Microsoft unleashes new Xbox in Japan to lukewarm reaction

[Professor S]

Originally Posted by Sony

I'd say the offensive nature of the world 'nigger' is held on a very high pedestal compared to 'gaijin.' It's safe to say that the older Japanese people still hold a grudge and evident stubborness towards foreigners because Foreigners are the ones that changed their way of life. You may say the way of the samurai is still prevalent, because the older generation hold on to their traditions with a firm grasp. As seen in The Last Samurai... they were very religious about their traditional ways and held on strong to keep Japan from modernizing. Their conviction for their traditional culture was steadfast. Today, you see that in the old generation. The youth is changing Japan however and things are a lot more open. US and European bands from afar are heralded in Japan now, and the iPod is widely used now in Japan.

Although the first games weren't from Japan.... it was Nintendo that came out as the pioneer in video games. And so the videogame industry has been widely dominated by the japanese market. So in all honestly, Microsoft never had a chance in Japan.

I meant the nigger/gaijin comparison in the way that they are not unlike in that they are or were considered insults, not in the power that they hold.

Well, maybe things have changed in the passed decade or so. After all, my class took place enarly a decade ago (holy crap I'm old). Lord knows American youth culture has completely been revolutionized in the last decade by communications technologies. There is a good chance that could have happened in Japan.

I'll concede and take your word for it, Sony. Enjoy it, it doesn't happen often

[Dylflon]

I wanted to make a joke about an American accusing someone of being nationalistic but I think I'm too late.

It would have been all in good fun, I assure you.

[Professor S]

Originally Posted by Dylflon

I wanted to make a joke about an American accusing someone of being nationalistic but I think I'm too late.

It would have been all in good fun, I assure you.

I actually think you'd be confusing nationalism with patriotism. I really think that America is less nationalistic than Canada. Canadians are insanely proud of their nation and believe that they nation the better than most others... yet I still can't find one reason why they'd think that... wait, I remember... GREAT BEER (healthcare, shmealthcare... grab me an Molson Ex)

...

[Dylflon]

Canadians, are crazy nationalistic.

But you do see quite a bit of nationalism from America too. America is quite often referred to as "the greatest country in the world" by americans and in commercials and whatnot.

[Professor S]

Originally Posted by Dylflon

Canadians, are crazy nationalistic.

But you do see quite a bit of nationalism from America too. America is quite often referred to as "the greatest country in the world" by americans and in commercials and whatnot.

Yes, greatest country in the world. Thats patriotism. Nationalism is the belief that YOU are better than others because you are from your country. I think most Americans believe that their nation is the greatest in the world, but I don't think they transfer that pride to an individual level as much as other, older nations do. Afterall, America doesn't really have a culture to hang on to and hold over others, we have a meltingpot of cultures. We have a strong government, economy and one hell of a military, but that doesn't translate to the people. Culture translates.

[Dylflon]

Originally Posted by Professor S

Yes, greatest country in the world. Thats patriotism. Nationalism is the belief that YOU are better than others because you are from your country. I think most Americans believe that their nation is the greatest in the world, but I don't think they transfer that pride to an individual level as much as other, older nations do. Afterall, America doesn't really have a culture to hang on to and hold over others, we have a meltingpot of cultures. We have a strong government, economy and one hell of a military, but that doesn't translate to the people. Culture translates.

*strokes chin*

Easily confusable concepts.

[GameMaster]

Everything exists, nothing has value.

[DarrenMcLeod]

Originally Posted by Professor S

Yes, greatest country in the world. Thats patriotism. Nationalism is the belief that YOU are better than others because you are from your country. I think most Americans believe that their nation is the greatest in the world, but I don't think they transfer that pride to an individual level as much as other, older nations do. Afterall, America doesn't really have a culture to hang on to and hold over others, we have a meltingpot of cultures. We have a strong government, economy and one hell of a military, but that doesn't translate to the people. Culture translates.

Believing you are the greatest country in the world isn't patriotism. At least I don't see it is.

I see Americans and Canadians as equally patriotic/nationalistic. It's just expressed in different ways, IE we don't need to have a flag on our desks to realize we love our country.

[The Germanator]

Originally Posted by DarrenMcLeod

I see Americans and Canadians as equally patriotic/nationalistic. It's just expressed in different ways, IE we don't need to have a flag on our desks to realize we love our country.

Reminds me of a story my film professor told me once.

He was apparently oustside of a local high school in town (rural Vermont) and he was accosted by a group of teenagers who asked him "why he don't you have a flag on your car?" He was absolutely bewildered as to why it would be necessary for him to have a flag on his car.

I think you're overstating it a bit. Yes, a lot of Americans have the flag everywhere they possibly can whether it be on their desk or car, but many of us are far more subtle about the whole flag thing.

[Typhoid]

Originally Posted by Professor S

I'll concede and take your word for it, Sony. Enjoy it, it doesn't happen often

[MuGen]

You have my respect, Professor S.