Article: “School for Takarazuka Revue trainees abolishes harassment-like rules.” Japan Times. Excerpt: “KOBE – The school training teenage girls to become actresses in the Takarazuka Revue, Japan’s famed all-female musical theater troupe, has abolished absurd and silly rules observed for decades by students, including bowing to trains that might be carrying Read more…
Article : “Masked artist makes sticky issue out of radiation in Japan” “Known as 281 Antinuke, Japan’s answer to Banksy has covered Tokyo streets in images depicting politicians as vampires and children being shielded from radioactive rain to highlight the consequences of a meltdown at the Fukushima nuclear plant after Read more…
Ishigaki Rin’s poem “Gake (Cliff)” in translation: May 2021 prescribed title #6 works well with RLEs in the arts since the creation of works of art and their interpretation is easily affected by bias. The poet’s choice in topics (e.g. WWII, Japan, gender) are to some extent a result of Read more…
Article: “Homosexual Activity Among Animals Stirs Debate.” https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/2004/07/homosexual-animals-debate/ There is a large body of scientific research discussed in this National Geographic article about homosexuality behavior among animals. While this animal behavior is well-documented in the scientific community, some people interpret it in different ways. Supporters of LGBT rights may use the Read more…
Article: Doctor blames Andrew Wakefield and anti-vaxxers for her baby son catching measles “A doctor has said public reaction to Andrew Wakefield’s discredited study linking the MMR vaccine to autism was to blame when her baby son caught measles.” https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/doctor-blames-andrew-wakefield-son-catching-measles-vaccine-mmr-autism-anti-vaxxers-measles-a7813001.html Despite the overwhelming scientific evidence showing the benefits of vaccinations, Read more…
Iroha is an older Japanese poem with deep connections to Japanese culture and religion. There are a number of different versions – the original cannot be read by the vast majority of modern Japanese readers. It has been translated in a number of languages but the translations lose much of Read more…
Article: “Better predictions of the working life of industrial components” “A minor disparity between an established mathematical model to predict creep crack growth behavior in materials in high-temperature environments and actual data has prompted Dr. Warwick Payten to reassess the approach and revise the model.” “Being able to more accurately predict Read more…
Marketing research shows that soft drinks with “diet” in the name are not that popular with male consumers because they associate the word with food / drinks for women. The “Wild Health” Coca Cola ad (starring Japanese singer Namie Amuro) seems to be aimed more at Japanese men. This ad, Read more…
Article : “The nacho Dorito” https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/interactive/2013/10/01/dining/nacho-graphic.html The New York Times article explains how consumers are manipulated by the design of Doritos. Specifically, multiple elements of the chips are created to be physically and psychologically appealing which increases consumption. Naturally, consumption of junk food is not good for one’s health. May Read more…
Article: Lasers reveal Maya war ruins “ARCHAEOLOGISTS GUIDED BY laser images of a remote region of northern Guatemala have discovered 20-foot-high walls, watchtowers, and other evidence that ancient Maya societies waged large-scale warfare over many years. The finds have upended long-established impressions of a civilization that tamed the jungle and built Read more…