Ironic

[Vengeful Ronin]

Japan is one of the most technologically advanced countries in the world. What I find ironic is that we decimated Japan in WW2, so we helped rebuild them. We were one of the most advanced countries back then, but we turned into lazy fat slobs and Japan didn't. They kept going with the stuff we gave them, and now they're doing better than us. Very ironic.

[TimF]

Very true kudos Japan!

[Vengeful Ronin]

Yes, many kudos to japan for not becoming fat lazy slobs like Americans and surpassing us! Serves America right.

[Mandylion]

I'm a bit confused, what do you mean by surpassing? Surpassing the US economically? Politically? Scientifically? Of just by remaining skinny?

[kirei_na_me]

I'm a bit confused, what do you mean by surpassing? Surpassing the US economically? Politically? Scientifically? Of just by remaining skinny?

:D

Sorry, I just thought that was funny.

But anyway, I would say that generally, I agree, but I think there is much more depth to this subject.

[Uncle Frank]

the grass is always greener over there(Japan) , until you start eating it!!

Frank

:okashii:

[Vengeful Ronin]

But they don't eat grass...they eat seaweed! :ramen: And Mandylion, by surpassed I mean technology-wise. 'Course, they surpass us in lifespans too cuz they're so frikkin healthy. They got 80 year old dudes on the annual hike up Mt. Fuji for gosh sake's!

[Arch]

Like the UK, 150 yrs ago we were owned practicaly the world. We won all the wars, 1 and 2 , look at us now ! Japan and Germany have a stronger economy, well thats just bad management from the Brit goverment !

[Vengeful Ronin]

yes! Bad management!
*slaps Britain management*
U.S. has bad management too!
*slaps U.S. management*

[Mandylion]

by surpassed I mean technology-wise.

Hmmm, I don't know. I think it is about an even draw at this point. I think I can see where you are coming from, but there are some other things to consider.

Sure, Japan has fancy little cellophones with cameras, some robots thrown in here and there and a few computer ideas tossed around. The Shinkansen are dang cool and the eco-friendly cars are a big plus. Yes, there are more, I'm just trying to be brief.

But then again, the Japanese computer industry and software industry is dead (not talking about games here). Where is Japan's answer to Microsoft? What about ADM and Pentium? What about a Japanese OS? Why are all those digital cameras using German optics as sales points?

There is still a huge brain drain going on in Japan when it comes to the sciences and medicine, because US schools and labs are better funded, better stocked, and on the cutting edge of research in their fields. The Japanese pharmacuticals industry has based itself around health drinks for Pete's sake.

Yes Japan has the US beat in some areas of technology, but it is severly lacking in others. Cellphones, video games, robots, toilet seats that wash you are "sexy" bits of technology and they draw a much larger audience. But the US is way, way ahead in the experimental technology and many advanced practical sciences (like the medical industry - any Japanese doctor who wants to be considered up-and-coming will have been to the US to work/study for a number of years) Thats why IMHO, the technological front is a draw.

[Lina Inverse]

any Japanese doctor who wants to be considered up-and-coming will have been to the US
I disagree. The Japanese regard Germany as leading country in the field of medicine, so any doctor who wants the best possible education would go to Germany. (The US healthcare system really isn't all that great.)
You can see this even in the anime "Sailor Moon". One of the girls (Mizuno Ami) wants to become a doctor, so in order to get the best possible education she wants to go to Germany. (Later at the airport she reconsiders and decides to stay with the other girls for now and go later.)

[Mandylion]

Thank you for the info Lina. I was going off personal experience, and Germany had never cropped up when I spoke with doctors about their training / heard through others. I think what they were getting at was the modern facilities in the US and the openness of the system allowing for them to do research and kind of set their own pace. I agree that the US health care system is not great, but the impression I got was that they were not going to study administration, but medicine.

I'll keep your points in mind.

[squallleonheart]

Germany had went to war with us(the world) back then and they were the most technological country.... it still wouldn't suprise me if they or japan becomes the next to discover something to change the world...

[Vengeful Ronin]

*nods*
Germany advanced too. And good points Mandylion....but still.

[evasuka]

well I agree, during the first half of the war, japan was kicking our asses, and built the one of the largest empires ever exist (even though it fell), and they're so much smaller with limited resouces.
germany has been turn about by many wars and made a come back for the next everytime, of course there good
today, america is (figuratively, as I see it) a fat lazy guy in front of the TV with a beer in one hand and a shot gun in the other

[Vengeful Ronin]

Wow, so you're saying America is a redneck? :D I think ya left some stuff outta the picture though. Beer in one hand, remote in the other, shotgun lying next to it, bucket of popcorn in its lap. And yes, it's fat.
I dunno how things are gonna turn out with Japan's defense force, if it will be allowed to become a military again or not. I highly doubt if it did that America would have anything to worry about. Actually I don't think anyone would have to worry, I don't think japan would try to take over world again.

[TimF]

I hate to disapoint your sterotypes on americans but not all of us are like that i used to live in a community that was nothing but people like that and then i moved to NY and i discoverd that NY is really as they say "The melting pot of the world." There are so many diffrent types of people her to sterotype all of them beacuse of the "white trash" image that the media has potrayed would just be wrong i mean people really ought to think before that do this no just to the US but to any country beacuse that country has some of your fellow countrymen/women i can garentee it and america is no different.

[Vengeful Ronin]

true, true. that was a stereotype, but I still prefer Japan.