tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8063089944979997582024-03-18T21:16:32.717+09:00Into the World: The Random Thoughts in My MindXiaochen Su, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16971152537509891790noreply@blogger.comBlogger1112125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-806308994497999758.post-59311524331373615002024-03-18T21:15:00.005+09:002024-03-18T21:15:53.051+09:00Questioning the Universality of Open-Mindedness to Diversity<p>Malta at this time of the year is home to some unusual faces. Whereas the old British long-stay tourists and the <a href="https://xiaochensu.blogspot.com/2024/01/malta-as-globalization-hotspot-that-no.html">Filipino/Indian</a> migrant workers stick out like a sore thumb amidst the Maltese crowds at any time of the year, groups of Japanese youngsters navigate the country's narrow streets, polite, confused, and looking, in general, all-around out of place. It is vacation time for many of them: Japanese school and work years do not start until the beginning of April while the previous year already ended, giving many just a small window of a few weeks to partake in short-term English language programs in Malta.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhOF-CMQlIk7Fcx2Wn3pF_6AePw7_hZ5Lkp0jgHVMkoMqkKJKbwOvinjq3WoGsEqfSICoF3uZmPAlx9Iwgaxsh1Xjud4MoiQeJr97LnCtDpLax6zHfSHDlxasLsgBAQ91ODQb2MxekGjPeXquUuYXPGFaSpo7H1r1m4cdKaE9b1qp4uKGT2yg4dJSmgb7Us" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhOF-CMQlIk7Fcx2Wn3pF_6AePw7_hZ5Lkp0jgHVMkoMqkKJKbwOvinjq3WoGsEqfSICoF3uZmPAlx9Iwgaxsh1Xjud4MoiQeJr97LnCtDpLax6zHfSHDlxasLsgBAQ91ODQb2MxekGjPeXquUuYXPGFaSpo7H1r1m4cdKaE9b1qp4uKGT2yg4dJSmgb7Us=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div>Even before I departed Japan for Malta at the beginning of this year, I heard about the unique value proposition of Malta as a place to study English. In terms of cost, it is cheaper than the native English-speaking countries of the US, UK, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. But it allows for a much more culturally distant (at least from the Japanese perspective) experience of English learning than the much cheaper destinations of the Philippines or Malaysia. Malta's exotic (again Japanese perspective) historical heritage and balmy weather certainly help make it even more attractive.<p></p><p>But if Malta is to continue thinking about making English-language programs a mainstay of the economy, it might be in for a disappointment. In a Japan of shrinking wages, unfavorable exchange rates, and inflationary pressure, not to mention ever-smaller cohorts of young people, the overall market size will only get smaller. And if exotic, warm, and cheap are the defining features of a Malta-based English study, plenty of English-speaking African countries can give Malta a run for its money as long as personal safety can be improved. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQZm2EqaVT_SG_yapK1L0o2h9GRiVXDAeE1F1Ndx5d5PP5uQsdVhbUY9o-CuDNgjq9wG8DVG73nT6vQAi96Tl-pmdfIhmkeYq6l6a2E1-V3_JzU718XPIy8nklgEjs7isRod8UdthwDqDXq74FcznZIevn2C7Ld51LFRdTqvOHhrr3LcoafoVbmGLri6J1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQZm2EqaVT_SG_yapK1L0o2h9GRiVXDAeE1F1Ndx5d5PP5uQsdVhbUY9o-CuDNgjq9wG8DVG73nT6vQAi96Tl-pmdfIhmkeYq6l6a2E1-V3_JzU718XPIy8nklgEjs7isRod8UdthwDqDXq74FcznZIevn2C7Ld51LFRdTqvOHhrr3LcoafoVbmGLri6J1=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div>The fact that attracting people to study English is not an easy business to succeed in is further reinforced by the sheer mental hoops that youngsters need to jump through before they take the plunge. Often, being able to afford a short stint in an immersive English-language learning environment is not the only factor in decision-making. Even more important is being convinced, in more ways than one, that the journey is worth the price and the hassle. Even as "English as a global language" becomes universally accepted as a matter of fact, it still takes personal conviction that learning that global language is worthwhile.<p></p><p>My recent studies to get certified as an International University Advocate reminded me just how difficult it is to create that conviction from scratch. The certification is geared toward nudging youngsters around the world to head to another country for higher education, with programs conducted in English dominant as potential destinations. The certification course encouraged counselors to think together with students about studying abroad in a multifaceted way, with acquiring technical knowledge only a minor factor in overall decision-making, secondary to location, work experience, and global personal networks, among others.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6PXPBDwCqkIlBzUrhSRATBRZBAgCqxyqm_00H_3jA35Kalti2w7a26Zq_2mXggkQkwNaIehbT9WNkrfcR-i-TqjEhRUCwKwR4x_ICXcppdTMxo6u9u43JoEWkbn428AmpLSYm8PfdnEis_ob21RrKdOqjp4IamVOCiQNMZ3Jh0L1m4GdnhJnjcLNfY1aJ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6PXPBDwCqkIlBzUrhSRATBRZBAgCqxyqm_00H_3jA35Kalti2w7a26Zq_2mXggkQkwNaIehbT9WNkrfcR-i-TqjEhRUCwKwR4x_ICXcppdTMxo6u9u43JoEWkbn428AmpLSYm8PfdnEis_ob21RrKdOqjp4IamVOCiQNMZ3Jh0L1m4GdnhJnjcLNfY1aJ=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div>Implicit in these hypothetical counseling sessions is portraying open-mindedness and tolerance of change as positive soft skills that can be learned in studying abroad and would be useful for career development whether in the home country or somewhere else. As much as "open-minded" and "tolerant" may be considered universally good when put in words, they can be less universally accepted when channeled into behavior. For those who have never truly interacted with other cultures and social groups growing up, accepting "others'" presence in daily life can be deeply discomforting and mentally taxing.<p></p><p>Indeed, even as someone who has benefited from being able to use English to work internationally, I often also question whether it is a worthwhile activity for many others to spend time acquiring the language. With language being a tool for cultural communication, "improper" use of English (or any other language, for that matter) by someone without the equivalent knowledge of the culture behind the language can be a source of <a href="https://xiaochensu.blogspot.com/2017/06/english-use-in-foreign-setting.html">conflict</a>. In such circumstances, not only would knowing the language better not help smoothen communication but make conflict even worse.</p><p>Rather than pushing everyone toward the journey of becoming global, open to communication with others, and tolerant of diversity in everyday life, there needs to be a better way to assess who is capable of such and who is not. Throwing all the Japanese students who can afford the trip to English schools in Malta may bring Malta a bit more money in the short term, but may also make it all the less relaxing of a place, as half-baked conversations among those from different cultural backgrounds inundate its sunny streets with a surfeit of uncomfortable misunderstandings. That reality would be to no one's benefit. </p>Xiaochen Su, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16971152537509891790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-806308994497999758.post-12347524473902723412024-03-12T05:02:00.004+09:002024-03-12T05:02:55.722+09:00A Tight-knit Community Ensures Local Corruption Stays Limited<p>The little community library in the Maltese town of Mosta was, well, little. But in a small room with perhaps five shelves, a service counter, and a table, every corner was filled with books, many of them quite worn out. The main focus, as is the case for libraries <a href="https://xiaochensu.blogspot.com/2018/05/what-is-role-of-public-library-in-age.html">elsewhere</a>, is books that children can read. Picture books, novels, and non-fiction imparting writing skills and knowledge on young adults make up, at a quick glance, more than half of the collection. As adults turn to the internet for their readings, it is clearly the kids without their own digital devices that still carry around paperbacks and hardcovers.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgNuSuAuxFagEM5osEy03j414xCLSG636S0fEki3NBom4Ylu_7UQ4O2XpWDhBpOkW9Fo7rrir4P4ATRsiqEEGNo1zU5W6tr5qTbe_UGESLonCZAJIkoVHKCUf_g6H40b_Qj_mvg8KC_xbWQWUysKeydzUOeBNxNMj2HFDTWQs9--PH_YoME2xiJh8N3ZSMv" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgNuSuAuxFagEM5osEy03j414xCLSG636S0fEki3NBom4Ylu_7UQ4O2XpWDhBpOkW9Fo7rrir4P4ATRsiqEEGNo1zU5W6tr5qTbe_UGESLonCZAJIkoVHKCUf_g6H40b_Qj_mvg8KC_xbWQWUysKeydzUOeBNxNMj2HFDTWQs9--PH_YoME2xiJh8N3ZSMv=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div>However, the community library is not just a library for kids. It also emphasized the word "community" in a very literary sense. In prominent locations on bookshelves are books, many of which are written in Maltese, about the history, traditions, and folktales of Malta and even Mosta in particular. Even in English, the dominant language of the collection, books about Malta occupy prime real estate on the shelves alongside academic treatises and trendy fiction. The librarian being a part-time poet documenting the lives of the local Maltese only adds to the library's role in, quite literally, preserving the local culture.</div></div><p></p><p>All is not well for the library, unfortunately. It sits in a small corner of a shabby, nondescript three-story concrete building that also contains the local governing council, police station, and community clinic, all under one roof. Walking up the stairs to the library entails getting through a dark maze of corridors constantly punctuated by nurses calling for the next patient to step into the clinic. Lovers of books, especially among wealthy foreign <a href="https://xiaochensu.blogspot.com/2024/01/why-is-tourist-traffic-so-homogenous-in.html">tourists</a> seeking something other than luxury hotels and gorgeous sea views, would be hard-pressed to head to the community library, much less enjoy the little trip.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFT1-GIqKX_FxgTGcNovY6UTKDL-sGqSEqvURPtNp1lcvDj57rz6y4_y0ifUUXyBBjKE5gf5QR3g4SzQJhRQsI4Lfx3e6nKwm39vrvFIIwwSJS2nMvVPN2AibA2nvPR3-tckZacunzdgjf5SV7-5S7v6hroR5znOUeg6d-RnO2VsRkDyMArI1uiwcBGM-j" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFT1-GIqKX_FxgTGcNovY6UTKDL-sGqSEqvURPtNp1lcvDj57rz6y4_y0ifUUXyBBjKE5gf5QR3g4SzQJhRQsI4Lfx3e6nKwm39vrvFIIwwSJS2nMvVPN2AibA2nvPR3-tckZacunzdgjf5SV7-5S7v6hroR5znOUeg6d-RnO2VsRkDyMArI1uiwcBGM-j=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div>My next-door neighbor, if I were to tell him about the library, would playfully tease me for my lack of knowledge about Malta's entrenched corruption. Just the other day, he told me about the judges, prosecutors, policemen, and other public servants of the state getting away with building high-rise condominiums all across our neighborhood with money earned from bribes. Pointing fingers at global real-estate developers and shady construction firms from Turkey, he criticizes the politicians for turning a blind eye to uncontrolled development and shoddy infrastructure, just so they can line their own pockets.<p></p><p>I am unfazed by his stories. With experience living in much more corrupt places like rural <a href="https://xiaochensu.blogspot.com/2016/08/does-foreigners-fixation-with.html">Tanzania</a>, I understand that corruption can be much more debilitating. The price of finishing a project would mean handing bribes to government officials that would more than triple the value of the project in some circumstances, negating the very purpose of working on the project. Corruption may be prevalent among the Maltese political and business circles, but it has not stopped hotels, roads, apartments, and everything in between from being built.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhyxInju6UBwuS6V_eHzNcbFk-BGolOpuBAykZ0-XRyJ3Ih4Pn6RWEBuCwnLHmuRB10yNMnTD0HUSpRc4fNqkS-M5s_wGHk0FwccJKXXSQxMUdGxVGnWr2Nw31erGa8tzb9uwwuTEV1ZZ-SEGgkBXdq6l1O3sZg7YYlMb1sclA9L9KKGb2yUNG0XZ_R83Xh" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhyxInju6UBwuS6V_eHzNcbFk-BGolOpuBAykZ0-XRyJ3Ih4Pn6RWEBuCwnLHmuRB10yNMnTD0HUSpRc4fNqkS-M5s_wGHk0FwccJKXXSQxMUdGxVGnWr2Nw31erGa8tzb9uwwuTEV1ZZ-SEGgkBXdq6l1O3sZg7YYlMb1sclA9L9KKGb2yUNG0XZ_R83Xh=w267-h400" width="267" /></a></div>And, more importantly, at least in Malta, selfish corruption has not entirely marginalized institutional altruism. My neighbor may have remarked that the state budget is only devoted to a few major tourist sites while everywhere else has been left entirely at the mercy of the private sector, the existence of the little community library serves as a partial counterargument. Yes, the library could use some extra money for space, newer books, computers, and more staff members, but it still functions through the public budget, no thanks to the real estate developers who are no doubt eyeing the prime piece of land it sits upon.<p></p><p>Indeed, the Maltese history and culture collection within the library reminds the public, even if fewer and fewer of them see it firsthand, that Malta of even the recent past was not a land of big hotels and foreign tourists. In those days, the little villages sustained by agriculture and fishing had little in terms of what was worth bribing about. Corruption may have existed as a concept and practice among politicians even centuries ago, but the presence of community institutions, represented by the likes of the library, ensured that selfish lining of pockets did not go so far as to destroy the entire community-based social order.</p><p>My neighbor might be right about the prevalence of corruption, but he is also a bit too pessimistic about how negatively impactful it could be on Maltese society. Community on the islands, shaped by centuries of close-knit ties, still act as a counterbalance to the emergence of an elite so detached from the public that they feel no remorse in stripping society bare of any last thing valuable enough to monetize for personal benefit. It is that power of community that restrain excessive greed that perhaps ensure Malta's corruption does not become as debilitating as anything seen in Tanzania.</p>Xiaochen Su, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16971152537509891790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-806308994497999758.post-45266726143686646642024-03-05T22:59:00.006+09:002024-03-05T22:59:40.032+09:00Religion Can Change the Balance of Power, But Corrupt the Faithful Just as Any Other Source of Power<p>The first <i>Dune</i> movie was beautiful but predictable. Gorgeous cinematography courtesy of endless deserts simply could not make up for the predictable plotline. On the eve of being reassigned to rule another realm, a powerful house of aristocrats was backstabbed and wiped out by another house with the acquiescence and assistance of the emperor. Just as predictably, the native population of the realm was unconsulted, or even acknowledged, in the entire process, leaving the new rulers of the realm, just like the one before it, fighting a constant insurgency that disrupts economic production.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiiEgNH18BFMYiwbSVdWnHQs-BoVFTPN-WZTadzD6dGm64etLQE92xWbLMi8TrU76-2dQCjWQJYwuqRdsRqZvy5yU337sk0tzXMWyhd8Fsms9ofw-Gu_GklA_zPmyVYWEb2135cTCwwzZOIfldCH9dHBrwwjmHv1IKL6LyKaSoi1rr1quihvnrlVrRciMoi" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiiEgNH18BFMYiwbSVdWnHQs-BoVFTPN-WZTadzD6dGm64etLQE92xWbLMi8TrU76-2dQCjWQJYwuqRdsRqZvy5yU337sk0tzXMWyhd8Fsms9ofw-Gu_GklA_zPmyVYWEb2135cTCwwzZOIfldCH9dHBrwwjmHv1IKL6LyKaSoi1rr1quihvnrlVrRciMoi=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div>The story so far could be a parable of another colonial adventure past and present, where the infighting of a distant political elite dictates the future of millions deprived of any meaningful choice in their own future. Fight as they may, the overwhelming disparity in resources available ensures that the native population remains marginalized, perpetuating an entire governance system that focuses on the exploitation of resources for the further enrichment and empowerment of the elites while leaving little for the natives aside from violence when their occupation is challenged.<p></p><p>Thankfully, Dune's plotline, inspired by an Arab-like native population and a Middle East-like desert planet, makes the predictability nonetheless extremely relevant for current events. As Israel's violent occupation of Gaza continues after yet another insurgency led by Hamas, the world <a href="https://xiaochensu.blogspot.com/2023/10/shifting-perceptions-how-public-opinion.html">wonders</a>, in this realm of such disparity in resources, who is ultimately worthy of sympathy. Unfortunately, the fight for global minds is also not an equal one: the powerful and rich, motivated by their desires to retain their power and wealth, see little reason to support a populace that can provide neither in exchange for their support.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjxay6yezIeIKrnjLfdrNK_5W3hu4aoxfl2ZPnpmaEi_-YWxeHfAugBc1FuB6rtgniwLqdLdkS83VYwXLbGoCtFYFLUXwgXkzsuT-KDPJUD2K1OyqTInt4dCYS023HOmlIubXk9nl9DSRmZSPrIGGGaBKpMoCI23k_t0IxjcwT_2E4Nx7F9k_DgSp3DhSV_" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjxay6yezIeIKrnjLfdrNK_5W3hu4aoxfl2ZPnpmaEi_-YWxeHfAugBc1FuB6rtgniwLqdLdkS83VYwXLbGoCtFYFLUXwgXkzsuT-KDPJUD2K1OyqTInt4dCYS023HOmlIubXk9nl9DSRmZSPrIGGGaBKpMoCI23k_t0IxjcwT_2E4Nx7F9k_DgSp3DhSV_=w267-h400" width="267" /></a></div>But <i>Dune Part 2</i> throws in a powerful new central element into the storyline that can challenge the "correctness" of cold rational calculus. Yes, access to resources, whether it be money, people, or technology, can come a long way in overcoming adversaries. But what about access to emotions that can unify a people through hope? What if finding a shared belief that can spur actions fanaticizes a people so much that those by their millions are willing to throw their very lives away to ensure that the belief is upheld?<p></p><p>This emotive power is what the second <i>Dune</i> movie explores as an equalizing counterpart to the sheer force of resources. Paul, the protagonist, initially resistant to the idea of being a living prophet to the fundamentalist native population, soon discovers how faith, in the form of religious following, can be harnessed to devastating effect against an enemy that is superior in every way besides the mental state and familiarity with the local environment. Perhaps exaggeratedly, the movie shows how religious power overcame technological power at the very end in a surprise all-out attack.</p><p>That message of "don't underestimate the power of faith," coupled with the Middle East-like settings of the movie, almost helps Dune become a warning to those who mess with the minds of Gazans a little too much. In Islam, exploited Gazans have a faith that they can count on to keep society together despite adversity. In Islam, they have a source of international support, albeit not backed by material or political resources, that can stretch all the way from their neighborhood all the way to <a href="https://xiaochensu.blogspot.com/2014/09/one-country-two-worlds.html">Malaysia</a>. Most importantly, in Islam, they have a source of hope that one day, they can rid themselves of outside oppressors.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhbWAR0vV0G0u2AB1IH87-KfjC7OchgehXTKWXXTym_PN3bzQpFjNNWxq90n1BONKFJHrJHATWi_WLXxD2qh2xx_bobp555Tk26MQAXNrtIDPplCxiFb6Sab-JOpdtTfweeZPwykaUmjJI3jqs8GB0xzBJcqJO4vmV4xifbPmNbN1R8V2wcS8ZugQ6HLe-l" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhbWAR0vV0G0u2AB1IH87-KfjC7OchgehXTKWXXTym_PN3bzQpFjNNWxq90n1BONKFJHrJHATWi_WLXxD2qh2xx_bobp555Tk26MQAXNrtIDPplCxiFb6Sab-JOpdtTfweeZPwykaUmjJI3jqs8GB0xzBJcqJO4vmV4xifbPmNbN1R8V2wcS8ZugQ6HLe-l=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div>Yet <i>Dune Part 2</i>, while reminding the audience to not dismiss how the "backward" can use faith to overcome their overlords, also cautions that faith, just any source of power, can corrupt its wielder. As Paul bought more and more into the idea of his role as the prophet, he started to become another schemer in the eternal power struggle among the realm's political elites. Leveraging the religious support of a small army of natives, he has placed himself at the helm of an empire in opposition to the existing elites, no doubt unleashing a holy war that brings death and destruction among his followers and other innocents.