Appeal vs. Reason: A Review on Technology

Jordan Ajlouni

Technology Review

Appeal vs. Reason: A Review on Technology

With over half the country subscribing to its services and utilizing its technology, it is no wonder that NTT Docomo is Japan’s largest cell phone company. In their interest in keeping up with their reputation, NTT Docomo has put a strong foot forward when it comes to their research and development, which has research facilities internationally. On my study abroad to Japan through Michigan State University, I was lucky enough to visit one such research facility.

NTT Docomo is working on some very amazing technologies, some we have yet to imagine. Within their facility we saw much more then cell phone advancements. NTT Docomo has plans for changing the way we live through wireless means. Their plan is to have everything interconnected through mobile communications via enhanced interface. The interface prototype they showed us was a modern desk/computer terminal in which the user had their own normal screen. However, in addition, a scent synthesizer could create a specific scent artificially and spray it for the user to smell. The scent’s flower could then be rendered holographically in the compartment to the user’s right. By touching the hologram, it would spin, allowing a 360-degree view. However, this was merely the interface for their true ideal. The scenario presented to us was you needed to buy your daughter a birthday gift at the local clothing store. When you arrive, your ID would be scanned and the store’s computer would connect to your home’s. From there, you select who the clothing is for and the computer would suggest outfits based on the items you already have in your closet through a standardized ID chip in every product, regardless of brand. You could even see a hologram of your daughter wearing the outfit.

Though holograms and a fully connected world seem convenient, it is but a dream, an ideal for NTT Docomo to shoot for. Though it may be undeniably useful, it is still years down the road, if that. Hypothetically, the technology exists but the amount of red tape required to fully integrate the system is unfathomable. In the mean time, NTT Docomo seems to amuse itself with other exciting yet more realistic gadgetry. Just in case you’re tired of actually holding your cell phone day in and day out, NTT Docomo has a solution. By wearing a device on your pinky, much like a ring the size of your standard car unlocker, you can actually hear the sounds from the device’s vibrations through your pinky by stinking your pinky into your ear. Or imagine having a universal remote that you can control with nothing but hand movements. By wearing a device that resembles a wristwatch, you can accomplish any task remotely by tapping a beat with your thumb and index fingers. You could turn off lights, change the channel of your TV, or even lock the door just by humming your favorite tune and keeping to the beat.

It may seem like something from Inspector Gadget, but the pinky phone and remote wristwatch are more then just possible and have been for a long time. However, NTT Docomo is a business and though their toys are seemingly useful, an actual cellphone and remote can serve the same purpose at fractions of the cost both from production as well as investment getting society to see it as the norm.

Japan, It Comes Highly Recommended

I absolutely loved my study abroad to Japan, every single second of it, be it stuck on an airplane for quarantine or singing my heart out in Karaoke when no one else knew the song. It was and probably will be the best trip of my life. So I must digress and spend my last post raving about my experience in Japan.

To start, Professor Coursaris is easily the best man for the job. He does a phenomenal job leading us through cultural sights teaching us about the Japanese customs or representing not only us, but MSU as well through our business visits. However, the best part about the Good Professor is when he’s not teaching, he is one of the “guys” be it laughing about inside jokes or dragging us all to Karaoke in Roppongi.

And then there were the friends I met on the trip. By the third day, everyone was already old pals. By the end of the trip, they were more like family then anything else. I am sure I will be seeing these friends next year at school as well as beyond.

Then there was Japan. I honestly cannot tell you about everything amazing that we experienced, and I am sure there is endless more I did not. All I can say to you is go there, at least once, particularly on this study abroad if you can. As the Good Professor always said, it is the best Study Abroad at MSU. I’m willing to believe it.

So all I have left to say to my new friends, professor included, is thank you. I had the time of my life.

I’m Going Retro!

Japan is easily the technological capital of the world. I doubt anyone could argue that. However, though they have Playstaion 1 quality on cell phones and the processing power of Playstation 3, there is somewhat of a phenomenon within the technological districts, particularly Akihabara in Tokyo. There are stores and stores just full of retro games. They sold Sega Saturn, Sega CD, Sega Genesis, Sega Masters, original Gameboys, Gameboy Colors, walls of PS1 games, etc. The list is quite literally endless. To be honest, I had not seen that many PS1 games even while it was popular.

However, the systems I saw the most of were the classics the Nintendo Entertainment System and the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, though, in Japan, they were known as the Famicom and Super Famicom. There were whole shops dedicated to the two. Games literally blanketed the walls. The retro shops also sold knock off systems that were newer allowing you to play all the old classics on more reliable systems.

It is unbelievable how many of these shops there were all paying rent in Tokyo and staying open. In addition they outnumbered the amount of next Gen material that was being sold. In comparison, our Retro Game movement never happened…

No Translation Required… Bitch

One of my favorite places in Japan is Osaka’s downtown district. There are countless shops, young people, and beautiful women, particularly beautiful women. After all, that is what Osaka is known for and it is apparent just by walking the streets. But, as with most nightlife in Japan, it was hard to feel a part of the excitement completely due to the linguistic barriers.

That is why I got excited when I heard English on the streets of Osaka. And that’s why I spoke up. There were two girls walking in front of us who were obviously not Japanese and spoke English with American accents. But when I tried to strike up a conversation, I was met with… well, bitchiness. She not only shot me down, but was also incredibly rude. I couldn’t believe it considering I had good, honest intentions.

Normally when we met another English speaking non-Japanese, the usual “how did you end here?!” came up. It’s quite the rush finding camaraderie in a place as foreign as Japan, even if it is a bond based on country. It’s a reminder that you’re not alone as well as the excitement from meeting someone new with a story.

