Another really great video from Crowhouse. It is full of information and he includes a lot of great links. Watching this video I was really impressed to reiterate some things and share some new ones. So, there is a lot of information here. ALL VERY INTRICATELY RELATED TO WHAT IS CURRENTLY HAPPENING TO US AND WHAT IS ABOUT TO OCCUR.
DISCLAIMER: In my posts I normally collect a number of written articles and videos related to the topic. I hightlight in red or black the parts of the articles that I think are important to note and try to leave it to the reader to come to their own conclusions. The object is to bring the facts/truths to your attention and cause you to look further into them yourself. Why? Because that is the only way to make the subject real to you. When you view the available information, search it our on your own, hopefully guided by the Holy Spirit, YOUR CONCLUSION is exactly that YOURS. It means something to you. It may be similar to mine or it may be completely different. We are all on our own course and in different places with our spiritual development. I pray that GOD speaks to you in a way that touches you. IF you see notes in green, those are my comments. Anything else, you find the source links on the titles, and the author and date will be below the titles. Just because I post an article or video in my articles, it does not mean that I agree with the author or support their stand. It does mean that I felt there was worthwhile information to be gleaned.
“The illusion of freedom will continue for as long as it’s profitable to continue the illusion. At the point where the illusion becomes too expensive to maintain, they will take down the scenery, move the tables and chairs out of the way, then they will pull back the curtains and you will see the brick wall at the back of the theater.” – Frank Zappa
“So long as the people do not care to exercise their freedom, those who wish to tyrannize will do so; for tyrants are active and ardent, and will devote themselves in the name of any number of gods, religious and otherwise, to put shackles upon sleeping men.” – Voltaire
“A single person who stops lying can bring down a tyranny” Alexandr Solzhenitsyn
THROW AWAY YOUR SMART PHONE!!!
PLEASE REST ASSURED THAT THEY HAVE NO INTENTIONS OF EVER REVERSING ANY OF THESE RESTRICTIONS AND/OR REQUIREMENTS. Once you give these madmen an inch… they will NEVER relinquish it. ALL the rights you are voluntarily giving up thinking these are only temporary measures due to the Plandemic, you will never see again. Our collective past is certainly jam packed with examples of rights we have surrendered in just the same manner.
Noh theater, or Nohgaku (能楽), is one of the world’s most ancient stage traditions still being actively performed today. Known for its use of elaborate masks known as nohmen, Noh performances weave together supernatural elements and Buddhist philosophies along with music and dance. ➡ Subscribe: http://bit.ly/NatGeoSubscribe ➡ Get More Short Film Showcase: http://bit.ly/ShortFilmShowcase#NationalGeographic#ShortFilmShowcase#Japan About Short Film Showcase: The Short Film Showcase spotlights exceptional short videos created by filmmakers from around the web and selected by National Geographic editors. We look for work that affirms National Geographic’s belief in the power of science, exploration, and storytelling to change the world. The filmmakers created the content presented, and the opinions expressed are their own, not those of National Geographic Partners. See more from National Geographic’s Short Film Showcase at http://documentary.com Get More National Geographic: Official Site: http://bit.ly/NatGeoOfficialSite Facebook: http://bit.ly/FBNatGeo Twitter: http://bit.ly/NatGeoTwitter Instagram: http://bit.ly/NatGeoInsta Master performer Michishige Udaka has been a practitioner of Noh for more than 60 years. Although the traditional art form has declined in Japan, Udaka carries on the tradition by carving his own masks—the only person who still does so today. In The Spirit of Noh by filmmaker Edwin Lee, join Udaka as he prepares for his next performance and reflects on the future of his art form in modern-day Japan. This short film is produced with the support of Japan Curator, a bespoke travel company that promotes the revitalization of traditional cultures and craftsmanship in Japan. https://www.japancurator.com/revitali…
Japanese noh theatre has over 650 years of continuous performance history, making it the oldest theatre form with this status in the world. Noh is the embodiment of seven centuries of Japanese culture and society, embedded it its history, art, music, dance, storytelling, and social values. Each of its components, from ancient texts to contemporary performers, represents generations of development and refinement. Artisans and musicians bring the weight of their traditions to performances today that contain spectacular theatricality. If the statement “what’s old is new” holds true in any way, then noh is one of the newest things on stage today. One of the most distinctive aspects of noh are the masks that performers wear. In many ways, the masks are what give noh its unique, mysterious feel. This documentary takes you deep into the world of noh masks: from the trees they are made from, through their carving and painting; from their selection prior to a performance, to their handling after a performance; and from the hands of collectors to the newest creations, all while revealing the tremendous variety of masks and characters of noh. This film serves as a great introduction into noh with its overview of noh history and form, its performance footage, and its insightful backstage footage.
