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What a crappy society we have built.

Ironically, while the young may be using technology to optimize their time, they are also wasting a lot of it. When I came to Japan, 30 years ago, most people riding the train and subway in Tokyo read newspapers, magazine and books (and manga, of course). They read, everything and everywhere. Now, most of them play videogames, check Facebook or whatever, send and read messages, and watch 10-second videos - the visual equivalent of a sugar high with zero nourishment - constantly skimming.

As for me, I'm proud to say I still don't own a smartphone.

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Thanks for reading and for your comments. It must be difficult to function in Japan without a smartphone. By the way, during your long tenure in Japan have you noticed a shift from hour long meetings to only 30 minute sessions? I have become aware of this trend among some of my clients and prospects.

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First of all, I must say that I'm not anti-technology. In fact, I spend long hours in front of a PC, both for work and leisure (like now...).

The reason I don't have a smartphone is that I don't need it. I'm lucky because I can do my two jobs (writing and teaching) without owning one. For the same reason, I can't really answer your questions. When I was a full-time teacher, we had meetings but only once in a while. And now that I am 100% freelance, I can avoid even those. I should ask my son who works at an IT company.

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