She did offer directions if we needed them, but was unhappy about it. I kindly declined and parted ways because I knew where I was going.

I wonder if she knew where she was going.

That’s a Nice Shade of Grey, Montreal Pt. 2

We were slightly taken a back. We were anticipating him to strongly recommend a club, with or without nude women. And so, we started a conversation. We were still hesitant, naturally. We told him we were students from MSU, he admitted that his French accent was in fact French Canadian, particularly from Montreal. He claimed he worked for a club, but did not give us its name or smooth talk us through its door. In fact, he recommended several other clubs that we could go visit.

Though Montreal, as I came to call him, was careful to never give us his name and had some questionably hidden tattoos on his arms, the sushi place was, in fact, quite delicious and the clubs he recommended were well spoken for as well as busy (though I could never talk the others into visiting them). I saw Montreal the next few nights we made our way to Roppongi, always on a different street corner. But he had a sharp eye and would greet me with a high-five as I thanked him for the suggestions and he bid be an exciting evening. Oh the people you meet…

That’s a Nice Shade of Grey, Montreal Pt. 1

Now, there is no such thing as black and white, good and evil. To see the world as one of two extremes is absurd, if not impossible. The truth of the matter is that we exist, every one of us, between the two, and naturally Roppongi is no exception. In fact, I have more fond memories of Roppongi then bad. Roppongi had its share of kindhearted folk.

Standing outside a highly recommended sushi restaurant in the literal heart of Roppongi waiting for seats to open up, a man approached us. We were uneasy, naturally, considering the only people to talk to you had some other motive then human kindness in mind. But the man was not Nigerian, in fact, not even close. With a French accent, a chocolate ice cream, and a dapper (one of my words of the trip) suite on he said:

“If you want sushi, there’s a place just as good down the road”

Cultural Influence Pt 2

The second conclusion is that Roppongi became as such because of foreigners. That Roppongi is a stronghold of foreign influence and would have never occurred if Japan was left alone. Therefore these “risky” behaviors are a staple of our own culture and we have been more then happy to “share” our past times. This would mean that our way of life is corrupting other cultures, a horrid and scary thought.

Now, do not get me wrong. I do not know all the facts and history and my experiences are not representative of the majority, statistically speaking. I could very well be wrong. This is just a thought that I offer merely to encourage others to think themselves. I would also like to say that I neither personally agree or disagree with these lifestyles and call them risky only from a social norm point of view. Lastly, when I say “we”, I do not specifically mean America, but America as a part of all of humanity. The blame is not solely ours.

And last but not least, I had a blast in Roppongi!

Cultural Influence Pt. 1

Keeping on the subject of Roppongi, being simultaneously one of the most interesting atmospheres as well as where we spent the most evenings, I couldn’t help but wonder something. I distinctively remember several Japanese who recommended nightlife telling us we should go to Roppongi because its where the foreigners go, be it the hotel’s front desk or the college students we met. However, their intent was by no means racially cruel. It was simply a fact. Of course the town had its share of Japanese people visiting the Karaoke bars or just bars, but foreigners far outnumbered the locals.

I can’t help but to wonder what that says about us…

I can think of two conclusions at the moment. First, Roppongi was created by the Japanese and just happened to be up the foreigner’s alley. This, however, does not speak in our favor, if not Americans then humanity as a whole. It means that we are drawn to the risky nightlife of strippers, prostitutes, and alcohol and that the Japanese also require their own little sins.

Roppongi Roppongi

Though Japan is by far the cleanest and most polite country I have ever visited, it is not without its dirty secrets. We stayed in the upscale business district of Tokyo called Aoyama Itchome. It was the cleanest, calmest part of the city that we visited. However, with only a ten minute walk, you found yourself in the heart of temptation. It was called Roppongi. Though prostitutes work the street corners and strip clubs and bars line the roads, there’s a catch to good ol’ Roppongi. It’s where the foreigners go.

Majority of the people are not Japanese on the streets. It’s a discomforting fact after you’ve made your way through the rest of Tokyo. The most notable of them are the Nigerians who try to lure you into their club with calls of “Beautiful Girls” and “Nude Titties” who won’t take no for an answer. They will follow you for blocks, unless of course one of the prostitutes already wrapped yourself around your arm offering “Messag-e” (they do pronounce the “e” in massage). It was most humorous when the prostitutes took your silence as a haggling method.

But I wouldn’t call Roppongi unsafe. Sure, it was the most dangerous of the areas we visited, but in Japan, its no worse then most of New York. You were fine walking the streets as long as you kept your wits about you.

In the Belly of the Beast

Much like the Shinkansen, the subways of Japan, particularly Tokyo, were a corner stone in the travel experience. They allowed you to stop for once, and, if you weren’t too tired, think. What a novel idea. But with so many subway trips, they quickly became part of the daily heartbeat.

In a way, the subways made up majority of our “alone time” if you will. This may seem odd in a subway considering they are loud and packed from wall to wall with passengers. However, one of the first things you notice on a Japanese subway is that though the train itself is very noisy, not a single person is talking. Not a single one. None of them even make eye contact. Half of the Japanese passengers stand, staring at their shoes and playing with their cell phone (yes they get service down there), the other half sleep. Even when they travel with others, they keep to themselves.

It is hard to imagine a situation with so many people but all void of human interaction. Some days, the subway is an adventure on their own, allowing you to see interesting people and wonder where they’re going and whom they’re going to see. But othert days, you watch the people around you silently begging them to speak, hoping to break the inhuman atmosphere.