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Japanese game developer hasn't left the house in 10 years

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Re: Japanese game developer hasn't left the house in 10 years

#111
post #106

My father doesn't shower (hasn't showered to my knowledge for the last 10 years). He doesn't leave his property, although he does a lot of outside activity within the property itself. His last medical checkup was in 2001 (to my knowledge). Growing up, he would shower every six months to a year. I lived with him growing up and was ashamed to be seen with him in public. I would try to walk a couple of meters behind him…

Wait, hasn’t showered in 10 years?? Does he clean some other way? Like a wet towel or something like that? Does he swim? This is super weird. How has he not developed any skin condition, especially if he is working outside and sweating? I can understand not going to the doctor though. There are lots of people who go to the doctor only if absolutely needed. It is even more understandable if he lives in the U.S and doe…

You do realize that not showering/bathing was the norm for most of history? There’s no reason to develop skin conditions because of it.

Re: Japanese game developer hasn't left the house in 10 years

#112

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Welcome back! Weird question- anything you found enjoyable in jail? I sometimes think I’ll thrive in isolationism of sort. Obviously jail is not voluntary but curious how you manage to stay sane.

> I sometimes think I’ll thrive in isolationism of sort. How did you find the Covid-19 lockdowns?

Didn’t mind at all. Moved to rural / country side 15 years ago - so it wasn’t a radical change for me.

Re: Japanese game developer hasn't left the house in 10 years

#113

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I was thinking the same thing - I've had someone cut my hair maybe 5 times since college - 21 years ago!

That very much depends on what kind of hair you have. Mine is extremely unruly to the point where some trained hairdressers can't make it look acceptable, let alone good. If I were to cut it myself, I'd be limited to either a buzzcut or looking like a shrub I guess. Might not be a problem he has, though.

Good point - been doing buzzcut all my life. Started going bald in my 30s so it now just a razor

Re: Japanese game developer hasn't left the house in 10 years

#114
post #59

> Per ITK, Nito only leaves his apartment to get a haircut and take out the trash, as well as any other activity that absolutely requires him to step outside of the comfort of his room. He gets all of his groceries and whatever else he needs delivered, eliminating the need to go shopping. Huh, I thought Japan is more developed, in China delivery companies offer taking out the trash service for years, they deliver you…

In Japan you need to sort all of your trash and then put it in bins before the truck comes. In my apartment complex it was forbidden to put out trash before 22 the night before, and the truck would show up at 8:15~ everyday for different stuff.

As for home haircuts - it's not a thing there as you would rarely invite even friends into your home. It's a space for you and your family.

Re: Japanese game developer hasn't left the house in 10 years

#115
This awfully sounds like me during my high school and college years. Go to school or college, get back home, do stuff for school or college and go to my computer to research software topics that interest me. My health suffered but I learned so much. I wouldn't recommend anyone doing it because essentially you are trading your health for knowledge. Go out for a walk everyday.

Re: Japanese game developer hasn't left the house in 10 years

#116

It is a shame that the hikkomori is a trend and becoming popular with COVID.

I think the relevant question is “why are people dropping out of society in greater numbers than ever before? What changed?”

Honestly, the reason is really boring and it probably won't be fixed.

When an economy reaches stagnation/saturation people still want to play the capital accumulation game. So they start accumulating money and land that they never intend to use. Money is needed as a medium of exchange for the division of labor. Shelter is a basic need so people absolutely need land.

Because this is an accumulation game, owning more just means you demand more. If the interest rate (or gains from land or whatever financial asset) were 3% then some people end up unemployed because they cannot clear this artificial profitability gate. Employers want to hire whole individuals for as long as possible (ideally a 60 hour week). This means some people go without a job because 2 people working 60 hours can do the job of 3 people (on paper). People (especially the youth) are scared of ending up long term unemployed, so they skill up. They now have to compete with their peers for an artificially limited number of jobs. If they win the competition then they win big. If they lose, they lose big. The government must (they have no choice) intervene. Predictably, there must be an expansion of welfare. Remember how 2 people are doing the jobs of 3? Well, that means a small portion of that extra 1/3 will go to the person that ended up unemployed. It's extremely counterproductive but that is just how things are.

So now you have two options. Play the game, suffer, win and pay welfare for others or never play and get paid welfare (it's not like they want you as their competition anyway).

I have to put emphasis on the fact that the welfare is just a symptom to avoid a rise in extremism. If you get rid of it without treating the symptom then expect to see lots of angry people on the street who have nothing better to do than hate you.

Re: Japanese game developer hasn't left the house in 10 years

#117
post #59

> Per ITK, Nito only leaves his apartment to get a haircut and take out the trash, as well as any other activity that absolutely requires him to step outside of the comfort of his room. He gets all of his groceries and whatever else he needs delivered, eliminating the need to go shopping. Huh, I thought Japan is more developed, in China delivery companies offer taking out the trash service for years, they deliver you…

Japan has very strict and specific garbage disposal rules.

If meticulous sorting is not required and labor cheap, it is easy to offer this kind of trash take out service.

Re: Japanese game developer hasn't left the house in 10 years

#118
From what I heard, the problems with Hikikomori often start in late teenage years. At first the person closes the room doors and refuses to leave. I guess this is the diverge point between Japan and western societies. I in the west no sane parent would allow child to stay in their room without leaving for a week. Be it breaking the doors but no way, I would allow my children's to do that. In Japan looks like the parents allow it, and what's worse it can continue for years. One thing that I learned is that the faster psychological problem is addressed the better. Otherwise something quite small can snowball into life damaging persistent disorder.

The other thing that I heard is prevalence of bullying in Japan, not only in school but in work live too. I was never in Japan so I cannot verify these claims. But in one book I read that this is the cause for most of the hikikomori cases, bullying either by their classmates or by their coworkers in early 20s.

As for this guy, he get a free marketing from this article, so I hope his game will sell well for the time being. But I hope he will try therapy, as I don't see how this could work in the long term...

Re: Japanese game developer hasn't left the house in 10 years

#119
post #100

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> I sometimes think I’ll thrive in isolationism of sort. How did you find the Covid-19 lockdowns?

I’m not in US (and neither the person you asked), but I felt very nostalgic when covid situation only began in my city. It wasn’t a lockdown, only an advisory statement and a common fear of unknown. Empty streets, almost no cars passing by, which I could count on my fingers from a balcony back then. I wanted to just walk the city and feel it. Now that it got back to normal, it pushed me back to my apartment. Because…

>I’m not in US (and neither the person you asked)

I'm actually in the US, wasn't born here but I've been for 24 years now.

Re: Japanese game developer hasn't left the house in 10 years

#120

Has anyone told this guy that it's really easy to cut your own hair? Especially if you don't need to impress anyone.

If you don't need to impress anyone, why cut it at all?

Because when they get long they are annoying, and high maintenance.
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