Masks have been an integral part of Japanese culture for centuries, dating back to at least the 6th century. Originally used in religious ceremonies and rituals for protection from evil spirits, masks have evolved to serve diverse purposes in modern times. They are prominently featured in traditional Japanese theater, festivals, and have even become fashionable accessories. Exploring the fascinating history, types, and significance of traditional Japanese masks unveils a captivating world of artistry and cultural heritage.
The Oni Mask: Representing the Eternal Battle Between Good and Evil
The most iconic Japanese mask is the Oni mask, representing demon-like creatures from folklore. With fierce expressions featuring sharp fangs and horns, Oni masks symbolize power, protection, and strength. Used in ceremonies and festivals like Setsubun to ward off evil, Oni masks come in different types such as Hannya (jealous female demon), Kabuki (mythical creatures/animals), and Noh (human faces). As a popular tattoo design, the Oni mask embodies the balance of good and evil and serves as a symbol of protection.
A pair of Namahage Oni masks
The Enigmatic Kitsune Mask: Messengers of the Gods
Kitsune masks depict foxes believed to possess magical powers and intelligence. Used in traditional Noh and Kyogen theater to represent cunning fox spirits, kitsune are associated with Inari, the deity of rice and agriculture. The masks portray various expressions of playfulness, cunning, or malevolence. As a popular modern symbol of prosperity, fortune, and protection, kitsune mask tattoos represent untamed personality aspects and mischievousness.
Kitsune fox masks on display, Otatsu Inari Shrine, Kyoto
Samurai Masks: Symbols of Honor, Loyalty and Courage
Intricate masks worn by samurai warriors, known as mempo or menpo, evolved from simple face coverings to elaborate works of art. Made from iron, leather, or lacquered metal with fierce expressions, samurai masks represented the warrior’s courage, anonymity, and devotion to the bushido code. They were an artistic expression of the wearer’s status and identity. Today, samurai masks are a symbol of Japan’s warrior heritage and virtues, with tattoos embodying strength, readiness to face challenges, and the duality of human nature.
Unraveling the Rich Tapestry of Japanese Mask Traditions
Deeply rooted in Japanese history, folklore, theater, and spirituality, masks carry profound cultural significance and symbolism. Each mask’s captivating design and craftsmanship showcase Japanese artistry while embodying universal human experiences and archetypes. The enduring popularity of traditional Japanese masks reflects their timeless allure and relevance, offering a fascinating glimpse into the nation’s rich cultural tapestry.
From the Oni and Kitsune to Samurai and beyond, exploring the world of Japanese masks is an enchanting journey through history, art, and the very essence of Japanese culture. These masks continue to captivate people worldwide, serving as powerful symbols of protection, expression, and the human experience.
Delve deeper into the fascinating realm of Japanese masks by visiting museums, attending festivals, or exploring the vibrant streets of Kyoto and other cultural hubs. Immerse yourself in the timeless traditions and uncover the stories behind these awe-inspiring works of art. Let the mystique and allure of Japanese masks transport you to a world where history, spirituality, and artistry intertwine, leaving an indelible mark on your cultural journey.
