2025年01月08日
How Streaming Services Have Revolutionized Entertainment
Streaming services have drastically changed how we enjoy entertainment in the modern age compared to the media options of our ancestors. In the past, we were limited to watching whatever was on television at the time or whatever we could find at our local Blockbuster or Movie Gallery but now we have access to a vast library of movies and TV shows on demand (Lotz, 2017). Blockbuster and Movie Gallery are kind of like GEO, except they didn't have manga or comic books. Now, thanks to such services as Netflix, Hulu, Disney+ and Amazon Prime, we have a huge selection of movies and TV shows to watch whenever we want. This is super convenient, but it also has some important consequences for the entertainment world - there are concerns related to the entertainment industry as a whole due to the changes of this new phase of our media consumption.
One concern is that streaming services are contributing to the decline of traditional television and films. Just as the radio was killed by television, television is dying as more people "cut the cord" and switch to streaming services. Television networks are losing viewers and advertising revenue in record numbers, but they're not alone as some giants such as Netflix lose portions of their userbase as prices hike upwards (Cohen, 2022). This could lead to a decline in the quality of television programming, as networks may have less funding for production - there is already some concern that some public networks such as PBS (The Public Broadcasting Station) are going to have their funding cut with the advent of such people as Elon Musk meddling in the American government.
Another concern is that streaming services are controlled by a small number of large corporations (e.g., Netflix, Amazon, Disney) and this monopoly, as with all monopolies pose a myriad of issues (Wayne, 2021). This concentration of power could lead to a lack of diversity in the content that is available to viewers and these corporations could use their influence to shape public opinion and suppress dissent (Havens & Lotz, 2012).
Despite these concerns, streaming services have also had some positive effects on the entertainment industry. For example, they have made it easier for independent filmmakers to get their work seen by a wider audience (Lobato, 2019). Additionally, streaming services have produced some high-quality original programming that would not have been possible without their support such as 'Stranger Things' on Netflix or 'The Handmaid's Tale' on Hulu. As streaming services continue to evolve, it is important to be ever mindful of both the positive and negative implications of this technology. By understanding the potential impacts of streaming services, we can make informed decisions about how we use them and what the future of our entertainment industry may look like as these platforms and services continue to change.
Here's some key terms/vocabulary from my ranting, with extremely simplified definitions:
Vocabulary:
Streaming service: A platform that provides video and audio content over the internet. (e.g., Netflix, Hulu, Spotify)
Revolutionized: Changed something fundamentally.
Consume/Consumption: To use, eat or experience something.
On demand: Available whenever the user wants it.
Implication: A possible consequence, meaning or effect.
Decline: A decrease in quality or quantity.
"Cut the cord": To cancel a cable or satellite TV subscription.
Advertising revenue: Money earned from showing advertisements.
Monopoly: When one company or group controls most of a market.
Diversity: A range of different important meanings, but variety is the use here.
Suppress: To prevent something from being seen or expressed.
Dissent: Disagreement with a common opinion.
Independent filmmaker: A filmmaker who is not affiliated with a major studio.
Original programming: TV shows or movies made specifically for a streaming service.
Evolve: To change and develop gradually.
Mindful: Aware and conscious of something.
Here are sources and references used in the text I constructed, otherwise known as citations:
Cohen, J. (2022, April 21). Netflix is losing subscribers for the first time in a decade. Consumer Federation of America. https://www.cfpublic.org/2022-04-21/netflix-is-losing-subscribers-for-the-first-time-in-a-decade
Havens, T., & Lotz, A. D. (2012). Netflix nations: The geography of digital distribution. Rutgers University Press.
Lobato, R. (2019). Netflix nations: The geography of digital distribution. New York University Press.
Lotz, A. D. (2017). Portals: A treatise on internet-distributed television. Michigan Publishing.
2024年05月28日
CoCo Ichibanya: A Burning HOT Love Letter to Japanese Curry
Apparently, this curry haven has captured the hearts (and stomachs) of locals and tourists alike, serving up customizable bowls of deliciousness since 1978. The concept was simple yet brilliant: give customers the power to choose their own curry adventure. I think what sets CoCo Ichi apart is its unparalleled customization.
