Anyone want to defend this comment? I say it's ignorant and racist. Go ahead and deride Japanese technological advances, then try getting through a day without it ( or maybe writing a blog without it ).
I guess being "as Japanese" an idea it's instantly better then if it were "as American as it gets".
Exactly what does that mean to you?
if "as Japanese as it gets" = Toyota Prius, then "as American as it gets" = Hybrid SUV.
Will calm down, what they are having a go at is more the fact of what energy is going to get used making the fake dirt (out of plastic, which is generally made out of petroleums). The irony is they will probably use more energy making the stuff and do more halm than good.
I say just a thin layer or dirt say (1 foot) couple of branch root style plants that spread they're roots across rather than down and you be right...
(I may be simplifying this abit to much?)
I think the theory behind it is good just fails practically.
I'm simply saying that I have a problem with the statement:
"Of course, there's considerable irony in trying to save the planet by covering concrete buildings in fake plastic dirt, but then again, such a solution is about as Japanese as it gets, no?"
I feel as thought this statement undervalues the importance of the concept by trading actual content and insight for glib generalization. I usually enjoy engadget as a universal forum for relevant, concise insight and commentary on technology, and I don't expect or enjoy this type of commentary. If I did I'd read the Onion (or whatever).
Honestly. Joke. A simple racial pun meant to be light and humorous. I would understand the outburst if this was blatantly offensive and disregarding of their status as human beings, but it doesn't. In fact, it made my Japanese friends chuckle a bit. There are lines in racial humor; this didn't cross it.
I'm surprised that so many people are denouncing my 'racism drivel'.
When you talk, I just can't help but picture a fat American in Japan going up a stoic Japanese businessman and saying something like " SO lemme get this straight, you're putting PLASTIC in DIRT and then puttin' it on yer' roof!! HA!! What'll you crazy Japanese think of next!!! "
I imagine the look on his face would be similar to the one on mine.
You're right, there are "lines" in racial humor, and there is also "time" and "place". You're right it's not glaring or disgusting, but I simply feel as though it doesn't belong on a professional media outlet such as engadget.
On a side note, you really do need to go find a new source of gadget info then, and it definately won't be from Gizmodo either. You have that these are BLOGS. Amazing steps of web technology combined with word logging! Unlike "professional media" which are boring, blogs have humour and personality to them and they DO also publish rumors. I would suggest you go back to the dark ages of TV and magazines if you really do want a "universal forum on blah blah blah" or something blander.
Japanese have been and currently still are at the forefront of environmental technologies.
Considering the purpose of this product i'd be incredibly surprised if the plastics that they use weren't recycled. If you've ever looked into what recycled plastics were used for then you'd realise that they're rarely fully reprocessed and are instead used for specific applications like this where shredded plastics do the job perfectly.
Insinuating that this product actually has a negative effect on the environment and then saying that "is about as Japanese as it gets". Ya know? How else are we supposed to interpret that one engadget?
First, I took that comment to mean it is typical of Japanese to take a purely technological angle at solving a purely natural problem - we want to save the Earth (Earth=Dirt), so we make fake earth (earth=dirt). Looking at it that way, it IS sort of surreal.
Second, you seem to have an unrealistic view of the Japanese, wrapped up in all this honor, stoicism and seriousness. I used to be that way too.
Then I went to work for a Japanese company and visited Japan many times. While I still like and admire many of their traits, I also found out their honor is only among other Japanese and a majority are the most racist individuals you would meet. And yes, you can call it racism, since they DO believe they are their own race and HATE the Chinese, Koreans and most other Asians. Basically, they are no more different as a culture than Americans, or the rest of the world for that matter.
You don't know anything about the Japanese, do you? You haven't seen the crazy things they do, have you? The wackiest and funniest stuff comes out of Japan. Have you heard of Binocular Soccer? That's why using synthetic, oil-based dirt to save the planet is as Japanese as it gets.
When I read, "as Japanese as it gets..." I thought of it has a complement. As in Japanese technology and inovation is really cool and can be quite amazing. They can be daring, in a good way.