space
Covering Up To many Americans, the sight of a surgical mask conjures up unpleasant memories of their last trip to the dentist. So it’s no surprise that a New Yorker may be confused, or even alarmed, to encounter someone on the street or subway wearing a white mask over their nose and mouth. In Japan, however, this is a common sight. (They are implying that Americans don’t want to wear a mask because we are fearful/haunted by childhood memories or bad experiences. This is a lie. We have many good reasons NOT TO WEAR A MASK! More than they have reasons to force us to do so.)Many Japanese wear face masks to avoid catching a cold, or to guard themselves from airborne pollen that triggers hay fever. Some people also wear masks out of consideration for others, if they are already sick and want to avoid passing on their own germs. (sounds to me like the poor Japanese people have been oppressed into a state of fear.)Face coverings, like surgical masks, can provide the wearer some protection from inhaling or emitting infectious droplets. Especially when worn correctly, covering both the nose and mouth, and when combined with other precautions, such as proper hand-washing, face masks can be a good defense during cold and flu season. It is important, however, to remember to replace your mask frequently, especially after coughing or sneezing into it, since the humid environment could easily encourage germs.Just Good Manners The practice of wearing a surgical mask in public first became widespread in Japan in the early 20th century, when an influenza pandemic swept around the world, killing over 20 million people. The masks were brought out again during subsequent influenza outbreaks, as well as after natural disasters when the air was contaminated with dust and ash. Nowadays, slipping on a mask when you have a cold or the flu is simply seen as good manners, similar to covering your mouth with your hand when you cough. Masks have become popular not only in Japan, but in other East Asian countries like China and Korea as well. (Oppressive Governments)While early face masks were made of cotton, and were meant to be washed and reused, most masks in Japan today are disposable (WOW, that makes for a lot of pollution, especially in China with their massive population numbers. Where is the outcry from the Environmentalists?) and made of nonwoven material that can better defend against tiny particles. There are two main varieties – pleated masks that lay flat against the face, and three-dimensional masks that pop out from the face, meant to make talking and breathing slightly easier.Fashionable Faces
Photo courtesy of Noriko Furuhata
Lately, however, masks in Japan have transformed from merely a health precaution to a fashion accessory.(So the slaves have learned to love their oppression.)Masks can be found in an array of stylish colors and patterns aside from the clinical, classic white. Dots, flowers, and even cartoon characters’ features adorn many of the face masks sold today. Some Japanese women throw on a mask on the way to the grocery store if they haven’t had time to put on makeup. Other people choose to wear masks in the winter to keep their nose and mouth warm, rather than piling on scarves.
There may be another reason to put on a face mask, as well. Just as many New Yorkers can be found on the subway plugged into their headphones to block out the world, some Japanese teens say they wear masks to avoid interacting when out in public.
NOW THAT IS SAD!
spacer
This has been going on for so long now in Japan. I believe that Japan has been a test ground. Experimenting and performing Simulations on the Japanese people AI has been collecting vital data for predicting how humans react to their draconian measures.
When I first arrived in Japan, like many people, I thought that Japanese people wore face masks because they were afraid of germs. So I was pretty surprised to discover there are many other reasons, and that is not even the main one! Face masks are a hallmark of Japanese hygiene that never ceases to intrigue foreigners, almost as much as Japanese toilets!
Surgical face mask in JapanVarious reasons for wearing face masks
Surprisingly, most people are not wearing masks to protect themselves from getting sick at all.However, as you will find out, Japanese people do wear face masks to protect themselves from other things that can make them miserable during certain times of the year.
In Japan, people wear face masks mainly because of allergies
In Japan’s springtime, when flowers blossom with exploding beauty, more than 60 species of trees and other plants emit pollen at the same time, triggering an allergic reaction called kafunsho (花粉症). Many people claim that this hay fever epidemic began in 1994,but documents dating back to 1964 already mention these spring allergies(Weather Modification and chemtrailing was already in practice by then.)as being a major problem! Symptoms include non-stop sneezing and itchy eyes. A face mask protects the wearer from inhaling pollen through the nose. This is the primary reason why Japanese people wear masks, as a high percentage of them suffer from hay fever. (couldn’t they just take decongestants and antihistamines? Seems like a high price to pay just to avoid allergies.)
Face masks protect Japanese during periods of “yellow dust”
Similarly, there are periods when winds blowing into Japan from China and Mongolia’s Gobi Desert carry over “yellow dust” or “Asian dust”. These sandstorms also affect other countries situated east of China. The big problem with these winds are the contaminants that end up the infamous dust. In addition to viruses and bacteria, the storm carries debris from soot, pesticides, fungus, sulfur, carbon monoxide, microplastics, and even heavy metals such as mercury and lead.(Sounds like chemtrailing and pollution is the problem.)Even if this phenomenon occurs rarely,wearing a face mask will protect you from irritation of the throat and eyes. And if you already suffer from respiratory problems, consider wearing a face mask as a no-brainer! (Wow, what BS!)
