okay enough about egalitarian whatevers you guys are talking about. this is anime thread for anime
I like to get a better appreciation for what I am watching.
Especially since I've watched enough anime to see themes, concepts, ideals, and stuff pop up and some of which are counter to typical western ideals.
For example, and my favorite, is that the whole "Just be yourself" spiel? Japan actually does believe in suppressing yourself in order to fit in.
Individualist versus Collectivist philosophies bashing heads.
As well the USA, while not non-elitist, is much more Egalitarian then Japan...
So Elitism is a constant running theme.
Finally... and the most backwards from a western point of view and the one that makes me go "WOW Japan sucks!" every time... Is that Japan has a very "Keeping up appearances" attitude and if you break it you will suffer their wraith!
and while the USA doesn't... NOT have that... Your kid cannot be kicked out of school in the USA because they were in a fashion magazine. HECK Kids can't get kicked out of school for being Pregnant! (though I think they often leave school willingly because of the taboo)
It is the ONE thing for the life of me I want affirmation as to whether it is exaggerated for the sake of fiction... or if Japan really is a place where rumors really do control your life to that extent.No really if anyone actually knows...
I mean where you apply it is different but it's not like people like being betrayed in the US. Similarly in Japan you maybe aren't meant to speak your mind as much as you would in other countries for politeness reasons, but that doesn't mean they like liars who deliberately mislead people.
It is the difference in how it is applied that I am trying to understand here.
But when I say "Is it a virtue?" I mean, is it a recognized virtue.
For example "Emptyness" or Stoicism... Not a virtue in the USA (Anymore, due to the whole express your emotions shift)... It doesn't mean the USA likes people who are hot heads who can't control their emotions.
Others are folded or split into other virtues.