They say "a picture is worth a thousand words." They say "show, don't tell." I've listened and I've learned... (Click to enlarge.)
Ouch! Anyway, I'm off to drink and play drums. Have a good weekend!
Friday, February 08, 2008
Hazard!
Time again for Glenn and Dave's Weekly Photo Challenge! This week's topic (according to Dave) is "hazard"...
They say "a picture is worth a thousand words." They say "show, don't tell." I've listened and I've learned... (Click to enlarge.)
[Am I fucking high-tech, or what?]
Ouch! Anyway, I'm off to drink and play drums. Have a good weekend!
Rolling Stones-Rocks Off
They say "a picture is worth a thousand words." They say "show, don't tell." I've listened and I've learned... (Click to enlarge.)
Ouch! Anyway, I'm off to drink and play drums. Have a good weekend!
Thursday, February 07, 2008
Something...
I'm a bit busy at work these days, and for the past few evenings my wife has been hogging the pc at home, so I haven't had much time for blogging. I have, though, been catching up on my TV viewing. Battlestar Galactica and Heroes are blowing me away! I must start watching a bit more TV... I won't be around for my usual drunken Friday night blogfest this week, either--I'll be at a bar playing drums!! Yipee!! I will, however, make an attempt to post something a bit early for Glenn and Dave's Photo Challenge (although I can't promise...).
In the meantime, here's another weird picture of... something... Click to enlarge.
In the meantime, here's another weird picture of... something... Click to enlarge.
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
They're Both Much Better Than the Alternative...
Blogging friend Brendan writes,
Well, Brendan, I'm usually a bit skittish about discussing American politics here, because frankly I don't think I'm well-enough informed to have an opinion that I'd expect anyone to take too seriously. I'm also not really sure who would make the best president, Mr. Obama or Ms. Clinton. I will not hesitate to say this, however: whether it's Obama or Clinton is pretty much irrelevant to the rest of the world, so long as it's not Bush or one of the new crop of asshats in Bush's party. I think the current Japanese government prefers Obama (they see Ms. Clinton continuing Mr. Clinton's shifting of focus away from Japan towards China; they also, being asshats themselves, probably wouldn't know how to deal with a woman being the most powerful person in the world; I, on the other hand, don't mind if the woman is on top... er, of the political hierarchy...). My own gut feeling is that Obama represents an opportunity for real change, both inside and outside the US, whereas Clinton might just cause the Right (and their wingnut minions) to dig in their heels.
By the way, did you know that post-WWII Japan was a lot like a possible post-war Iraq, and the fact that some Japanese play American football gives us a reason to be optimistic about Iraq, and that Iraq could be the next Japan? Neither did I, but I guess anything is possible in the magical world of Wingnuttia.
Tell America why a Canadian living in Japan thinks Obama should be president. We'll need that by first thing tomorrow, EST.
Well, Brendan, I'm usually a bit skittish about discussing American politics here, because frankly I don't think I'm well-enough informed to have an opinion that I'd expect anyone to take too seriously. I'm also not really sure who would make the best president, Mr. Obama or Ms. Clinton. I will not hesitate to say this, however: whether it's Obama or Clinton is pretty much irrelevant to the rest of the world, so long as it's not Bush or one of the new crop of asshats in Bush's party. I think the current Japanese government prefers Obama (they see Ms. Clinton continuing Mr. Clinton's shifting of focus away from Japan towards China; they also, being asshats themselves, probably wouldn't know how to deal with a woman being the most powerful person in the world; I, on the other hand, don't mind if the woman is on top... er, of the political hierarchy...). My own gut feeling is that Obama represents an opportunity for real change, both inside and outside the US, whereas Clinton might just cause the Right (and their wingnut minions) to dig in their heels.
By the way, did you know that post-WWII Japan was a lot like a possible post-war Iraq, and the fact that some Japanese play American football gives us a reason to be optimistic about Iraq, and that Iraq could be the next Japan? Neither did I, but I guess anything is possible in the magical world of Wingnuttia.
What's This About "Aboot"?