Wearing a face mask in Japan, especially on public transportation, is very common.
Wearing face masks in Japan is also a question of esthetics
After doing a little survey of my Japanese friends, I was surprised to learn that some women choose to wear a large face mask, simply because they aren’t wearing makeup! So it’s a way to hide your face when you don’t have time to powder your nose.
A woman wearing a face mask in JapanPublic health advisory: wear a face mask to avoid contaminating others
When you sneeze in Japan, don’t expect anyone to say “bless you” or anything else. It’s considered rude to blow your nose in public, and it’s not uncommon to hear people sniffling loudly for hours. (How heartless, if there are so many people suffering with allergies and irritation of the nose and throat, sneezing, coughing and sniffling are hardly avoidable. You would think their fellow sufferers would be more sympathetic and kinder. But, that is what isolation does to people, dehumanizes them.)These cultural differences really remind me that I’m on the other side of the world!
On the other hand, I find it interesting that it’s customary to wear a face mask when you’re sick to avoid contaminating your colleagues, friends, or family. Often times, a person is wearing a mask not to protect themselves from germs or viruses, but to keep from spreading them if they feel a cold coming on.
It’s especially common to see people wearing face masks on public transportation.
There are also public health advisoriesrecommending that people gargle with water as soon as they get home, in order to kill any germs they might have inhaled outside before swallowing them. Take this medical advice with a grain of salt, but it certainly can’t hurt you if you want to try it yourself.
During the annual flu epidemic, I wore a face mask every time I went out into a public space and gargled as soon as I got back home. This discipline worked well for me. I recommend this technique for people living in other big cities. After all, millions of Japanese can’t be wrong. (Oh, I beg to differ. Millions of Japanese people are wrong! At least as far as I am concerned. I do not want to live their lifestyle.)
Japanese have been wearing masks long before the COVID-19 pandemic
Perhaps the Japanese were better prepared for the COVID-19 pandemic because of their experience with another dangerous global pandemic, the Spanish Flu of the early 20th century. About 400,000 people in Japan died from the Spanish Flu, and hundreds of thousands more in Japan-colonized Korea and Taiwan.
As people became more knowledgeable about how the flu spread, educational materials were produced urging people to wear masks. For those who couldn’t afford to buy masks, instructions were printed in newspapers on how to make them. When the SARS panic gripped Asia nearly 80 years later, Japanese people were already conditioned to wearing masks and not a single fatality from SARS was recorded in Japan. (Yep, it sure seems to me that these Asian Countries were subjected to these things on purpose. Experiments to gain data.)
“Not wearing a mask while dangerous germs are spreading is reckless.”
“Wear a mask in crowded places and don’t forget to gargle when returning home.”
Japanese governmental communication illustrations from the Spanish Flu pandemic, 1922. Source: National Institute of Public Health
Once again, wearing a face mask in Japan is a common occurrence. Japanese people wear face masks in public for a variety of reasons, mainly because of seasonal hay fever, but also for various personal reasons, and from their history dealing with other flu-related pandemics.
If wearing a face-covering in public spaces has more recently caught on in the rest of the world since the spread of COVID-19, in Japan, wearing a face mask has simply become more of a daily routine. (Is that what you want for your life? Really?)
Where to buy face masks in Japan
In Japan, you can buy face masks just about anywhere: pharmacies, supermarkets, convenience stores (7-Eleven, Lawson, Family Mart…) or even in bigger stores like Don Quijote. Basically, you should be able to find face masks in a range of styles just about anywhere. They’re sold in boxes of 5, 10, or more pieces. The price of a basic disposable face mask shouldn’t be much more than ¥80 per mask. (Unbelievable…throw away diapers, cutlery, dishes, wipes, soda cans, water bottles, milk cartons, and so many more and now throw away face masks for every human on the face of the earth! ARE YOU KIDDING??? Where is the Environmentalist Outcry??)
Reusable face masks: an esthetic and eco-friendly alternative
While the disposable surgical masks are most common in Japan, you can also find reusable, washable face masks made of fabric. The initial shortage of face masks at the beginning of the pandemic have made these all the more popular.
