06 March 2006

Accepting new things...

One thing about Japan that I think is really cool is that they're open to change. In a big way. About 10 years ago, Coca-cola changed the formula of Coke to taste better (sweeter and with less acidic bite, like Pepsi). Well, when they did, despite blind taste tests proving that people overwhelmingly liked the new flavor better, they had a nationwide boycott and a huge revolt. The people were incensed that Coca-cola actually had the audacity to change their "American icon." In Japan, people would probably think, well, the new product is probably better and hey, it's been improved.

It's ironic, that a nation with 1000s of years of history is ready to accept the next new thing, while a 200 year old nation tenaciously clings to whatever young history it has. Something that's over 50 years old in "the new world" is considered old, over 100 years is ancient, over 150 years... well, that's a relic.

And if you don't believe me, this video will have Ronald turning in his grave.

Isn't Japan cool?

3 comments:

Creative said...

Well, I think a lot of people find other cultures to be better than their own... not that they are self-hating, but, for example, I've once went to a party where a British guy (nice guy too) was the center of a buncha Canadians who couldn't disparage the North American music scene fast enough. But if North American culture is so bad, then why do we get so many Asian visitors on work, student, and holiday VISAs?

Atomiton said...

Well, there are good things and bad things about each country. Although, the music scene isn't something that I think North America does well.

Creative said...

I think the NA music scene is a lot better than the international scene... at this party, I felt like the Canadians were disparaging the NA music scene to appease the Brit fellow.