4 ms·

Sing to Me: Karaoke is self-compromise as spectacle

35 points by tintinnabula 10y ago

bitwize 10y ago
I think "self-compromise as spectacle" is a recurring theme in a lot of Japanese pastimes -- from karaoke to Those Wacky Japanese Game Shows to just getting shitfaced with your coworkers (and boss!) on Fridays. Japanese people have few opportunities in their daily work and social lives to let their freak flag fly. The tension that comes from having to maintain your tatemae nearly 24/7 has got to be released somewhere and karaoke bars are one of the "safe spaces" created for that purpose.
- wccrawford 10y ago
  Why target the Japanese with that? I've yet to meet a group of people that didn't act like that in some way, many did it quite a lot when they weren't having to represent something professionally... And some did it even then. I worked at a company where the local manager would occasionally dress in a cow costume and let employees throw foam brick at his udder. Sure, the Japanese "invented" and named karaoke, but it has been whole-heartedly adopted by so many peoples.
  - bitwize 10y ago
    Karaoke is not nearly as prevalent in, for example, America as it is in Japan. Maybe Korea or the Philippines can come close.
- greggman 10y ago
  Karaoke in Japan is generally not public like it is in the West. Its done in small private rooms with 2-8 friends. Also Japanese people have plenty of places to let their freak out.
wmil 10y ago
Singing at social gatherings is pretty much universal across human societies. The real question isn't "Why is karaoke popular?" it's "Why is breaking into song at other bars frowned upon?".
- saurik 10y ago
  In most social gatherings you have people who are at least vaguely talented singing alone or you have a group singing (maybe even most of the people present); Karaoke is different: it highlights individual lack of talent.
- M_Grey 10y ago
  Understanding karaoke probably takes understanding its origins a bit. It fits that combination of "letting go" and "regimented fun" that is so typical in Japan. You get blind drunk, often with your co-workers, even boss, and make fools of yourselves, preferably in a somewhat predictable, systematized fashion. The whole point is to drop the usual social strictures, but in the context of something which is itself, somewhat controlled. Then you stagger home and puke on each others' shoes, and the workplace/friendship bond is deepened. That's contrasted to the more informal, "Singing at a social gathering", which often tends to prize actual singing ability; it's a means to entertain the group, not a social ritual.
Uhhrrr 10y ago
Hm - I think Karaoke is a chance to express yourself with the help of a ready-made backing track. Together with the reverb of the mic and an audience of friendlies, karaoke is your best singing self, not a self-compromise.

35 points by tintinnabula 10y ago

I think "self-compromise as spectacle" is a recurring theme in a lot of Japanese pastimes -- from karaoke to Those Wacky Japanese Game Shows to just getting shitfaced with your coworkers (and boss!) on Fridays. Japanese people have few opportunities in their daily work and social lives to let their freak flag fly. The tension that comes from having to maintain your tatemae nearly 24/7 has got to be released somewhere and karaoke bars are one of the "safe spaces" created for that purpose.

wccrawford 10y ago
Why target the Japanese with that? I've yet to meet a group of people that didn't act like that in some way, many did it quite a lot when they weren't having to represent something professionally... And some did it even then. I worked at a company where the local manager would occasionally dress in a cow costume and let employees throw foam brick at his udder. Sure, the Japanese "invented" and named karaoke, but it has been whole-heartedly adopted by so many peoples.
- bitwize 10y ago
  Karaoke is not nearly as prevalent in, for example, America as it is in Japan. Maybe Korea or the Philippines can come close.
greggman 10y ago
Karaoke in Japan is generally not public like it is in the West. Its done in small private rooms with 2-8 friends. Also Japanese people have plenty of places to let their freak out.

wmil 10y ago

Singing at social gatherings is pretty much universal across human societies. The real question isn't "Why is karaoke popular?" it's "Why is breaking into song at other bars frowned upon?".

saurik 10y ago
In most social gatherings you have people who are at least vaguely talented singing alone or you have a group singing (maybe even most of the people present); Karaoke is different: it highlights individual lack of talent.
M_Grey 10y ago
Understanding karaoke probably takes understanding its origins a bit. It fits that combination of "letting go" and "regimented fun" that is so typical in Japan. You get blind drunk, often with your co-workers, even boss, and make fools of yourselves, preferably in a somewhat predictable, systematized fashion. The whole point is to drop the usual social strictures, but in the context of something which is itself, somewhat controlled. Then you stagger home and puke on each others' shoes, and the workplace/friendship bond is deepened. That's contrasted to the more informal, "Singing at a social gathering", which often tends to prize actual singing ability; it's a means to entertain the group, not a social ritual.

Uhhrrr 10y ago

Hm - I think Karaoke is a chance to express yourself with the help of a ready-made backing track. Together with the reverb of the mic and an audience of friendlies, karaoke is your best singing self, not a self-compromise.