<p></p><p>The illustration of that two-sided nature of religion's power is timely, just as the emergence of a prophet. The idea that major religions remain largely the same across centuries is being challenged by the reality of evangelicals and fundamentals spreading new tenets rapidly through social media. Just as Paul can convert millions of skeptics into believers through a few deeds as written in the prophecies, new prophecies, and new self-styled prophets are rearing their heads digitally every day. Even if just one catches on in the mainstream, the world can see major changes just as Paul brought to his own.</p>Xiaochen Su, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16971152537509891790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-806308994497999758.post-67308162805634492412024-02-27T04:25:00.002+09:002024-02-27T04:25:33.191+09:00Do Jobs Define Masculinity?<p>The non-Japanese portrayal of the Japanese salaryman is often an illustration of the unenviable foot soldier of Japanese economic success. Overworked and exhausted, they drag themselves into similar-looking office buildings in their equally similar corporate <a href="https://xiaochensu.blogspot.com/2019/05/gender-and-business-dress-code-case-of.html">uniform</a> of black suits with neckties. Admired for their individual sacrifice and hard work as a sign of devotion to help their companies and country grow and prosper, the non-Japanese observants would nonetheless loathe to emulate the way these salarymen worked and lived.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEidH2RB0nNGns-m6zJVNFEkrrSK7Z5Se0b4jrq4Gi6DMcOniEt_kw9GGS06-4PCdCuTGKs0tnXespS0n87kWSYyfX7H5Zw9kumFMfO_oTXuoB2iHIfvCas49MjjTCIeVTH8Z6sJf-ZztXtY2clmVTTMbroJexAfaDuxYAPRN7woy4vjgomxOX0oXUw9ZVpk" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEidH2RB0nNGns-m6zJVNFEkrrSK7Z5Se0b4jrq4Gi6DMcOniEt_kw9GGS06-4PCdCuTGKs0tnXespS0n87kWSYyfX7H5Zw9kumFMfO_oTXuoB2iHIfvCas49MjjTCIeVTH8Z6sJf-ZztXtY2clmVTTMbroJexAfaDuxYAPRN7woy4vjgomxOX0oXUw9ZVpk=w267-h400" width="267" /></a></div>In the Japanese narrative, however, the salaryman lifestyle is not just a matter of sacrificing the individual for the collective good of the company and the economy. Perhaps just as importantly, the salaryman's ability to work hard and bring home the bacon for his stay-at-home wife and their children is in itself a sign of <a href="https://xiaochensu.blogspot.com/2023/03/can-asian-masculinity-be-redefined-as.html">masculinity</a>, in contrast with a Western idea of manhood based on physical strength and vigor. While the outside may see the salaryman's overwork as sacrificing the individual identity for the company, for the salaryman, his hard work may actually enhance his individuality through increased manhood.<p></p><p>The entire salaryman's definition of masculinity requires a rethink as the traditional idea of the worker's relationship with the company changes. As salarymen were stuck at home during COVID, many found themselves accidental digital <a href="https://xiaochensu.blogspot.com/2023/06/the-occasional-digital-nomad-detests.html">nomads</a>, prodded by their wives and children to spend less time in front of the computer screen and more time helping out around the house. The ineffective monitoring mechanism of these workers' bosses meant that many found themselves able to be less overworked. This unshackling of the corporate drone, while certainly reversed somewhat post-COVID, persists in some quarters.</p><p>At the same time, change in gender roles is only accelerated by COVID. Even before the pandemic, more and more women aspired to an independent career, driven both by the unappealing idea of being tied to household chores and childcare, as well as the real economic reality that one salary is no longer enough to cover household expenditure in a Japan where real wages are in continued decline year after year. As women become full-time workers as well, the salaryman's masculinity, stemming from being the family breadwinner, becomes threatened.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgVUoUuZOwwt3U_ClOthOmyzJsU5JXPxRLIlbW1MIJJFgr71NLa8IVrg5oSX4uxrgFAGCgwi1dszWhmV50pdjiAUBBQPYWmh-Wmz4gOhlO2p0STq5vROAvTbjrG-NfLY-NKehw9QC40IVpMIjT8MbYUaqlE9KFQlAC5v59ARykbbfNygb2I_7aJmWBkOiFU" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgVUoUuZOwwt3U_ClOthOmyzJsU5JXPxRLIlbW1MIJJFgr71NLa8IVrg5oSX4uxrgFAGCgwi1dszWhmV50pdjiAUBBQPYWmh-Wmz4gOhlO2p0STq5vROAvTbjrG-NfLY-NKehw9QC40IVpMIjT8MbYUaqlE9KFQlAC5v59ARykbbfNygb2I_7aJmWBkOiFU=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></div>Moreover, the very existence of the salaryman is being threatened by the emergence of the gig economy, and uniquely to Japan, the increasing dependence of firms on low-paid contract workers to save themselves the expense of having to hire expensive permanent full-time workers for which they pay taxes, healthcare, social security, and other expenses besides salary. With the ability to win bread becoming ever more <a href="https://xiaochensu.blogspot.com/2020/08/employees-should-beware-of-employers.html">precarious</a>, the male worker becomes ever less confident that their manhood can be maintained through a constant paycheck.<p></p><p>The result is a collective identity crisis for the working male population, gravely in Japan, but also relatable anywhere in the world. For those who have defined themselves by working long hours and getting paid commensurate figures, remote working and the gig economy are both emasculating. As a breadwinner, the man has become both less in absolute amount and future consistency. Even when he has the choice to not work as many hours due to lackluster work monitoring from his superiors, he can feel guilty about potential repercussions, both in job fulfillment and the resulting masculinity, in the long term.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg5WXOdQsrYeZQNG_5z7_ai9HGyfcRBzTGeLUJcPcR-wMjyoGZtaEqZ1yDtPchPRgarnPZZvOjJYA4pmjVm0-T2RnrZx5kG2Kx1LfpoJa1zpRJWFVa_-70E9Gltn1QVOuBmsiM6VBTng3pcCGsoD4VT89SyihQMZ4_isqZa-l4WsVyRpgsgDpLIP1C7THYm" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg5WXOdQsrYeZQNG_5z7_ai9HGyfcRBzTGeLUJcPcR-wMjyoGZtaEqZ1yDtPchPRgarnPZZvOjJYA4pmjVm0-T2RnrZx5kG2Kx1LfpoJa1zpRJWFVa_-70E9Gltn1QVOuBmsiM6VBTng3pcCGsoD4VT89SyihQMZ4_isqZa-l4WsVyRpgsgDpLIP1C7THYm=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div>How to rethink? Perhaps going back to the non-economic would be a good start. As the Western definition of large muscles and domineering attitudes toward ladies is increasingly ridiculed by independent women suffering from needless mansplaining, masculinity can be reconnected with gentlemanliness defined by the courtesy of not-so-patronizing lady-first manners and attitudes. Those who fight for equality of the sexes with gusto may particularly be seen as manly by the ladies, if not their fellow men. Either way, a masculinity not connected with employment is in order.<p></p><p>But perhaps more importantly, we could see the very idea of masculinity thrown out of the window. The rise of the LGBTQ+ movement has accompanied a much more fluid definition of gender. The dichotomy between what is masculine and what is not may be headed toward the history pages as the general public increasingly sees gender as a spectrum. Yes, jobs will continue to be precarious and in some cases, fraught with possibilities of disappearance, replaced by cheaper labor or technology. But if the definition of gender becomes precarious as well, should we care all that much about whether our jobs make us manly?</p>Xiaochen Su, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16971152537509891790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-806308994497999758.post-28860177788661118412024-02-20T04:41:00.004+09:002024-02-20T04:41:23.361+09:00Defining "Developing" Requires an Exercise in Firsthand Comparisons<p>It was only when the taxi sped out of Malta International Airport that I realized the meaning of the word "development." I had just spent a weekend in Tunis, only a short one-hour flight in North Africa. Fascinating as the capital of Tunisia was, with its combination of colonial French and medieval architecture interspaced with the hustle and bustle of everyday life, the city was clearly rough on the edge. Streets were overrun with trash, watery sewage, and feral cats and dogs. The pavements, buildings, and markets were crumbling from the lack of repair and random touts following tourists for a quick "gift."<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwSoVpzuHOH4iULu8NYiRIn1mn4z_KxCTWYcTY5h5_O0JOpsPZwAja1aXUtPmsmAPjXa0WNNqZcWOphqaOmhDOWlwp3Q81pUmxsbOTG-OCRP-hLkALXvgB0fEXQ9iScFSgjZpxHcGweEZPud3XeX0SkkqKYUghViaSbMFacpB8HnxCN-m-jVJPu0JMiOkz/s4640/IMG_20240217_160804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3480" data-original-width="4640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwSoVpzuHOH4iULu8NYiRIn1mn4z_KxCTWYcTY5h5_O0JOpsPZwAja1aXUtPmsmAPjXa0WNNqZcWOphqaOmhDOWlwp3Q81pUmxsbOTG-OCRP-hLkALXvgB0fEXQ9iScFSgjZpxHcGweEZPud3XeX0SkkqKYUghViaSbMFacpB8HnxCN-m-jVJPu0JMiOkz/w400-h300/IMG_20240217_160804.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>That daily reality of being in Tunis, likely a minor inconvenience for the long-term resident, becomes so much more pronounced on the smooth ride back home from the airport in Malta. The smooth tarmac of the highway transversing the island had no trash by its side, no one trying to aggressively muscle their way in, and certainly no potholes filled with unknown fluids. The driver was relaxed, just like everyone else at the airport or when I got back to my own neighborhood. I needed not to fend off strangers looking for "friends" just to make my way across town.<p></p><p></p><p>The very visual contrast between two cities, a mere hour apart, puts the meat on the usually abstract discussions of "developed" and "developing" countries. Yes, numbers can suffice in the definition. Malta's per capita GDP of more than USD 34,000 is nearly ten times that of Tunisia's USD 3,800. But without having visited both places and walked their streets amidst locals, it is difficult to pinpoint exactly what is "developing" about a developing economy. The shortcomings are simply too unique to each place to be generalized.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjet9KKmi8JeR1w-hktCjqU-GCJ17CE7PZPvIsoNQeTRIQo7RnvrAG4h76QFoimHpAaHfiGU_hpPVc5FdYTyTNRZSNTwfv_PKhjIdeZuOzBeL9CC1II8hOm7o5qEEX_JK6fmAvoM9-e5IdwDbLI2GGQzj_X8YdVVw8yHlzjiS8i1IA4zRz57ZxWHiR_8T2_/s4640/IMG_20240217_104518.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3480" data-original-width="4640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjet9KKmi8JeR1w-hktCjqU-GCJ17CE7PZPvIsoNQeTRIQo7RnvrAG4h76QFoimHpAaHfiGU_hpPVc5FdYTyTNRZSNTwfv_PKhjIdeZuOzBeL9CC1II8hOm7o5qEEX_JK6fmAvoM9-e5IdwDbLI2GGQzj_X8YdVVw8yHlzjiS8i1IA4zRz57ZxWHiR_8T2_/w400-h300/IMG_20240217_104518.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Perhaps, even more importantly, using just economic numbers to define underdevelopment also leaves out the non-physical aspects of it. Poverty in Tunis is not necessarily impressed upon a visitor through the crumbling trains, roads, and buildings. It is, instead, made far more memorable through a human aspect: people tossing out garbage with little regard for passersby, garbage pickups that do little about the liquid sewage, and the touts who think little of how their aggressiveness is highly counterproductive for attracting more moneyed tourists to the country. <p></p><p>In other words, the mentality of poverty stands out far more than any physical infrastructure deficit. People, like in Malta, are relaxed in how they approach others when they have regular incomes that allow them to put food on the table. Those who hustle on the streets of Tunis and other poverty-stricken cities do not have that sort of luxury. They are forced to think short-term, maximizing income today with the hope of escaping their lot, even if they know what they do is unsustainable. That desperation to survive economically is quintessential in any society with too many people fighting for limited resources.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE1IJQL6heIUF3PWLdG2Ge2IIukBBnafAbu6CQ2Eng1bD8oA4fRMwzyzn-XbYGiOJCe9dEkYIy-dMoOR1hn2letyF3Qe4p2-1-52KyJS2Hops8uO7VGAUi9EY9HnL6W2yfw14xjmlk-4bZJNNj8XtHFvRWM5Q7KUDKhrdGqbBs9dC27dZQt6gAugIi3Ctg/s4640/IMG_20240217_180251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="3480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE1IJQL6heIUF3PWLdG2Ge2IIukBBnafAbu6CQ2Eng1bD8oA4fRMwzyzn-XbYGiOJCe9dEkYIy-dMoOR1hn2letyF3Qe4p2-1-52KyJS2Hops8uO7VGAUi9EY9HnL6W2yfw14xjmlk-4bZJNNj8XtHFvRWM5Q7KUDKhrdGqbBs9dC27dZQt6gAugIi3Ctg/w300-h400/IMG_20240217_180251.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>But it is only with firsthand comparisons that these realizations become obvious. The culture of hustling is not necessarily a developing country phenomenon. Any startup in any society claims to hustle so that it can grow and prosper, even though its employees likely have other choices for employment outside the startup. Insufficient public services, such as garbage pickups, plague plenty of the world's richest places as well, since workers can use the power of strikes and boycotts to force policy changes. These rich country workers choose to strike due to sufficient savings, while the Tunisians minimize work to protest low pay.<p></p><p>Every set of numbers that show Malta's development vis-a-vis Tunis shows that lack of choice among the latter's residents. Higher traffic deaths in Tunisia symbolize improperly maintained roads and cars, coupled with the need for all to go quickly from A to B to minimize lost time and maximize earnings. Those figures further impact life expectancy as lives are cut short before natural causes play out. But even shorter lives cannot reduce the ranks of the touts, who deal with one of the world's highest formal unemployment rates. </p><p>The firsthand observations show whether the same act is done out of a pure struggle for day-to-day survival, or as a mechanism to motivate those who already have plenty of material comfort to not sit on their laurels and continue to strive for something better. As the comparisons play out, one can come to appreciate just how lucky one would be to hustle and fight for better rights out of a personal choice for self-improvement, rather than a must just to get on with the very basic necessities of life. That ability to make an economic choice, more than anything else, is a sign of development.</p>Xiaochen Su, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16971152537509891790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-806308994497999758.post-21120259785499885762024-02-13T00:20:00.002+09:002024-02-13T00:20:41.532+09:00Decisions on What to Study Continues to Keep Asians Invisible in the American Entertainment Industry<p>Watching the Super Bowl and its (some would call, underrated) Half-Time Show this year made me realize once again just how invisible Asians are in the American entertainment industry. As the Chiefs and the 49ers battled it out on the field and Usher reminded us of his hits from the 1990s, not an Asian face was projected, even for a split second, onto the TV screens of more than 100 million people around America tuning into the biggest sporting event of the year. The biggest representation of Asia in this Super Bowl, sad as it is, is whether prominent visitor Taylor Swift would get there in time from Tokyo.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgyOWZ7EID_rdgcBx8KnhWift6RPdNIw7t9WIRJPOG3WSB3kId1Z2jNSTNDywULwN9B0-szITzNMkht7em5HOqU6h8wZGJOyN019yn-zI4p6_SXoCwpoYScxJroRMy_WYDlRwbtNfImrIdLtii8ZuPgeGmCuBL9BN_2XHBv-fEmFiduAnioZiq1dDYIj00k" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgyOWZ7EID_rdgcBx8KnhWift6RPdNIw7t9WIRJPOG3WSB3kId1Z2jNSTNDywULwN9B0-szITzNMkht7em5HOqU6h8wZGJOyN019yn-zI4p6_SXoCwpoYScxJroRMy_WYDlRwbtNfImrIdLtii8ZuPgeGmCuBL9BN_2XHBv-fEmFiduAnioZiq1dDYIj00k=w400-h320" width="400" /></a></div>That is not to say that Asians are not there at the Super Bowl. Plenty of Asians, myself included, relished the annual tradition of watching the Super Bowl with (many other Asian) friends, and even playing flag football when younger. Many Asians were surely in the stands of the Las Vegas stadium when the game took place and many more were backstage, helping to operate the games. As data analysts, doctors, sound technicians, project managers, and service staff, Asians of all stripes and backgrounds would have been an integral part of making the Super Bowl happen.<p></p><p>So given that Asians are important as both the audience and operating staff of the Super Bowl, it is doubly unfortunate that Asians are not more visible on the front stage of the entire experience. Common stereotypes hurt the chances of greater Asian participation. Despite <a href="https://xiaochensu.blogspot.com/2012/02/jeremy-lin-and-paradox-of-asian-athlete.html">exceptions</a> like Jeremy Lin, Asians are commonly thought of, by both Asians and non-Asians alike, as genetically disadvantaged to perform well in sports. Weak physical capabilities mean that many Asians are discouraged from becoming professional athletes before they even try.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgWdJpVwdp1l-imbnIxFDTGnhpAdOV2Rj-0J2UKihiETJM0_ua6gV_ukWsN0sKWTOSSy9tqB5-JQAEJ-PO1lt9zU6wig-iSjhCXfqUDLiIznwzwolMVrP7v1f3CjpKX8XilFuzYUpZLbYyu5txzAWJvpHoJfof0GnJHZ2oS-22-u0AuvogQn5Fit2L_BU7E" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgWdJpVwdp1l-imbnIxFDTGnhpAdOV2Rj-0J2UKihiETJM0_ua6gV_ukWsN0sKWTOSSy9tqB5-JQAEJ-PO1lt9zU6wig-iSjhCXfqUDLiIznwzwolMVrP7v1f3CjpKX8XilFuzYUpZLbYyu5txzAWJvpHoJfof0GnJHZ2oS-22-u0AuvogQn5Fit2L_BU7E=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div>The same goes for music. While Asians seem to excel in non-mainstream types like Western <a href="https://xiaochensu.blogspot.com/2018/05/dying-traditional-high-arts-of-today.html">classical</a> and the niche ethnic or traditional, until the emergence of K-pop as a cultural force, few Asians became pop culture headliners in America. Some also attribute this to a cultural disadvantage fundamental to Asians. White, black, and Hispanic affinity for enjoying public musical performances over generations, punctuated by fast-paced musical numbers, have no equivalent in Asian traditions, where music across the centuries remained slow and the public only observed fast-paced dancers without participating in those dances.<p></p><p>Unfortunately, few Asian families are interested in rectifying the lack of Asian presence in the entertainment industry. In my current <a href="https://xiaochensu.blogspot.com/2023/10/when-writing-college-essays-forget.html">job</a> helping (disproportionately Asian) high school students get into top universities, I see overwhelming interest in scientific research, engineering, computer science, and other STEM subjects, while rarely I see anyone interested in anything related to music, art, or professional sports after graduation. If this reality is any indication, the next generation of Asians in America will be just as invisible as the previous ones.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhtOOHlQFyyDsfHtY363xur0gMVNdsfBtPXUV-FYZuZkBghAgUEh8j8tWsYwxT06CoxiG2nEI05hPGr36ubzZRfO67KvaBm-ONx9Xbk09OatUMwLAp7C6ZarZ0iupjfyU4iPTYGcTRW9RfR9b_ApS2evD3COzmK8wF8tUPqVCUt0ObEx4QTOrE3iZym--UR" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="502" data-original-width="800" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhtOOHlQFyyDsfHtY363xur0gMVNdsfBtPXUV-FYZuZkBghAgUEh8j8tWsYwxT06CoxiG2nEI05hPGr36ubzZRfO67KvaBm-ONx9Xbk09OatUMwLAp7C6ZarZ0iupjfyU4iPTYGcTRW9RfR9b_ApS2evD3COzmK8wF8tUPqVCUt0ObEx4QTOrE3iZym--UR=w400-h251" width="400" /></a></div>Frankly, this disproportionate interest in STEM does not have to be the case. The previous generation of those studying STEM, my parents included, did so as a matter of financial stability. The ingrained belief that science and technology are in demand among large companies in America meant that many studied STEM, not out of personal interest, but just so that they could get stable, high-paying jobs so important as a source of social status among Asian <a href="https://xiaochensu.blogspot.com/2011/09/face-bragging-and-competition-politics.html">families</a>. With many Asians now financially successful, their offspring do not face the same pressure to replicate financial success in the same way.