In response to my desperate plea for writing suggestions, my blogging friend Tafkass (The Artist Formerly Known as Shit Sandwich, whose site seems to be experiencing intermittent technical difficulties this week) wrote the following:
Whew! Writing a "guide to Canadian pronunciation" would be a life-long task! Wikipedia has a pretty clear and concise entry on the topic of Canadian English which includes most of the main points regarding pronunciation. Some highlights:
With regard to a possible "Canadio-Japanese pronunciation of English," I can't really say whether or not my own pronunciation has been affected by living in Japan for the past 10 years. No one has ever commented on it, anyway. I will say this, however: I pronounce any Japanese vocabulary which has made its way into common English usage like a Japanese would. In fact, I now cringe when I hear how badly English speakers mangle words like "karaoke", "sake", "kamikaze", and "hara kiri". I don't think living in Japan has really changed my pronunciation of English, but it has had a definite affect on my phrasing and word choice when speaking, for perhaps obvious reasons. When those around one are not likely to understand complex sentences or "high-level" vocabulary, one is forced to simplify, simplify, and simplify some more. I also notice that I've developed an annoying habit of saying "do you understand?" and similar phrases even when I'm talking to other native speakers of English. I think this blog is, in a way, a revolt against that tendency. I'm writing ("speaking") to myself. I don't really give a shit if anyone else understands what I'm talking about, or not.
As for "Canadian swearing", so far as I know it's no different than "American swearing". At any rate, I have no trouble understanding the cursing in American movies, and I've never noticed that Americans have any difficulty understanding my swearing. One difference I've noticed between North American and UK swearing is in the use of the "c" word. That word is almost taboo in North American circles (certainly no guy who expects to date women can get away with saying it on any regular basis). It still seems to be in fairly regular use in the UK, however (please correct me if I'm wrong--I'm only going by British gangster movies and UK blogs!). I also think that UK speakers of English are a bit more creative in their swearing--choice of words, new coinages, etc. Good North American swearing relies on sheer volume, so that what initially sounds like a mindless string of curse words can, after a minute or so, attain the sublime. Swearers of all stripes also gain the respect and admiration of their listeners with unexpected grammatical flourishes. I was quite impressed the first time I saw "c**ting", as in "what a fucking c**ting c**t!"
[*] Really, Tafkass, I'm shocked, shocked, I say... ;-)
How about a guide to Canadian pronunciation of English? OK, we all know about "aboot" (as it were), but there must be other Canuck idiosyncracies[*]... in fact, how about a guide to Canadio-Japanese pronunciation of English; your own must have been affected in your time in the land of the rising sun. Even better, how about some Canadian swearing?
Whew! Writing a "guide to Canadian pronunciation" would be a life-long task! Wikipedia has a pretty clear and concise entry on the topic of Canadian English which includes most of the main points regarding pronunciation. Some highlights:
- Canadians do not, in fact, pronounce the word "about" as "aboot", although because of the phenomenon known as Canadian raising, it may seem that way to some listeners. A closer approximation would be "aboat", but this is hardly universal.
- Canadians speak with a rhotic accent. That is, the letter "r" is pronounced in all positions. (My guess, Tafkass, Is that you speak with a non-rhotic accent, but I'm not sure where in the UK you were born and raised.)
- Personally, I can usually spot a fellow Canadian by his/her various pronunciations of the letter "a". The clearest examples would be in the pronunciation of foreign loan words like "drama" or "pasta" or "pyjamas", which is clearly neither British nor American (/æ/ rather than /ɑ/).
- As the Wikipedia article points out, "there is no single linguistic definition that includes Canada as a whole." And while "Canada has very little dialect diversity compared to the United States and other English speaking countries," it does have a wide range of accents, particularly in the eastern provinces, which have been influenced by the languages of early settlers. If you visit the various parts of my home province, Nova Scotia, for example, you will clearly hear traces of German (Lunenburg), Dutch (Truro, my hometown), French (Acadian settlements), and Scottish (everywhere, of course) accents, among several others.
With regard to a possible "Canadio-Japanese pronunciation of English," I can't really say whether or not my own pronunciation has been affected by living in Japan for the past 10 years. No one has ever commented on it, anyway. I will say this, however: I pronounce any Japanese vocabulary which has made its way into common English usage like a Japanese would. In fact, I now cringe when I hear how badly English speakers mangle words like "karaoke", "sake", "kamikaze", and "hara kiri". I don't think living in Japan has really changed my pronunciation of English, but it has had a definite affect on my phrasing and word choice when speaking, for perhaps obvious reasons. When those around one are not likely to understand complex sentences or "high-level" vocabulary, one is forced to simplify, simplify, and simplify some more. I also notice that I've developed an annoying habit of saying "do you understand?" and similar phrases even when I'm talking to other native speakers of English. I think this blog is, in a way, a revolt against that tendency. I'm writing ("speaking") to myself. I don't really give a shit if anyone else understands what I'm talking about, or not.
