I love my country. It's a great place to live for the most part. However, I could do without all the chest thumping and ignorance that comes along with it.
Listen up, fellow Americans:
You are NOT the best in the world. The American way is NOT the only way. There is more beyond just the US--like countries...with people who do things differently than us. That does not make them, OMG! weird heathens, so STFU now, okay?
I happened across this video from MSNBC, where the hosts take on Japanese entertainment, in a demeaning, arrogant way that only Americans are capable of (because, you know, if it's different, it's obviously BAD). They focus on Morning Musume, a Jpop idol group that consists of 13 girls whose ages range from 12-24. Think of the Mickey Mouse club, sorta. The girls grow up (some become stars), and are replaced. They sing, do TV skits, appear on Variety shows, etc.
MM is huge in Japan. They have fans ranging from young girls to old men. Of course, MSNBC only focuses on the fact that old men like these girls, and little else. "When they got to old to be in the group, I thought they became merchandise," states one of the hosts of MSNBC after learning that older men like to attend MM concerts.
Go die now. Thx.
While old men ogling teenage girls openly is a bit creepy, I'll happily point out that most American men also ogle teenage girls, just not so freely. You know you do, unless you're a saint or the pope, so stop lying.
The hosts also point out that these girls, being Japanese idols, are not allowed to have boyfriends (gasp). What they fail to mention, is that this isn't just restricted to MM. It is common among most idols, not to have significant others, whether they are girls or boys. To the American mind, this is OMG! Oppreshun! But to the Japanese, it's just good business. I mean, hell--what's the point of being an idol of some girl or boy's dreams when they know you're already attached? -100 worship points there...
As for Japanese "Game Shows" (Variety Shows), MSNBC states that, "American game shows reward knowledge; Japanese game shows punish ignorance." Bwha? Funny, when I watch a Japanese Variety show, I see a bunch of people doing stupid stuff that is funny, and having a good time doing it. Yeah, you're singled out if you do or say something idiotic, but what do you expect? And tell me, what was the last 'popular' game show you watched here in the US, eh?
NONE? Right! Knowledge my ass. Our televisions are clogged with god awful reality shows that are meant to catch people off guard and humiliate them. Game shows are boring. Americans love watching people suffer on TV. We like to belittle them at their worst moments, pick them apart, and criticize them to death. We want to see people behaving badly--the ugly side of human nature is intriguing to the typical US citizen. That's why the shows like The Real World, Punk'd, American Idol, Survivor, etc., are so popular. Kinda sick, when you think about it. At least in Japan, the people on these shows know they're going to be the laughing stock--and they laugh right along with everyone else.
And finally, to appease the masses of US people seeking dirty gossip, MSNBC goes on to talk about the money that MM draws in. Naturally, they make it sound as if the girls are slaves, kept chained in a basement and let out only to perform. Because, you know, since it's not done the American way, it must have evil strings attached. *rolls eyes*
I'm happy to say I don't rely on MSNBC, or another network news station for my source of information (for this exact reason). Sadly, too many Americans do, and take the word of hosts such as these to be golden. I blame the news, and the ridiculous laziness of my fellow country men, for the blinding ignorance that is a infection in the US.
Americans, stop being so dumb.
Posted by Zoso at February 8, 2006 04:00 PMDude, one of my college friends sat me down the other day and pulled me through 2 HOURS of reality tv (mind you, I don't watch more than 2 minutes a day of ANYTHING). You throw a bunch of spoiled, half-naked children into a room and you expect good things?? I can't even recall being that unhappy before. They say VIDEO GAMES make you aggressive? Hell. After 120 FULL minutes of whiney, whorish, angst-ridden teenage bullshit, I was so moody and stand-offish that I threatened to kill her in self-defense if she EVER came near me with a remote again.
Posted by: J00kst3r at February 8, 2006 07:54 PMIt doesn't even have to be teens. There are some awful reality shows featuring adults too. Unending madness is what it is. I'd love to see more of our celebrities make asses of themselves on television. I think I'd respect them more if they did (like they do in Japan). Too bad many of them are too stuck up to put themselves out there like that.