<p></p><p>Thankfully, in some ways, this STEM obsession is breaking down. Many Asian-American high school students play sports and music as their main extracurricular activities, with many deciding that they would want to continue with them in college. The next logical step is to have them think that sports and music can also be realistic professional interests rather than just something they need to do as <a href="https://xiaochensu.blogspot.com/2024/02/how-do-we-stop-being-dejected-by.html">extracurricular</a> activities to get into top universities. Here, the lack of a persistent Asian-American presence today, combined with still-rigid definitions of success, prevents Asian kids from taking a leap into the unknown.</p><p>Success in sports and music is elusive; there is no doubt about that. The power of Confucianism, which sees scientific pursuits as more socially refined and intellectual than entertainment, continues to work to the detriment of Asian kids who dream of being on the front stage of the Super Bowl. Yet, with the likes of the Super Bowl and pop music fundamental parts of the American socio-cultural fabric, Asians may not be fully American until they also partake in them. Perhaps this realization can help some Asian kids really think about how damaging the Asian obsession with STEM can be.</p>Xiaochen Su, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16971152537509891790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-806308994497999758.post-20197941901861518392024-02-07T20:15:00.002+09:002024-02-07T20:15:37.107+09:00Malta Has a High Obesity Rate, But for a Good Reason<p>As someone used to the world-leading obesity rates in America, it is interesting to read about the equivalent in the EU. Malta, with only a <a href="https://eurohealthobservatory.who.int/docs/librariesprovider3/country-health-profiles/chp2021pdf/malta-countryhealthprofile2021.pdf?sfvrsn=6e8bc885_5&download=true#:~:text=Rates%20of%20obesity%20in%20Malta,similar%20to%20the%20EU%20average.">quarter</a> of the population classified as obese, is considered one of the most obese in the bloc. It speaks to just how healthy the average European is compared to the average American. But the figures also point, perhaps only marginally, just how the Maltese lifestyle, in a rather unfortunate way, may be much more similar to the American one as compared to other places on the continent. <span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj7f757fDZUvIh5VbWTGKvFSF8hQz76A_qkywJYhisB5u1hfPqosQUtRSoyawp7Qv9pEU7eZjRmRXusK08sbfS0uJVufsUF7wG9QwdCxsA6HoFtf9kjeWRNJd3RqzXn3eeitJARhJ4hWnBFsbHdUDkOBIwHfFfBvg1WkHUV0MkZr05A8_tLL-V_92CQON8y" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj7f757fDZUvIh5VbWTGKvFSF8hQz76A_qkywJYhisB5u1hfPqosQUtRSoyawp7Qv9pEU7eZjRmRXusK08sbfS0uJVufsUF7wG9QwdCxsA6HoFtf9kjeWRNJd3RqzXn3eeitJARhJ4hWnBFsbHdUDkOBIwHfFfBvg1WkHUV0MkZr05A8_tLL-V_92CQON8y=w400-h268" width="400" /></a></div>Squint hard enough, life in Malta can be quite similar to the US. Like in the US, many main roads do not have pavements, stopping people from walking to places even if the distances are not so great. The lack of frequent rail-based public transport options in Malta, as is the case in many American cities, also means that residents have to resort to their personal vehicles to get even the most mundane tasks done. Like in the US, bars and pubs are frequented any time of the day, with a good few pints and cigarettes accompanying conversations lasting into hours.<p></p><p>But look slightly deeper, and little things unique to Malta also make it difficult for people to stay slim. The country relies on desalinated water. It is safe to drink but your morning cup of coffee or tea may need extra sugar and milk just to balance out the residual saltiness to the palate. Being a little island with a limited domestic market, Malta gives little business incentives for producers and importers of even basic daily necessities. With prices high as a result, many of the island's poor will have to resort to cheaper processed foods.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEggPmQ2FoRxqGQyuYoi7OB3wYnSFCWRZ9P2qs8PxrGgu5chnMPHfE0GZvBr5wGka4M51MctRYWlTvr6MG1TY1pLHJPH_ULI_GETzE47Y99FmOjG4grywFMivjqqoTtAmOg6JRbzb_Lj3E9FCbmiioRJ7F0b3VPYDzfDt6gMU2FW_uSgjrcgSCvDywTtrgRN" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="494" data-original-width="800" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEggPmQ2FoRxqGQyuYoi7OB3wYnSFCWRZ9P2qs8PxrGgu5chnMPHfE0GZvBr5wGka4M51MctRYWlTvr6MG1TY1pLHJPH_ULI_GETzE47Y99FmOjG4grywFMivjqqoTtAmOg6JRbzb_Lj3E9FCbmiioRJ7F0b3VPYDzfDt6gMU2FW_uSgjrcgSCvDywTtrgRN=w400-h248" width="400" /></a></div>The most un-American thing in Malta's obesity, perhaps, is the attitude toward life. With warm 15-degree weather even in the coldest time of the year, the country has a perpetually relaxing vibe that makes working feel a bit more of a chore than it would in the US, where hustling is both ingrained in a culture of self-reliance and entrepreneurship grounded in history, religion, and economic structure. After all, why try harder when there are other sources of happiness more fulfilling than working endlessly for the impersonal joy of God and shareholders?<p></p><p>For the native residents, the case of working hard being illogical is furthered by the widespread presence of a <a href="https://xiaochensu.blogspot.com/2024/01/malta-as-globalization-hotspot-that-no.html">migrant</a> labor force consisting of Filipinos, Indians, and Africans. Just as Arabs in the Gulf, residents can benefit from low taxes as well as free healthcare and education, not to mention income from renting out centuries-old real estate properties, all on the back of hard work by the migrants. The economic structure, driven by growth due to the migration of both people and ideas from abroad, favors locals who are willing to sit around and become obese.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgZ7N7STWO6_7q6P-Ok9a7Drbto5G9xRkDpsd5O6vlQajdNPnaI8wUgr8ugggd4mJ2EgFNzkllYwqTCzcGomUsTzH7I17mzFkjS-joRHrkcALo68KOquaeQOb7gWg0oF0lUYAvJqBTZY9U2lekyUO2yVINWqyVj_KgPI8El1B6a15pzC7XSs3DBRjrp6uKS" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgZ7N7STWO6_7q6P-Ok9a7Drbto5G9xRkDpsd5O6vlQajdNPnaI8wUgr8ugggd4mJ2EgFNzkllYwqTCzcGomUsTzH7I17mzFkjS-joRHrkcALo68KOquaeQOb7gWg0oF0lUYAvJqBTZY9U2lekyUO2yVINWqyVj_KgPI8El1B6a15pzC7XSs3DBRjrp6uKS=w267-h400" width="267" /></a></div>While obesity is objectively negative given the negative health consequences, the underlying cause of it in Malta makes one wonder how exactly should happiness in everyday life be defined. Sitting under the warm sun, nursing a cold beer, watching the glistening ocean waves lap the shores while enjoying conversations with friends...if this sight can be had, day in and day out, without having to put in overtime hours slaving away in a corporate box, it would be no wonder that many people choose to sit around and fatten up.<p></p><p>That idea of "simple happiness" is so contagious that many people are willing to come to Malta a few times a year so they can partake in the illusion that they can somehow afford it as well. All the beachfront chalets are in demand for the summer months when northern Europeans make their annual vacation south. Their nine months of working hard day in and day out is often motivated by their ability to, for three months a year at least, pretend that, like the many Maltese who experience it every day, they do not have to work that hard to survive.</p><p>One can only say Malta has it lucky that they get to be obese. Yes, practical problems of high import and production costs, combined with sub-par infrastructure, are contributors to the high obesity rates. But just as important in contribution is a sense of mental well-being, driven by a collective dismissal of the corporate rat race that characterizes the professional race of Americans, Asians, and many other Europeans. Malta, having created a system that makes it possible at least for some people, is worth celebrating with a few pints by the sea under the warm sun.</p>Xiaochen Su, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16971152537509891790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-806308994497999758.post-91847003287060105362024-02-03T00:35:00.002+09:002024-02-03T00:35:20.813+09:00How Do We Stop Being Dejected by "Peaking Too Early"?<p>I often half-jokingly say that I am way past my peak at age 35. While it is a way to prevent others from setting too high of an expectation for how much further my career can go, it also reflects how I reflect how I see my career so far. As a mere 24-year-old, I was already a Vice President of Operations at <a href="https://xiaochensu.blogspot.com/2013/10/exit-from-rocket-internet-reflecting-on.html">Lazada</a>, an e-commerce firm that became a major player in that industry in Southeast Asia. Overseeing more than 150 employees, some more than twice as old as I was at the time, made me realize that corporate management was frankly, not my cup of tea.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiclXSe6k97ZLc3E4V4eZm0XQVPZ0sJdrv5XUowFrIxvp1fyqe5iNx1fD8ArsOjY8Sp9I6yD4AYw5ybb5rbOtCtUQrH25XuLdPMuRGTGBGt7zj5HcrIZ_IYAeXuAz6xdRqoPI3em5YdXKOVslouY_B5fXdaz1aUQBgaEQVizVPGqCaG5NK-Zz5zJ0Nq_uvH" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiclXSe6k97ZLc3E4V4eZm0XQVPZ0sJdrv5XUowFrIxvp1fyqe5iNx1fD8ArsOjY8Sp9I6yD4AYw5ybb5rbOtCtUQrH25XuLdPMuRGTGBGt7zj5HcrIZ_IYAeXuAz6xdRqoPI3em5YdXKOVslouY_B5fXdaz1aUQBgaEQVizVPGqCaG5NK-Zz5zJ0Nq_uvH=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div>But as far as business hierarchy went, that stint more than a decade ago was really the peak. Yes, I took on additional management responsibilities, including more than 20 as part of an <a href="https://xiaochensu.blogspot.com/2015/10/pride-of-local-and-prejudice-of-ngo.html">NGO's</a> retail startup effort and in effect being the country manager for Japan and Korea in an international business research firm, these roles did not surpass the scale and depth of what I had experienced in Lazada even though I have become much older since then. Even though I was not particularly keen on business management, I often wonder if I had indeed "peaked too early" in this particular aspect.<p></p><p>It is a question that I often wonder about in <a href="https://xiaochensu.blogspot.com/2023/08/when-meetings-are-main-output-white.html">conversations</a> with the students that I mentor as part of my work as a college admissions consultant. Some students, at age 17, have already held leadership positions many adults several times their age can only imagine: founding and leading both social and for-profit enterprises with members from all corners of the globe, presenting their work at UN and other global conferences. Others have already conducted cutting-edge research, publishing the results in leading peer-reviewed journals that veteran professional researchers struggle to do.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQLE4b_icaUTDqOXHEL5qE8hh0NjOkSdVllmHo4_3cVL2x3QiSbiWYDzUDmiwi_tiVVEB6szoZon2aqf4efOJKBYEPixqOwLivqmfnBneLTVfOw1qojQTdkt0QIWBRa1mx6C0QYFDLVAucQCipPcsHNMJ0N8l6a1ujbLzfE8OVqdCq4gQR2rj9ur7iWR_K" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQLE4b_icaUTDqOXHEL5qE8hh0NjOkSdVllmHo4_3cVL2x3QiSbiWYDzUDmiwi_tiVVEB6szoZon2aqf4efOJKBYEPixqOwLivqmfnBneLTVfOw1qojQTdkt0QIWBRa1mx6C0QYFDLVAucQCipPcsHNMJ0N8l6a1ujbLzfE8OVqdCq4gQR2rj9ur7iWR_K=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div>There is no doubt that the enthusiasm, ambition, and accomplishment of these youngsters can help invigorate some <a href="https://xiaochensu.blogspot.com/2023/09/how-dreams-of-high-school-students-can.html">jaded</a> adults scratching their heads over where to take their careers next. But for others, myself included, seeing such achievements at such a young age is also a source of worry: when these youngsters, at a later stage of their lives, cannot seem to replicate the level of success that they witnessed today, how would they feel? Would they not only agree with my self-assessment of "peaking too early" but also, unlike me, feel dejected by that feeling that the best had already happened to them so long ago?<p></p><p>Of course, these are just hypothetical questions for these high school students living life to the fullest today. Busy with school studies, college applications, and these extracurricular activities that take up whatever remaining free time that they may have, they have no time, energy, or incentive to imagine what they will become years down the line beyond going further up and up on the trajectories that they have done so much already. And it is simply too inappropriately cynical for any adults, and especially their college admissions consultants, to remind them of the potential for a fall from grace in the future.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhnNSaVd5Jq6klBPo90vUJwIOc3gdX9-DNnKY1o8ebuWRWAW0auCraUhJz0u7s7aBtor6VJmPNXusD-zSz0GJFYBsuTi7umWlq_ALNtOy9T5tGtWTR78ruPlNmyMjwIoKTYWpEK4Vf4bNHDGvSPG0Rp7WQ9fbFo3Sa05AqtPtv9aG7UYcmKi1TyaYnwTNbR" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1033" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhnNSaVd5Jq6klBPo90vUJwIOc3gdX9-DNnKY1o8ebuWRWAW0auCraUhJz0u7s7aBtor6VJmPNXusD-zSz0GJFYBsuTi7umWlq_ALNtOy9T5tGtWTR78ruPlNmyMjwIoKTYWpEK4Vf4bNHDGvSPG0Rp7WQ9fbFo3Sa05AqtPtv9aG7UYcmKi1TyaYnwTNbR=w310-h400" width="310" /></a></div>But it should be par for the course to remind them that the some life changes, if not outright potential for a fall, is possible, making what they achieve today unreachable in the future. The reasons may be entirely positive: they developed new interests or undertaken new responsibilities that make the devotion to past projects no longer possible. When such desirable changes do occur, it would be entirely unfortunate that these students look back upon their past glories and conclude that they are past their peak. Their narrow definition of success can bring anxiety to a situation that they ought to instead celebrate.<p></p><p>Indeed, conversations about whether some had or had not "passed their peak" must be done with a careful definition of what the "peak" is. Individuals have multiple identities, all of which have a set of different achievements not often congruous or mutually supportive of one another. This is true especially in those time-consuming passion projects that many high school students choose to define their college application profiles.With limited time and attention span, one can realistically only pursue some passions and reach peaks in them while giving up similar efforts in others.</p><p>In other words, talking about "past the peak" can only be not so saddening when we celebrate that goals are not singular but varied in nature. One peak may pass but others emerge. Just as my peak in business management was followed by peaks in academic achievement of getting a Ph.D. and travelling far more countries that I was possible at the time, new peaks can be gotten by jettisoning old ones. Rather than looking back to past glories as an absolute, constantly adjusting those peaks would be a source of personal growth and a brand-new mental "peak."</p>Xiaochen Su, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16971152537509891790noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-806308994497999758.post-56715197545994150282024-01-23T02:11:00.002+09:002024-01-23T02:11:21.155+09:00Why is Tourist Traffic So Homogenous in a Racially Diverse Malta?My wife made a great observation in our day walking around Malta's historical sites: while the country is a hotspot of <a href="https://xiaochensu.blogspot.com/2024/01/malta-as-globalization-hotspot-that-no.html">globalization</a>, with worker residents coming from around the world, the same level of globalization is not reflected in the country's international tourist traffic. Whereas the country's buses, shops, and indeed, the workforce of tourist hotspots like hotels and restaurants, are filled with people of different colors, the crowds of tourists that come from outside the Maltese islands are overwhelmingly white, sprinkled with some Asians.<span><a name='more'></a></span><div><br /></div><div>The <a href="https://xiaochensu.blogspot.com/2024/01/cultural-funding-shows-that-eu-keeps.html">heritage</a> sites that Malta is so proud of confirm the lack of diversity among the visitors. Flipping through their visitor books, the country of origin of the commentators is overwhelmingly from other European countries. Some Japanese, Koreans, Chinese, Singaporeans, and Malaysians make up a minority of those visiting. There are barely any Filipinos, Indians, and Africans in these books even though there are plenty of them roaming the Maltese streets, both in and outside major tourist areas. Some nationalities live here but clearly do not travel here.</div><div><br /></div><div>On the surface, this reality is almost a matter of fact. Malta is geographically situated in Europe, with cheap onward connection to European countries via frequent flights by low-cost airlines. It is simply cheaper and more convenient for Europeans to visit Malta than non-Europeans. And given that Europeans, on average, have a higher disposable income than, say, Asians and Africans, it is no surprise that Europeans would have the money to travel to Malta (even if the cost of getting to Malta is the same for all) and then spend on entry tickets, restaurants, and hotel stays.</div><div><br /></div><div>But digging a bit deeper and the situation makes a bit less sense. One of the greatest things about living in Malta is that public transport is entirely free for those who have personalized bus cards. So the country's diverse workers, nearly all of whom would have these bus cards, would be able to get to the country's major tourist sites, many, like the capital city of Valletta, are served by buses and ferries from across the country, entirely without any expenses. On a day off from work, a migrant worker in Malta can sightsee almost without any transport expense.</div><div><br /></div><div>And the low cost of tourism in Malta is not limited to public transport. Some of the country's best spots for sightseeing, including sculptured parks, historical churches, warm seaside views, and architecturally well-preserved streets, are completely free of charge to visit. For the really stingy, seeing the best of Malta really does not have to cost a single cent. This is perhaps the biggest draw of traveling in Malta. Museums and forts here are great; but unlike many other places in the world where they are the main attractions, a good trip in Malta can do without them.</div><div><br /></div><div>Moreover, given how small the country is, tourism in Malta does not take much time. Understandably, many migrant workers are not in Malta to have fun but to make as much money as possible to remit back home to their families. So many would rather work their weekday nights and weekends rather than engage in what they would consider to be the economically unproductive activities of visiting the country's different sights (and God forbid, spend money doing so). As major sights in Malta can be reached in a few hours of bus or ferry ride, even for the time-stingy, Malta is cheap.</div><div><br /></div><div>So why don't many of the country's non-white residents travel more? Mentality matters. Many migrant workers in Malta are likely living in a foreign country for the first time and find an invisible wall between them and the host society even without a language barrier. The alien culture, architecture, and climate make the idea of acclimating all the more difficult. And with that sense of detachment and distance from Malta, many lose the very motivation of getting to know – and like – this society and its wonders, losing all appeal of travel.</div><div><br /></div><div>Perhaps more importantly, the idea of traveling is foreign for many of these workers to begin with. Tourism is a set of knowledge that does not simply come out of nowhere. To enjoy traveling as leisure and entertainment, people often have to have done it growing up, with positive memories of being excited by seeing brand-new, exotic places. Devoid of such experiences growing up, traveling would simply not be high on the list of priorities of how one would spend leisure time. Especially with the internet providing so much options to consume content from back home, why bother exposing oneself to something new?