As for "Canadian swearing", so far as I know it's no different than "American swearing". At any rate, I have no trouble understanding the cursing in American movies, and I've never noticed that Americans have any difficulty understanding my swearing. One difference I've noticed between North American and UK swearing is in the use of the "c" word. That word is almost taboo in North American circles (certainly no guy who expects to date women can get away with saying it on any regular basis). It still seems to be in fairly regular use in the UK, however (please correct me if I'm wrong--I'm only going by British gangster movies and UK blogs!). I also think that UK speakers of English are a bit more creative in their swearing--choice of words, new coinages, etc. Good North American swearing relies on sheer volume, so that what initially sounds like a mindless string of curse words can, after a minute or so, attain the sublime. Swearers of all stripes also gain the respect and admiration of their listeners with unexpected grammatical flourishes. I was quite impressed the first time I saw "c**ting", as in "what a fucking c**ting c**t!"
[*] Really, Tafkass, I'm shocked, shocked, I say... ;-)
Monday, February 04, 2008
Your Suggestions Are Welcome!!
I've been whining for a while now about how I haven't been doing much in the way of actual writing over the past few months. I guess you could say that I'm whining right now (go ahead, say it!). I have to confess, folks, I'm at a loss. There's really not much that I feel like writing about right now. Yet I want to write something. I need to write something. Anything!
And so, gentle readers, in this most dire of circumstances, in my darkest hour, I'm reaching out to you. Yes, you. I beseech you, in the name of friendship and human decency (and before I start posting pictures of the soles of my shoes, or YouTube clips of old ABBA tunes, or..., well, you get the drift...)... I beseech you, kind readers, please help me!
I need your ideas, your suggestions for writing topics. No topic will be considered too difficult, too trivial, or too stupid. I will endeavor to write something about anything you care to suggest (if you think I'm just kidding about this, well then, just try me!).
Please leave your ideas/suggestions in the comments. My life is in your hands, dear readers, and I will do my best not to disappoint you!
Chuck Prophet-Automatic Blues
And so, gentle readers, in this most dire of circumstances, in my darkest hour, I'm reaching out to you. Yes, you. I beseech you, in the name of friendship and human decency (and before I start posting pictures of the soles of my shoes, or YouTube clips of old ABBA tunes, or..., well, you get the drift...)... I beseech you, kind readers, please help me!
I need your ideas, your suggestions for writing topics. No topic will be considered too difficult, too trivial, or too stupid. I will endeavor to write something about anything you care to suggest (if you think I'm just kidding about this, well then, just try me!).
Please leave your ideas/suggestions in the comments. My life is in your hands, dear readers, and I will do my best not to disappoint you!
Saturday, February 02, 2008
Twilight of the Idols
The shot below was taken at the Hizen Yume Kaido theme park I posted about last month. There's nothing particularly striking about the picture, but I quite like the 50's Japanese fan magazine covers. The 50's are pretty cool, actually, so long as we're only using our eyes...
Friday, February 01, 2008
Double Duty: Vending Machines (Supplemental): Hot Food (for Breakfast)
Heh, I was actually saving the crappy cell phone pics below for a future post, but my pals Glenn and Dave have tripped me up a bit with this week's photo challenge topic: breakfast.
Ya gotta understand, see, that a) I don't usually eat breakfast, b) I just found out about the topic of this week's challenge, c) it's after 10 pm here, and I don't feel like interrupting my drinking to stage some kind of improvised shot, and d) but I really do want to contribute something (sorry for the crappy pics, guys!).
Anyway, enough of my whining! What, you might be asking yourselves, do vending machines that dispense hot food like hot dogs, French fries, and fried chicken have to do with breakfast?
Well, it's quite simple, really. As you can see from the pics, these machines dispense hot food 24 hours a day. You may already have astutely surmised that what comes out of these machines could only be called "food" by the most charitable of hunger victims. In fact, only a drunk would put his money into one of these things...
Perhaps you see where I'm going with this (bear with me!). As I mentioned above, I rarely eat breakfast. There is, however, a general exception to this habit (non-habit?). Like many men of all ages, in all ages--through all of recorded history (and before, no doubt), when I'm stumbling home drunk at six or seven on a Sunday morning I get an awful fucking munch on. And sometimes there are no convenience stores... conveniently nearby... Voila! Sunday breakfast from the vending machine!
Dave Edmunds-What Did I Do Last Night
Ya gotta understand, see, that a) I don't usually eat breakfast, b) I just found out about the topic of this week's challenge, c) it's after 10 pm here, and I don't feel like interrupting my drinking to stage some kind of improvised shot, and d) but I really do want to contribute something (sorry for the crappy pics, guys!).
Anyway, enough of my whining! What, you might be asking yourselves, do vending machines that dispense hot food like hot dogs, French fries, and fried chicken have to do with breakfast?
