141–150 of 288 posts
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It might be a trope but coming from Nintendo it means a lot more. Can't say how many wonderful memories I've had exploring the worlds that Nintendo has dreamed up.
Those were...games...
Besides being a beautiful website, I was rather touched by their call to action: "Seeking stability only clouds your soul. Fear of failing only kills the seeds of innovation. We must create a more exciting future where people feel free to dream and leap into a world of possibilities. We must create a freer future where people are eager to truly live." It's hard not to love Nintendo. Also TLDR for those that didn't sc…
We need to get past using GDP as a measure of success, quality of life, etc. Its a measure of gross product, which includes negative externalities. A company pollutes a nearby river and manages to avoid responsibility, so public funds are required to clean it up. The money the company made by polluting, as well as the cost of cleanup, both contribute positively to GDP. GDP can in some ways be thought of as a measure…
How so?
When I pay my accountant to do my taxes, it adds to GDP. How is this “conversion of natural resources into monetary capital”?
Besides being a beautiful website, I was rather touched by their call to action: "Seeking stability only clouds your soul. Fear of failing only kills the seeds of innovation. We must create a more exciting future where people feel free to dream and leap into a world of possibilities. We must create a freer future where people are eager to truly live." It's hard not to love Nintendo. Also TLDR for those that didn't sc…
We need to get past using GDP as a measure of success, quality of life, etc. Its a measure of gross product, which includes negative externalities. A company pollutes a nearby river and manages to avoid responsibility, so public funds are required to clean it up. The money the company made by polluting, as well as the cost of cleanup, both contribute positively to GDP. GDP can in some ways be thought of as a measure…
You are correct that GDP is being misused if people suggest it is a measure of success or quality of life. GDP is what it is, a measure of economic activity (any economic activity, more than just conversion of natural resources into monetary capital). That makes it only one piece of a very complicated puzzle. Many practitioners who use GDP understand it for what it is, but some don't and that is dangerous.
I'd be interested to hear if you or anyone else has suggestions of what we could use instead. It is a very difficult problem to solve, but one that has the potential for improving the world significantly.
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I don't think this is unique to Nintendo though. I feel like it's a Japan Culture thing. There's a kick start project for Street Fighter history where a studio backed out of doing an interview due to it not being sanctioned by Capcom. When ever I need to work with companies in Japan, it's a struggle of bureaucracy and politics.
On the other hand, Sega is known for being much, much friendlier with fan projects. Sometimes Sega even hires the developers, as was the case with Christian Whitehead, who did some Sonic ports for them, and then went on to make the critically acclaimed Sonic Mania .
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As a non-native who has lived in Japan for many years, but then moved to another country in Asia... I disagree with the regular stream of negative English language news about Japan. It is still a wonderful culture, people, and country. And ignore the "GDP" stuff. You will read the same about Italy in English language newspapers. And (South) Korea. Both are also beautiful countries with great food and very high qualit…
I happen to know a few Italians, and unfortunately cannot agree about the quality of life. Likely it's way better than in places like Congo — no wonder! But compared to more northern Europe and the US, the difference is rather stark. Look at the unemployment figures, for instance. Still, of course, great people, great culture, great potential. Same with Japan: wonderful culture, nice people, but the problems are real…
Eviction takes YEARS and it's just impossible in some situations (kids in the house), healthcare is free for all, personal debt is not as aggressive as here, unpaid debt is a nightmare to go afer.
So unemployment figures are not really that important to gauge quality of life. We had many scandals where people just didn't want to get hired and do small works off the books instead because life was just better like that.
You can be broke and still have a wonderful life in Italy. If you are smart and you want to get rich: much easier in the US.
Also about your Italian friends: Italian love to complain! If you ask them, they'll tell you. They will complain about everything all day with you. And then leave and go drink a nice aperitivo with their friends and enjoy the evening. It's very different from the US style of projecting an idyllic image of your life when you are with others, and then go home and drink whiskey until you forget you are alive. (Source: Italian living in US for 10 years)
Besides being a beautiful website, I was rather touched by their call to action: "Seeking stability only clouds your soul. Fear of failing only kills the seeds of innovation. We must create a more exciting future where people feel free to dream and leap into a world of possibilities. We must create a freer future where people are eager to truly live." It's hard not to love Nintendo. Also TLDR for those that didn't sc…
It's so rare to hear about Japanese startups - either becoming successful within Japan or outside. Are other mature East Asian countries going through a similar phase?
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It's so rare to hear about Japanese startups - either becoming successful within Japan or outside. Are other mature East Asian countries going through a similar phase?
I spent extensive time there. The way a Japanese investor explained it to me is that they don't really need Uber because the public transportation is so good, and they don't really need Doordash because any combini two minutes' walk away can provide a good meal to you any time of day or night. Their startups are of a different nature.
The real reason Uber hasn't taken off in Japan is that restrictive legislation and a large taxi lobby (which is also responsible for a near-total lack of public transport at night) means UberX is impossible. DoorDash was not in Japan because local player Demae and Uber beat them to the punch, but the market is growing fast and they're joining the fray.
Besides being a beautiful website, I was rather touched by their call to action: "Seeking stability only clouds your soul. Fear of failing only kills the seeds of innovation. We must create a more exciting future where people feel free to dream and leap into a world of possibilities. We must create a freer future where people are eager to truly live." It's hard not to love Nintendo. Also TLDR for those that didn't sc…
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My impression in Japan is that startups have traditionally considered incredibly risky and is a liability in getting loans and future job prospects with established companies - but that’s also changing as the generations shift.
I actually don't know that much about Japan. It's the one place I didn't talk about in East Asia as you can see. That's not entirely true, I guess there's other countries in East Asia: let's not forget Mongolia, and Tibet and Northern Korea. I bet there'd be lots of startups in Mongolia tho I have no idea. Tibet have no idea, tho would love to go. NK I guess there would not be so much because I assume the government…