</div>Xiaochen Su, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16971152537509891790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-806308994497999758.post-44554651353778794092024-01-18T20:00:00.002+09:002024-01-18T20:01:36.783+09:00Cultural Funding Shows that the EU Keeps Diversity Within the Continent Alive and Well-Preserved<p>In his heavy Maltese accent, the middle-aged man declared, "You know the Europeans give us money, so we get to renovate all this." Pointing at the big construction site in the middle of the historic town center, the man intended to be both comical and proud. As he casually struck up a conversation with me in my little self-guided tour of his hometown, he was clearly glad to see that there were so many foreigners who were willing to walk its winding stone-cobbled streets, gawking at the Instagram-ready white-washed houses fronted with potted plants.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p>European money's power is ubiquitous in this history-soaked island, beyond the little town square ready for its fresh layer of polished stone tiles. Heritage Malta, the government agency responsible for running the country's various heritage sites and associated museums, frequently displays the blue-and-yellow-star flag of Europe on their billboards, with a message thanking the European Union (EU) for the donations that made preservation and conservation happen. Sometimes the billboards even point to particular European countries and cities that donated funds and expertise for the projects.</p><p>The result of European money is nothing to be laughed at, especially, as I so often <a href="https://xiaochensu.blogspot.com/2024/01/malta-as-globalization-hotspot-that-no.html">reiterate</a> for this blog now, a small place of a little more than half a million residents. The stone ramparts and houses within them are often fully updated with modern amenities (air conditioning, clean toilets, ambient lighting, bilingual signage with audioguides in even more languages...). There is no doubt that Heritage Malta would not get to hire so many workers to oversee so many heritage sites and pull in so much revenue from ticket sales had European money been few and far between.</p><p>More notably, European money's power goes beyond just keeping history alive. It also encourages more intangible efforts of discovering new talent that help Maltese culture evolve to also look forward, not just back. A stately historical mansion at the entrance of Valletta (the capital city itself is a UNESCO World Heritage site that no doubt gets plenty of funding) is renovated to be a modern art center, hosting exhibitions by a variety of up-and-coming local artists using mediums to express thoughts not commonly associated with historical Malta. They certainly have European money to thank for the increased exposure.</p><p>That increased exposure points to another important aspect of European money's power that is not purely financial. Wherever European money goes, Europeans themselves can follow. What they bring are of course additional tourist revenues, but more importantly, a greater interest in Malta among denizens and even politicians of other European states. The resulting enhanced stature of Malta on the European and international stage can be a virtuous cycle, bringing in more attention, more money, and more tourists for the country.</p><p>EU's cultural heritage funding is a little-appreciated aspect of the political grouping's positive influence on its smaller members like Malta. As Eurosceptics take hold of political power in larger members (Hungary, Netherlands, and Italy all come to mind), it should go without saying that the EU has done more than take away the sovereignty of nation-states and saddled them with unwanted policies and immigrants, as it is so often accused of doing. The redistribution of its resources, both financial and human, has helped to stitch the continent together in a distinctively cultural way that countries on other continents can only envy.</p><p>Indeed, at the heart of the so-called European project is not merely some sinister plot to turn Europeans into one people at the expense of the individual cultures of every nation and every people that belongs to it. Rather, as its motto "United in Diversity" so clearly implies, the European project is also about ensuring that the visible parts of diversity are maintained for future generations. Nowhere is this purpose clearer than concerted efforts and funding to preserve what would otherwise be obscure heritage sites on the periphery of the continent, as Malta's can certainly be interpreted to be.</p><p>So before falling into any reductionist trap of thinking about the role of the EU as promoting Europe at the expense of its individual countries, it is worth recalling the pride of the Maltese as they show off the results of European money to foreign tourists (most of whom are other Europeans). To some, it might be paradoxical that European money is used to promote something that is distinctively Maltese and not found anywhere else on the continent, but for a small country like Malta, that cultural aspect of the EU's power is definitely worth supporting. </p>Xiaochen Su, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16971152537509891790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-806308994497999758.post-79482982162478024802024-01-16T01:59:00.005+09:002024-01-16T01:59:46.363+09:00Malta as a Globalization Hotspot that No One Has Heard of<p>The local takeout burger place was manned by three youngish workers when I last visited. One yellow, one brown, and one black. Clearly from three different countries (none of which is Malta) and they communicate in perfect English amongst themselves and to their equally multicultural clientele and delivery personnel taking orders for various meal-order apps. This little spot is a perfect microcosm of modern-day Maltese society: a society that is, quite literally, full of people from around the world, working and living together to make the island economy tick along.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p>I would have never expected such diversity in, some would say, such a remote locale. The islands of little more than half a million people have no major companies headquartered (perhaps except some in the online gambling industry) and are geographically far from the heart of the European economy thousands of miles to its north in the likes of Switzerland, Germany, France, and the Netherlands. Yet, clearly observed just by going to shops, walking the streets, and riding the buses, hordes of Indians, Filipinos, Chinese, Africans, and Europeans of all stripes and backgrounds have made their home here.</p><p>And because of their presence, this remote outpost on the Mediterranean feels infinitely more vibrant than its location and small population would suggest. Walking down the streets of its tourist and commercial centers of Sliema and St. Julian, one sees bustling cafes and shoppers flanked by a constant stream of cars and pedestrians, urban scenes reminiscent of much larger cities of continental Europe. The sheer population density even outside the prime tourist summer seasons is no doubt because of the influx of foreigners who have at least temporarily made these towns their homes.</p><p>Granted, as one of these foreigners, it is easy to see the appeal. The sunny and warm weather, even in the middle of January (supposedly Malta's coldest month) makes for a constant feeling of being on holiday even for people who are working. Malta's status as a constituent state of the European Union no doubt makes it an appealing destination for those outside the bloc, who may see the islands as a springboard to greener pastures on the continent's major economies. The islands' British colonial heritage means English is widely spoken by everyone including the locals, making the language barrier low for newcomers.</p><p>Yes, it could be said that Malta is bustling because of factors outside its control: its pure fortune of being an easily accessible part of Europe. But the same could be said of many other parts of Europe as well. Malta is certainly not the only place with great weather or an English-proficient populace within the EU. But the fact that it has become, what I would call, a great global melting pot that remains relatively unknown, shows the enlightened attitude that the islanders have taken to migration and the idea of residing amongst people from around the world.</p><p>And as anti-immigration far-right parties rise to prominence in the likes of Germany, Netherlands, and Italy, it remains to be seen how much Malta can buck the trend of the coming xenophobic backlash within the EU. As the bloc strives to control the number of foreigners coming in, would Malta be a target for criticism in offering the supposed "backdoor" for many unwanted immigrants to get in and then move to other European countries? And how would Malta face the pressure to reduce its own immigration from countries many times its size?</p><p>Such political questions are not just for the elected leaders of Malta but for the entire orientation of European society. Some corners of Europe, with Malta being an exemplar, have decided to balance century-old traditions developed in relative isolation with the needs of globalization. That has brought prosperity to some parts of the continent that have in recent years looked stagnant in comparison with the more immigrant-friendly societies of the US, Canada, and Australia. But if Europe rolls back the pro-immigrant attitude, the likes of Malta may once again become isolated backwaters as foreigners depart.</p><p>Many, including those working the takeout store, certainly appreciate the opportunity to live and work here. While pay is not high by global standards, the tourist- and expatriate-oriented economy of the islands does offer plenty of employment opportunities for those countries where creating enough jobs for bulging populations has been a constant worry. And surely, if these foreigners depart, Malta will even be less appealing as a tourist destination, full of historical landmarks but no longer contrasting with the dynamism of its beautifully varied and young populace.</p>Xiaochen Su, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16971152537509891790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-806308994497999758.post-69978072581578697722024-01-08T05:25:00.004+09:002024-01-08T05:25:56.249+09:00First Post from Malta: a Retail Experience Without the Big Chains<p>Walking the narrow streets of Malta, I cannot help but notice a distinct lack of the usual big names in retail. In place of the Walmarts and the FamilyMarts of the world are small no-name mom-and-pop shops specializing in one type of product or the other. From Paul's selling only stationery to the hole-in-the-wall household goods stores peddling towels and plastic baskets, the little towns of this island country remain dominated by small enterprises, the kind that have long been killed off in other countries by major retail chains selling everything from A to Z.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p>In some ways, the near complete absence of international retail chains is justifiable. With a population just above half a million, the Maltese market is not large enough for international chains to pay attention to. Given the lack of local manufacturing, finding local suppliers is difficult for most goods. Moreover, with the island geography of the country, the freight cost of those infrequent maritime shipping to the islands also adds up to a no small amount. Add on the need for local labor, and the cost of entering the Maltese market simply does not make commercial sense given the relatively small potential revenue.</p><p>The lack of the usual everything-under-one-roof shopping experience forces new residents like me to forego the expectations of easily finding what I need, and really walk the streets. Popping into one mom-and-pop shop after another, I am compelled to ask about what exactly I need. With limited merchandise in each shop, frequently I come up empty. But the frequent failure gives me more of a reason to continue exploring and talking to shopkeepers, gauging exactly where to find what as I develop that mental map of the town's scattered retail landscape.</p><p>The local retailers themselves definitely help. More than once when I failed to find what I needed in one store, the storekeeper would point me to another store nearby where I may be able to find the items I desire. The shop owners of one neighborhood are often not in competition with one another for the limited number of customers. Rather, they are in a symbiotic relationship, with each shop relying on others for positive word-of-mouth in an "I scratch your back, you scratch mine" partnership. Their goal, without each explicitly saying so, becomes how to, together, provide everything a shopper would need.</p><p>This conversation-and-exploration-based shopping experience has its pros and cons. For those seeking the convenience of efficiently getting everything they need, the need to really search for the right places to buy what they need makes shopping in Malta rather irritating. But on the flip side, for those seeking that communal experience of talking to people and getting to know where they live, the Maltese retail experience would make shopping in a big-box store both isolating and alienating. Given that many people come to Malta to learn English, daily interactions through shopping can be helpful for language learning.</p><p>Yet, even as Malta inadvertently provides that ideal retail environment for language acquisition, it is itself shifting further away from mom-and-pop stores. On one hand, intrepid international chains like German discount retailer Lidl and French discount fashion chain Kiabi are making their way into the islands, following the trails of tens of thousands of other Europeans traveling and residing in Malta for its sunny climate and laid-back lifestyle. And as is the case elsewhere, the e-commerce revolution has hit Malta as well, with local copycats of Amazon and eBay vying for the euros of the tech-savvy.</p><p>What does this all mean for me, a transplant from the highly commercialized metropolitan Tokyo, where everything can be bought almost everywhere, both online and offline? It is a matter of a mental reset: when something is considered necessary, rather than having "let's buy it" as the default reaction, really rethink whether a substitute for that need can be found. For everything that is simply "good to have" rather than a must, it is probably not worth the effort of walking around the Maltese streets to source them. Checking the almost automated impulse of consumption will save the planet and the wallet.</p><p>But even more importantly, the inconvenience of shopping here really forces a lifestyle change. Rather than quietly picking up goods in a faceless store, shopping will be more about talking to strangers and even getting to know the neighbors, a rarity in the Japanese context. And rather than shopping for entertainment, a more non-expenditure-oriented leisure regimen may come to fruition. Thankfully, Malta, with its beautiful sea views, historical architecture, and balmy weather, has no shortage of ways to spend time aside from buying things.</p>Xiaochen Su, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16971152537509891790noreply@blogger.com0St Paul's Bay, Malta35.9483408 14.4109413-7.4427357925498825 -55.9015587 79.339417392549876 84.7234413tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-806308994497999758.post-36831074324796019472023-12-30T16:26:00.000+09:002023-12-30T16:26:05.108+09:00Taking a Break from A Day of Essay Reading!<p>Every line of work ebbs and flows based on a calendar of deadlines. When no imminent projects are on the horizon, employees enjoy their downtime, taking vacations and going home early from the office. When clients call in with urgent requests, employees reluctantly do overtime, trying to get through all the tasks while their managers and customers breathe down their necks for constant updates. The deadlines vary greatly from industry to industry, with expectations being three months for management <a href="https://xiaochensu.blogspot.com/2023/11/shorter-talks-better-results-rethinking.html">consultants</a> to three minutes for the fry cook at McDonald's.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p>But as a general rule of thumb, no matter in which industry, the most predictable the deadlines, the longer the heads-up employees get before the output is due, the less those deadlines would cause stress for the employees. After all, if the employees know they have a few months before the deadline arrives, they can break the work up into consistent chunks that they spread evenly over their many work hours. That consistency can be made even more accurate when the employees know exactly how likely it is for an unexpected piece of work to come in that disrupts that original working planning schedule.</p><p>The college admissions preparation industry, I have come to find, is a major exception to this general rule of thumb. The deadlines for this job are transparent, predictable, and reasonable. Students know exactly what they need to submit months, if not years before the deadlines. And the deadlines, whether for the transcripts, tests, or the applications themselves, are often the same year after year. Yet, students <a href="https://xiaochensu.blogspot.com/2012/05/what-is-wisdom-behind-pulling-all.html">scramble</a> days before the deadlines, trying to get through as many essays as possible before the clock strikes midnight. And I, as someone tasked with reviewing and polishing their last-minute essays, sit in a hotel room all day two days before New Year's.</p><p>What gives? One is the sheer size of the expectations that colleges have for what they consider to be suitable applicants. As high school students start to think that publishing research papers, winning scholastic awards, and taking extra classes outside high school are de facto prerequisites to be seriously considered by top universities, they squeeze more and more time into doing these activities rather than the all-important process of putting these achievements on paper. So rather than divvying up the work throughout the school year, students are forced to use the school year to do what they need to write about.</p><p>The other, probably more prevalent, reason for the last-minute scramble is a fundamental belief in that all tasks, can be done at the last minute at sufficient quality, leading to systematic procrastination. This is not simply an issue with college applications. Because of that belief in the last-minute quality, everything on the schedule gets pushed back, making it largely pointless whether or not there is indeed a long time to do the work before the deadline shows up. Almost as a matter of fact, college applications become a last-minute task because there are so many other last-minute deadlines to hit right beforehand.</p><p>For workers in the college admissions preparation industry, then, the last-minute squeeze by their customers (i.e. the high school students) means that they will not be exempt from the last-minute scramble either, no matter how willing they are to get the work done much before the deadlines. Unlike workers in many other industries, clients here are also partners in work rather than people who are simply paying for output that they wait to receive. And customers being customers, the hired hands only have so much they can say about the students' behaviors without risking the business' reputation.