http://www.dyske.com A magagzine on philosophy, arts, business, politics, etc.. en-us Copyright 1990-2004 Dyske Suematsu, unless otherwise noted. Fri, 02 May 2008 20:53:00 GMT http://www.dyske.com/gfx/rss.gif http://www.dyske.com 88 31 A magagzine on philosophy, arts, business, politics, etc.. http://www.dyske.com/default.asp?view_id=911 I’ve always believed that male and female brains were biologically different from the day we were born. Now that I have a child of my own and see many of her friends grow up, it is hard to imagine how anyone could deny the difference. I have been so vocal about the gender differences that many of my friends think I am a sexist. I became so used to it that it doesn’t bother me anymore. Given this reputation of mine, one would assume that I would agree with everything stated in the book “The Essential Difference” by Simon Baron-Cohen, which explores the difference between male and female brains. To my surprise, I found myself disagreeing with him in a fundamental way. Fri, 02 May 2008 20:53:00 GMT dyske@dyske.com (Dyske Suematsu) http://www.dyske.com/default.asp?view_id=911 http://www.dyske.com/default.asp?view_id=910 In my younger days, I simply assumed that other people were as intelligent as I was. I had no reason to believe otherwise. Nobody came to me with an admission or acceptance that my intelligence was superior to theirs. (Do I sound condescending and full of myself? Bear with me for now.) Compare this with someone who is physically superior. Most professional boxers, for instance, have a reasonable understanding of their own superiority. This understanding is crucial in using their physical strength appropriately. If they did not understand their superiority, they could get into all sorts of trouble. But, this does not hold true for intelligence. Why? Shouldn’t those with high IQs recognize their own intelligence and learn to use it appropriately in our society too? Sun, 16 Dec 2007 09:34:00 GMT dyske@dyske.com (Dyske Suematsu) http://www.dyske.com/default.asp?view_id=910 http://www.dyske.com/default.asp?view_id=909 The word "seduction" is not generally perceived positively. There is something dark and negative about the idea of seducing, yet, it is a key factor in achieving happiness. (It is difficult to feel content if nobody likes you.) We humans are social creatures; I believe we've evolved to crave social recognition and to fear isolation. In this sense, seduction has been a critical component of evolution and is an important survival skill. We therefore need to look at it pragmatically. Fri, 07 Dec 2007 19:24:00 GMT dyske@dyske.com (Dyske Suematsu) http://www.dyske.com/default.asp?view_id=909 http://www.dyske.com/default.asp?view_id=908 “Emotional Intelligence” is much talked about these days. Even though I can see its significance in certain areas of our lives (especially in business), I am skeptical of those who are rushing to apply the theory to child development and psychology. The term “Emotional Intelligence” was popularized by Daniel Goleman who was interested in identifying the quality that made people successful in the corporate world. The data of his research are kept private, so we do not know for sure, but I would imagine that his research does not cover successful people in the arts or anyone outside of the corporate world (the likes of, for instance, Woody Allen, Kurt Cobain, Andy Warhol, Noam Chomsky, Bobby Fischer, etc..). Sun, 07 Oct 2007 09:28:00 GMT dyske@dyske.com (Dyske Suematsu) http://www.dyske.com/default.asp?view_id=908 http://www.dyske.com/default.asp?view_id=907 In watching the TV commercials where countless starving children from around the world are staring at me in desperation, I cannot help but ask this question: "Why did their parents decide to have children in the first place?" Their dire predicaments are undeniable to anyone. The severe suffering of their children are virtually guaranteed even before their birth. So, why? For many, this is an immoral question to ask. It is an obvious question to everyone, but the desire to have children is so fundamental and deep-rooted that most people can relate to the predicaments of those who have children in abject reality. Sun, 02 Sep 2007 07:21:00 GMT dyske@dyske.com (Dyske Suematsu) http://www.dyske.com/default.asp?view_id=907 http://www.dyske.com/default.asp?view_id=906 "Life has no meaning." Most people would project a depressed feeling to this statement. Suppose John paints a big circle on his wall, and Jane asks, "What does the circle mean?" John replies, "No meaning. I just felt like it." The lack of meaning, in this case, does not tempt us to project one. Why then, are we inclined to project a negative emotion to the pronouncement that life has no meaning? Sat, 19 May 2007 13:53:00 GMT dyske@dyske.com (Dyske Suematsu) http://www.dyske.com/default.asp?view_id=906 http://www.dyske.com/default.asp?view_id=905 Since the