Well, it's quite simple, really. As you can see from the pics, these machines dispense hot food 24 hours a day. You may already have astutely surmised that what comes out of these machines could only be called "food" by the most charitable of hunger victims. In fact, only a drunk would put his money into one of these things...
Perhaps you see where I'm going with this (bear with me!). As I mentioned above, I rarely eat breakfast. There is, however, a general exception to this habit (non-habit?). Like many men of all ages, in all ages--through all of recorded history (and before, no doubt), when I'm stumbling home drunk at six or seven on a Sunday morning I get an awful fucking munch on. And sometimes there are no convenience stores... conveniently nearby... Voila! Sunday breakfast from the vending machine!
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Ask a Stupid Question...
Someone (possibly a Classical Lit student?) from Tennessee, clearly struggling with Homer's Odyssey, arrived here via Google with the search term "what does the kyklops do to the men he eats?" Umm, well... he eats them.
I hope you weren't planning a paper centered on this question. It seems a bit of a dead end. Focus instead on why Polyphemos ate Odysseus' companions (i.e. what clues does Homer give us regarding Polyphemos' character?). You should especially look at the punishment Odysseus exacts--was it just? If it wasn't, why not? If it was, why? And why was Odysseus punished for it? Look carefully at Odysseus' words when he first speaks to Polyphemos, and his words and manner as he's making his escape from the island.
Come back in a week and show me what you've got.
... [he]sprang up and put forth his hands upon my comrades. Two of them at once he seized and dashed to the earth like puppies, [290] and the brain flowed forth upon the ground and wetted the earth. Then he cut them limb from limb and made ready his supper, and ate them as a mountain-nurtured lion, leaving naught--ate the entrails, and the flesh, and the marrowy bones.
(Samuel Butler's translation. I prefer Lattimore's, but I don't have it nearby, and I can't be bothered to translate it myself.)
I hope you weren't planning a paper centered on this question. It seems a bit of a dead end. Focus instead on why Polyphemos ate Odysseus' companions (i.e. what clues does Homer give us regarding Polyphemos' character?). You should especially look at the punishment Odysseus exacts--was it just? If it wasn't, why not? If it was, why? And why was Odysseus punished for it? Look carefully at Odysseus' words when he first speaks to Polyphemos, and his words and manner as he's making his escape from the island.
Come back in a week and show me what you've got.
The Pause That Refreshes?
Vending machines in Japan are famous (notorious?) for offering a wide variety of products. Here's a vending machine you'll never see in Japan.
[Pic swiped from Thrillist.]
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Monday, January 28, 2008
Out of the Frying Pan...
Tomorrow is my last day of classes for this school year. I also think my dental appointments will finish this week or, possibly, next (thank fuck, because I'm starting to feel like a trapped animal every time I go lately...). Anyway, while there's always a shitload of stuff to do, I should be in a better mood, and I should have a bit more time to, like, actually write something here once in a while...
But, then again, I just got a call from a buddy asking if I were interested in throwing a set of tunes together for a rock'n'roll gig in a couple of weeks. Damn right I am...
But, then again, I just got a call from a buddy asking if I were interested in throwing a set of tunes together for a rock'n'roll gig in a couple of weeks. Damn right I am...
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Saturday, January 26, 2008
PSA
You owe it to yourself to listen to this. It ain't rock'n'roll, and it sure ain't death metal, but it sure is good. It's stunningly beautiful, in fact...
John Zorn-Merkabah
Yeah...
Yeah...
Friday, January 25, 2008
Tag, I'm "It"...
Jeez, I'm starting to get bruises! I've been tagged not once, but twice. For both friends who've tagged me: thanks for thinking about me, but please don't take it wrong if I don't tag anyone else (my other friends are very busy these days saving whales, electing a Democrat, getting drunk, and other important stuff; I, on the other hand, having no principles whatsoever, have all kinds of free time!).
First of all, Taffiny at to taste a peach has honored me with the "Colors of Friendship Badge". Look!
Thanks, Taff, I really am happy that you consider me worthy of your friendship. (When you get that "Japan" novel published, though, I want a mention in the acknowledgments! And some publisher freebies when you hit Japan to promote it!)
The next one requires a bit more than humble thanks. Absolute Vanilla's alien chicken friend, Atyallah--by the way, AV, have you ever heard of yaki tori? The Japanese would just love to meat, er, meet Atyllah--has tasked me with :
* link to the person who tagged you (done!)
* post the rules on your blog (done!)
* share six non-important things/ habits/ quirks about yourself (to follow!)
* tag at least 3 people at the end of the post and link to their blogs (sorry!)
* let each person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog (ditto!)
