have to deal with the UAW. And Japanese car producers in this nation? They doesn't have to worry about a UAW, because they believe it is acceptable to pay workers piss for wages.

Don't even get into unions here and blame that fiasco on the Japanese. The unions and the auto makers slit their own throats by being intransigent morons; both sides. That Jobs Bank was really freaking brilliant paying workers 80% of wage to sit on their ass.

Japan has completely mobilized their culture into something purchased with enough currency in a bottle. But that culture doesn't make gaijins who romanticize Japan into what they truly desire; respectable Japanese citizens. They simply look at people with their kawaii animals and laugh because they got a kid to buy a can of soda with bright colors and japanese scribbles for over seven dollars American.

Again, anecdotal gibberish. Your average person into anime, who may 'romanticize' Japan is not trying to become Japanese. They are living out their life the way they want to. These people are American, English, Italian in their own nature.

If I suddenly started talking like a Brit and spouted Monty Python or saying how much I liked football in what I perceived to be a stereotypical fashion are the English at fault for not calling me one of their own. Get real here. However, if I moved to England, adopted English customs, lived in the community and tried to fit in maybe they'll accept me... maybe they won't. Same with Japan, same anywhere else.

 

[meangry1]

Anecdotal musings not based in fact.



Nonsense. The government and business community of a country is responsible for its own resources and economy. If they refuse to see the signs and make sound economic decisions it is their own fault.



Don't even get into unions here and blame that fiasco on the Japanese. The unions and the auto makers slit their own throats by being intransigent morons; both sides. That Jobs Bank was really freaking brilliant paying workers 80% of wage to sit on their ass.



Again, anecdotal gibberish. Your average person into anime, who may 'romanticize' Japan is not trying to become Japanese. They are living out their life the way they want to. These people are American, English, Italian in their own nature.

If I suddenly started talking like a Brit and spouted Monty Python or saying how much I liked football in what I perceived to be a stereotypical fashion are the English at fault for not calling me one of their own. Get real here. However, if I moved to England, adopted English customs, lived in the community and tried to fit in maybe they'll accept me... maybe they won't. Same with Japan, same anywhere else.

Just a bunch of anecdotal gibberish, if you ask me. No facts are contained in your response; your constant clamoring for hard data is quite rich, given your total lack of it. Which is even more odd, given your apparent 'expertise' on things Japan.

 

[FeatherDaemon1]

To the point where they celebrate the very same things their decry in their own nation for the simple fact that it is different.

Then your accusation should be leveled at these people (on a case by case basis) and not the object of their adoration which happens to be Japan, but could be any other idol.

If you hate fanboys, then go after the fanboys.

You can't accuse Japan of having no inherent culture, that is completely untenable.

 

[FeatherDaemon1]

Just a bunch of anecdotal gibberish, if you ask me. No facts are contained in your response; your constant clamoring for hard data is quite rich, given your total lack of it. Which is even more odd, given your apparent 'expertise' on things Japan.

You're the one making the accusations. The burden of proof is on your shoulders to prove your point. Which you haven't.

 

[ILove2Tickle1]

:beatdeadhorse5: Please don't feed the Trolls...

 

[FeatherDaemon1]

Everyone drop this pointless conversation, it's never going to end and it's only going to spiral into hellish chaos. This topic is flame bait, not an actual topic, it's just here to intice arguments.

I knew this the moment I stepped into it. lol