subtitle of my book is about reconsideration, I believe we should reconsider—and broaden—the list of people who might be called upon to write a review. The list should include the author, who understands the book better than most of its other readers. Consequently, here is my autoreview, my review of my own book. Wed, 09 May 2007 11:25:00 GMT george@jochnowitz.net (George Jochnowitz) http://www.dyske.com/default.asp?view_id=905 http://www.dyske.com/default.asp?view_id=904 In speaking of stereotypes, the emphasis is usually placed on the act of differentiation, but dividing and uniting are two sides of the same coin; in one act, both concepts operate simultaneously. We view the attitude of “us” and “them” as divisive and negative, but without the concept of “them” or “others”, uniting of people would also be impossible. Wed, 13 Dec 2006 13:03:00 GMT dyske@dyske.com (Dyske Suematsu) http://www.dyske.com/default.asp?view_id=904 http://www.dyske.com/default.asp?view_id=903 This is a text I wrote for the group show curated by Francesco Bonami at the Fondazione Sandretto Re Rebaudengo (Torino, Italy). The show was named after one of my websites, AllLookSame.com. This piece describes my philosophy behind it. Mon, 04 Dec 2006 16:40:00 GMT dyske@dyske.com (Dyske Suematsu) http://www.dyske.com/default.asp?view_id=903 http://www.dyske.com/default.asp?view_id=902 Reading this article in New Scientist reveals to me that scientific study of time is hampered by a language (semantic) problem. Wittgenstein incidentally used the concept of “time” to explain what he called “family resemblance.” The gist of it is that when we try to define what “time” is (or any word for that matter), we tend to look for what is common to all the phenomena we call “time”. This is a mental habit that has no logical basis. There is no reason why there must be something in common to all the phenomena we call “time”. Phenomenon A might share something in common with phenomenon B, and B might share something in common with C, but this does not mean that A must share something in common with C. So any attempt at abstracting a concept until you find something in common to all, is a futile exercise. I think some of the problems associated with time perception fall in this category. Mon, 04 Dec 2006 12:22:00 GMT dyske@dyske.com (Dyske Suematsu) http://www.dyske.com/default.asp?view_id=902 http://www.dyske.com/default.asp?view_id=901 The amount of stress we endure is increasing because of our focus on efficiency. Stress is caused by uncertainty, more specifically, by doubts in our ability to handle something. As machines and computers handle more things that are predictable and certain, we are pressured to deal with more things that are unpredictable and uncertain. This inevitably leads to more stress. As soon as our tasks become predictable and certain, we automate them using our technology. The result of this process of streamlining is that we are increasingly called upon to use our, what I would call, irrational abilities, such as instincts, sensibilities, creativities, and interpersonal skills. These things are, by nature, unpredictable. Fri, 01 Dec 2006 12:24:00 GMT dyske@dyske.com (Dyske Suematsu) http://www.dyske.com/default.asp?view_id=901 http://www.dyske.com/default.asp?view_id=900 Coming from Japan, the abundance of choice offered in America has always frustrated me, not because I don’t like having choices, but because many of them are meaningless for me. For instance, a typical diner in New York offers hundreds of items on the menu, but none of them are particularly good. Wouldn’t it make more sense to offer a limited number of items, but make them really well? Unfortunately the answer appears to be no. In this country where the concept of individualism is almost sacred, having choice is unequivocally considered as a good thing. No one even questions it, except for a few theorists like Barry Schwartz, the author of “The Paradox of Choice”. Sun, 26 Nov 2006 14:32:00 GMT dyske@dyske.com (Dyske Suematsu) http://www.dyske.com/default.asp?view_id=900 http://www.dyske.com/default.asp?view_id=899 There is a saying that goes “Wise men learn more from fools than fools from the wise.” This can be extended to our relationship with our TVs. Even if TV is a fool, it should not prevent a wise person from learning something from it. In recent years, I’ve noticed a growing number of people around me who tossed their TVs out of their living rooms, asserting that TV is stupid, superficial, and annoying. Whenever I would mention something on TV, they would proudly announce that they don’t own a TV. I’m sure this is not a national phenomenon, but within my own circle of friends and associates, it is becoming a trend, or even a fad. Sat, 18 Nov 2006 19:31:00 GMT dyske@dyske.com (Dyske Suematsu) http://www.dyske.com/default.asp?view_id=899 http://www.dyske.com/default.asp?view_id=897 One winter night, one