Many people have sewn handmade face masks for themselves and others, and several shops selling traditional fabric items have designed their own models of face masks made from fine Japanese fabrics, either handwoven or recycled, in cotton, linen or even silk, for around ¥500 to ¥1500. It’s a way to reconcile utility, esthetics, and support for small shops hit hard by the drop in tourism.
Large fashion clothing and accessory brands have also made their own face masks, such as Uniqlo, which added lightweight, breathable face masks to their AIRism summer collection on June 19, 2020. As Japan’s hot and humid summer began, they were immediate bestsellers. No doubt other brands will soon follow suit.
The people of Japan have become so insulated/isolated from human interaction that they are becoming TOTAL HERMITS. Unable to cope with human contact.
*First broadcast on April 14, 2022.
Since the outbreak of COVID-19, people all over the world have become accustomed to wearing masks. But in Japan, a custom of mask-wearing dates back hundreds of years. Today, innovations are addressing the communication problems that masks can cause. Our guest, science historian Sumida Tomohisa, offers his views on why Japanese feel so at ease wearing masks. And in Plus One, Lemi Duncan looks at ways to make masks more fashionable. WATCH THE VIDEO
Social isolation is often blamed on technology, but could it be part of the solution?
(This article is illustrated with a series of portraits by photographer Maika Elan.)
In today’s connected world it can feel difficult to disengage. An endless stream of emails, posts, tweets, likes, comments and pictures keeps us constantly plugged into modern life.
(BUT, that is not real life. It is a poor imitation. It is just another way of isolating us from each other… just like face masks. Technology dehumanizes us.)
But in Japan half a million people live as modern-day hermits. They are known as hikikomori – recluses who withdraw from all social contactand often don’t leave their houses for years at a time. A government survey found roughly 541,000 (1.57% of the population) but many experts believe the total is much higher as it can take years before they seek help.
The condition was initially thought to be unique to Japan, but in recent years cases have appeared across the world. In neighbouring South Korea, a 2005 analysis estimated there were 33,000 socially withdrawn adolescents (0.3% of the population) and in Hong Kong a 2014 survey pegged the figure at 1.9%. It’s not just in Asia, cases are appearing in the US, Spain, Italy, France and elsewhere.
Whether due to increased awareness or a growing problem remains unclear, but concern around social isolation is on the rise globally. Last January the UK appointed its first minister for lonelinessand recent Office of National Statistics data found nearly 10% of 16 to 24-year-olds reported feeling “always or often” lonely.
A controversial but common theme in hikikomori research is the isolating influence of modern technology. Any potential links are far from settled, but there’s concern Japan’s lost generation could be a canary in the coal mine for our increasingly disconnected societies.At the same time there’s hope technology could help bring people back from the brink.
Hikikomori often feel isolated due to the great expectations placed on them in education and the workplace (Credit: Maika Elan)
The term hikikomori, often used interchangeably for the condition and its sufferers, was coined by Japanese psychologist Tamaki Saitō in his 1998 bookSocial Withdrawal – Adolescence Without End. Today the most common criteria is a combination of physical isolation, social avoidance and psychological distress that lasts six months or longer.
The condition was originally considered “culture-bound” and there are reasons to think Japanese society is particularly vulnerable, says Takahiro Kato, an associate professor of psychiatry at Kyushu University in Fukuoka, who both studies and treats hikikomori.
“In Japanese there’s a very famous saying, ‘A protruding nail will be hammered down’,” says Kato. Only half-jokingly, the 6ft 2in doctor adds that’s why he walks around with a slight hunch so he’s not seen as arrogant. Rigid social norms, high expectations from parents and a culture of shamemake Japanese society a fertile breeding ground for feelings of inadequacy and a desire to keep one’s head below the parapet, Kato says.
After quitting his job in 2015, Tomoki, 29, tells me he was determined to get back into work and regularly visited the job centre. He also attended a religious group almost daily, but the group’s leader started publicly criticising his attitude and inability to get back into work. When he stopped attending the leader called him several times a week and the pressure, combined with that from his family, eventually caused him to withdraw completely. (The names of all hikikomori have been changed to protect their identity.)
