Perspectives

If the opposite of “the opposite of every truth is also true” is true, where does that leave you?

Believing in empty thoughts.

Great presentation, great visuals (as always.) But, I find his set-up weakened by an exaggeration. I’ve lived in Japan for 12 years with my Japanese wife and neither she nor anyone we know would refer to the system of “naming” blocks as “easy” or “obvious.” On the contrary, people regularly sigh at how complicated and confusing the system is, especially taxi drivers, or anyone else, entering unfamiliar neighborhoods. Last week our cable guy (yep, some things are universal!) had to call us while wandering our neighborhood trying to figure out where our house is (number 10 on block number 557, which is neither adjacent to nor across from blocks 556, or 558.) Nor would any Japanese ever ask someone in the US what a particular block is named: It is common knowledge that much of the world names streets and numbers houses based on their location relevant to each other, not on when they were built.

I think Max correctly points out that, in this case at least, we are hearing mere platitudes about what is “true.” Eric’s description of the Japanese address system as “abysmal” is confirmed by every Japanese I’ve ever spoken to on the subject. To answer your question, Alex, directions in Japan are not given so much as shown. Nowadays it is common to email someone a map of your location, or to have one that can easily be printed out from your website. Until quite recently fax machines remained a necessary appliance for any business and for most households, so that people in the latter could receive directions, i.e. maps, from people in the former. As Eric notes, it usually comes down to referencing an obvious landmark (which, given their ubiquity, often is a 7-11!) Anyway, I share Eric’s and Patrik’s opinion that, on this issue, our system simply is better. (Of course, I am assuming the inherent aim of the system is to facilitate finding addresses. I suppose the Japanese system has the advantage of making it difficult for civilians to navigate their own towns, while the police do so easily as they are trained to memorize the layout of their own jurisdictions.)

Yes, that’s cool. The device is amazing! Waiting for your next one!

In the larger cities of Japan train stations are often used as the reference point from which directions are given. Neighborhood policemen, stationed in tiny offices at prominent intersections, often spend the bulk of their time helping passersby find their way to their destination. GPS, like fax machines before them, have been a godsend to the Japanese.

That’s a good idea,like it!!

Nice post.. Thanks for sharing it!

Wow! Some amazing effects. Definitely some great ideas here. Thanks for sharing!