a post-blog
Blog on hiatus until I work out some reflexive issues with my own perspectives. I hope other specific parties will do the same. I've grown tired of writing and criticism that all devolves into self-justification.
Posted by marxy at February 20, 2005 12:14 PMWas it something I said or something I did
Did my words not come out right
Though I tried not to hurt you
Though I tried
But I guess that’s why they say...
dood!
say it isn't so! don't let the wearers of rose colored spectacles get you down. all that agressive, "up with Japan" rant at ANY cost get's a bit tiresome. I come here for a slightly more nuanced approach. As someone who actually, physically lives here, who has some concern's about the material conditions of daily life, I find your observations bracing. The idea of trying to "fully" understand this place is no doubt futile, but I find your perspective helpfull. Certainly more so sometimes than other bloggers who seem to view Japan as some pliant, frail female secret garden, weightless and free of moral constraint, a girl you'd like to fuck but certainly not to marry.
Of course, not that there's anything wrong with a good wank/fuck, But I like to come here afterwards for a coffee and cigarette. Oh, that's not very complimentary is it?
Hmmm, maybe you won't find this all that inspiring after all... Well I tried.
Seriously, hope the hiatus isn't for too long.
Posted by: josh at February 20, 2005 3:41 PMOne thing I will say in the West's favour is that we're great at agreeing to disagree. Discord is okay, and even fun. If you give up now, Marxy, Japanese-style 'spirit of wa' has won! The nail that sticks out must be hammered in, etc etc! You don't want that, do you? On with the (friendly and instructive) dissent, if you please! I don't know about anyone else, but I learn more by debate than any other method. I think some old Greek bastard called Plato was quite into it too.
Posted by: Momus at February 20, 2005 7:33 PMwhat you should do is somatise headBANGING not head BASHING
Marxy, your views are 97.9% percent of the the time absolutely brilliant and enlightening. please ignore the bullying and harassing (even if often enlightening as well) criticisms (we have a sentence for that in French which literally translates as "cutting a piece of hair in four") and please go on with the theorical stuffs.
what i don't understand in the end is if it is about exchanging views about japan, or competing for the most acute knowledge of Japan. But Japanese culture is such an infinitely complex thing, how could anyone of you be right?
what you should do, all of you together, is definitely grow up long, long beards, walk around a small Greek lake, under the shadows of olivier trees, and see where this leads you too.
Posted by: odot at February 20, 2005 8:39 PMI've said this before, but I think individually we're all lying about Japan, but collectively we might be telling -- well, I won't say the truth, but something like a truth.
Posted by: Momus at February 20, 2005 10:49 PMPerhaps there has been rather too much enthusiasm in the shit-stirring department and more contribution rather than criticism would be more fun.
A good bitch is always way more fun than gushing anyway - very pleased to see that you have something to say apart from reviewing the latest ways to consume, because that market is pretty well covered already.
I'm really looking forward to seeing what you find in the Oricon data.
Posted by: Dave at February 20, 2005 11:23 PM
I'd like to change the topic and ask whether anyone has seen the film Velvet Goldmine and how they think it relates to the rockism/popism issue?
Available at any good Tsutaya.
See you when you get back. This sort of crap is why I gave up writing on my site in 2000ish. I didnt even have a comments.cgi page up either.
Posted by: Chris_B at February 20, 2005 11:44 PMThis is neither a war nor a battle, so take a nice breather. Do what comes naturally.
If your pen pricks certain people (who I think are in need of pricking), then so be it. If being critical of something highly specific in nature is seen as Japan-bashing by those few, you can take comfort in their defense for it will encompass name-calling, yanking your chain to even America-bashing.
Posted by: Les at February 21, 2005 2:59 AMThis hiatus makes me really want to see, finally, those traffic numbers for the site, David. Will the traffic go up, while people check back habitually to see if the hiatus is over? Or will everyone click on over to clickopera. Enjoy the reprieve. -g
Posted by: Graham at February 21, 2005 3:16 AMWill the traffic go up, while people check back habitually to see if the hiatus is over? Or will everyone click on over to clickopera.
Maybe a hiatus will help you to keep the momite infestation on your blog to manageable levels. ;-)
Anyways the weather's improving. Time for more fresh air and sunshine!
Posted by: sparkligbeatnic at February 21, 2005 11:55 AMYeah, I can't believe that Tokyo is forecast to be 15 centigrade when I fly in on Wednesday! And here in Hokkaido it's minus 5!
Posted by: Momus at February 21, 2005 12:14 PMthe momite infestation on your blog
Momite infestation be damned, this is about something much more serious. Marxy starts researching the corrupt jimusho artist management system, singling out Johnny's Entertainment for particular suspicion. Late Saturday night, while he's out watching Nintend-Oh!!! Bling Bling delivering a scorching retro-Shibuya set down at the Kitty Club, a dark-tinted limo pulls up at his house. When he gets home and pulls back the covers... HORROR!!! A PONY'S FRESHLY-CUT TESTICLES and a little note from "Johnny":
"Dear Marxy, please reflect on your procedural methodology in matters relating to Johnny's Entertainment artists. Next time we kill the pony."
Posted by: Momus at February 21, 2005 2:20 PMmarxy, your blog is far too interesting for such diva statements
Posted by: porandojin at February 21, 2005 3:02 PM