“I blamed myself,” he said. “I didn’t want to see anyone, I didn’t want to go outside.”
School is a monoculture, everyone has to have the same opinion. If someone says something they’re out of the group– Ichika
This was caused by the education system and the group mentality they were pushing. The “we are all one” doctrine. That has been going on for quite a while now. They started punishing the whole class when someone misbehaved. This created a mob culture. The children were expected to discipline/or correct the problem. So they began to gang up on those who caused them problems or just did not go along/conform to the new society.
At Fukuoka city’s hikikomori support centre the Yokayoka Room – “take it easy” room in the local dialect – one by one the group describes the pressure they felt to conform. “School is a monoculture, everyone has to have the same opinion,” says one of the visitors, Haru, 34. “If someone says something they’re out of the group.”
Living up to the expectations of Japanese society has also got harder. Economic stagnation and globalisationis bringing Japan’s collectivist and hierarchical traditions into conflict with a more individualistic and competitive Western worldview, says Kato. And while British parents might give short shrift to a child refusing to leave their room, Japanese parents feel a strong obligation to support children no matter what and shame often prevents them from seeking help, says Kato.
But the increasing number of cases outside Japan is leading people to question the culture-bound nature of the condition. In a 2015 study, Kato and collaborators in the US, South Korea and India found cases matching the clinical criteria in all four countries.
In this portrait by Maika Elan, we see Ikuo Nakamura, 34, a hikikomori who had locked himself in his room for seven years (Credit: Maika Elan)
Lead author Alan Teo, an associate professor of psychiatry at Oregon Health and Science University in the US, says he is regularly contacted by Americans self-identifying with the condition.
“People have this underlying assumption it must be most common in Japan,” he says. “If you formally measured how common it is we might come up with some surprising information.”
Spanish psychiatrist Angeles Malagon-Amor, at Hospital del Mar in Barcelona, stumbled across the problem during a home treatment program in Barcelona. Malagon-Amor and colleagues frequently found patients with extended periods of social withdrawal, which led her to the literature on Japan’s hikikomori. Between 2008 and 2014 they came across 190 cases – the most recent data they hold – but that was before the program was expanded and she’s sure it’s the tip of the iceberg.
“At the time, we were two psychiatrists and two nurses for a population of more than one million,” she says. “I think there must be a lot more cases.”
Establishing a broader explanation is fraught with difficulties though.
Multiple studies have found that hikikomori typically have co-occurring psychiatric or developmental disorders, which can vary in type and severity. Triggers can also be diverse from work stress to dysfunctional family dynamics.“One of the reasons hikikomori is fascinating is that there’s not one explanation,” says Teo. “It’s a lot of factors coming together.”
One factor regularly discussed is the role of technology like the Internet, social media and videogames– already the source of contentious debate in mental health research. Many hikikomori I spoke to were prolific internet and videogame users and multiple studies have noted high levels of technology use, but it’s far from universal and the nature of the relationship is still unclear.
TaeYoung Choi, a psychiatrist and researcher at the Catholic University of Daegu who worked on the study, doesn’t think technology necessarily causes withdrawal, but he thinks it can support and deepen it. “Some people can get more isolated by using technology, which makes that isolation more rigid and more severe,” he says.
Internet addiction is sometimes blamed for the hikikomori’s isolation, but some experts hope that it could help their rehabilitation too (Credit: Maika Elan)
In a 2018 study of hikikomori cases In Barcelona, Malagon-Amor said they found only 30% exhibited internet addiction. But they found that group tended to be younger – the average age across all 190 cases was 39 but it was just 24 for those addicted to the internet.
“For what we’ve seen now, it’s not that big an issue,” she says. “But I think this is going to be much bigger in the next few years in those cases of social isolation in young people with Internet addiction.”
The effect of technology could also be more subtle, says Kato. Computer games have rewritten the nature of play, he says, with children spending ever more time in controlled virtual environments rather than the unpredictable real world. At the same time the internet, smartphones and social media have made indirect rather than face-to-face contact much more common.
