Comments on: Discrimination against Otaku http://www.ejovi.net/2007/05/07/discrimination-against-otaku/ Mon, 08 Sep 2008 04:28:31 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Chris_B http://www.ejovi.net/2007/05/07/discrimination-against-otaku/#comment-78784 Chris_B Sun, 13 May 2007 05:51:36 +0000 http://www.ejovi.net/2007/05/07/discrimination-against-otaku/#comment-78784 Its true that the englishized word "otaku" (as popularized by an early issue of Wired magazine) and the original オタク are very different, (much like "ボナス" and "bonus" but thats another story). In general I've noticed that there is a kind of cultural prejudice here against anyone who is "too interested" in something to the point where they are called マニアク. I've learned to keep my personal interests private from people who I dont know very well since I tend to get very interested in things to the point of knowing a fair amount of history, etc about whatever it is. What I want to know is what makes someone referred to as オタク instead of 先生 since the latter is a respectful way to refer to someone who is very knowledgeable besides just meaning "teacher" or "doctor". Could it be just a matter of how the person deals with other people? オタク are known for their poor human relations skills or the complete lack of wanting to deal with other humans. Since 人間関係 is so generally important here, perhaps thats the deciding factor. Its true that the englishized word “otaku” (as popularized by an early issue of Wired magazine) and the original オタク are very different, (much like “ボナス” and “bonus” but thats another story).

In general I’ve noticed that there is a kind of cultural prejudice here against anyone who is “too interested” in something to the point where they are called マニアク. I’ve learned to keep my personal interests private from people who I dont know very well since I tend to get very interested in things to the point of knowing a fair amount of history, etc about whatever it is.

What I want to know is what makes someone referred to as オタク instead of 先生 since the latter is a respectful way to refer to someone who is very knowledgeable besides just meaning “teacher” or “doctor”. Could it be just a matter of how the person deals with other people? オタク are known for their poor human relations skills or the complete lack of wanting to deal with other humans. Since 人間関係 is so generally important here, perhaps thats the deciding factor.

]]> By: ryoko http://www.ejovi.net/2007/05/07/discrimination-against-otaku/#comment-77789 ryoko Tue, 08 May 2007 15:57:11 +0000 http://www.ejovi.net/2007/05/07/discrimination-against-otaku/#comment-77789 I didn't know anything about Otaku. I didn't know there were such a discrimination even though I've been lived in Tokyo more than five years. I think Wakasa represents a typical Japnese very well, and Murakami seems to be very honest person to me. I don't know if his opinion is right though. Anyway, it's very intresting article. I didn’t know anything about Otaku. I didn’t know there were such a discrimination even though I’ve been lived in Tokyo more than five years. I think Wakasa represents a typical Japnese very well, and Murakami seems to be very honest person to me. I don’t know if his opinion is right though. Anyway, it’s very intresting article.

]]>