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It's interesting. Isn't that enough? I wouldn't call it an obsession really. You went to take pictures, so it must be something right?

alephnan 5y ago
I go to every “point of interest”. I’ve literally been to hundreds of temples and thousands of place in Kyoto alone, 996 for a year. Places like this is only significant to westerners. It’s aesthetic to me because it’s decaying, but doesn’t mean I think it needs to be preserved.
- sojournerc 5y ago
  Not saying it should be preserved. The architecture is interesting. People here like architecture. That's enough.
  - alephnan 5y ago
    Architectural appeal is cultural. I minored in architectural history as well as Japanese history. People here might say they like architecture, but not might be familiar with Japan’s most celebrated mainstream architect, Tadao Ando. My apartment is designed by him, too. Back to my point about what the west perceives as interesting about Japan versus what Japanese people’s actual priorities. I still don’t think the argument that this obsolete capsule hotel is worth preserving as a cultural asset makes sense. I think the biased trigger word about this article for me is “beloved”. Beloved, but to whom?
    - infecto 5y ago
      Cool
      - alephnan 5y ago
        > People here might say they like architecture, but not might be familiar with Japan’s most celebrated mainstream architect, Tadao Ando Does this offend you?
- ddoolin 5y ago
  Asking "what is their obsession" but then trying to delineate your own as something special or different is pretty weird but okay. Tech folks have been weebs (and then some) for a long time, it's not a secret and I think it's well past being surprising. Anyway, maybe it is not beloved by the locals. I'd defer to you on that point, but also, is there some reason foreigners can't find it beloved even while locals do not? Lets say they are over-romanticizing it -- that's fine, their opinions are likely not considered in the fate of the building anyway.
  - alephnan 5y ago
    > weebs That term is heavily centered on games, anime, manga and nerd culture. None of which I have interest in. I've been to Akihabara once which I'm sure you are familiar with, and I have no interest in going back. What do you think my obsession is? I'm specifically in Japan for political reasons. Maybe it's obsession with society, rather than culture. I'm in Japan because I care about individual responsibility, and Japan doesn't trigger me. I actually minored in architectural history. My point of contention is whether it is the architecture, or that this unique architecture which is in Japan? > is there some reason foreigners can't find it beloved And yet it only exists in Japan. Also, just because people have good intentions in loving something doesn't mean it's good. That's what leads to orientalism. Did you know Memoirs of Geisha was written by an old man from Tennessee?

alephnan 5y ago

I go to every “point of interest”. I’ve literally been to hundreds of temples and thousands of place in Kyoto alone, 996 for a year. Places like this is only significant to westerners. It’s aesthetic to me because it’s decaying, but doesn’t mean I think it needs to be preserved.

sojournerc 5y ago
Not saying it should be preserved. The architecture is interesting. People here like architecture. That's enough.
- alephnan 5y ago
  Architectural appeal is cultural. I minored in architectural history as well as Japanese history. People here might say they like architecture, but not might be familiar with Japan’s most celebrated mainstream architect, Tadao Ando. My apartment is designed by him, too. Back to my point about what the west perceives as interesting about Japan versus what Japanese people’s actual priorities. I still don’t think the argument that this obsolete capsule hotel is worth preserving as a cultural asset makes sense. I think the biased trigger word about this article for me is “beloved”. Beloved, but to whom?
  - infecto 5y ago
    Cool
    - alephnan 5y ago
      > People here might say they like architecture, but not might be familiar with Japan’s most celebrated mainstream architect, Tadao Ando Does this offend you?
ddoolin 5y ago
Asking "what is their obsession" but then trying to delineate your own as something special or different is pretty weird but okay. Tech folks have been weebs (and then some) for a long time, it's not a secret and I think it's well past being surprising. Anyway, maybe it is not beloved by the locals. I'd defer to you on that point, but also, is there some reason foreigners can't find it beloved even while locals do not? Lets say they are over-romanticizing it -- that's fine, their opinions are likely not considered in the fate of the building anyway.
- alephnan 5y ago
  > weebs That term is heavily centered on games, anime, manga and nerd culture. None of which I have interest in. I've been to Akihabara once which I'm sure you are familiar with, and I have no interest in going back. What do you think my obsession is? I'm specifically in Japan for political reasons. Maybe it's obsession with society, rather than culture. I'm in Japan because I care about individual responsibility, and Japan doesn't trigger me. I actually minored in architectural history. My point of contention is whether it is the architecture, or that this unique architecture which is in Japan? > is there some reason foreigners can't find it beloved And yet it only exists in Japan. Also, just because people have good intentions in loving something doesn't mean it's good. That's what leads to orientalism. Did you know Memoirs of Geisha was written by an old man from Tennessee?