“Now society has no risk, no direct communication,” says Kato. “It’s easy to hit the reset button and reverse and there’s low experience of failure.” He thinks that’s detrimental to children’s development, making them less resilient and less adept at interpersonal relationships. Just like you need to be exposed to dirt to develop immunity to diseases you need to be exposed to risk and failure to develop resilience and independence, he adds. (Wait, let’s say that again… Just like you NEED to be EXPOSED to dirt/germs to develop immunity to diseases!! You need to be exposed to risk and failure to develop resilience and independence. (Our young people are afraid of failure… but it is failure that builds champions. Ask any champion, they will tell you, it’s the falling down and rising back up that BUILDS strength and character. Just as it is overcoming the adversity in our lives that builds FAITH.)
At the Yokayoka Room patients said they say they feel more able to speak freely on the Internet. When I ask why they say it’s the anonymity it provides. Ichika, 27, adds that he likes the ability to always interact on his own terms.
There is some recognition of the limitations of this kind of communication. Hinata, 32, worries about the superficial nature of online dialogueand the ease with which you can avoid conflict. “We always try to make friends with the people who have the same opinion where we can feel more comfortable to comment,” he says.
“Technology itself can’t be 100% behind the aggravation of hikikomori as a world phenomenon,” says Choi. But he thinks our increasing ability to shop, play and socialise without real-world interactions could be exacerbating social isolation.
Face-to-face contact, either in person or on video-chat, corresponds to lower risk of depression, compared with contact by phone, email and social media
There’s simply not enough research to draw any conclusive links yet, says Teo. But he says it does chime with his gut feeling, which is based partly on research outside the hikikomori field. In multiple studies his lab has found face-to-face contact either in person or on video-chat corresponds to lower risk of depression, compared with contact by phone, email and social media.
“If interactions online become a substitute for face-to-face interactions, I think the research that I’ve done and other folks have done indicate that that’s problematic,” he says. (If you don’t think that our leaders/the elite/scientists/ are aware of all this information, you better think again. They know EXACTLY how humans react/respond to isolation, to over use of computers, to wearing masks, to social distancing. They have done extensive research and performed many simulations, and gotten the read out from AI on the predictions. So, they are deliberately forcing this upon us.)
Lines of communication
It’s important not to demonise technology though, says Teo. Social media or email are not the underlying causes of mental health problems, they are vehicles for communication that can be used both positively and negatively.
In particular, the internet provides a window into the isolated lives (oh dam strait it does! It gives them all the data they need to perform their studies on human behavior and thinking processes.) of hikikomori. Last year Teo and researchers in China used social media apps like WeChat and Weibo to survey socially withdrawn teenagers. It cost just $7.27 (£5.53) per participant to reach 137 people, one-fifth of whom were experiencing some level of social withdrawal, suggesting it could be a cost-effective method for reaching hidden cases.
The growing interconnectedness of online and offline worlds(actually what the elite are working toward is the merging of the online and offline worlds into one virtual reality.)could also offer ways to ease hikikomori back into everyday life. In 2016 Kato published a case report on a patient who suddenly started going out daily after downloading Nintendo’s hit smartphone game Pokemon Go.
The game uses augmented reality to overlay digital creatures onto the real-world that players have to roam about collecting. Kato thinks this kind of bridge between real and virtual worldscould help encourage hikikomori out of their homes and even make it easier for health workers to make first contact, particularly if it can be tailored to their needs. For example, says Kato, this kind of game could be tweaked so valuable items appear at hikikomori support centres. (so they want to use the technology to lead you by the nose to where they want you to go. Which is exactly what it was created to do, to lead to places where they wanted you to spend money.)
He’s also started working with a Japanese company to create a robotthat could reintroduce hikikomorito social contact in a controllable way. Researchers in Hong Kong have successfully used dogs for a similar purpose, which he thinks could serve as a template. “But Japanese like robots!” he adds.
In this portrait we see Riki Cook, who is American-Japanese and lives alone in Chiba, Japan (Credit: Maika Elan)
There may also be less hi-tech ways to exploit hikikomori’s relationship with technology. Shinichiro Matsuguma, a PhD student at Keio University School of Medicine in Tokyo who specializes in positive psychology, has set up a non-profit to rehabilitate hikikomori called the Strength Association. He’s provided coaching to 32 patients using principles from positive psychology, which focuses on strengths rather than flaws. The majority of his clients play videogames so this typically involves discussing playing styles and motivations to identify strengths like teamwork, strategy or leadership.