Recently, our adventure has led us to the steps of the Kanonji CoCo Curry House and it delivered an amazing experience, defying expectations of spiciness. If you've had spicy food in Japan before, you know it's usually pretty mild and tame compared to what you might be used to from elsewhere. With that in mind, when you buy curry at the CoCo Curry haven, you can first order your curry on a level of spiciness of one through ten - if you've survived ten you can then go up to fifteen and then twenty, if you dare.
When you go to get your curry, you start by choosing your preferred curry sauce, ranging from mild, regular, hot, extra hot or... EXTRA, EXTRA HOT as I mentioned. Then, you select your main topping (anything from pork cutlet to fried shrimp to vegetables) and you can even customize the portion size of your rice. I had these delicious crab croquettes and eggs with my curry - I want more as I type this post, but it will have to wait until next time. CoCo Ichi offers a vast array of additional toppings, ranging from cheese and eggs to pickled vegetables and corn. They also generously provided a pitcher of ice water, which we emptied due to the spiciness we chose of our curry.
Whether you're a seasoned curry enthusiast or a curious newcomer, CoCo Ichi has a bowl waiting just for you. It was a delicious, unforgettable experience with many menu options to explore. Lets grab some delicious curry together sometime!
2024年04月17日
Cherry Blossoms: A Fleeting Enchantment
Cherry blossoms, or sakura as they're known in Japan, hold a special place in my heart. Their beauty goes beyond just the visual. It's a sensory experience that awakens the soul! From pictures and merchandise you can never dream of just how visceral and beautiful the experience of cherry blossoms are when you're up close and personal with them.
My first encounter with them was unforgettable. I got to enjoy the experience with another teacher who invited us out to a place they knew to be good and I am in their debt. When you come up on cherry blossoms, the air is filled with a subtle, sweet fragrance, with notes of springtime magic. The blossoms themselves are a marvel, of course. Their colors are breathtaking - a spectrum of pinks that ranges from the palest blush to a vibrant magenta - and sometimes there's a hint of yellow in there for an extra pop, as our noble leader and trusted head teacher pointed out to me.
Sharing a picnic under a cherry blossom tree, a tradition known as Hanami in Japan, is a wonderful way to experience their transcendent magic and I marveled at all the people who enjoyed this practice. If you ever have the chance to witness cherry blossoms in bloom, don't hesitate. If you get to enjoy the beauty of these blooms, picnicking with friends or family it's an even more intense and memorable experience. No matter how you enjoy it, it's an experience that will stay with you forever.
My first encounter with them was unforgettable. I got to enjoy the experience with another teacher who invited us out to a place they knew to be good and I am in their debt. When you come up on cherry blossoms, the air is filled with a subtle, sweet fragrance, with notes of springtime magic. The blossoms themselves are a marvel, of course. Their colors are breathtaking - a spectrum of pinks that ranges from the palest blush to a vibrant magenta - and sometimes there's a hint of yellow in there for an extra pop, as our noble leader and trusted head teacher pointed out to me.
Sharing a picnic under a cherry blossom tree, a tradition known as Hanami in Japan, is a wonderful way to experience their transcendent magic and I marveled at all the people who enjoyed this practice. If you ever have the chance to witness cherry blossoms in bloom, don't hesitate. If you get to enjoy the beauty of these blooms, picnicking with friends or family it's an even more intense and memorable experience. No matter how you enjoy it, it's an experience that will stay with you forever.
2024年04月10日
Mutual Aid and Supporting Our Community
Hello! I am Tony Parkerson - I’m proud to finally be creating a blog post. I have been very sick until recently but I'm back at it and ready to go. Thank you in advance for your time while I take you on a journey with my words. Today I will be discussing many things such as group unity.
For years, I've yearned to experience Japan, drawn in part by its unique cultural emphasis on collectivism. This stands in stark contrast to my American background that feels at times excessively individualistic, prioritizing personal gain over the group. In my experience, more people suffer from the pursuit of self-interest compared to when groups sacrifice in their work to help each other. While both philosophies offer advantages and disadvantages, I find the potential of collectivism intriguing. Let's briefly explore this difference through the lens of social harmony and group success versus personal achievement, independence, and self-reliance.