I get a big kick out of people like Bam from Viva la Bam, Tom Green, the guys on the show "Whose Line is it Anyway?", Conan O'Brian, etc. They've got balls, and being famous hasn't put them above making fools of themselves.
Posted by: Zoso at February 8, 2006 09:40 PMMSNBC is on my shit list for their sports commentary on the Superbowl. Among other things.
Interestingly enough, they claimed Seattle was a town of sore losers who couldn't afford to keep their good players. I found this ironic considering MSNBC is partially owned by Microsoft...
So I sent them a note suggesting that since Paul Allen (who owns the Seahawks) and Mr. Gates are suddenly so poor, perhaps they should drop MSNBC. Then the people there can write articles about who's going to pay them and Bill and Paul can buy Seattle something useful with the money saved. Like new public trash cans. *grumbles*
I've always found their reporting to be some where between real journalism and tabloid news. The news of the day distorted for better ratings. Half the facts...yet more filling to the average American dope.
I generally dislike the news media in general to be honest. News is entertainment these days, they sell what people want to hear, not the actual facts. *shrugs*
Posted by: Sarah at February 9, 2006 07:52 AMAh, reality TV, how I wish I could remove thee from my television set forever. Sadly I can't do that so I end up just flipping the channel to some documentary. As for the news report, well...I hate the news anyways. Always a bit too morbid these days for my tastes.
KHII-March 28th. It's official.
I'm done with the news. I'm not even effin' kidding. A few nights back, I shit you not, they go, "Sad news tonight, a trailer full of puppies went up in flames." I had JUST asked my Mom, "Can this crap get any darker?"
Also on a lighter note, Zoso and Gamma, stay the #$%@ away from KH: Chain of Memories. I didn't listen to the CompUSA guy, but you damn sure better listen to me. XD
Posted by: J00kst3r at February 9, 2006 04:20 PMI already have Chain of Memories. I enjoyed it. It was not that phenomenal of a game but it was decent.
Posted by: gamma at February 9, 2006 04:25 PMYou ain't kiddin'. I encounter that in my own family about my knowing some Japanese. When I first spoke it around the house, first my parents ridiculed me for it then my siblings picked up on it. Knowing some of another language meant that -obviously- I was a freak and a pariah.
I know America isn't the be all end all, though I do love my country. I hate it when people start bashing other countries without knowing a thing about them. Hasn't anyone heard of "don't knock it 'til you've tried it" (though that doesn't apply to everything, certainly)?
Posted by: Kantama at February 9, 2006 05:44 PMKantama--
Yeah, went through that myself. Especially my dad. He was always making snide and ignorant comments about the Japanese, knowing that I enjoyed learning about their culture. Anytime my kiddo did something stupid or bad, he would say, "It's because of all that Japanese stuff". *shakes head in wonder*
Just ignore it. Once they learn that you aren't paying attention, they'll move on. People choose to remain ignorant in this country because Americans fear anything that challenges their sense of security.
I often talk about the Japanese being xenophobic, but the US isn't much better. We may see people of different colors everyday, but we don't easily embrace other cultures. On some level, we are all guilty of it, but being aware is the first step to making changes.
Keep it up. Learning a new language is an enriching experience. Many of my friends have become curious as well, and now ask me questions about the Japanese culture. You'll the people around you do the same thing, as they learn this 'new' thing isn't going to hurt them. *laughs*
Posted by: Zoso at February 9, 2006 06:06 PMA set date, eh gamma?
I'm a bit gun shy about these 'set dates'. Knowing them, they'll be like "Ha ha! Fooled you! You have to wait another YEAR!" *sigh* I love Square, but KH2 and FF12 have been ridiculous. I am hoping they release Grandia 3 next week like they say they will. I'm going to have to go pick up a copy early in the morning.
Already english screens have been released to the public in EGM; along with the press release on the official Square Enix website stating specifically that the game will ship in March 28th, 2006, I highly doubt that it will be pushed back once more. But hey I could be wrong, but if it's on the official website, then here's hoping they stick true to their word for once, eh?
http://www.square-enix.com/na/company/press/2006/0208/