Six "non-important things/ habits/ quirks" about me (Kyklops):
1. I don't believe in God, but I religiously do nothing on Sundays. Actually, I stole that from an old Elvin Bishop tune. Surely something to strive for, though... (What, that's important? Jeesh, get a life!)
2. My favorite hockey team is the Boston Bruins... (yeah, yeah, OK already: that one is important; fucking sue me, already...)
3. Sometimes I kinda... you know, wish I were Captain Kirk...
4. My favorite food is pizza. Before moving to Japan I would have said any pizza. Actually, I don't much care for pizza anymore...
5. I'm not important. Neither are you. Neither is anyone else. Whoopee!!
6. I drink about 5 gallons of coffee a day. And about 2 gallons of beer on Friday nights...
First of all, Taffiny at to taste a peach has honored me with the "Colors of Friendship Badge". Look!
Thanks, Taff, I really am happy that you consider me worthy of your friendship. (When you get that "Japan" novel published, though, I want a mention in the acknowledgments! And some publisher freebies when you hit Japan to promote it!)
The next one requires a bit more than humble thanks. Absolute Vanilla's alien chicken friend, Atyallah--by the way, AV, have you ever heard of yaki tori? The Japanese would just love to meat, er, meet Atyllah--has tasked me with :
* link to the person who tagged you (done!)
* post the rules on your blog (done!)
* share six non-important things/ habits/ quirks about yourself (to follow!)
* tag at least 3 people at the end of the post and link to their blogs (sorry!)
* let each person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog (ditto!)
Six "non-important things/ habits/ quirks" about me (Kyklops):
1. I don't believe in God, but I religiously do nothing on Sundays. Actually, I stole that from an old Elvin Bishop tune. Surely something to strive for, though... (What, that's important? Jeesh, get a life!)
2. My favorite hockey team is the Boston Bruins... (yeah, yeah, OK already: that one is important; fucking sue me, already...)
3. Sometimes I kinda... you know, wish I were Captain Kirk...
4. My favorite food is pizza. Before moving to Japan I would have said any pizza. Actually, I don't much care for pizza anymore...
5. I'm not important. Neither are you. Neither is anyone else. Whoopee!!
6. I drink about 5 gallons of coffee a day. And about 2 gallons of beer on Friday nights...
Meta-Stupid
Ever the ground-breaking asshole, Fred "God hates fags" Phelps plans to picket the funeral of Heath Ledger for the "sin" of portraying a gay man in Brokeback Mountain. I'm struggling, trying to wrap my mind around this. Stupidity based on stupidity based on stupidity... Fuck off, assholes.
Ian Dury-Sex and Drugs and Rock'n'Roll
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Monday, January 21, 2008
Beat Us
Not really "engrish", but the shop sign below (crappy cell phone pic) caught my eye while I was walking home from the dentist's a few evenings ago. I don't know who works there or what exactly they sell but, given my usual mood after a dentist's appointment, I'm tempted to find out one of these days...
Nick Lowe-I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Tweaked Aircon Grill
Apropos of nothing in particular, I give you "Tweaked Aircon Grill". Click to enlarge (if you dare!).
Whale of a Time
It never ceases to amaze me how people, when arguing for or against this or that particular thing, will almost invariably weaken their (otherwise sound) reasoning with superfluities and appeals to emotion (not to mention liberal doses of hypocrisy). Take the most recent international outcry over Japan's killing of whales in the name of "scientific research". There is, in fact, a rather simple, rational argument against killing whales. It has nothing to do with whether or not whales are endangered, nor is it connected to the (extremely speculative) notion that whales are "intelligent" or "sentient" (and usually following from that, "noble" and "beautiful").
Peter Singer is perhaps one of the more famous of the world's philosophers (if you're unfamiliar with Singer you can check out his website here, or read about him at his Wikipedia entry.) Last week the online version of The Japan Times had an article by Singer entitled "Hypocrisy weakens West's whaling protests". In this article he presents us with the best, most rational argument against whaling:
"Causing suffering to innocent beings without an extremely weighty reason... is wrong." That surely must be right, and I think most people (Japanese included) would agree with this. And I'm not aware of any argument denying the fact that harpooned whales die painfully and slowly. Couple this with the even more obvious fact that there "is no essential human need that requires us to kill whales" and that's all she wrote, right? (Singer, by the way, also points out that if whaling is unethical, so is "scientific" whaling done with a view to developing a sustainable resource.)
As if the above weren't enough, Singer goes on to (quite rightly) criticize the common Japanese claim that the anti-whaling crowd too frequently argue from emotion rather than reason or common sense. I think the Japanese are actually correct on this point, but as Singer argues
Arguments that appeal to tradition generally have no foundation in reason, in fact they're more often than not downright irrational and sometimes just plain stupid or even dangerous. Anyone who says to me "I do X because my daddy and his daddy and his daddy did X" comes across sounding like an idiot. No less so than someone who says killing whales is wrong because they're "beautiful" or "intelligent" or whatever.
