5 ms·

I might be way off, but I tend to view this from an economic perspective in that these young (and not so young) shut-ins, in a pragmatic sense, don't need to wo

by jhou2 12y ago

I might be way off, but I tend to view this from an economic perspective in that these young (and not so young) shut-ins, in a pragmatic sense, don't need to work to survive. Their parents are able to provide for them all the basic needs for life - mostly shelter and food. It is a relatively small marginal expense to the parents who usually already have fair incomes. Until the parents pass away, which may take some time with Japan's famously long lifespans, most of these shut-ins will probably be alright. Another aspect I find interesting is that the article is written mostly from an extrovert's perspective on culture. For an introvert, it seems like paradise to be a shut-in. I get fed, cared for, and I can focus on my internal life and interests, with no need to deal with others and all the problems they bring. As an introvert focused on myself and my own well-being, there seems nothing wrong with being a shut-in. Of course there are macro-economic arguments against it, but from a micro-economic point of view where I only care about my own needs, I would be satisfied with a shut-in life.

doyoulikeworms 12y ago
One doctor in the article states that the diagnosis criteria ought to include whether or not the shut-in is unhappy with the situation. A happy hermit would not be a hikikomori in his eyes. That said, I'm an introvert myself as well. Spending time with others in a social setting drains me mentally, and I prefer being alone or with my SO. But if I never left the house for months or years, it would be quite depressing for me. I think the issue goes beyond people who simply don't like spending time with others. People are suffering.
Red_Tarsius 12y ago
I'm extremely introvert and – as a student, not a neet! – I've lived the past months in a manner similar to that described by the article. I think no shut-in nor introvert gets satisfaction from such behaviour.
- marincounty 12y ago
  I apologize for the--know it all--you are responding to. The one thing that really irritates me about Americans(including myself at one time) is we think we know, or have the the answers to Everything! I can kind of stomach it when it comes to our culture, but it become nauseous when we comment on other, usually better cultures.
  - deleted 12y ago
    [deleted]
  - Ideka 12y ago
    I downvoted you. You shouldn't generalize people (doing it by race is called racism; doing it by country has no fancy name that I know of but it's wrong all the same), or refer to some cultures as "better" than others.
    - jblok 12y ago
      Doing it by country is racism. Doing it by religion is also racism. These things make up your race.
      - precisioncoder 12y ago
        That's simply not true, according to the definition of race it requires sharing a biologically identifiable connection with other people. An Asian man and a Native American could be born in the same place and raised in the same family but would not share the same race. Discrimination on the basis of country is a separate thing which I don't think has a specific term. Wasn't able to find one with a quick Google at least.
    - mdcpepper 12y ago
      I think "xenophobia" might be the most applicable term.
- mkal_tsr 12y ago
  > I think no shut-in nor introvert gets satisfaction from such behaviour. It's amazing how you're acutely aware to how every introvert feels about this, when did you manage to contact them all and convince them to respond to such a question? Otherwise, how can you make such an absolute assertion?
  - Red_Tarsius 12y ago
    You missed the "I think" part. I was genuinely sharing my assumptions and experiences. OF COURSE I can't speak for all introverts I don't know, but your post is forcing me to highlight such obviousness.
    - mkal_tsr 12y ago
      I did see the "I think" part, but I also saw "no introvert" which was taking an absolute stance, regardless of it being your opinion or not. You could have used "some", "most", "many", "a sizable portion", etc, but you took an absolute term rather than a malleable term. It's not my fault you're unclear in your communication.
- adnzzzzZ 12y ago
  If you have your goals and you're still productive doing whatever you do best I don't see why anyone would get no satisfaction from it.
Padding 12y ago
> Of course there are macro-economic arguments against it If there were, wouldn't the market eventually take care of it?

by jhou2 12y ago

doyoulikeworms 12y ago

One doctor in the article states that the diagnosis criteria ought to include whether or not the shut-in is unhappy with the situation. A happy hermit would not be a hikikomori in his eyes. That said, I'm an introvert myself as well. Spending time with others in a social setting drains me mentally, and I prefer being alone or with my SO. But if I never left the house for months or years, it would be quite depressing for me. I think the issue goes beyond people who simply don't like spending time with others. People are suffering.

Red_Tarsius 12y ago

I'm extremely introvert and – as a student, not a neet! – I've lived the past months in a manner similar to that described by the article. I think no shut-in nor introvert gets satisfaction from such behaviour.

marincounty 12y ago
I apologize for the--know it all--you are responding to. The one thing that really irritates me about Americans(including myself at one time) is we think we know, or have the the answers to Everything! I can kind of stomach it when it comes to our culture, but it become nauseous when we comment on other, usually better cultures.
- deleted 12y ago
  [deleted]
- Ideka 12y ago
  I downvoted you. You shouldn't generalize people (doing it by race is called racism; doing it by country has no fancy name that I know of but it's wrong all the same), or refer to some cultures as "better" than others.
  - jblok 12y ago
    Doing it by country is racism. Doing it by religion is also racism. These things make up your race.
    - precisioncoder 12y ago
      That's simply not true, according to the definition of race it requires sharing a biologically identifiable connection with other people. An Asian man and a Native American could be born in the same place and raised in the same family but would not share the same race. Discrimination on the basis of country is a separate thing which I don't think has a specific term. Wasn't able to find one with a quick Google at least.
  - mdcpepper 12y ago
    I think "xenophobia" might be the most applicable term.
mkal_tsr 12y ago
> I think no shut-in nor introvert gets satisfaction from such behaviour. It's amazing how you're acutely aware to how every introvert feels about this, when did you manage to contact them all and convince them to respond to such a question? Otherwise, how can you make such an absolute assertion?
- Red_Tarsius 12y ago
  You missed the "I think" part. I was genuinely sharing my assumptions and experiences. OF COURSE I can't speak for all introverts I don't know, but your post is forcing me to highlight such obviousness.
  - mkal_tsr 12y ago
    I did see the "I think" part, but I also saw "no introvert" which was taking an absolute stance, regardless of it being your opinion or not. You could have used "some", "most", "many", "a sizable portion", etc, but you took an absolute term rather than a malleable term. It's not my fault you're unclear in your communication.
adnzzzzZ 12y ago
If you have your goals and you're still productive doing whatever you do best I don't see why anyone would get no satisfaction from it.

Padding 12y ago

> Of course there are macro-economic arguments against it If there were, wouldn't the market eventually take care of it?