10 Comments

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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This is definitely one of the saddest blogs I have read in a while. This can't be good for people's mental health. Isn't this yet another example of society addressing symptoms rather than causes? Shouldn't we be addressing the work-life balance instead of opting to live a pressure-cooker life?

This sad story reminds me of a favorite poem, by W H Davis (1871-1940):

"What is this life if, full of care,

We have no time to stand and stare.

No time to stand beneath the boughs

And stare as long as sheep or cows.

No time to see, when woods we pass,

Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.

No time to see, in broad daylight,

Streams full of stars, like skies at night.

No time to turn at Beauty's glance,

And watch her feet, how they can dance.

No time to wait till her mouth can

Enrich that smile her eyes began.

A poor life this if, full of care,

We have no time to stand and stare."

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While I am sorry to have made you feel sad, I wholeheartedly agree with your assessment. Watching TV shows and movies at double-speed is, in particular, a trend which I still do not fully understand. Skimming through a pre-recorded lecture at such a pace does, however, make sense. In any case, yes, there is more to life that must be savored at a slower pace. Thanks for reading and sharing your feedback.

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Thanks very much, Mark; but really no need to apologize. I'm grateful to you for educating me about the state of the human condition in all its many facets, good and bad, happy and sad!

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Beautiful poem, Tirion. I didn't know it. Thanks for sharing it with us. I may use it in one of my essays. What's the title?

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Cool. It's called "Leisure."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W._H._Davies

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Wondering about the long term effects.

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Sorry, but I cannot resist..."Only time will tell!"

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