Turning Japanese

To start off this entry, here's my all-time favorite Japanese video.

I posted it it because of all the topics we discussed that day, the topic about Japanese creativity is the one that was most interesting.

 We started with several psychologists and researchers and their findings regarding how creativity starts. A number say that it comes from the genes or that genes have an effect on the talent and the creativity level of a person. For example, in my mother's side of the family, my uncle and aunt are both certified public accountants. They got married and had 5 kids, all of them are girls. Of course, it's a given that they will be really smart, which they are. Three or four of those cousins became our tutors in Math, Physics, Music, Economics, Chemistry and anything involving numbers (our means the de la Costa siblings :( ). Those cousins are part of the Cherubim and Seraphim chorale, the two eldest are products of UP, the next is still studying in UP and the next two will most probably join them in UP. Since forever, we're wondering what happened to that smart gene in our family. HA HA HA. We just laugh about it but at least my youngest brother, who is now in Grade 5, is really stepping up. He's doing what neither of us could do in our gradeschool days. Also, we can proudly say that what we lack in the academic field, we compensate in the sports and other areas. Everyone in the family has at least one sport he or she is really good at and that we are not bad singers. I believe that that part was not really developed as compared to the training that my cousins had. Going back, my example clearly show how genes play an important role in the development of creativity but how can that explain the random talents and capabilities that people have? Where will that come from if it's not genetic? Some researchers say that everyone has that creative potential that when tapped rightly, can be something better. Others say that expertise and experience have an important role in the development of creativity.

 We started with the Japanese topic with what comes to mind whenever Japan enters the topic. First thing I thought of was Kitkat and its green tea, wasabi, cherry blossoms flavors. Those are weird flavors but they are absolutely super good compared to the usual chocolate, white chocolate. We moved on with the comparison of Western and Japanese creativity. What was striking in the comparison was how the Japanese gave importance to teamwork and collaboration compared to the westerners' individualistic ways. It is so nice to see that their culture and traditions are seen in their work ethics. The Japanese are more patient and organized in the way they produce new works. They recycle old topics, products and patiently develop and produce newer versions of these. They also combine 2 really different things and make something innovative out of it. Like the Sushi conveyor belt.

This screen shot of a video from youtube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckzWAqtVdl0), shows Japanese creativity. They successfully combined a gameshow and a video game to produce somehting new for the public. I admire them because they take risks. Some successful and some are not, like the shoe umbrella. I really like how patient and how game they are with things. If something is given to them, they'll do it  and that because of that patience and confidence, they are able to contribute more to the world. 

But personally, I believe that everyone is creative. Everyone can sing. Everyone can dance. Everyone can act. Everyone can draw. It is how the family and the environment approach and hone this said talent. So I can sing. No one can say I cannot. :)