Especially in the context of a quite positive article about a new technology that can have endless ramifications. Such as getting plants into space and the moon, to name one. Anyway, that is how I read it. Interesting how we can see things in complete opposite ways.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Will H. @ Feb 26th 2008 2:33AM
"about as Japanese as it gets"
Anyone want to defend this comment? I say it's ignorant and racist. Go ahead and deride Japanese technological advances, then try getting through a day without it ( or maybe writing a blog without it ).
I guess being "as Japanese" an idea it's instantly better then if it were "as American as it gets".
Exactly what does that mean to you?
if "as Japanese as it gets" = Toyota Prius, then "as American as it gets" = Hybrid SUV.
Superprime @ Feb 26th 2008 2:35AM
That's exactly what they mean. You nailed it
Les @ Feb 26th 2008 2:55AM
take the stick out of your ass. It was a harmless joke.
Will H. @ Feb 26th 2008 2:44AM
But I mean, if trying to save the world is "as Japanese as it gets", then SURE, let's mock the silly bastards, I mean, they do talk funny!
Soil-covered houses date back thousands of years ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth_sheltering ), those silly Japanese, always thinking of crazy things! The EPA of America must be nuts too! Look! ( http://www.epa.gov/hiri/strategies/greenroofs.html ) And those twits over at Berkley must be whacko ( http://bie.berkeley.edu/node/1350 ), pointing out that this technology "can reduce energy use for cooling compressors by 16%". Let's mock all these people, cmon everyone with me now!
Get Real. We should be lauding anyone who is positively addressing the issues of sustainable modernization and urbanization.
Joey Geraci @ Feb 26th 2008 2:46AM
Oh, give me a break. Are you new? We are geeks, and we couldn't possibly revere more almost all things Japanese (PS3 possibly excepted).
Jordan @ Feb 26th 2008 2:47AM
I think you should get your rectum probed, Will, you might have something up it.
guerilla779 @ Feb 27th 2008 1:34PM
u guys are wrong !
APPLE is "as american as it gets" and only they can solve the worlds problems :)
Reader @ Feb 26th 2008 2:51AM
Teh political correctness strikez again!
John @ Feb 26th 2008 2:52AM
Will calm down, what they are having a go at is more the fact of what energy is going to get used making the fake dirt (out of plastic, which is generally made out of petroleums). The irony is they will probably use more energy making the stuff and do more halm than good.
I say just a thin layer or dirt say (1 foot) couple of branch root style plants that spread they're roots across rather than down and you be right...
(I may be simplifying this abit to much?)
I think the theory behind it is good just fails practically.
happy_penguin @ Feb 26th 2008 2:55AM
It isn't racist because Japanese isn't a race. It's the same as if you say "as American as it gets."
Doug @ Feb 26th 2008 2:57AM
Spare us the knee-jerk holier-than-thou racism drivel. Good call, Joey and Jordan.
Nick @ Feb 26th 2008 3:00AM
Not bad at all... Just, you know... Plastic.
Will H. @ Feb 26th 2008 2:59AM
I'm simply saying that I have a problem with the statement:
"Of course, there's considerable irony in trying to save the planet by covering concrete buildings in fake plastic dirt, but then again, such a solution is about as Japanese as it gets, no?"
I feel as thought this statement undervalues the importance of the concept by trading actual content and insight for glib generalization. I usually enjoy engadget as a universal forum for relevant, concise insight and commentary on technology, and I don't expect or enjoy this type of commentary. If I did I'd read the Onion (or whatever).
happy_penguin @ Feb 26th 2008 3:00AM
"if "as Japanese as it gets" = Toyota Prius, then "as American as it gets" = Hybrid SUV."
This comment, on the other hand, is just ignorant.
roflercopterer @ Feb 26th 2008 3:04AM
weeaboo!
Soulis @ Feb 26th 2008 3:14AM
Honestly. Joke. A simple racial pun meant to be light and humorous. I would understand the outburst if this was blatantly offensive and disregarding of their status as human beings, but it doesn't. In fact, it made my Japanese friends chuckle a bit. There are lines in racial humor; this didn't cross it.
Will H. @ Feb 26th 2008 3:16AM
I'm surprised that so many people are denouncing my 'racism drivel'.
