Week 3: Robotics and Art. An Observation of Eastern Attitudes towards the Mechanical Man

As someone who used to study in Japan, I have learned a few cultural aspects of Japanese society that has become part of the universal knowledge of Japanese persons; some may be true, some may be not. One of the aspects include how the Japanese are “unemotional” or hide their feelings. Another includes the society or a great number in the society to be isolated; withdrawal from society.

These thoughts stem from a series of events that take place in Japanese society.

In regards to the feelings of isolation and being antisocial, you have the term, “Hikikomori”, which describes reclusive adolescents or adults that, “…withdraw from social life…seeking extreme degrees of isolation and confinement (Hikikomori).” It is a phenomenon in Japan. 

In relations to hiding one’s feelings you have the term “Yes Man”, which is used to describe Japanese persons; regardless of how they may feel about a certain situation or event, they would say, "Yes," to it. For example, when A and B (Japanese) have a discussion and B's opinion differs A, to avoid conflict A would not voice their opinion on the matter.This is mostly concerning Japanese corporate culture. (Sugimoto).

I could give a few more examples, but space is limited.

Machiko Kusahara comments that Japan’s view of robots/ humanoids, is as a friend. When created in Japan, they are usually created with a friendly face. In contrast, to the West, the view of robots is seen as something scary and unwanted. (Vesna).

Why?

I think this derives from the psychological issues of living in a society where technology takes precedence over human relations (There is definitely a connection concerning economic and educational factors.). That is why there is strong desire to create a humanoid, a mechanical human being. Someone who could there for someone when actual humans could not. This does not only in involve physical robots, but also virtual based beings. 

And I believe we see this through various games from Japan; for instance, virtual reality games. A popular type is the Otome, meaning, "Girl game," because it is created for girls. It is basically story games where one gets to interact with computer characters. (Otome). 

You also have multiple manga and anime series that involve the joining of human and machine; for example the anime series, Gundam, where humans fuse with their machine to save the world and for other purposes.

So in the end, what I am trying to say is that I believe Japan’s interest in creating the humanoid is due to isolation factors that are prominent in Japanese society; using the creation of a mechanical/virtual being to fill the void of human interaction.

On another end note, I wish to say that through anime and manga as well as the contemporary creations and interpretations of humanoids or the mechanical man, I feel that Japan is a mirror to how the future will be in regards to harmoniously living aside mechanical/virtual beings (a human and technological combination) as well as a future where human interaction will slowly decrease due to environmental issues and technological advances.

Virtual Games: http://virtualworldsforteens.com/review_category/flirting-games/

Works Cited

/hikki/ - Hikikomori. Digital image. /hikki/ - Hikikomori. Anonymous Discussion Board for Reclusive People, 1 May 2014. Web. 20 Apr. 2015.

Good Night, Tokyo! Digital image. Good Night, Tokyo! Good Night, Tokyo!, 20 Jan. 2013. Web. 20 Apr.

                2015.

"Hikikomori." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 20 Apr. 2015.

"Otaku." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 20 Apr. 2015.

"Otome Game." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 20 Apr. 2015.

"Otome Games and Flirting Games - Virtual Worlds for Teens." Virtual Worlds for Teens RSS. Virtual

                Worlds for Teens, n.d. Web. 20 Apr. 2015.

RGX-D3 D Gundam "Third" Digital image. The Gundam Wiki. Wikia, n.d. Web. 20 Apr. 2015.

Sugimoto, Yoshio. An Introduction to Japanese Society. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 1997. Print.

Vesna, Victoria, and Kusahara Machiko. "Robotics MachikoKusahara 1." YouTube. YouTube, 14 Apr.

                2014. Web. 20 Apr. 2015.