</p><p>As dark as the situation sounds from a work-life balance perspective, it does also provide interesting insights about the adolescent mind that few other industries can expose those who are much older. Amidst the ambitious hopes and dreams adults find both fascinating and worthy of <a href="https://xiaochensu.blogspot.com/2023/09/how-dreams-of-high-school-students-can.html">envy</a>, there is also an exhilarating bout of "can we make the deadline" adrenaline rush that hardly any well-organized pencil pushers doing paperwork weeks in advance can feel. Cynical as it seems, feeling teenage anxiety firsthand reminds everyone of the sheer weight of everyday decisions and efforts. </p><p>Perhaps one day I will look back on my day of sitting in the hotel room two days before New Year's Day reading essay after essay as a time of good memories. It is, to put it in the best way, a reminder of youthful potential, visualized in a final dash toward a closing door that hosts a bright future on the other side. It is like a parent put so simply: for the adults, filing a college application may just be a task among many; for the young and ready, they are the representation of everything they have done up until that point. Knowing the gravity of the situation, I cannot help but be more lenient with those last-minute essay review requests.</p>Xiaochen Su, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16971152537509891790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-806308994497999758.post-45293335677376313812023-12-23T13:16:00.002+09:002023-12-23T13:16:20.749+09:00As We Move Homes, Do Not Forget the Power of Memories Locked in the Physical Items We Throw Away<p>Home. It is a word that is often laden with so many emotions: a sense of belonging when there, longing when not, indifferent when ridden with conflict, joy-inducing when filled with loved ones. People say that what makes a physical place "home" is what is inside: the people, the neighbors, and that feeling of being safe from the elements and troubles brewing outside. For them, a home can be mobile and ever-shifting> As long as what one associated with the home can move together with the person, then the home can be anywhere, in any building.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgLhlDtrrxak0S0ZLqSMCKsizRFGQcCxx9JITs4m-fKjkBWBb92PeXfxQ1Gw7FnWEGd9DiTV5nxkj-LDSVdqSuoPzIrMEEx-tfEmf70ZwraqeisFzlYeWF2BXZ9DWtScj2aESXgbH_nUCQVujLBjn_i6J_xXiU72cNatwnlHgnDysVyzcFIKS9-9rzyQPnl" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgLhlDtrrxak0S0ZLqSMCKsizRFGQcCxx9JITs4m-fKjkBWBb92PeXfxQ1Gw7FnWEGd9DiTV5nxkj-LDSVdqSuoPzIrMEEx-tfEmf70ZwraqeisFzlYeWF2BXZ9DWtScj2aESXgbH_nUCQVujLBjn_i6J_xXiU72cNatwnlHgnDysVyzcFIKS9-9rzyQPnl=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div>But that feeling of being in a home cannot be completely dissociated from the physical place where it is established. Yes, family members can indeed move, ensuring that an important element of the home, that sense of belonging to a wider community, can move geographically. But belonging does not merely come from other people. It is also that physical place, manifested through that familiar bed, desk, carpet, and wall posters, that differentiates a home from just another residence. That investment in effort, care, thoughts, and time to customize the place for one's liking is also what makes a place a home.<p></p><p>As I come to my last couple of days in my current apartment, I am especially conscious of these physical manifestations that create an alternative meaning of belonging. Many of the big-ticket items that have defined home for the past two years, from the sofa and chairs to the refrigerator and the washing machine, will be gone forever. They will be replaced at the new home, of course, but the new companions will not be the same, both in terms of their visual appearance and emotional connection. The <a href="https://xiaochensu.blogspot.com/2021/12/the-race-to-bottom-of-price-competition.html">hassle</a> I went through for some of them only binds me stronger and makes the goodbye that much sadder.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgMTDXrnNWRv6rnN158VnZKjapMy99-KNTUAG2ZfpKLnp5E7ltsfRYBomT_Yurv5C7oK2Se9SBRco8X0iuB-_J-ldh21PPPtNEuYRLKfj7ffg6SidbMxGHf1sMyosrkfXWYsK6N7s6YNV3KFvKALKFfe03ULRq_rdG8yZEmR9gDWiVeRXUBh-41ZkYRvdiQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="706" data-original-width="800" height="353" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgMTDXrnNWRv6rnN158VnZKjapMy99-KNTUAG2ZfpKLnp5E7ltsfRYBomT_Yurv5C7oK2Se9SBRco8X0iuB-_J-ldh21PPPtNEuYRLKfj7ffg6SidbMxGHf1sMyosrkfXWYsK6N7s6YNV3KFvKALKFfe03ULRq_rdG8yZEmR9gDWiVeRXUBh-41ZkYRvdiQ=w400-h353" width="400" /></a></div>Looking back at the <a href="https://xiaochensu.blogspot.com/2022/01/the-hassles-of-operational-setup-for.html">post</a> I wrote two years ago on moving to the current apartment, I can see how these physical items associated with every apartment move are no mere collection of materials needed for a convenient life. The joy behind picking them out, purchasing them, and assembling them for use represents that new beginning, a new chapter of life, something to switch up the monotony of everyday corporate life, and the fact that, despite all the talks of constantly taking up challenges, the average Joe rarely ventures into the complete unknown.<p></p><p>Perhaps it is that joy of something new with a new group of companions that makes certain items part of a home's definition. Just like friendships are built on going on adventures to new places for new purposes, physical items in a new home represent the excitement of mutual support in tackling the unknown. Long-term friendships are built on the occasional reminiscing of those exciting adventures "back in those days" when the friends were younger, less burdened by bills and babies, and sprightlier in the legs. So can the homemaker reminisce about all that's happened in the home, in the sight of the tables, chairs, and sofas.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjLb6JrHjkW0niqiCYFbJjAXGVQ39XUQdkvptbSOahQqtjqUlWNk3hYtVhmqBmazRCJzZmaK1SQzvupQ-a_1W9oUEosUI2Mj0YwVLaxdbdoEJ9Ka-quPi9SFGIkEnmaRMPtdiwi6jchrbJzWcsnAVwOo0rC8s1cPEQhOxQY4JIENOvqk0uzpvRBg_rRGFU2" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="531" data-original-width="800" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjLb6JrHjkW0niqiCYFbJjAXGVQ39XUQdkvptbSOahQqtjqUlWNk3hYtVhmqBmazRCJzZmaK1SQzvupQ-a_1W9oUEosUI2Mj0YwVLaxdbdoEJ9Ka-quPi9SFGIkEnmaRMPtdiwi6jchrbJzWcsnAVwOo0rC8s1cPEQhOxQY4JIENOvqk0uzpvRBg_rRGFU2=w400-h265" width="400" /></a></div>Those memories are incomplete without those that we shared them with. That is why it hurts so much when we lose a long-time friend. Who else can we talk to about "remember that time we..." without having to explain all the details and the feelings in between. That emotional connection without having to explain verbally just cannot be replaced with another person uninvolved in the episode firsthand. Maybe the furniture and electronics we have lived with for years are just like those long-time friends. They cannot talk back to us, but they can reminisce with us all the same.<p></p><p>If memories represent a part of who are, and the memories are incomplete without our friends, then it is no wonder that every new apartment move is a source of sorrow. As some items are tossed out forever, we lose a part of our identity in the time we spend with them. Perhaps new memories at a new home, with new big-ticket items, will introduce new sources of excitement that overwrite those lost memories. But the sense of loss is all the same. No new adventure with new friends can entirely replace our past, interspersed with stories that defined us up to the current point.</p><p>So as we cherish a home, we ought to remember that we cherish it not only for the people it represents but also for the things that inhabit its premises. It is easy to be dismissive of inanimate objects for the little impact they have on our lives. That is why clean-up gurus and crews run brisk businesses. But it is also worth not forgetting that, just like people, they host fragments of our memories that define who we are. So let us be understanding of those who struggle to clean up too: maybe they are just more emotional than the rest of us, more cherishing of the bonds they created with the items in their homes. </p>Xiaochen Su, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16971152537509891790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-806308994497999758.post-54675005422513295892023-12-12T13:57:00.003+09:002023-12-12T13:57:09.801+09:00Where to Draw the Lines Between the Abstract and Concrete in College Essays?<p>One thing that this blog does not particularly do well is "specificity." Often, posts start with a concrete event that triggers a line of thinking, but then dive deeper and deeper into the philosophy and values behind the thinking, until the reader is left thinking, at the end of the post, what do the abstract thoughts developed across multiple paragraphs have anything to do with the event that triggered the post in the first place. And too frequently, I am inclined to agree with the readers: as a space to freely jot down my thoughts, the thoughts are prioritized over structure or narrative.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjqizxDrO_sF4yEodys4GAESC4nRnNqWV8hwhfzXRUnSAfl_KQZpxGDtEnmpx3bnUA-d7W8BQfZH6pDCJDyz9jDi3WYaXTHIVWx7rRAjy-49KDmlmb6JlebvFlZAMKcyY9EpbKAVIcNCeMsESx5SxSMnBwc3cjxJhY_8XJUaqGCmGPmCEBXp0GV3aWetAlo" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjqizxDrO_sF4yEodys4GAESC4nRnNqWV8hwhfzXRUnSAfl_KQZpxGDtEnmpx3bnUA-d7W8BQfZH6pDCJDyz9jDi3WYaXTHIVWx7rRAjy-49KDmlmb6JlebvFlZAMKcyY9EpbKAVIcNCeMsESx5SxSMnBwc3cjxJhY_8XJUaqGCmGPmCEBXp0GV3aWetAlo=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div>That prioritization of abstract philosophy over concrete storytelling is a symptom I see too often in my current job as an essay <a href="https://xiaochensu.blogspot.com/2023/08/mentoring-adolescents-remembering-need.html">mentor</a> for high schoolers seeking a place in America's top colleges. Don't get me wrong, it is great to see these young men and women have opinions on various social issues that they witness in their daily lives. Many of their less ambitious peers simply do not bother to think at all. But in written form, a well-developed thought requires many sentences and paragraphs to elaborate fully, taking limited space away from why exactly are the thoughts being enunciated in the first place. <p></p><p>Worse yet, the thoughts are often elaborated with the implicit but dangerously erroneous assumption that the intended audience of the writing is somehow familiar and agreeable to the social context in which the thoughts emerge. The lack of self-awareness that true <a href="https://xiaochensu.blogspot.com/2022/12/verbalizing-diversity-in-educational.html">diversity</a> is based not on visual appearance but on fundamental differences in ways of thinking leads to writers simply omitting concrete details. The belief that readers can mentally "fill in the gaps" leads to incomprehension, as readers struggle to reconcile logical jumps between passages that seem to connect completely different stories and thoughts.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiF7YFOegIqgPHrMNIz-vZD9t54F-1bp03wukiBzyo4ULsaJ7r9TsI8PKBfZ2vzjLpUJephq4FS5-izV7-UfSHQniUZjmvtm3UFYJGnRzrKTLskOCOKAolUG4MJoENI9UQJvrvh_8FyfZEvRgT6m8_NfU5S8iLNHBoxqLyyqPtzW2wQQfzDdoJM3wzi6fCi" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiF7YFOegIqgPHrMNIz-vZD9t54F-1bp03wukiBzyo4ULsaJ7r9TsI8PKBfZ2vzjLpUJephq4FS5-izV7-UfSHQniUZjmvtm3UFYJGnRzrKTLskOCOKAolUG4MJoENI9UQJvrvh_8FyfZEvRgT6m8_NfU5S8iLNHBoxqLyyqPtzW2wQQfzDdoJM3wzi6fCi=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div>While this blog is, again, guilty of such logical jumps, it does occasionally mitigate through trying to spin a consistent example throughout the prose as the visible base of opinionating. Take the example of a recent <a href="https://xiaochensu.blogspot.com/2023/11/techs-limitations-in-disrupting.html">post</a> on the bankruptcy of WeWork. By referring, repeatedly throughout the post, to the idiosyncrasies of the real estate industry and the hype surrounding WeWork's doubtful promise of upending its human relations-based way of business, the post sought to present an idea that the power of tech has its limits when it comes to revolutionizing traditional, human-centered industries.<p></p><p>In the same way, a good college essay detailing personal beliefs should not just cite a particular concrete example that started the belief, but weave the same example, or at least something related to it, throughout the length of the writing, to show that the development of the belief over time is still grounded in actual events. Readers from different cultural backgrounds can then absorb the details of the same events to make up their own conclusions. By allowing for the discerning of different interpretations of the same events, the idea of diversity in values can be better represented.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgAy3VQk7I1rWIsnYh9Cv8-zdp9hkXayaCGurCIpqlOGczo3YjeTvkiJ6dkIKaa4Irq9GqRSUxRKO_CGaRlWbcNSPUhcio5kR-0dommAcSMBRpCSaYg38dNYIagl64DdLQx4lnDdSTxC_dOOGzz7_ecpkeJktXr-jCkMnAOlODtmsYd3FnA4jw5JLYUKwBe" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="532" data-original-width="800" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgAy3VQk7I1rWIsnYh9Cv8-zdp9hkXayaCGurCIpqlOGczo3YjeTvkiJ6dkIKaa4Irq9GqRSUxRKO_CGaRlWbcNSPUhcio5kR-0dommAcSMBRpCSaYg38dNYIagl64DdLQx4lnDdSTxC_dOOGzz7_ecpkeJktXr-jCkMnAOlODtmsYd3FnA4jw5JLYUKwBe=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div>On the flip side, not spinning concrete stories in the narrative ensures that the applicant fails to stand out from the crowd. Among the global moneyed elites that almost exclusively make up the international cohort of those aspiring to top American universities, lifestyles, and consequently, ways of thinking can be surprisingly similar across cultural and political boundaries. Just talking about vague philosophical ideas can quickly lead everyone to talk about the same things. Stories, grounded in the local and personal context, are likely the most effective ways to prevent values from being cliches. <p></p><p>Admittedly, finding that balance between concrete storytelling and the more important need to express one's thinking is not easy. While too much personal philosophy turns off readers with the emptiness of abstract cliches, too much concreteness is also problematic. The last thing applicants want college admissions committees to see them as drones who are simply accepting life's ups and downs without deep thoughts, lacking "intellectual vitality" in college-speak. Striking the balance while ensuring logic flows throughout...it is no wonder that many students struggle.</p><p>This blog, at least, has it lucky. With no consequences beyond fewer page impressions and no word limit, it has plenty of space to talk about stories and ideas at will. College admissions are not nearly as lenient. With predetermined topics and sometimes word limits as short as 50 words, making every word count and still answering the prompt is the order of the day. With the pressure of having only a few hundred words in total to summarize 18 years of life into personalities, dreams, and uniqueness, writers need all the help they can get. Hopefully, that is a story they can write about one day.</p>Xiaochen Su, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16971152537509891790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-806308994497999758.post-68806060856550152992023-12-05T12:58:00.002+09:002023-12-05T12:58:06.333+09:00日本の参考になるドバイの移民モデルとその成功要因<p> <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">移民問題は日本においてますます重要なテーマとなっている。日本は過去数十年間、高齢化や人口減少といった人口構造の変化に直面してきた。これらの問題に対処するためには、移民政策を考慮する必要がある。なぜなれば、移民は労働力と消費者不足を解消するために不可欠である。高齢化が進む中、日本は移民の流入により、産業界は必要な労働力と消費者を確保することができる。これにより、経済成長が促進され、日本の国際競争力が向上する。<span></span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-ea5ae2dd-7fff-2e6b-a438-28b28f659eea"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi2eD5Hl87sMiS70PwDohmLoPqXIuc79KgpWfPP5xGBcquwrOhfooBGtLZNGRByhirTWqzcV8Bzx6n6VQRnUS6bnhpPbPFWXb8BJOEpJQPe78y-nQ4Ywyw8g9IpgdeKg9le3zkTI2r1VYUG-50E4wt93lLO1JO_oVKF9T_FOepcjEa5uRF0nYbJpCRfHLkO" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi2eD5Hl87sMiS70PwDohmLoPqXIuc79KgpWfPP5xGBcquwrOhfooBGtLZNGRByhirTWqzcV8Bzx6n6VQRnUS6bnhpPbPFWXb8BJOEpJQPe78y-nQ4Ywyw8g9IpgdeKg9le3zkTI2r1VYUG-50E4wt93lLO1JO_oVKF9T_FOepcjEa5uRF0nYbJpCRfHLkO=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">しかし、文化的多様性という面で移民は日本社会を大きく左右する。一方で、外国人の受け入れにより、異なる文化や経験を持つ人々が日本社会に参画する。これにより、国際的な視野が広がり、クリエイティビティやイノベーションが促進される可能性がある。ただし、社会統合や労働条件の整備など、移民を受け入れるための適切な政策とサポート体制がない限り、文化の衝突や差別の問題も起こりうるため、移民問題には慎重に取り組む必要がある。移民の大量流入が善か悪かに評価されるのは、適切な政策とバランスの取れたアプローチがあるかどうかによるでしょう。</span><p></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">今後どう移民政策を成立するか模索中の日本にとって、中東の国際的大都会ドバイは参考になるだろう。ドバイは長年と独自の移民モデルによって世界中から人々を引き寄せている。2017年の</span><a href="https://scholarbank.nus.edu.sg/handle/10635/172697" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">データ</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">によると、ドバイの330万人の人口の中、外国人は92%を占め、世界でもっとも高い移民の比率となっている。1950年代に石油が発見された以前にはほとんど外国人がいなかったドバイの歴史を振り返ると、いかに短期間に独自の「ドバイモデル」を築き上げ、多くの外国人を居住者として迎え入れられたがわかる。</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEje6vktYRCOr5iwzsu1X10gFEidsyIaIN2eeN9dNckvFm2kNnD0oApcTD4zdyValOKWzZK6LKPSatqL147E2kUqqn5__qHUJBxZPyrLrneOgBRwaYBoD2AO9Jiw8LzQZYI7jkOEySFEzK6K22TzXLJYklh3bfPagevCjujjldEriz00tcuj1QnqP-Qv3Pvb" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEje6vktYRCOr5iwzsu1X10gFEidsyIaIN2eeN9dNckvFm2kNnD0oApcTD4zdyValOKWzZK6LKPSatqL147E2kUqqn5__qHUJBxZPyrLrneOgBRwaYBoD2AO9Jiw8LzQZYI7jkOEySFEzK6K22TzXLJYklh3bfPagevCjujjldEriz00tcuj1QnqP-Qv3Pvb=w267-h400" width="267" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">ドバイは英米ははじめとするいわゆる「従来」の移民政策とは異なる独自のアプローチな移民政策を確立し、実行している。従来の移民政策は、しばしば国籍や家族のつながりに焦点を当てる一方、ドバイモデルでは経済的要素と人材の魅力を重視している。そのドバイモデルでは、さまざまな産業から優れた専門家を引き寄せ、都市の経済成長に貢献することが重要視されている。</span><p></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">諸外国から投資を引き寄せるのに欠かせないのが外国からの高度人材導入を優先にする政策だ。従来の移民政策が煩雑な官僚手続きに依存するのに対し、ドバイモデルでは効率的なビザ制度を提供している。ここ数年では、大規模のビザの審査や発行に対応するため、民間企業のソフトウェアや自動化プロセスを</span><a href="https://www.theijbmt.com/archive/0931/1592692015.pdf" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">導入</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">している。ビザ発行のペーパーレス化で、ドバイ当局は2019年から2022年に150万件以上の申請に</span><a href="https://www.gdrfad.gov.ae/en/node/12931" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">対応</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">できた。アメリカなど西側諸国がビザ発行に対して人数制限を設ける一方、ドバイはITの力により、大量の人材流入をより簡易化する傾向を示している。</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">更に、特定の基準を満たす優れた個人、例えば専門的なスキルや高い資格、または大規模な投資資本を持つ人々は、簡略化されたプロセスを通じて居住許可証や就労許可証を取得することができる。外国人がドバイでビジネスを展開するためには、特定の条件を満たす必要があるが、成功すればビザの特典やビジネス上の優遇措置を享受できる。特に、2019年、ドバイは特定の投資や能力を持つ外国人に長期滞在権利を与える「黄金ビザ」制度を発足させ、更にグローバル人材の囲い込みに</span><a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/1369183X.2022.2115627" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">注力</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">している。ドバイは2019年から2022年に15万以上の黄金ビザを</span><a href="https://www.gdrfad.gov.ae/en/node/12931" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">発行</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">している。人材の魅力と経済成長に焦点を当てることで、ドバイは優れた外国からの専門家と投資家の魅力的な目的地として位置づけ、都市の発展と成功を推進している。</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjzbByWFAeUWpO_Zq1sBzWANqSfEs0XdO_iLSbNZJzBqt8P4x_l1IrCJlWEBsIF8CKcDn9ngyyeooxEG_swVZqMUGIWpT_kZC6Qb1STR1gIELnev9bgVLxlHho3x_YmIPFba4NuERNTt_-LAy_ol3iIDc9jqLu8bD_Qr02IMSkSgDM6ennP0Y7BoCutNDOI" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="546" data-original-width="800" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjzbByWFAeUWpO_Zq1sBzWANqSfEs0XdO_iLSbNZJzBqt8P4x_l1IrCJlWEBsIF8CKcDn9ngyyeooxEG_swVZqMUGIWpT_kZC6Qb1STR1gIELnev9bgVLxlHho3x_YmIPFba4NuERNTt_-LAy_ol3iIDc9jqLu8bD_Qr02IMSkSgDM6ennP0Y7BoCutNDOI=w400-h272" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">このような移民政策の後押しになっているのが国際貿易や金融サービスなど石油を超える多角化への努力である。ドバイ政府は、ドバイ国際金融センターやドバイマルチコモディティーズセンターなどのイニシアチブを導入し、税制優遇措置やビジネスに適した規制を提供している。さらに、ジェベル・アリフリーゾーンやドバイインターネットシティなどのフリートレードゾーンを設立しており、外国投資家には100%の所有権と税制上の利点を</span><a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/273321578_Development_of_Free_Zones_in_United_Arab_Emirates" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">提供</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">している。これらの取り組みは、外国からの投資及び高度人材を引き寄せ、イノベーションを促進するのに成功しており、ドバイをグローバルな経済拠点として急速に発展させている。</span><p></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">日本は、経済成長の減速や高齢化社会の進行に伴い、労働力不足や人口減少といった社会問題を抱える中、このドバイモデルを移民問題に重要な参考であることを提案する。ドバイは、多様な人種や文化を受け入れ、経済成長を遂げている。その開放的な移民政策はドバイを多国籍企業の拠点とさせ、さらに世界中から労働力を引き寄せている。つまり、ドバイは人口の多様性が経済成長に貢献している。日本も労働力と消費者不足を解消するためにより多くの外国人労働者を受け入れる必要がある。ドバイの移民政策を参考にすることで、日本も外国人労働者の受け入れを積極的に進めることができる。