Japanese collectivism resonates with my desire for a society that prioritizes cooperation. Consider the concept of "Mutual Aid," explored by philosophers, where cooperation and support are seen as natural human tendencies. To me, this aligns with the Japanese principle of "wa" (和) and the traditional idea of American community. Though expressed differently, mutual aid is a form of voluntary organization where all people have their common needs met through cooperation. While I could delve deeper into this subject, it deserves its own dedicated blog post.
The American Dream is an idea I grew up with, familiar to my parents and grandparents as well. It's the belief that any individual can work hard to achieve prosperity and success. This idea thrives alongside the concept of meritocracy, which claims advancement in society is achieved through performance, credentials, or achievement. I grew up believing that through my own hard work, determination, and general mindset, my success was assured. However, after taking some history classes in college, I learned that my beloved meritocracy was more of a mythology. No person creates success on their own; rather, we all stand on the shoulders of giants and owe our own achievement to the merit of others before us in addition to our hard work.
I believe historically, humanity's greatest achievements arose from collaboration. This aligns with my fundamental belief that people thrive when we cooperate and support each other. The American concept of democracy, while sometimes flawed, resonates with the idea of collective decision-making and cooperation. Although American democracy is representative rather than direct, the underlying principle of people coming together for the common good also aligns with the Japanese emphasis on group consensus. While I understand Japan has a multiparty parliamentary democracy, I still have much to learn about the Japanese government.
My personal tendency is towards cooperation and mutual support, even though I can be rather introverted in my personal life. While fostering a sense of shared identity and intertwined destiny may sound idealistic, I believe it's a worthwhile goal. Perhaps by learning from each other, Japan and America can find a healthy balance between individual aspirations and collective well-being. I hope to learn more about many things during my time here in Japan, and it's also my goal to share my experiences in America. Despite the exchange of media between our cultures, I believe there's still much we can learn from each other.
For years, I've yearned to experience Japan, drawn in part by its unique cultural emphasis on collectivism. This stands in stark contrast to my American background that feels at times excessively individualistic, prioritizing personal gain over the group. In my experience, more people suffer from the pursuit of self-interest compared to when groups sacrifice in their work to help each other. While both philosophies offer advantages and disadvantages, I find the potential of collectivism intriguing. Let's briefly explore this difference through the lens of social harmony and group success versus personal achievement, independence, and self-reliance.
Japanese collectivism resonates with my desire for a society that prioritizes cooperation. Consider the concept of "Mutual Aid," explored by philosophers, where cooperation and support are seen as natural human tendencies. To me, this aligns with the Japanese principle of "wa" (和) and the traditional idea of American community. Though expressed differently, mutual aid is a form of voluntary organization where all people have their common needs met through cooperation. While I could delve deeper into this subject, it deserves its own dedicated blog post.
The American Dream is an idea I grew up with, familiar to my parents and grandparents as well. It's the belief that any individual can work hard to achieve prosperity and success. This idea thrives alongside the concept of meritocracy, which claims advancement in society is achieved through performance, credentials, or achievement. I grew up believing that through my own hard work, determination, and general mindset, my success was assured. However, after taking some history classes in college, I learned that my beloved meritocracy was more of a mythology. No person creates success on their own; rather, we all stand on the shoulders of giants and owe our own achievement to the merit of others before us in addition to our hard work.
I believe historically, humanity's greatest achievements arose from collaboration. This aligns with my fundamental belief that people thrive when we cooperate and support each other. The American concept of democracy, while sometimes flawed, resonates with the idea of collective decision-making and cooperation. Although American democracy is representative rather than direct, the underlying principle of people coming together for the common good also aligns with the Japanese emphasis on group consensus. While I understand Japan has a multiparty parliamentary democracy, I still have much to learn about the Japanese government.
My personal tendency is towards cooperation and mutual support, even though I can be rather introverted in my personal life. While fostering a sense of shared identity and intertwined destiny may sound idealistic, I believe it's a worthwhile goal. Perhaps by learning from each other, Japan and America can find a healthy balance between individual aspirations and collective well-being. I hope to learn more about many things during my time here in Japan, and it's also my goal to share my experiences in America. Despite the exchange of media between our cultures, I believe there's still much we can learn from each other.
タグ ：collectivismdemocracyjapanamericacooperationcultureindividualismmeritocracymutual aidamerican dream