The biggest problem, however, for Westerners generally and, right now, the Australian government in particular, is that they have no reasonable claim to the high moral ground in this issue. To put it briefly (and bluntly), they're all hypocrites. As Singer writes,
There's little doubt in my mind that a combination of muddy thinking, hypocrisy, and cultural biases (sometimes bordering on or crossing into racism) has informed the typical Westerner's view of the Japanese whale hunt. Australia itself used to hunt whales, up to just 30 years ago. It wasn't the Japanese that decimated the world's whales. In fact, Japan is hardly the only country that continues to hunt whales. None of this means that killing whales (at least by the present means) is OK, but if I were of the mind to criticize a nation for doing something I found morally repugnant, I might try to make sure my own house were in order first.
Peter Singer is perhaps one of the more famous of the world's philosophers (if you're unfamiliar with Singer you can check out his website here, or read about him at his Wikipedia entry.) Last week the online version of The Japan Times had an article by Singer entitled "Hypocrisy weakens West's whaling protests". In this article he presents us with the best, most rational argument against whaling:
Whales cannot be humanely killed — they are too large, and even with an explosive harpoon, it is difficult to hit the whale in the right spot. Moreover, whalers do not want to use a large amount of explosive, because that would blow the whale to pieces, while the whole point is to recover valuable oil or flesh. So harpooned whales typically die slowly and painfully.
Causing suffering to innocent beings without an extremely weighty reason for doing so is wrong. If there were some life-or-death need that humans could meet only by killing whales, perhaps the ethical case against it could be countered. But there is no essential human need that requires us to kill whales. Everything we get from whales can be obtained without cruelty elsewhere. Thus, whaling is unethical.
"Causing suffering to innocent beings without an extremely weighty reason... is wrong." That surely must be right, and I think most people (Japanese included) would agree with this. And I'm not aware of any argument denying the fact that harpooned whales die painfully and slowly. Couple this with the even more obvious fact that there "is no essential human need that requires us to kill whales" and that's all she wrote, right? (Singer, by the way, also points out that if whaling is unethical, so is "scientific" whaling done with a view to developing a sustainable resource.)
As if the above weren't enough, Singer goes on to (quite rightly) criticize the common Japanese claim that the anti-whaling crowd too frequently argue from emotion rather than reason or common sense. I think the Japanese are actually correct on this point, but as Singer argues
Japan says that it wants the discussion of whaling to be carried out calmly, on the basis of scientific evidence, without "emotion." The Japanese think that humpback whale numbers have increased sufficiently for the killing of 50 to pose no danger to the species. On this narrow point, they might be right. But no amount of science can tell us whether or not to kill whales.
Indeed, Japan's desire to continue to kill whales is no less motivated by "emotion" than environmentalists' opposition to it. Eating whales is not necessary for the health or better nutrition of the Japanese. It is a tradition that they wish to continue, presumably because some Japanese are emotionally attached to it.
Arguments that appeal to tradition generally have no foundation in reason, in fact they're more often than not downright irrational and sometimes just plain stupid or even dangerous. Anyone who says to me "I do X because my daddy and his daddy and his daddy did X" comes across sounding like an idiot. No less so than someone who says killing whales is wrong because they're "beautiful" or "intelligent" or whatever.
The biggest problem, however, for Westerners generally and, right now, the Australian government in particular, is that they have no reasonable claim to the high moral ground in this issue. To put it briefly (and bluntly), they're all hypocrites. As Singer writes,
The Japanese do have one argument that is not so easily dismissed. They claim that Western countries object to whaling because, for them, whales are a special kind of animal, as cows are for Hindus. Western nations, the Japanese say, should not try to impose their cultural beliefs on them.
The best response to this argument is that the wrongness of causing needless suffering to sentient beings is not culturally specific. It is, for example, one of the first precepts of one of Japan's major ethical traditions, Buddhism.
But Western nations are in a weak position to make this response, because they inflict so much unnecessary suffering on animals. The Australian government strongly opposes whaling, yet it permits the killing of millions of kangaroos each year — a slaughter that involves a great deal of animal suffering. The same can be said of various forms of hunting in other countries, not to mention the vast amount of animal suffering caused by factory farms.