</span></p></span>Xiaochen Su, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16971152537509891790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-806308994497999758.post-49554085818518900452023-11-29T20:17:00.006+09:002023-11-29T20:17:58.196+09:00Sam Altman's Return to OpenAI: A Testament to Employee Power in the Tech World<p>It has been some days after the sudden ouster and return of Sam Altman as the leader of the world's current tech darling OpenAI. But even as the episode gets written into recent history, there are plenty of mysteries surrounding exactly what happened. Who are the folks who wanted Altman out so decisively, even though they, as the public, know that Altman is the face of the company and an influential voice on AI even beyond immediate company operations? And what exactly did they want to achieve through the ouster? Greater commercialization may be a culprit, but for casual observers, this is mere speculation.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgRKLj0lqISEuPkQVMdwdL4KOpR2rQpdJizcgmzvpqPKnKQoelyqU71o5xdvlcOBGcPqvb7_7YAH5BZuNz4136tbiRelX2qjy7iBseLn8FXteFQG4S0LduY6mxIAgfzKo40Y1nnokmEnpWkKgXGlFDEqC3orUNjSfHlP-M6Q6OdVYqKzc2A1kTaHIXTPY2K" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgRKLj0lqISEuPkQVMdwdL4KOpR2rQpdJizcgmzvpqPKnKQoelyqU71o5xdvlcOBGcPqvb7_7YAH5BZuNz4136tbiRelX2qjy7iBseLn8FXteFQG4S0LduY6mxIAgfzKo40Y1nnokmEnpWkKgXGlFDEqC3orUNjSfHlP-M6Q6OdVYqKzc2A1kTaHIXTPY2K=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div>But there is one thing that came out of the whole fiasco that even the most casual observer may find a good lesson to learn. And the lesson is decidedly non-tech: Altman's return had much to do with a campaign by the rank and file of OpenAI, in collaboration with and highly publicized by international media outlets. Without the majority of regular employees publicly calling for Altman's return, the board of the firm probably would have had a much easier chance to keep their original decision to get rid of him. In short, employee loyalty to Altman saved Altman.<p></p><p>It does not take a professional in AI to understand the implications of this result. In any firm where employees' brains underwrite company value, the concerted voices of the employees are hard to ignore for even the most profit-oriented investors. This is especially true in the world of AI, where the brains being employed are extremely talented and difficult to replace. Whereas it is easy to find alternative sources of investment to fund AI ventures, it is much easier to find people who are capable of executing. That labor scarcity gives OpenAI's employees unprecedented bargaining power.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhrg5nxaVzNaK_kdTMhxyk2sDpxDjGVINnPRq4pNGc-d69b3-yPl9CJ88rhYvYFrv_jM3CT-B17IFWugcBC3AxhIKoUXSdYO9sFRHnUDMiYiEjeXOw0a9uQWQGQmb8sdLH7aF-knjXi1A5PlBd3qSEX20AfH8qhctpuGFjMX8t5xpxKixUi5qfZu2bk7YPv" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhrg5nxaVzNaK_kdTMhxyk2sDpxDjGVINnPRq4pNGc-d69b3-yPl9CJ88rhYvYFrv_jM3CT-B17IFWugcBC3AxhIKoUXSdYO9sFRHnUDMiYiEjeXOw0a9uQWQGQmb8sdLH7aF-knjXi1A5PlBd3qSEX20AfH8qhctpuGFjMX8t5xpxKixUi5qfZu2bk7YPv=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></div>It is easy to be pessimistic for a "regular" guy, not nearly as smart and well-versed in cutting-edge technology as the average OpenAI employee, to see the development at the firm. The conclusion may as well be that employee revolts only work when the employees are irreplaceable. The vast majority of employees, working in jobs that others can train themselves to do relatively quickly, do not have the same luxury. They can join unions, go on the picket lines, and fight for wage hikes and other perks, only to be fired and replaced by someone more docile and less demanding.<p></p><p>Yet OpenAI employees' success in bringing back their popular CEO does have a universal message. Building a community of workers working toward a single goal, whether it be a better product or keeping the same leadership, can go a long way in defeating the nefarious designs of investors seeking a quick buck. Money can only go so far in picking off one employee at a time in a firm where the majority of employees are bound together through some sort of informal institution that communicates and enacts collective desire based on solid trust and relationship-building.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh76JC3H7dkFIAeIVr-VSXWU0AS3asyDJ_oElyifK4e2yActh8prPRJZa4zfd854ck0CoZTbEX1pYRpl_v0kj5ubRh4BVEobUknnKSbZPielqjM1hIGTI5EJe9WwJDRPIpwtO6gbMX-0UiUtP3CzuKHod7VBW4WZaK6h66JE5aPYnMgqMqx5qIC7kMWqIHU" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh76JC3H7dkFIAeIVr-VSXWU0AS3asyDJ_oElyifK4e2yActh8prPRJZa4zfd854ck0CoZTbEX1pYRpl_v0kj5ubRh4BVEobUknnKSbZPielqjM1hIGTI5EJe9WwJDRPIpwtO6gbMX-0UiUtP3CzuKHod7VBW4WZaK6h66JE5aPYnMgqMqx5qIC7kMWqIHU=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div>That sort of community-building within a firm is difficult to build up in a geographically, culturally, and digitally dispersed one, as I see in my current company. People who have, and only will, meet in short Zoom meetings will have little personal rapport they can leverage to communicate a common goal, even if the goal is ultimately beneficial for the majority. Without physical face time, no one would even think of banding together to create that informal institution of employee collective action for the times that they are called upon to resist external pressures.<p></p><p>Thought this way, it is truly ironic that a company that seeks to replace human workers with faceless algorithms demonstrated the ability to, well, be human in actioning and decision-making. Whereas traditional non-remote working firms like manufacturing and retail succumb to the lack of organizational power to unify thousands through dying unions, OpenAI showed another way. Whereas executives and investors find physical workers pliable to demands of ridiculously hard work and low pay, digital workers showed that they need not be so.</p><p>In the end, OpenAI is special because of its intellectual employees, but not special enough to be considered a complete outlier in the corporate world. In any firm, leaders and employees who prioritize employee relations over the demands of the job, clients, investors, and the products themselves will find it all the more possible to guide the organization through crises without throwing some members under the bus in the process. Whether Altman is back because of ethical or commercial demand, it is a story that shows how employees can still win against big money.</p>Xiaochen Su, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16971152537509891790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-806308994497999758.post-13043677575459869192023-11-23T16:13:00.004+09:002023-11-23T16:13:11.747+09:00Tech's Limitations in Disrupting Traditional Industries: A Reflection on WeWork's Rise and Fall<p>The recent bankruptcy of the co-working space operator WeWork in the US spelled the end to a rather embarrassing saga in the world of tech. Under its flamboyant founder, the firm was once deemed a tech darling ready to disrupt the fossilized world of real estate management. For a while, it seems to have succeeded, offering up rental spaces to other tech startups hoping to bask in the glow of how tech can be utilized to solve legacy industries. Getting other tech firms to believe that it is an integral member of the tech world propelled WeWork to new heights in valuation.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi-cdSFbNRTaQVFWdzd-D4ieolwc_0IJyZuPNxB4OVLGUjdDMd316foGYTvulDnRUpIg6EQOj5AqScZYtDcXd4_nDEK5k8zEqhkvG2t_52DbIjL8F-MmqC_tykdRpYLFlqQcxUTXso9eDu9ftmApJwJHYogO9_eWFNaKXvk1tjfvt5TxuK8tM8Zbjaer11D" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi-cdSFbNRTaQVFWdzd-D4ieolwc_0IJyZuPNxB4OVLGUjdDMd316foGYTvulDnRUpIg6EQOj5AqScZYtDcXd4_nDEK5k8zEqhkvG2t_52DbIjL8F-MmqC_tykdRpYLFlqQcxUTXso9eDu9ftmApJwJHYogO9_eWFNaKXvk1tjfvt5TxuK8tM8Zbjaer11D=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div>Eventually, the truth had to come out. WeWork, at its heart, differs little from other short-term office rental firms in its business model. Its only differentiating factor, savvy investors eventually caught on, was its marketing prowess. Combining the charisma of the founder and its clever hyping up of how it can use tech to change the world (a dubious and vague proposition from the very beginning of the firm) allowed it to get plenty of venture capital investments before crashing to the ground. Plenty of losses to the investors had to come before its portfolio of rather ordinary assets had to be restructured in ordinary ways.<p></p><p>The cautionary tale of WeWork's rise and fall is a cause of reflection: just how viable is the proposition of tech making a non-tech sector sexy and valuable? Real estate is full of dinosaurs leveraging multigenerational land ownership and collusion with landowners, private and public. But that long history of operations means that it is particularly difficult for tech firms like WeWork to fundamentally change how the business is done. The question is whether other non-tech sectors, without the historical baggage of real estate, are easier for tech to disrupt.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg54fmFrpwYQ1hkvkqa1MLrWQYVcKlvlSqboeE2uVlFmFiw1D53DherZzD6xeqJm1X9AQAQeQAoDZYobnZC9ZG8VISJkW-_AzLyntNdTqbTfasz9QQmxkwveoMUr0ZcJfppAyiXCGvRejNQjNGCpmgzxqAqPrFY7_Hs1g6WVL95nV-ERWYbeJwFjzFjtog2" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg54fmFrpwYQ1hkvkqa1MLrWQYVcKlvlSqboeE2uVlFmFiw1D53DherZzD6xeqJm1X9AQAQeQAoDZYobnZC9ZG8VISJkW-_AzLyntNdTqbTfasz9QQmxkwveoMUr0ZcJfppAyiXCGvRejNQjNGCpmgzxqAqPrFY7_Hs1g6WVL95nV-ERWYbeJwFjzFjtog2=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div>Here, the higher education sector may be worth examining. Granted, institutions of higher education can be just as fossilized as their real estate counterparts. Universities are sometimes older than the oldest of still-existing real estate firms. But the idea of "preparing" for higher education applications is a much more recent concept. In the olden days, top colleges were exclusive to the offspring of the elite: normal folks had no way of knowing, paying for, and applying for education there, even if they somehow became eligible for social status. The combination of old and new could be something that tech finds a niche.<p></p><p>But the prerequisite for disruption comes from the attractiveness of a "new way of doing things." Real estate is based on human relationships among landowners, estate managers, and clients. That personal nature of the business is fundamentally non-tech. Education is still grounded in relationships among students, teachers, and admission officers. So at first sight it is not promising. But the idea of bringing the human aspect online, enabling someone to be taught anytime by anyone anywhere, is tech. The ubiquity of location is certainly not something real estate can replicate.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgiYttlAFSj3Cck2j1JIOBa0W5ueIPLcX9qnEsGIbn9N-yKfVKTJod-GQg4l9E6j3He4k-ommsx0WwaHSFM_5HSjE_cfbYeijurSduZDM8xZHCDU1my20caDJOaNpXuRszvKxKDGeYnRT173IFfUbBaHFIGlztthQ8gZgmGuowWb-MH1w7vXgqW_xiyBF-O" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgiYttlAFSj3Cck2j1JIOBa0W5ueIPLcX9qnEsGIbn9N-yKfVKTJod-GQg4l9E6j3He4k-ommsx0WwaHSFM_5HSjE_cfbYeijurSduZDM8xZHCDU1my20caDJOaNpXuRszvKxKDGeYnRT173IFfUbBaHFIGlztthQ8gZgmGuowWb-MH1w7vXgqW_xiyBF-O=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div>That temporal and locational flexibility may be a key to tech disrupting certain non-tech industries and not others. Some industries that have a distinct offline aspect, including logistics, delivery, and hoteling, have seen the emergence of pivotal online players precisely because while the end services are offline, service providers and clients are willing to communicate and organize the content of services to be provided entirely online. That sort of flexibility allows tech to find their valuable niche of making traditional services more time- and cost-efficient.<p></p><p>It remains to be seen whether the same flexibility can apply to real estate and education. Sure, some clients and service providers are willing to communicate online, just as they would to secure any other service today. But at the heart of these two industries lie exclusively offline presence in the form of land and the universities sitting on top of it. Unless online transactions (say, through the metaverse) and online schooling become a social norm, there remains a long way to go before the offline presence becomes both socially and economically obsolete.</p><p>It is worth remembering that the end of WeWork has not meant the end of its dream to disrupt the real estate industry. Plenty of WeWork-esque firms emerged, with some doing fairly well by not being so flamboyant, growth-seeking, and globe-spanning. Perhaps the issue of WeWork is less about what it did but how much attention it attracted, ultimately alleviating the business partners that it needed to survive and thrive. The failure to maintain good human relationships can bring about a quick downfall. This is a lesson that is pertinent for both tech and non-tech firms.</p>Xiaochen Su, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16971152537509891790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-806308994497999758.post-52881455544963941802023-11-18T20:14:00.002+09:002023-11-18T20:14:08.436+09:00A Few Observations From My Few Hours Being Recorded for a TV Show<p>The short corridors to the recording studio are heaving with people, running back forth, looking for cast members, and talking to staff members about what's next on the busy schedule. On both sides of the corridor are a series of tatami-covered waiting rooms, each fronted with a lockable door and a nameplate to denote who is inside. Some of the names belong to well-known celebrities on Japanese TV, and others, like mine, belong to temporary guests not used to being there. Some are no doubt nervous, even if they've been on TV for years. Others are calm (like me), and nonchalant about the prospect of being recorded.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhL3Ooqk7NqukgW81evebMP0-c1ct1izsOD3rlse0AsmjF-8Gtf_KUVhayM1EsrMx8TIVxj6HncsKGmyxyn8Bnylfh9Nx61rCUvHpXjpEK4LJwz3pQ1KXnbwyIQzM_bT3i3k66NcllTwSKuCigwhj_SKlS6SRoeukwqMXprxUxtG2ViwPU-o0aj5ho-8-_T" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhL3Ooqk7NqukgW81evebMP0-c1ct1izsOD3rlse0AsmjF-8Gtf_KUVhayM1EsrMx8TIVxj6HncsKGmyxyn8Bnylfh9Nx61rCUvHpXjpEK4LJwz3pQ1KXnbwyIQzM_bT3i3k66NcllTwSKuCigwhj_SKlS6SRoeukwqMXprxUxtG2ViwPU-o0aj5ho-8-_T=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div>And nonchalant I certainly was in my very first time appearing as a guest on a nationally televised TV show in Japan (or for that matter, anywhere in the world). A brand-new experience that I certainly did not expect to happen any time in my lifetime somehow just found me on a Friday morning. With nothing but curiosity, I approached the massive media building that stands on the outskirts of Shibuya's busy streets. In it, a warren of corridors, rooms, and studios were jam-packed with the thousands of individuals that made the 24-hour televised public broadcasting service in Japan tick.<p></p><p>My nonchalance had much to do with witnessing the expertise of the production staff members manning these floors. Both excitable by the changes in schedule and calmed by years of handling tough schedules, they collectively cut an extremely reassuring presence. With many stars (and ordinary people) streaming in and out of the multiple studios at the end of the corridor, disorganization can be even more anxiety-inducing than the prospect of the unexpected appearing on cameras. Keeping everything on time, and thus not messing up the tight schedules, is paramount to no negative emotions flaring up.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg8CeuVKhyvP188mnhA0DCKfQim4N6OpMXbc6ZtXum4nu-QuFdlT1r--p1rT1OVlh2fFFFDpmWxgDk1ZhEHUIcHsLCsVebfHP75icmCCUk76PBtIjDbt4TfbbmzlSXIExE3vgFkFx4eJJba7cFrc5xmrFYjlpP_ZmPKUy-GB6w7IJ1JpHc3tUqkRl0B5eJN" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg8CeuVKhyvP188mnhA0DCKfQim4N6OpMXbc6ZtXum4nu-QuFdlT1r--p1rT1OVlh2fFFFDpmWxgDk1ZhEHUIcHsLCsVebfHP75icmCCUk76PBtIjDbt4TfbbmzlSXIExE3vgFkFx4eJJba7cFrc5xmrFYjlpP_ZmPKUy-GB6w7IJ1JpHc3tUqkRl0B5eJN=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div>Due to that need to keep everything moving on time, not just for the purpose of production but also to keep in line with the busy schedules of the most bankable stars, the staff members and the stars themselves work some un-Godly hours. Multiple episodes of the same show get recorded in one day, with staff members tied up from the beginning to the end of the working day going through scripts, rehearsals, and communication with those appearing on the shows. The recording itself can take multiple times the amount that gets broadcasted, just so plenty is left to use after editing work cuts out the junk.<p></p><p>For a media production novice like me, the result is a moment of realization of just how hard folks in the industry work. With weekend work the industry norm, and long days in the same studio a given, the glamor of media production can wear off and quickly be replaced with sheer exhaustion. But everyone I came across on my half-day in the studio was imbued with a sense of excitement about creating the best content that they possibly could, with the limitation of the time, budget, people, and resources they had on hand. Professionalism was reflected in the determination to be meticulous about every little detail.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEinKPl9P_1XqSGH1UFbU6qtBV9xoNn-ZWMnZjOII7NtVmHM25wVJCpQ9JO3RVWgkYLnLhBkMQpEEL1U2HgW1B_6YCtjPWMFJTeczhF-W-Acq-Z0FJM_TpX1weEFJ6tb7muDNYaDJVOf9f9q4HLe6fflNKLYouZ3WdhPa2Ojx3S83-cwyiVH7c5k5zf0o173" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="532" data-original-width="800" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEinKPl9P_1XqSGH1UFbU6qtBV9xoNn-ZWMnZjOII7NtVmHM25wVJCpQ9JO3RVWgkYLnLhBkMQpEEL1U2HgW1B_6YCtjPWMFJTeczhF-W-Acq-Z0FJM_TpX1weEFJ6tb7muDNYaDJVOf9f9q4HLe6fflNKLYouZ3WdhPa2Ojx3S83-cwyiVH7c5k5zf0o173=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div>And that meticulousness reflected every bit of the short 30-minute show I was part of. Scripting required half a dozen meetings, more email back and forth, and multiple versions of the script. Getting the visuals right required professional make-up, second thoughts about the clothing to wear on set, and rehearsals to get all the camera angles and lighting right, hours before the actual recording. The sheer details might be a common routine for those who have been in the business for years but for those witnessing it for the first time, it evokes nothing but pure respect. <p></p><p>But at the same time, it does make one hesitant to think of a career in the industry. For those behind the camera, the reality of long hours that stretch into late nights and weekends must be balanced against the excitement of working with stars and on interesting shows. For those in front of the camera, long hours of shooting are coupled with a life of constantly moving between shows and studios, sandwiched by "downtime" of script reading and role preparation. The boundary between personal and professional time becomes more and more blurred.</p><p>My little trip to five minutes of national TV "fame" in Japan is, then, a learning with two sides. On one side is a respectful reckoning that we should never take our media content for granted. Too many people devote too much of their professional lives to making great content happen. On the other side is a reflection on just how far one would, should, and could take one's professional dreams and aspirations. The TV industry likely represents one logical extreme. But whether everyone, even some within the industry itself, tolerates such is open for debate. The definition of a "job" gets a rethink in the process.