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"The West, the professor contended, has a problem with the idea of things having spirits and feels that anthropomorphism, the attribution of human-like attribut

by fhood 8y ago

"The West, the professor contended, has a problem with the idea of things having spirits and feels that anthropomorphism, the attribution of human-like attributes to things or animals, is childish, primitive, or even bad. He argued that the Luddites who smashed the automated looms that were eliminating their jobs in the 19th century were an example of that, and for contrast he showed an image of a Japanese robot in a factory wearing a cap, having a name and being treated like a colleague rather than a creepy enemy." I'm sorry, but that is a stupid statement. First, westerners have no issue with anthropomorphizing (it's a word if I want it to be) inanimate objects. We do it all the damn time. My roomba is named Lenny (hard working, but not too bright). Second, how on earth is this a valid comparison? "Just look at the facts guys! The luddites destroyed machines that in one fell swoop eliminated the livelihood of a significant portion of people, and this robot has a hat!"

kdl20kxkrk 8y ago
That’s one anecdote There’s a real history to the argument in the article Numerous scholars have advocated that to remain objective one must avoid putting human traits on objects of study I think it stems from Abrahimic traditions, where God made us and none of us are to presume to be as powerful. Animals and objects are treated as mere things. Look at hardliners destroying art that has human form. The general story being God made us and we are inferior and must not resort to offending him with crude reproductions, lest he smite us for thinking we can do better.
- pbhjpbhj 8y ago
  >"and must not resort to offending him with crude reproductions" // It's not about reproductions (which are clearly impossible), but about images and sycophantic replacements. The imagery thing leads to a specific materialism; the replacement leads to us designing a god to reflect and applaud our ethical failings. Like turning to porn and eschewing one's duty to one's wife; or choosing an inanimate character as one's wife and imbuing her with a fetish for your own failings "I love your flab, the way you stink of stale beer and sweat really turns me on". FWIW in Abramic tradition animals are creatures made by God that humans are entrusted to care for, and yes use as food; custodians of creation. Your presentation looks like an inference of the created order based on looking at people's actions. Like watching traffic to find what the traffic laws are; that's a flawed methodology.
nawgszy 8y ago
>anthropomorphizing (it's a word if I want it to be) I think it's a real conjugation of a real word regardless of whether or not you want it; 'anthropomorphize' is a thing
jpatokal 8y ago
While I disagree with much of the article and find the Shinto connection dubious, it's an observable fact that anthropomorphism is way more common in Japan than the West. Every megacorp, city, and police department has their own manga-style character/mascot, including tech companies: https://www.technobuffalo.com/2013/11/30/6-awesome-japanese-tech-mascots/ https://www.technobuffalo.com/2013/11/30/6-awesome-japanese-...
PhasmaFelis 8y ago
It's really weird to see a professor parroting the line that the Luddites were motivated by reactionary technophobia, rather than fear of losing their livelihood and seeing their families starve.

by fhood 8y ago

kdl20kxkrk 8y ago

That’s one anecdote There’s a real history to the argument in the article Numerous scholars have advocated that to remain objective one must avoid putting human traits on objects of study I think it stems from Abrahimic traditions, where God made us and none of us are to presume to be as powerful. Animals and objects are treated as mere things. Look at hardliners destroying art that has human form. The general story being God made us and we are inferior and must not resort to offending him with crude reproductions, lest he smite us for thinking we can do better.

pbhjpbhj 8y ago
>"and must not resort to offending him with crude reproductions" // It's not about reproductions (which are clearly impossible), but about images and sycophantic replacements. The imagery thing leads to a specific materialism; the replacement leads to us designing a god to reflect and applaud our ethical failings. Like turning to porn and eschewing one's duty to one's wife; or choosing an inanimate character as one's wife and imbuing her with a fetish for your own failings "I love your flab, the way you stink of stale beer and sweat really turns me on". FWIW in Abramic tradition animals are creatures made by God that humans are entrusted to care for, and yes use as food; custodians of creation. Your presentation looks like an inference of the created order based on looking at people's actions. Like watching traffic to find what the traffic laws are; that's a flawed methodology.

nawgszy 8y ago

>anthropomorphizing (it's a word if I want it to be) I think it's a real conjugation of a real word regardless of whether or not you want it; 'anthropomorphize' is a thing

jpatokal 8y ago

While I disagree with much of the article and find the Shinto connection dubious, it's an observable fact that anthropomorphism is way more common in Japan than the West. Every megacorp, city, and police department has their own manga-style character/mascot, including tech companies: https://www.technobuffalo.com/2013/11/30/6-awesome-japanese-tech-mascots/ https://www.technobuffalo.com/2013/11/30/6-awesome-japanese-...

PhasmaFelis 8y ago

It's really weird to see a professor parroting the line that the Luddites were motivated by reactionary technophobia, rather than fear of losing their livelihood and seeing their families starve.