There's little doubt in my mind that a combination of muddy thinking, hypocrisy, and cultural biases (sometimes bordering on or crossing into racism) has informed the typical Westerner's view of the Japanese whale hunt. Australia itself used to hunt whales, up to just 30 years ago. It wasn't the Japanese that decimated the world's whales. In fact, Japan is hardly the only country that continues to hunt whales. None of this means that killing whales (at least by the present means) is OK, but if I were of the mind to criticize a nation for doing something I found morally repugnant, I might try to make sure my own house were in order first.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Cemetery
OK, so my buddy Glenn and his buddy Dave have this weekly photo challenge thing going, where every week there's a different theme/challenge. As far as I can tell, anyone can particpate...
Anyway, this week's theme/challenge is cemeteries, and you'll find my contributions below. As you might imagine, Japanese cemeteries are not exactly overflowing with the kind of Christian imagery you'd find in a place like, say, New Orleans. (Being an atheist myself, however, any pretty picture will do when I'm dead...)
The main problem for me in a Japanese graveyard is that I'm not always sure about what I'm looking at. The grave site in the shot below looks very Christian to me, but it's located outside a clearly marked "Christian" section (see below). (Click to enlarge.)
I don't think the scene below needs any explanation. This is the Christian section of the cemetery (as if you couldn't tell). This section, by the way, is actually fenced off and requires a key, or secret password (or handshake), or the tablets from the Mount, I don't fucking know. In truth, it's probably fenced in to prevent unnecessary ogling from the Japanese. (I'm going to leave that sentence there to remind myself what an unfair asshole I can be.) Anyway, click to enlarge before I put my foot any further into my mouth...
"Resurgent!" Yeah, don't I fucking wish...
Anyway, this week's theme/challenge is cemeteries, and you'll find my contributions below. As you might imagine, Japanese cemeteries are not exactly overflowing with the kind of Christian imagery you'd find in a place like, say, New Orleans. (Being an atheist myself, however, any pretty picture will do when I'm dead...)
The main problem for me in a Japanese graveyard is that I'm not always sure about what I'm looking at. The grave site in the shot below looks very Christian to me, but it's located outside a clearly marked "Christian" section (see below). (Click to enlarge.)
I don't think the scene below needs any explanation. This is the Christian section of the cemetery (as if you couldn't tell). This section, by the way, is actually fenced off and requires a key, or secret password (or handshake), or the tablets from the Mount, I don't fucking know. In truth, it's probably fenced in to prevent unnecessary ogling from the Japanese. (I'm going to leave that sentence there to remind myself what an unfair asshole I can be.) Anyway, click to enlarge before I put my foot any further into my mouth...
"Resurgent!" Yeah, don't I fucking wish...
On the Irresponsible Use of Vending Machines
The vending machine is a both a technological wonder and a convenient way to get a hot or cold drink.
Please drink responsibly (click to enlarge).
Please drink responsibly (click to enlarge).
Whale Meat Again
The recent shenanigans, antics, and various acts of tomfoolery on the high seas, and the assorted and sundry commentaries, have become so absurd that I'm beginning to think that perhaps Japan really should stop the whale hunt, if only to save the idiots of the world from themselves (in much the same way that the best reason for quitting smoking is so that everyone else will shut the fuck up).
Thursday, January 17, 2008
No Dessert...
... for this unfortunate woman in Japan who, homeless and starving, was too weak to open the food given to her by government officials, and died outside Hamamatsu city hall.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Physical Graffiti
My buddy Glenn was doing something with graffiti a few days ago, and I was reminded of the pic you see below. It's a real live genuine piece of Japanese graffiti. I have no idea what the fuck it says or means, other than that it appears to have been done by the "BCD Crew". Click to enlarge.
Monday, January 14, 2008
Little Wing
Last night, somewhat unexpectedly, I found myself on stage at a bar playing drums to Hendrix's "Little Wing". I've heard the tune a million times, of course, but last night was the first time I'd ever played it. It was fun (well, OK, maybe a bit more than just "fun"...).
Jimi Hendrix-Little Wing
If I bought a new drum kit on the credit card, I wonder if my wife would notice...
If I bought a new drum kit on the credit card, I wonder if my wife would notice...
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Friday, January 11, 2008
Lake Placid News
I think I've mentioned here before that I suffer from the double curse of being both easily amused and quickly bored. I found the following headline amusing: Placid man visits Japan to study martial arts. I didn't make it past the second sentence of the actual story...
Below you can click to hear an actual song (in streaming audio!) that has a theme related to martial arts. Before clicking, though, why not make a guess in the comments? (Hint: it's a very well-known song. No cheating!)
Mystery Tune
Below you can click to hear an actual song (in streaming audio!) that has a theme related to martial arts. Before clicking, though, why not make a guess in the comments? (Hint: it's a very well-known song. No cheating!)