</p>Xiaochen Su, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16971152537509891790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-806308994497999758.post-79743860776477972452023-11-08T16:30:00.004+09:002023-11-08T16:30:55.074+09:00Sex Work Stands to Gain in an AI-filled Future Economy<p>The world is bracing for an AI revolution. Starting from the shock of ChatGPT's dexterity when it first emerged this month last year, both tech experts and the general public are now envisioning a world in which chatbots like it and its myriad competitors go from mere helpers to human work, to become central to daily operations of the global economy. With skills that range from crafting documents and conducting online research to brainstorming new ideas and putting together computer codes, it no longer seems unfathomable that chatbots replace millions of human workers around the world.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhWdxh0jOsKFX285nWImfyu5UG-e_-sZ1dD41G6v4uDwXGDB1JK05vzLHoFrczM9m-1SyOt_LhHUny05aWt-FA-PC0dfWEnqAhGrMcRoJAg_DC2v5alFK6GAzMycFLKGamIiuh2tgToz3V5CA5IDAwut2jwo5g6a4XjLO_awplzaFwHjJpJB8ZYarTmvIAW" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhWdxh0jOsKFX285nWImfyu5UG-e_-sZ1dD41G6v4uDwXGDB1JK05vzLHoFrczM9m-1SyOt_LhHUny05aWt-FA-PC0dfWEnqAhGrMcRoJAg_DC2v5alFK6GAzMycFLKGamIiuh2tgToz3V5CA5IDAwut2jwo5g6a4XjLO_awplzaFwHjJpJB8ZYarTmvIAW=w267-h400" width="267" /></a></div>Not surprising, then, that my humans are warning of the social consequences of more powerful AI that threaten jobs and push up unemployment. Many are already contemplating what exactly are the jobs most vulnerable to automation through AI, and proposing whether governments and private actors are ready with programs in place to retrain workers for other roles that AI supposedly cannot replace humans. Those who require direct human communication in the service industry, in their minds, can take in those who were retrenched from their clerical white-collar functions.<p></p><p>But even this basic analysis starts to sound iffy as chatbots advance into the world of human emotions. Already there is research underway for AI to recognize visual and verbal cues that differentiate human emotions, and provide emotionally considerate answers suitable for humans carrying different emotions. As interpretations of human emotions become more accurate, AI can become capable of those supposedly AI-proof roles requiring human-to-human communication. Nurses, therapists, call center operators, and consultants may all find themselves in competition with cheaper AI-based solutions. </p><p>The continuing advancement of AI into human emotions begs the question of what exactly human jobs are truly safe from AI. Humans still crave human-like interactions, not because the humans are more efficient or accurate in their answers than AI, but because, more often than not, the very physical presence of another human being can help alleviate loneliness in ways that even AI with perfect verbal response to every human emotion cannot be a viable substitute. Brilliant as many AI chatbots may be until they can physically mimic what humans look and feel like, humans cannot see them as "real" companions.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEirAM2vpY90Wul8Hx_mR66LdLKOLvHkgl49THx-yKldxNCbbhR4esksJLVqbyTWKwPYgsWkyVMGlbBhvjvs4wplgFsz7_1xmKjY2-CQwp3EgApcxhBrdO9ZHGzm-HblC8A9Cvk5clIvhtFeRbOCiUGlpBHIRe6RlKp26K9hMyStx2vPa__uPoArEijz6p7Z" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEirAM2vpY90Wul8Hx_mR66LdLKOLvHkgl49THx-yKldxNCbbhR4esksJLVqbyTWKwPYgsWkyVMGlbBhvjvs4wplgFsz7_1xmKjY2-CQwp3EgApcxhBrdO9ZHGzm-HblC8A9Cvk5clIvhtFeRbOCiUGlpBHIRe6RlKp26K9hMyStx2vPa__uPoArEijz6p7Z=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div>That technological lag, of advanced software vs un-humanlike hardware, makes those whose job it is to be companions to other human beings likely the most securely employed in an AI-filled world. Workers who trade in the carnal desire of human flesh should be safe to assume that no amount of advancement in AI can replicate the sexually stimulating touch that they provide to clients. Until engineering can perfectly replace the human body with factory-manufactured cyborgs, loaded with AI and feeling exactly like humans do, prostitutes will continue to see their work flourish.<p></p><p>It is quite ironic to think that a line of work that is so legally precarious can be so secure from a technological revolution. Sex work remains illegal or in the legal grey zone in many countries around the world, with the workers themselves constantly fearing prosecution by law enforcement, violence from clients and pimps, as well as economic insecurity associated with inconsistent income. Should AI lead to mass unemployment in other fields, sex workers may see further precariousness, with few, poorer clients and even increased competition from new entrants into sex work who lost their previous jobs to AI.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi7i5jiPTuBp2rdshEdSLHaKbaTKE5c5Z43NFM2TfXogLnqd1ot2Pje5z24zy9218nx5gK8ctMGk4jARW4tKU9UhCcxLy3mvde_dEM1IR7psx1WoEYHTtrYzNIi4A-VAv97C4L8uRaw2WrjTzdPBQkBShxjTPUg09wLarb5BswnNezNUGlqDRP5pklyXMJg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="519" data-original-width="800" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi7i5jiPTuBp2rdshEdSLHaKbaTKE5c5Z43NFM2TfXogLnqd1ot2Pje5z24zy9218nx5gK8ctMGk4jARW4tKU9UhCcxLy3mvde_dEM1IR7psx1WoEYHTtrYzNIi4A-VAv97C4L8uRaw2WrjTzdPBQkBShxjTPUg09wLarb5BswnNezNUGlqDRP5pklyXMJg=w400-h260" width="400" /></a></div>Unfortunately, government and private sector reaction to the spread of AI is unlikely to change the plight of both current and future sex workers. Retraining for workers who lose their jobs to AI will unlikely involve anything related to sex work. And compensation to humans for the extensive use of robots is unlikely to be extended to prostitutes, who are not deemed vulnerable to AI in the first place. Even as sex workers get to keep their jobs even as the use of AI spreads, their hard work would not receive any more recognition than the pittance they see today.<p></p><p>This is a mistake. As the future economy involves more human-AI collaboration, there is an increasing need for more "pure" human-to-human interactions that the workplace can no longer provide. It is not inconceivable that devoid of workplace debauchery, many would seek something beyond platonic relationships with their family members and non-work acquaintances. This is particularly true in the aging, increasingly childless societies of the rich world. The social contribution of sex workers in providing that human touch, however briefly, should be celebrated even more than it is today.</p>Xiaochen Su, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16971152537509891790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-806308994497999758.post-20888424878494686552023-11-03T00:20:00.002+09:002023-11-03T00:20:42.493+09:00Shorter Talks, Better Results: Rethinking Consultation Efficiency<p>One of the most useful skills, in any industry and any line of job, is the ability to think on the spot. Some people can, right after listening to comments from others or even skimming through some dense text, immediately provide their feedback and critique. If the comments are relevant, insightful, and sharp-witted, they leave lasting impressions of being quick to think and capable of real-time communication. Having more meetings, like I do for my <a href="https://xiaochensu.blogspot.com/2023/08/when-meetings-are-main-output-white.html">job</a>, can be a good way to train the mind to react to information and reply more quickly.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQmMRhqM7zwkeWwHOsyVmPePzcnaCTIUIaHXvGdpqzLlS_4h4zCI8S0kkM92HWFlDMN9W45HqKdZkXVhdfLAXjsLLQkkLPOIc6cCbwT2qRYgJY2VhhScj4YlEdat5dPuvVWeWnDxqyZCusDwPORUu1gZ_YbJVzWhiVHy_ClBSuRNnZz8tvSRxA5QD6lfU3" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQmMRhqM7zwkeWwHOsyVmPePzcnaCTIUIaHXvGdpqzLlS_4h4zCI8S0kkM92HWFlDMN9W45HqKdZkXVhdfLAXjsLLQkkLPOIc6cCbwT2qRYgJY2VhhScj4YlEdat5dPuvVWeWnDxqyZCusDwPORUu1gZ_YbJVzWhiVHy_ClBSuRNnZz8tvSRxA5QD6lfU3=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div>Easier said than done, unfortunately. Those who seem to react quicker may not be quick-witted but just better-practiced. Years of experience handling similar kinds of information provide them with a fundamental edge in providing relevant reactions. They know what to look at and listen for when they see information because the information might just come in as set patterns, all of which they have seen too many times. And the reactions they provide may just be based on their years of providing similar feedback as well, even if the feedback sounds brand-new to brand-new clients.<p></p><p>But even for the better-practiced, reacting to brand-new information on the spot is not easy. College application <a href="https://xiaochensu.blogspot.com/2023/10/when-writing-college-essays-forget.html">essays</a>, written by students for the sake of displaying their uniqueness, are one such example. Almost by definition, their merit comes from the ability to stand out. With that definition in mind, the reaction to seeing them ought to go beyond the standard listing up of what is cliched, and as such, advisable to revise significantly or rewrite completely. Thinking of brand-new angles, unique to a particular individual and rarely used in the past, is difficult even for the most experienced.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjxsWN_MBMGM05fA7_YZhDSvk_7JNKT0OXb58sW0J4uyorVXbBxQW_DEqPBvn4sU24ShJutbd-69ioG-vz8W2KmAiDlCfBcAi7YQW0s4-GFEMzCYvsfcPV0E0UrCFoep3_zD-noAozA91GDJvuOHJ06LpgnCq5geWDTTHiEo9YYrc5EXlDo8uxnV_ZoIJjN" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjxsWN_MBMGM05fA7_YZhDSvk_7JNKT0OXb58sW0J4uyorVXbBxQW_DEqPBvn4sU24ShJutbd-69ioG-vz8W2KmAiDlCfBcAi7YQW0s4-GFEMzCYvsfcPV0E0UrCFoep3_zD-noAozA91GDJvuOHJ06LpgnCq5geWDTTHiEo9YYrc5EXlDo8uxnV_ZoIJjN=w267-h400" width="267" /></a></div>Add to the pressure of being unique is the pressure of deadlines. In the most casual of conversations, a silence that lasts more than a few seconds can feel uncomfortable. For consultants, educational and otherwise, prolonged silence before ideas flow can almost seem unprofessional. After all, consulting's main output is the communication of ideas that can then be implemented by the clients. If plenty of ideas are not forthcoming, then it begs the question of why the consultant is being paid in the first place. The pressure of that five-second "deadline" forces the consultant to speak up, even when ideas are mediocre.<p></p><p>And that pressure only gets greater when combined with another deadline, for the submission of those supposedly unique college essays. Just as anyone would <a href="https://xiaochensu.blogspot.com/2018/08/the-precarious-summer-vacation-of-phd.html">procrastinate</a> until the inevitable deadline, high school students work on their essays at the last minute, trying to get their paid consultants to help them come up with something perfect right before the deadline. Unfortunately, creativity cannot be rushed, especially when the students themselves are trying to rush through without fully explaining to the consultants what they are thinking when they write.</p><p>The need to communicate fully and quickly while being pressurized by the deadline of now and the near future...what would make such communications work better then? I do not have definitive answers, especially considering that each student is in a different situation and can have a different communication style. Either way, more frequent communication, with quick replies to quick questions, can do much to resolve concerns. Those questions are better answered through a series of small meetings or text messages, rather than infrequent hour-long meetings. No one can list up all their questions in one setting.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi9uVZJs8IT1kbsG7rd25GaGflP4lVp7AiRMqSZl38nTHhx0h7EvokEaBuid9mYVPs0A5eyq6yTCaht53NNBokMfBClpueW3jT6gyPmTFk05tnVX-OZeV9_pXM6rgBhdgOivMptiTgOylp-e1RhTxUR6zjbQVMR7r3fEyNxihOZOuPmZDzHXFh5ngECl5Lc" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi9uVZJs8IT1kbsG7rd25GaGflP4lVp7AiRMqSZl38nTHhx0h7EvokEaBuid9mYVPs0A5eyq6yTCaht53NNBokMfBClpueW3jT6gyPmTFk05tnVX-OZeV9_pXM6rgBhdgOivMptiTgOylp-e1RhTxUR6zjbQVMR7r3fEyNxihOZOuPmZDzHXFh5ngECl5Lc=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div>In the need for more frequent communication, the value of the consultant may be less that they are precise and quick with their responses, but simply that they are more available. Clients may end up favorably rating the performance of their paid consultants when the consultants are ready to be consulted at any time, even if not every consultation session is of the same quality. With more frequency, the average quality of the consultant's phases of work can go up even when the quality is up and down across multiple sessions. This "good by average" rule mitigates the fear of being pressured by deadlines to be mediocre.<p></p><p>Such focus on frequent communication can be especially helpful for the purpose of educational consulting. Shorter 30-minute check-ins can beat 1-hour full-on meetings, when there is not too much to discuss, and high school students, like their <a href="https://xiaochensu.blogspot.com/2023/09/how-dreams-of-high-school-students-can.html">jaded</a> middle-aged mentors, start zoning out after the first half of the meeting. Better yet, if some work can be done through the exchange of messages that can be quickly responded to, why bother with setting aside meeting time when multitasking is not possible? A new way of communication could make consultants and their clients less pressurized and more efficient.</p>Xiaochen Su, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16971152537509891790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-806308994497999758.post-54269858789152696692023-10-29T17:58:00.006+09:002023-10-29T17:58:47.738+09:00When Writing College Essays, Forget Idealism, Stick to Authenticity<p>Spending years in "basic" education from elementary all the way to high school can give students an absolutist view of right and wrong. In math and the sciences, answers that adhere to the principles of existing "laws of nature" and rules of computation are correct. In humanities, those that align with historical precedents and the opinion of "expert" teachers are not to be questioned. Such thinking promotes the idea that there is always a right answer, and that answer can be reached by reading books, asking teachers, or conducting research with experts.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhAODrJxd7sue02K1Y6adSYYmQMqDzn7HNmb7lyP4jM2qLQuckr1ZwoJ1j7-gh7BlVLP5IOSV6kd-vjT354zLZt74Pbq6158WtaXRYBeOh72lpypTKrXN3srbmtvwMnoJHdttgaq2MTnsq-uKydIzFRNI-97bTFAhPq1TfXvqT_U_rk1xH3hqm7jeRUzEcd" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhAODrJxd7sue02K1Y6adSYYmQMqDzn7HNmb7lyP4jM2qLQuckr1ZwoJ1j7-gh7BlVLP5IOSV6kd-vjT354zLZt74Pbq6158WtaXRYBeOh72lpypTKrXN3srbmtvwMnoJHdttgaq2MTnsq-uKydIzFRNI-97bTFAhPq1TfXvqT_U_rk1xH3hqm7jeRUzEcd=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div>Writing essays for college applications, for people who are used to the idea of absolute answers, can be deeply uncomfortable. Instead of asking for the right answers, they ask for who you are. No book or human expert can give you a good answer for this one: after all, no one knows who you are better than yourself. And there is no right answer for who you should be. Yes, colleges look for intellectual students who can contribute to diversity, study hard, and are fun-loving at the same time, but there is no one way for that combination to be expressed in real life.<p></p><p>Yes, it is good to ask for advice from people who are good writers. They can help come up with ideas on how to put ideas into words, in a way that is easy to understand for someone who does not know you in real life. However, given the diversity of personalities and expressions in the world, asking for more advice from more people does not help with the triangulation to get to one "correct" answer. Instead, each one might provide a different set of advice, sometimes contradictory to one another, making the process of writing even more uncomfortable.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjgoNHBCmFRbEdRutgUw-DATDz4vnCzHCgsauojvy8XM6yhQtKQlD08gd73lQSy-SBwCC3Jgq7vX1U2VtGneCgajs5nFOO06Z-lL2uFzyljcj3aVZ4pTiB8F3Tf8sn8Gmse1Tb8wSL2kN6ESTGAZ9EYe23LDB6JzZiJ3uxPrQmzK6JE3L4Oto3rHDLBswQH" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjgoNHBCmFRbEdRutgUw-DATDz4vnCzHCgsauojvy8XM6yhQtKQlD08gd73lQSy-SBwCC3Jgq7vX1U2VtGneCgajs5nFOO06Z-lL2uFzyljcj3aVZ4pTiB8F3Tf8sn8Gmse1Tb8wSL2kN6ESTGAZ9EYe23LDB6JzZiJ3uxPrQmzK6JE3L4Oto3rHDLBswQH" width="399" /></a></div>So what should the frustrated and confused students do? At the end of the day, they are the primary decision-makers in the process of finalizing college applications. Take advice from others are they are: advice; not orders, instructions, commands, or binding agreements. Prioritize expressing who you are, and ignore and reject all advice that is contrary to who you are. Because at the end of the day, colleges want students who display authenticity: instead of putting their "best faces" forward, being genuine counts much more in college life.<p></p><p>Indeed, focusing on the genuine is a skill that would serve much better than embellishment in college life and beyond. Presenting an ideal version of yourself, supposedly aligned with the philosophy and values of the colleges being applied to sounds like a noble goal, but once you get to the interview stage of the application, or get admitted and get to the university, it will be immediately visible that what you wrote and who are you are are different. The power of first impressions is much more powerful to influence human relationships than a few essays.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgCqMWDktBijEM9Vy_Xs7n3VTlzuGdS-uCUIlNedVbKwun8bwXGeGhpN-LNSGAtOdvnrMUFhn4_WpF6_rcrOSWl4D0qhna1ZGQDx7uvZlVfUbRbP0gBEhRKvDzaO4MXvO0o9CA3wjaGuUTRxk8roNQ1hlbyZf45yqhL3P_SU4Ed0V3QmOhsn2CXbyJOrIV1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="532" data-original-width="800" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgCqMWDktBijEM9Vy_Xs7n3VTlzuGdS-uCUIlNedVbKwun8bwXGeGhpN-LNSGAtOdvnrMUFhn4_WpF6_rcrOSWl4D0qhna1ZGQDx7uvZlVfUbRbP0gBEhRKvDzaO4MXvO0o9CA3wjaGuUTRxk8roNQ1hlbyZf45yqhL3P_SU4Ed0V3QmOhsn2CXbyJOrIV1" width="400" /></a></div>Therefore, it is crucial to approach the college application process with integrity and self-awareness. Engage in self-reflection to understand your values, passions, and experiences that have shaped you. Be honest about your achievements and areas of growth. Colleges are not just looking for accomplished students; they are looking for individuals who are self-aware, willing to learn, and able to contribute to their community in a meaningful way. By being true to yourself, you not only increase your chances of finding a college that is the right fit for you but also lay a strong foundation for personal development in the years to come.<p></p><p>Additionally, embracing your unique voice in the application essays is key. Don’t try to mimic what you think the admissions officers want to hear. Instead, share your own stories, thoughts, and aspirations. Use your authentic voice to express how your experiences have shaped you and what you hope to achieve in the future. Remember, the goal is not to impress the admissions officers with grandiose language or achievements, but to connect with them on a personal level, helping them see the world through your eyes. They are looking for unique people to add to diversity; talk about who you are in the most unique way.</p><p>Navigating the college application process can be a daunting task, especially when confronted with the pressure to present an idealized version of yourself. But it is important to remember that authenticity and self-awareness are key. By focusing on being genuine and using your authentic voice, you will not only find the process less stressful but also increase your chances of finding a college that truly values you for who you are. So, trust yourself, be true to who you are, and let your genuine self shine through in your college applications.</p>Xiaochen Su, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16971152537509891790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-806308994497999758.post-59606159377766919102023-10-24T21:58:00.002+09:002023-10-24T21:58:23.454+09:00Shifting Perceptions: How Public Opinion on Israel is Changing Amidst Hamas' Attacks<p>The attack on Israel by Hamas is the literal definition of terrorism. After breaking out from heavy defensive barriers separating Gaza and Israel, Hamas fighters explicitly targeted civilians for murder and abduction, with the equally explicit goal of capturing attention. In causing terror and getting global recognition for it, Hamas has certainly achieved its objectives loud and clear: a world that has only been weeks ago absorbed in the war in Ukraine has almost shifted attention to the Middle East overnight. