catbarf on 23/3/2009 at 01:54

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How do you like Gibson?

And now that I think about it, how did the thread go from game reviews to cyberpunk?



IOW, most American japanophiles have no idea what they're on about?

Papy on 23/3/2009 at 05:19

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Demagogue : I found what you wrote about Japan interesting. I'm not particularly a big fan of Japanese culture, but as I don't know much about it, I am certainly curious.

Having said that, I think what you describe as "irredeemably broken" are mostly cultural and very subjective points of view. I won't go into my usual rant about the modern "feminine" values of our societies or the incredible shallowness of most people about politics, but let's just say that from my own point of view I do think western societies are now also "irredeemably broken" on several aspects compared to what they were before.

As for girls being behind the curve, although I'm not sure what you mean, I learned that maturity cannot be determine solely by the appearance of public behavior. I remember my first contact with a French high school when I went back to France... Most student my age (13 years old) in Canada were serious and we certainly were not playing kid's games during the lunch break. So when I saw those French kids shouting, running around, fighting, playing games like we did when we were in elementary school, I thought I just was dropped off in a mental institution or something. But after a few weeks, I realized that although those kids were acting like idiots, they were not. I was having rational conversations about serious matters, something that was not possible with Canadian kids (at least not in Québec). I also realized they could be trusted a lot more and they were a lot more conscious about themselves and the society around them. Basically, Canadian kids were immature but acting like sheep adults, while French kids were mature but acting like kids. Is that the same for Japanese or are they really retards?

Tenkahubu on 23/3/2009 at 10:35

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Although stealing Japanese newborns in an attempt to save them from their own culture may work (and I have thought about it) it is not practical for an individual.

@Ombrenuit
Forget younger people, a high percentage of them are incredibly lame. When I was there I didn't have a friend under 40 and most of my friends were over 50. Why? Because in that age group you can still find people who think Japan is (should be) what it was. Try joining a group that is traditional in some way. I did Kendo and Zen meditation and the people I met were incredibly cool.
Older people may not be confident enough to accept you straight away, but if you stick at it they probably will, and you will find that they are much more genuine.
It's the older Japan that most of us are interested in really, I think.
Modern Japan is a disgraceful replication and perpetuation of the 80's West.
That's why the young ones are shallow.

Be wary of the Gaijin lovers that act like your best buddy (or gf) but will have replaced you with days of your leaving. I've seen it happen over and over. They see you much as a Japanophile would see the prospect of 'owning' a real Japanese person.

Finally, remember that the idiots of your own country stay there. So in a sense, the fellow Gaijin you are with represent the cream (you may not like to think that). When you get back you will once again meet western idiots and see that stupidity is universal. It's depressing.

catbarf on 24/3/2009 at 00:11

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One of my favorite authors. It's a shame, though, that a lot of modern cyberpunk follows mostly the same cliches, tropes, ideas, and rules as the first real examples of the genre. Know any books that try it differently?

DaBeast on 24/3/2009 at 04:48

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Why would you lie about your favourite book?


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OT: I'd giver her one, but I'd need to shower afterwards.