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
Nightclubbing
I'm in a bad mood, I can't concentrate, I feel tired. I'm eating too much, and putting on pounds. I'm avoiding social contact. I'm depressed. Yeah, I got dem ole winter blahs. Even living here in sunny Miyazaki for the past 10 years is not enough to stave of this annual bout of bleh. It's even worse here, actually. Back in the old country, where there was at least some comfort in the fact that the weather really was depressing, I used to while away the months of January and February with extended bouts of drinking. And, if I had to go outside, there were always long walks down the dark, frozen, lonely streets, hockey stick in hand, and a chance encounter with a smiling, cheerful face... Of course now that I'm a family man, those small, simple pleasures have been stolen away from me...
Imagine my delight, dear readers, when I chanced upon this item about a "therapeutic" robot baby seal, designed right here in Japan (by real Japanese researchers!). The "Paro" (as it's called) has been recognized as the "World's Most Therapeutic Robot" by the Guinness Book of World Records!
Damn! A robot baby seal for reducing stress and depression! Japanese ingenuity never ceases to amaze! Although it's mildly mystifying why none of the test subjects for this wonderful little contraption were Canadian (possibly they're trying to create market anticipation?), readers possessing only a passing familiarity with Canada and its quaint customs will have no difficulty understanding what this could mean to me and untold millions of other Canadians. I'm ordering one today!
Now, where's my hockey stick...?
Iggy Pop-Nightclubbing
Imagine my delight, dear readers, when I chanced upon this item about a "therapeutic" robot baby seal, designed right here in Japan (by real Japanese researchers!). The "Paro" (as it's called) has been recognized as the "World's Most Therapeutic Robot" by the Guinness Book of World Records!The 57-centimetre Paro, covered with soft artificial fur, behaves in cuddly fashion on being caressed.
It responds to people's actions and words in a range of ways depending on what action they take toward it, such as stroking and talking to it.
The 2.7 kilogram Paro moves its head and flippers, making sounds and mimicking the voice of a baby seal [...]
[...] it provides healing effects, such as reducing stress and depression levels.
Damn! A robot baby seal for reducing stress and depression! Japanese ingenuity never ceases to amaze! Although it's mildly mystifying why none of the test subjects for this wonderful little contraption were Canadian (possibly they're trying to create market anticipation?), readers possessing only a passing familiarity with Canada and its quaint customs will have no difficulty understanding what this could mean to me and untold millions of other Canadians. I'm ordering one today!
Now, where's my hockey stick...?
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Test
This is only a test, but if it works, you should be able to click the thingie below and enjoy "I Found That Essence Rare" by Gang of Four in streaming audio!
[DivShare doodad copped from Rob at Loose Logic.]
[DivShare doodad copped from Rob at Loose Logic.]
Monday, January 07, 2008
Saturday, January 05, 2008
Friday, January 04, 2008
Horror of the Ninja! (Part 2)
In case anyone thought I was kidding with the previous post:
Please pay here...
... for your dismemberment!
Horror of the Ninja!
A couple of weeks ago my family and I passed through Ureshino town in Saga prefecture. While we were there we visited a funky little "theme park" called Hizen Yume Kaido. It's basically a reproduction of Ureshino during the Edo period. And while it was interesting to walk down the streets and look at the buildings, the highlights for me were the "ninja shows" (I had the opportunity to actually throw some "ninja death stars"!) and the several "haunted house" attractions.
I took the photo below with my cell phone while walking through one of the haunted houses. I didn't think much of it at the time (I wasn't especially "scared"), but I today I uploaded my cell's memory card to my pc and this pic caught my eye. The almost-black-and-white-ness and the grainy quality (click to enlarge) really give it (to my eye) a creepy kind of look.
I took the photo below with my cell phone while walking through one of the haunted houses. I didn't think much of it at the time (I wasn't especially "scared"), but I today I uploaded my cell's memory card to my pc and this pic caught my eye. The almost-black-and-white-ness and the grainy quality (click to enlarge) really give it (to my eye) a creepy kind of look.
Thursday, January 03, 2008
Apologia
The thud of drums and
droning guitars, a soundtrack.
Waves crashing on cliffs.
Life without meaning,
death without meaning; abyss.
This has been my life.
To reconcile this
with a young girl's smiling face--
what's a guy to do?
Existentially
speaking, I'm between a rock
and an, umm... hard place.
droning guitars, a soundtrack.
Waves crashing on cliffs.
Life without meaning,
death without meaning; abyss.
This has been my life.
To reconcile this
with a young girl's smiling face--
what's a guy to do?
Existentially
speaking, I'm between a rock
and an, umm... hard place.
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