How The Modern World Should Be

Summary

The author reflects on the contrasting experiences of life in Japan, characterized by peace and politeness, compared to the chaotic and deceitful nature of the online world, suggesting that future virtual realities should emulate Japanese societal values.

Abstract

The article "How The Modern World Should Be" presents a personal narrative of the author's experience living in Japan, juxtaposed with the virtual world's environment. In Japan, the author finds a tranquil society where people exhibit a genuine desire to be helpful, marked by humility and a collective wish for harmonious coexistence. This real-world experience starkly contrasts with the online realm, which the author describes as a "war zone" filled with deceit, scams, and a lack of accountability. Despite the freedom and anonymity offered by the internet, the author longs for a virtual space that reflects the peace and respect found in Japanese culture. The piece concludes with a hope that any future virtual universes should be guided by the principles of Japanese society, suggesting that the East could provide a blueprint for a more honorable and enjoyable digital experience.

Opinions

The author perceives Japan as a peaceful sanctuary, far removed from the Coronavirus "war zone" of Europe.
The virtual world is seen as an exaggerated, negative reflection of Western society, rife with dishonesty and lacking in consequences.
Japanese society is admired for its politeness, humility, and a strong desire to get along, which the author finds refreshing and commendable.
The author criticizes the presence of professional beggars and insincere businesses in Europe, which are absent in Japan.
There is a notable absence of an overzealous police presence in Japan, which the author attributes to the overall peacefulness of the society.
The author expresses a wish for future virtual worlds to be modeled after Japanese life, implying that such an approach would lead to a more enjoyable and honorable online experience.

Life in Japan has a lot to teach us

Photograph by kind courtesy of Pixaba

Here in Japan I am living far from from the Coronavirus war zone that passes for what is accepted as civilised society back in Europe. Here I am at peace with the world and nobody is trying to have one over on me. Well, except on-line that is.

The Virtual World As It Really Is

The online world, that virtual reality parallel universe I am forced to step into on a daily basis, is a reflection, an exaggeration even, of the physical world that we live in in the Western world.

At the click of a mouse I can be anyone, have anything, do whatever I like without any negative consequences that I can perceive. There do not seem to be any police waiting to jump on me at the slightest Covid-19 transgression or ill considered infraction. There isn’t any court of justice ready and waiting to put me in the poor house with a hefty fine.

The virtual world is over populated with liars and cheats, thieves, scammers, charlatans and cyber travelling fraudsters on the prowl for whatever illegal or immoral opportunity that they can chance upon. But there isn't any trace of the Corona virus.

The Virtual World As It Should Be

Back in the real world of the East, over here in Japan, I can step outside and only encounter a quiet politeness as I peacefully go about my business. They are a peace loving nation of people within and beyond their own geographical borders. All I have encountered is a genuine, quiet desire to be helpful. There is a certain, overwhelming, demonstration of humility and a humble wish to get along with everybody. The phrase “ loud vexatious Japanese “ would be oxymoronic in the extreme. There is simply no way one could ever describe a Japanese person in that way.

I don’t see any Mercedes Benz owning professional beggars like I see in Europe. I don’t have to frequent any commercial establishments that feign sincerity, or in a way even worse, don’t even bother with any kind of sincerity at all. I don’t see any over zealous, over armed police force determined to do the bidding of over powerful, ill intentioned politicians. In fact, there seems to be very little actual police presence in the streets at all. It is simply not needed. As a consequence, I can go about my business un-molested by anybody.

The Future Should Come From The East

The virtual world is more a reflection of Japanese life rather than life in the West, it truly is a joy to enter and wander about enjoying the best it has to offer.

I live in the hope that if any other brave new world of the future happens to invent some sort of parallel real universe, that such a universe should be invented and administered by the honourable Japanese.