of the few Japanese friends I had in my early 20s was playing a guitar at his company Christmas party. He was an architect and was about 10 years older than I was. Before he decided to study architecture, he was making a living as a guitarist in Japan. This was not the first time I heard him play, but I was still stunned by how good he was. After his performance, I told him that it was a shame that he was no longer pursuing his musical career. He then shared with me his recent realization that life is a process of giving up. At the time, I didn’t think much of what he said. I think I remembered it only because of its unusual reversal of the popularly held beliefs. Especially on this land of dreams, “giving up” is seen almost as sacrilegious. Everyone’s livelihood seems to precariously hinge on holding big, albeit distant dreams. For some people, the more dreams, the better. So, what did my friend mean when he said that life is a process of giving up? Sun, 05 Nov 2006 12:29:00 GMT dyske@dyske.com (Dyske Suematsu) http://www.dyske.com/default.asp?view_id=897 http://www.dyske.com/default.asp?view_id=886 After graduating from college, I worked for a Japanese corporation here in the US. I hated the idea that I was taking advantage of being Japanese, but it was during the recession of the early 90s, and being able to get any kind of job, especially fresh out of college, was quite fortunate. The only reason why I was able to get that job was because I spoke Japanese. If I were Chinese, I would not have had the access to the same opportunities. I asked myself, “Why do I deserve these opportunities when many immigrants from other countries have to start their lives from the very bottom of this society?” Sat, 02 Sep 2006 23:14:00 GMT dyske@dyske.com (Dyske Suematsu) http://www.dyske.com/default.asp?view_id=886 http://www.dyske.com/default.asp?view_id=885 An interesting website called “The Belonging Initiatives” was brought to my attention. It is a Canadian group which is “exploring ways by which we can end isolation and loneliness for persons with disabilities.” The concept of isolation and loneliness has always fascinated me mainly because I moved a lot in my childhood. The toughest experience I had of loneliness was when I moved to New York from Japan on my own to go to college. At the time, I spoke very little English, and there were no other Japanese students in my college. I do recall the pain was almost physical. Mon, 28 Aug 2006 00:47:00 GMT dyske@dyske.com (Dyske Suematsu) http://www.dyske.com/default.asp?view_id=885 http://www.dyske.com/default.asp?view_id=884 This year, video portals like YouTube, iFilm, and vSocial are all the rage. It appears that online video viewing has finally reached a critical mass. It is interesting to think about what this means for the content developers. Before we get into the specific implications, I would like to discuss the general trend in the business world today. Fri, 02 Jun 2006 10:20:00 GMT dyske@dyske.com (Dyske Suematsu) http://www.dyske.com/default.asp?view_id=884 http://www.dyske.com/default.asp?view_id=883 “The Nurture Assumption” by Judith Rich Harris offers an alternative view on the topic of parenting which is dominated by the idea that parents are the most influential figures in the lives of children. I find many of her arguments to be relevant, but this book overall is marred by her own personal biases. Sun, 14 May 2006 20:37:00 GMT dyske@dyske.com (Dyske Suematsu) http://www.dyske.com/default.asp?view_id=883 http://www.dyske.com/default.asp?view_id=882 The recent study conducted by the two sociologists at the University of Virginia sparked a series of debates on the Internet, arguing whether women are happier staying at home or working. According to the study, stay-at-home wives are overall happier than their working counterparts. In the various arguments I read, no one mentioned the point that has concerned me for years: the unfortunate consequence of feminism on our household economies. My theory is not backed up by any research, but it seems apparent to me that women joining the workforce decreased the amount of money one person can earn for the household. Sun, 12 Mar 2006 17:17:00 GMT dyske@dyske.com (Dyske Suematsu) http://www.dyske.com/default.asp?view_id=882 http://www.dyske.com/default.asp?view_id=879 The dislocating anomie lifts as you part the clouds over Los Angeles. You haven’t landed yet, but at 500 feet you recognize you have arrived. The basin stretches taut between the mountains and the water, welcomes you in its embrace. Buildings crouch low, hunkering from the sweep of the sky. Hills that later will tower starkly above now read as bumps of Braille. Green saturates as you near, intensified by the pounding rains of an absurdly early spring. The basin embraces you, hugs you. Fri, 17 Feb 2006 17:30:00 GMT trnsndnt@earthlink.net (Fred Soffa) http://www.dyske.com/default.asp?view_id=879