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict, dormant as a political issue for years, suddenly reappeared as a global agenda.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEihOTjI7oo33GhGiP8_bf3yEvWqUAT6Fn-Eg9bEEWoN30Owu2wzTHnVvJSLYw3eHH0FYcJ59tqUXFPwt-nG6tI_1tIZd7nzoLS6JT1d599-cPZqInZeJfk_LYsANK-odl3x4JNaqkf67CJ8k8BWv_ofOMvvFlstk2Z8mCFWQSPNB_rRc6dypV-puBbTCdB5" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEihOTjI7oo33GhGiP8_bf3yEvWqUAT6Fn-Eg9bEEWoN30Owu2wzTHnVvJSLYw3eHH0FYcJ59tqUXFPwt-nG6tI_1tIZd7nzoLS6JT1d599-cPZqInZeJfk_LYsANK-odl3x4JNaqkf67CJ8k8BWv_ofOMvvFlstk2Z8mCFWQSPNB_rRc6dypV-puBbTCdB5" width="200" /></a></div>But compared to past bouts of Palestinian terror and the inevitable Israeli retribution through military force, global public opinion has dramatically changed, surprisingly, in Hamas' favor. While cities in the Muslim world broke out into massive pro-Palestinian protests, as they have done in past episodes of Israeli attacks on Gaza or the West Bank, this time, similar protests, at an even bigger scale, broke out in major cities of the US and Europe, the traditional home of pro-Israeli sentiment. Not only were Muslim residents of these countries marching, but they were also joined by non-Muslims by the thousands.<p></p><p>At first sight, it makes no sense. The US government and its European allies have all unequivocally expressed support for Israel and condemned Hamas for its terrorist attacks. Israeli calls for the wholesale eradication of Hamas have been echoed throughout Western capitals by top political and business leaders. With Western military, economic, and political support for Israel, Hamas is on the losing side, both in power and ethics. For Western citizens to dare stand up to their government, not for the greater good as it is expected of citizens, but to support an immoral terrorist organization.</p><p>Yes, one can make a clear distinction between Palestine and Hamas. The former exists as a nationalist concept, a country-in-waiting, deserving of support against Israeli attempts to snuff it out of existence. But as many (admittedly, Jewish and pro-Jewish) observers pointed out, pro-Palestinian protestors have been both anti-Israeli and antisemitic at times, with some openly calling for the liberation of Palestine from "sea to river" and thereby implicitly advocating for the destruction of Israel. Such statements can lead to many protestors crossing a red line between free speech and support for violence. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgtoS0Av4gVfsN5bYgTgA8G4m402S3ORkDwXg5NjLLyxldK5fGJZMgIvJYiCCZQAQ2sB8H8RH3uGIcNbwsy7fObHP5OlWUMl4uok1RdNLq6-0pPdIFRoLUjrrFi7JVJr4qnwS1cIyBjrWQxIdkKtIskLzSCu6NZ1Egg-I6nkJze8T24UJa5y3weufSUhlEj" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgtoS0Av4gVfsN5bYgTgA8G4m402S3ORkDwXg5NjLLyxldK5fGJZMgIvJYiCCZQAQ2sB8H8RH3uGIcNbwsy7fObHP5OlWUMl4uok1RdNLq6-0pPdIFRoLUjrrFi7JVJr4qnwS1cIyBjrWQxIdkKtIskLzSCu6NZ1Egg-I6nkJze8T24UJa5y3weufSUhlEj=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div>The fact that so many people are willing to overlook the unethical behavior of Hamas and potential criticism of antisemitism in vocal support of a Free Palestine shows that the image of Israel among the general public, even in the most staunchly pro-Israeli parts of the world, is turning a corner. Whereas it used to be a beacon of democracy in the overwhelmingly autocratic Middle East, Israel's credentials in the public imagination are being damaged beyond repair. The old association of its freedom and modernity is being replaced with a characterization of apartheid maintained by force.<p></p><p>Hamas' attack came at such a critical juncture in the changing public image of Israel. Perhaps even its top leadership would have been surprised by just how their Hail Mary way of rallying the world to the dying Palestinian cause could have been so effective on the streets. As they face the full brunt of Israel's vengeful bombardment of Gaza, Hamas leaders now know full well that with each bomb its military drops, Israel would lose just a bit more sympathy. A country that used to be seen as the underdog surviving in a tough neighborhood of hostile Arabs has become a bit more like the bully of the neighborhood.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjpEam3sG_ZfCGNy7b_Y0PK7nGE0lhD2GGDdOMmS5xHRVqnJ4JTf4OmpaPJua_xrFnkj6pHtXfmpjX6GNLzp7s4xDpvMkMmOMiqtsfF9Nxuzch4FNdoy2Fx6RgY2mv9xZBA82NTwFKl72hMpvl0-r74zUNXy69eh2g4oQZfQZyj8Y0mNlZT9lik5dlLSyY9" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="584" data-original-width="800" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjpEam3sG_ZfCGNy7b_Y0PK7nGE0lhD2GGDdOMmS5xHRVqnJ4JTf4OmpaPJua_xrFnkj6pHtXfmpjX6GNLzp7s4xDpvMkMmOMiqtsfF9Nxuzch4FNdoy2Fx6RgY2mv9xZBA82NTwFKl72hMpvl0-r74zUNXy69eh2g4oQZfQZyj8Y0mNlZT9lik5dlLSyY9=w400-h293" width="400" /></a></div>Will the continued pro-Palestinian protests change the fate of Gaza and the yet-unborn Palestinian nation? Unlikely given that the political power of Muslims remains far too dispersed and marginal. But the days of outright open support of Israel could be numbered in the most liberal bits of the West. Those on the left, in particular, will be increasingly loathe to see themselves supporting what some have characterized, perhaps ironically, Israeli terror, with a deadliness several times what the likes of Hamas and its fellow Muslim terrorist organizations in the region can.<p></p><p>Perhaps, just perhaps, a visionary leader like Nelson Mandela can emerge among the Palestinians, ending the conflict once and for all by convincing Western leaders their interests can be fully protected even with a full-fledged Palestinian state entirely independent of Israeli infrastructure and power. When that day comes, pro-Palestinian protestors in the streets of New York, London, and Amsterdam no longer need a caveat to say they are against terror. They can come out and call out Israel for the murder of Gazan civilians, making it clear who is the villainous Goliath in the story of a decades-long conflict.</p>Xiaochen Su, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16971152537509891790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-806308994497999758.post-77787168262269314812023-10-11T13:40:00.004+09:002023-10-11T13:40:38.278+09:00A Business Idea: Foreigner-Staffed Cafés as Japan's Frontier for Fostering Ethnic Harmony<p>Japan is full of foreigners. With COVID letting up, plenty are making their way to the country as tourists eager to see its sometimes exotic culture. Some are even attempting to establish themselves as workers in its economy and members of a growing <a href="https://xiaochensu.blogspot.com/2021/12/covid-19-has-not-stopped-japan-from.html">migrant</a> community. Yet, despite there being so many foreigners, it is very easy for the average Japanese to avoid contact with foreigners. Besides curt interactions with staff members at convenience stores and restaurants, the vast majority of the Japanese population need not meet foreigners to live out their daily lives.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhr7n1HqTR_YMnacZTJbj5IHxx4QDCCVyNu4own8TVeeN9Z275kGa3PYIGS_AWWk3v62eUuUcsuv90zRwHFb2QFxietJEs4a6QCq2EfROVFifzvo7CxnIV462A6Cb6smAdW3mr2LVbVTHyGabBa6uXwVGlXCNnLVJIKfM9ftJdu7x5rVGkkF_JqMn9CKQ33" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhr7n1HqTR_YMnacZTJbj5IHxx4QDCCVyNu4own8TVeeN9Z275kGa3PYIGS_AWWk3v62eUuUcsuv90zRwHFb2QFxietJEs4a6QCq2EfROVFifzvo7CxnIV462A6Cb6smAdW3mr2LVbVTHyGabBa6uXwVGlXCNnLVJIKfM9ftJdu7x5rVGkkF_JqMn9CKQ33=w267-h400" width="267" /></a></div>This paradox will become more problematic as the country continues to see an influx of foreigners over time. Instead of accepting foreigners as part of Japanese society, many Japanese may become more inclined to see them as a fundamental other that exists in parallel within the physical space that is Japan. To accommodate the foreigners' presence, many Japanese would find themselves inadvertently retreating from some neighborhoods that have become predominantly occupied by foreign residents. The result may be the formation of ethnic <a href="https://xiaochensu.blogspot.com/2016/07/homey-feel-of-inner-city-american-ghetto.html">ghettos</a> in Japan akin to those in America and France. <p></p><p>Such a prospect will not make Japan any more foreigner-friendly. With separate physical spaces for the Japanese and foreign communities in Japan, there will be an emerging belief among the Japanese that some parts of the country will be no-go zones as they turn into crime-ridden <a href="https://xiaochensu.blogspot.com/2022/08/a-boom-of-foreigner-only-establishments.html">areas</a> of cultural incomprehension that are neither accepting nor conducive to the presence of Japanese people. It would not be surprising to see hostility between ethnic groups as some Japanese pin the hopes of a "better" Japan based on the destruction of these foreigners-infested areas.</p><p>Avoiding such as prospect will require regular interaction between regular members of the Japanese and foreign communities in Japan, daily, beyond the confines of perfunctory service sector employer-customer interactions. Genuine conversations need to be had that allow people of different cultures to see each other as possible coworkers, neighbors, and collaborators in building one society. In the process, stereotypes of foreigners being unwilling to abide by Japanese customs and posing greater danger to Japanese society through greater criminal activities can be slowly eradicated.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhZ8wz1BBNcjZzQMOpu4dSZSB3Xp_1e0ZgkzvlgTkbaHTbBSoCtcrMsjdcgf2icN4GLV4ROhK7LRt_JMnd7R2cnapxaJIkjZwG8KUKWOOqInbd0t4LJ0nrT4vkXjVp6HscKzn6v1puIrXn__Jfk2lKVSLS5bdWo0wAweRPHfZDrGyMWo8n7HlBpcs8wkFxp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhZ8wz1BBNcjZzQMOpu4dSZSB3Xp_1e0ZgkzvlgTkbaHTbBSoCtcrMsjdcgf2icN4GLV4ROhK7LRt_JMnd7R2cnapxaJIkjZwG8KUKWOOqInbd0t4LJ0nrT4vkXjVp6HscKzn6v1puIrXn__Jfk2lKVSLS5bdWo0wAweRPHfZDrGyMWo8n7HlBpcs8wkFxp=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div>A good way to get this "getting acquainted daily" started is a business idea: launching cafes in Japan where all staff members are Japanese-speaking foreigners. No, not cafes where the staff members just take your orders and leave you alone, but cafes where the main purpose of being there is talking to the staff members. Japan already has a tradition of men paying for women to talk over drinks, through girls' bars and its more high-end cousin, the <i>kyabakura</i>. But none so far has exclusively focused on speaking with foreigners just for entertainment.<p></p><p>Indeed, where foreigners and Japanese interact in watering holes, most of the interaction is for romantic purposes or language <a href="https://xiaochensu.blogspot.com/2022/11/international-exchange-events-in-japan.html">exchange</a>. While these events are great for some of the more adventurous Japanese individuals to find foreign friends, the vast majority of locals simply do not have the language skills, the desire to learn, and the tolerance of rowdiness of the youths that make up the bulk of attendees of such events. A quiet cafe staffed with foreigners who are proficient in the Japanese language can open up a new medium for "regular" Japanese folks to meet with regular foreigners in their midst.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhraRjRGskVhVMdCROlRqUlwWs54gmRRF-FS1Q8JwSjyhmn__KhNA8B6ewReb8sjlmrJVzWUHPDJN5scCOMScg3s1s2yyOOcqmc860JpF2qx1ljwlRjU3JtqCvjzW15oORVR7PcaLXwj81lHFH08X05apllideHv1ctK0Ql44nr0bE6O6REObBeyRV4ez3n" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhraRjRGskVhVMdCROlRqUlwWs54gmRRF-FS1Q8JwSjyhmn__KhNA8B6ewReb8sjlmrJVzWUHPDJN5scCOMScg3s1s2yyOOcqmc860JpF2qx1ljwlRjU3JtqCvjzW15oORVR7PcaLXwj81lHFH08X05apllideHv1ctK0Ql44nr0bE6O6REObBeyRV4ez3n=w267-h400" width="267" /></a></div>Thankfully, with the influx of foreign residents in Japan, securing Japanese-speaking foreign staff for such cafes would be much easier. Tens of thousands of foreign students in Japanese universities would have the financial need, time, and Japanese language ability to man the cafes, at relatively cheap labor costs. Because they will only be students in Japanese universities for a few years, these part-time cafe staff will always change, leading to fresh faces for Japanese customers to interact with, even if they regularly visit the same cafe. <p></p><p>Of course, as with any business, such an idea will take much risk-taking and cooperation to get off the ground. Japanese customers' <a href="https://xiaochensu.blogspot.com/2023/10/the-omotenashi-overkill-is-japans.html">excessive</a> expectations of good service will mean any cultural misunderstanding with foreign staff members may quickly damage the reputation of the venue. With so many entertainment options available to an increasingly tight-budgeted populace that rarely travels or works abroad, the value proposition of meeting foreigners for fun, rather than the more practical purpose of learning the language, would be difficult to specify. But with the right people and marketing, such cafes could fill a niche that is currently underserved.</p>Xiaochen Su, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16971152537509891790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-806308994497999758.post-48518848995101245612023-10-09T18:26:00.002+09:002023-10-09T18:26:09.845+09:00The Omotenashi Overkill: Is Japan’s Service Ethic Slowing Down the Checkout?<p>Shopping for groceries in a Japanese supermarket can be surprisingly time-consuming. No, this is not because of operational issues. Japanese supermarkets are generally structured for convenience, with wide passages through aisles of goods labeled and grouped in categories for easy finding. Rarely do shoppers need to interact with the staff to locate commonly purchased products. The large number of aisles and checkout lanes also ensure that customers can grab what they need to buy and immediately get ready to exit.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgSnV2lnnf_B8QIQb-ynpXrsNbfzWVS9vMNanVHdWfViOcr43tB9bfj4I1gm9FGPBIdQT8KJpRl1INSaOAXVf7P16QH5FUtaS_zDHVSnlQy0SV_7USLtTedkkclOawhxCQ_M1FuFDR3YhV1pVzbbs0m4v_7nLjxb55J2ipabONJBylajHW9eSfAV2p5IJiD" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="560" data-original-width="700" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgSnV2lnnf_B8QIQb-ynpXrsNbfzWVS9vMNanVHdWfViOcr43tB9bfj4I1gm9FGPBIdQT8KJpRl1INSaOAXVf7P16QH5FUtaS_zDHVSnlQy0SV_7USLtTedkkclOawhxCQ_M1FuFDR3YhV1pVzbbs0m4v_7nLjxb55J2ipabONJBylajHW9eSfAV2p5IJiD=w400-h320" width="400" /></a></div>For some reason, though, despite the many checkout lanes, the checkout process always bogs down the system. Not for the lack of manpower. In busy times, every checkout till is staffed by someone swiping away at the barcodes, with scarcely any break before taking on the next shopper in line. And all at least seem to be quite adept at what they do. The incoming shopping basket is placed on one side while a different-colored "post-checkout" basket is placed on the other side, denoting that the products inside have been accounted for in the checkout process. Products go from one basket to the other systematically.<p></p><p>A closer look at the checkout process shows where the speed bumper is. Every time the staff manning the till takes one item from the checkout basket, they spend valuable seconds contemplating where in the post-checkout basket the item should go. "Hard" items like tissue boxes, rice, and plastic bottles must go to the bottom, so that "soft" items like fruits, packaged meats in styrofoam, and paper cartons would not be crushed by the extra weight. Given the haphazard nature that regular shoppers put items in their shopping baskets, arranging the items in the post-checkout basket is always like playing a 3D jigsaw puzzle.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhXqIg6fqbzqd-pb-Jd6nZQu3Y1wtzweMbyERNwPQcZ29bd8Vyc3yrVCv2jJfa9t8nPww1OVpdr9GNjaBt6O7PsHLdN2UpurHIEdOh84zukviidBwTQwt08RibPqLHZImpWlHZJ1lMocZVRClsSotHQcf95pTJdTo5npTGF2gcHGPn_gxWjXJidCqsJSBYX" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhXqIg6fqbzqd-pb-Jd6nZQu3Y1wtzweMbyERNwPQcZ29bd8Vyc3yrVCv2jJfa9t8nPww1OVpdr9GNjaBt6O7PsHLdN2UpurHIEdOh84zukviidBwTQwt08RibPqLHZImpWlHZJ1lMocZVRClsSotHQcf95pTJdTo5npTGF2gcHGPn_gxWjXJidCqsJSBYX=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div>The problem is that this jigsaw puzzle-playing is frankly not necessary from the perspective of the shopper. After the checkout basket is handed over to the shopper, the shopper proceeds to the bagging area, where they simply remove all the items in the basket, neatly stacked by the staff at the till to prevent anything from being squashed. The shopper, of course, may not have the patience of the supermarket staff. Many will simply throw groceries at random into their shopping bags. All the work of the staff members, contemplating the relative weights and sizes of the purchased items, goes to naught. <p></p><p>One might wonder why such meticulous attention to detail is employed by the staff if it appears to be superfluous to the consumer. This reveals a deeper, cultural barrier to entering the service industry in Japan: the expectation of <a href="https://xiaochensu.blogspot.com/2018/07/can-japanese-corporate-norms-be.html">omotenashi</a> or the spirit of selfless hospitality. Omotenashi entails anticipating and addressing a customer's needs before they even recognize those needs themselves. In the context of the supermarket, this implies ensuring that goods are handled with utmost care, even if it appears excessive. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjc45An1aqBayShcV3ShPXCE5tZtqc4EbAzcEXB-8ZZmThGQjMIcu8nqfQy-IUFJu7dDmZQdhBEUiAVl1boqMzDv-P6x95tv7jqPWRymjbTapcCcPcOAttjkPvLKXydNLRQreusyIdFBX-YKZpHepSRmH-HdxOOj2-smV_bpN8yqeXA2Qx86Z-9iuCjoEoC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="525" data-original-width="700" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjc45An1aqBayShcV3ShPXCE5tZtqc4EbAzcEXB-8ZZmThGQjMIcu8nqfQy-IUFJu7dDmZQdhBEUiAVl1boqMzDv-P6x95tv7jqPWRymjbTapcCcPcOAttjkPvLKXydNLRQreusyIdFBX-YKZpHepSRmH-HdxOOj2-smV_bpN8yqeXA2Qx86Z-9iuCjoEoC=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div>Getting this idea down requires rigorous training and mentoring. While some may dismiss roles in the service sector as simple or straightforward, in Japan, they often come with a high degree of specialization. Employees, whether they're in supermarkets or hotels, are expected to execute their roles with precision and mastery. A cashier in a supermarket must be more than just efficient; they need to understand the nuances of product placement within a basket to maintain the integrity of purchased items. This often means undergoing extensive onboarding and ongoing training sessions. <p></p><p>This intensive training, and the societal expectations behind it, could be intimidating to someone unfamiliar with this depth of professional development in seemingly entry-level roles. The societal pressure to provide impeccable service can be mentally taxing. The fear of public criticism or shaming for minor mistakes can act as a deterrent for many to consider roles in the service sector. In a culture where even a small slip-up can lead to harsh online reviews or negative word-of-mouth, the stakes are high. It isn't just about losing a job; it's about the fear of societal judgment and loss of face.</p><p>The result of this inefficient focus on providing over-the-top service is demanding hours. The Japanese work ethic, encapsulated in the term "karōshi" or death from overwork, magnifies this issue. Many service jobs in Japan require long shifts, sometimes without breaks, and the expectation is to put in these hours without complaint. This grueling schedule can be a significant deterrent for many who might otherwise be interested in joining the service sector. In essence, the non-monetary barriers, notably the demand for high service quality, play a significantly weighty role in the inefficiency of the Japanese service industry.</p>Xiaochen Su, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16971152537509891790noreply@blogger.com0