When you talk, I just can't help but picture a fat American in Japan going up a stoic Japanese businessman and saying something like " SO lemme get this straight, you're putting PLASTIC in DIRT and then puttin' it on yer' roof!! HA!! What'll you crazy Japanese think of next!!! "
I imagine the look on his face would be similar to the one on mine.
Will H. @ Feb 26th 2008 3:29AM
@Soulis
You're right, there are "lines" in racial humor, and there is also "time" and "place". You're right it's not glaring or disgusting, but I simply feel as though it doesn't belong on a professional media outlet such as engadget.
And don't get me wrong, I love whattheasian.com ( http://www.whattheasian.com/ )
happy_penguin @ Feb 26th 2008 3:29AM
Yes. It could be an ignorant statement, or not. But it is not racist. Let's not be so quick to play the R card.
haracas @ Feb 26th 2008 3:49AM
On a side note, you really do need to go find a new source of gadget info then, and it definately won't be from Gizmodo either. You have that these are BLOGS. Amazing steps of web technology combined with word logging! Unlike "professional media" which are boring, blogs have humour and personality to them and they DO also publish rumors. I would suggest you go back to the dark ages of TV and magazines if you really do want a "universal forum on blah blah blah" or something blander.
Will H. @ Feb 26th 2008 3:52AM
@haracas
I'm not sure why gadget news and professionalism have to be mutually exclusive.
Elliot @ Feb 26th 2008 6:53AM
i'm with Will on this one
Japanese have been and currently still are at the forefront of environmental technologies.
Considering the purpose of this product i'd be incredibly surprised if the plastics that they use weren't recycled. If you've ever looked into what recycled plastics were used for then you'd realise that they're rarely fully reprocessed and are instead used for specific applications like this where shredded plastics do the job perfectly.
Insinuating that this product actually has a negative effect on the environment and then saying that "is about as Japanese as it gets". Ya know? How else are we supposed to interpret that one engadget?
Zorque @ Feb 26th 2008 7:46AM
"When you talk..."
When you talk, I just can't help but picture a fat white guy touching himself to anime.
GeneMack @ Feb 26th 2008 10:08AM
Will:
First, I took that comment to mean it is typical of Japanese to take a purely technological angle at solving a purely natural problem - we want to save the Earth (Earth=Dirt), so we make fake earth (earth=dirt). Looking at it that way, it IS sort of surreal.
Second, you seem to have an unrealistic view of the Japanese, wrapped up in all this honor, stoicism and seriousness. I used to be that way too.
Then I went to work for a Japanese company and visited Japan many times. While I still like and admire many of their traits, I also found out their honor is only among other Japanese and a majority are the most racist individuals you would meet. And yes, you can call it racism, since they DO believe they are their own race and HATE the Chinese, Koreans and most other Asians. Basically, they are no more different as a culture than Americans, or the rest of the world for that matter.
ben @ Feb 26th 2008 10:10AM
A green plastic watering can
For a fake chinese rubber plant
In the fake plastic earth
That she bought from a rubber man
In a town full of rubber plans
To get rid of itself
It wears her out, it wears her out
It wears her out, it wears her out
She lives with a broken man
A cracked polystyrene man
Who just crumbles and burns
He used to do surgery
On girls in the eighties
But gravity always wins
And it wears him out, it wears him out
It wears him out, it wears him out
She looks like the real thing
She tastes like the real thing
My fake plastic love
But I can't help the feeling
I could blow through the ceiling
If I just turn and run
And it wears me out, it wears me out
It wears me out, it wears me out
And if I could be who you wanted
If I could be who you wanted
All the time, all the time
T-Bone @ Feb 26th 2008 11:58AM
You don't know anything about the Japanese, do you? You haven't seen the crazy things they do, have you? The wackiest and funniest stuff comes out of Japan. Have you heard of Binocular Soccer? That's why using synthetic, oil-based dirt to save the planet is as Japanese as it gets.
boydston @ Feb 26th 2008 7:01PM
When I read, "as Japanese as it gets..." I thought of it has a complement. As in Japanese technology and inovation is really cool and can be quite amazing. They can be daring, in a good way.
Especially in the context of a quite positive article about a new technology that can have endless ramifications. Such as getting plants into space and the moon, to name one. Anyway, that is how I read it. Interesting how we can see things in complete opposite ways.