“Many people, even their parents, see hikikomori as not doing anything,” he says. “But from my perspective, they’re developing their strengths through the video games. And I always tell them while you’re playing video games you are developing strengths that can be applicable to different life domains.”
Establishing these strengths improves self-esteem, he says, but can also guide patients on the best path to re-entering society. The approach has yet to be scientifically evaluated, but he says almost 80% have taken a first step towards reintegration like going back to school, university or vocational training.
Remote counselling
Experts agree though that there’s no substitute for direct social contactand intensive therapy. Yoko Honda, a clinical psychiatrist who manages the Fukuoka City Mental Health and Welfare Centre, says the national government has been pushing them to use social media to provide remote counselling to hikikomori, but they’ve resisted.
“Just one tweet is not enough for expressing our anxiety or emotions,” she says, though she agrees it might be useful for reaching new patients.
Asides from psychotherapy and medication to treat any underlying psychiatric disorders, a central plank of their strategy is family training to fix dysfunctional home environments. The Yokayoka Room also provides a safe haven for those on the path to recovery to meet others like them and relearn atrophied social skills. But she says the varied nature of cases makes treating them tough.
“We hope to give tailormade support to all these hikikomori,” she says. “But we always need a lot of labour, a lot of time.”
That’s something Malagon-Amor found in her 12-month study of Barcelona’s hikikomori. Those who received more intensive therapy either at home or in hospital reacted best. Less intensive outpatient services were linked to higher abandonment of treatment and often worsening isolation. “They’re very fragile patients,” she says.
Whether or not the West should be gearing up for a tsunami of such patients is still unclear. But social isolation can be a feature of other conditions, from depression to PTSD, so Malagon-Amor thinks the West can learn a lot from the Japanese experience. (Social Distancing, Forced Face Mask wearing, webinars to replace work environment, Conference calls to replace family gatherings and church meetings; these all contribute to the problem.. We are creating a society of socially inept hermits.)
And regardless of the scale of the phenomenon, Teo hopes hikikomori research will broaden our understanding of the importance of social connections to our mental and physical health.
“When I talk to parents of someone with hikikomori it’s very clear to me that the social isolation is causing huge negative impacts– it ripples through the individual, to their family, to others,” he says.
“So that social impairment, problems with social connections,we haven’t paid enough attention to that in medicine. And I think now with hikikomori, with more attention to lonelinesswe are finally starting to look at these issues as health issues. And that’s good.”
spacer
They are turning you into a shadow of your former self and condemning you to a life of permanent lonliness and isolation. STOP THEM!
Hiyasu Uraki points to the white, fluffy seal on the table in front of us. “You should also sing to it,” she instructs me. As I start singing, the seal looks up, blinks at me and gently coos. A smile spreads across Uraki’s face.
This is Paro, a robotic seal at Tokyo’s Silver Wing care facility aimed at providing residents like Uraki with therapy and social interactions. Uraki won’t give her precise age; she’ll only say 80-something. “She often says that, but actually she’s 99 years old,” the care facility manager, Yukari Sekigichi, interjects, and we all share a laugh.
Residents often talk to the seals ― there were four on the table in front of us ― about everyday events such as the weather. “They also serve as a starting point for conversations between residents,” Sekigichi explains.
Robots like Paro, designed to provide companionship, are part of a range of technologies that have emerged in Japan to combat rising loneliness..
Amid this rising social phenomenon ― a public health concern linked to depression, dementia and heart disease― businesses see an opportunity through technology. (Well, now we know why they are pushing everyone into this condition. IT IS PROFITABLE and a great tool for bringing everyone in TRANSHUMANISM which is their goal. ) Robots like Paro can be programmed to fill social gaps that can lead to loneliness. (Is that the life YOU WANT?? SO pitiful… to have no companion but a robot?)
The Scourge Of Loneliness
In her book, Sekai Ichi Kodoku na Nihon no Ojisan(Japan’s Old Men are the World’s Loneliest), psychologist Junko Okamoto dubs Japan the “loneliness superpower.”She told the Financial Times: “Society is not doing enough to address loneliness and people don’t want to admit how unhappy they are.” (Is this the society we want to emulate?)
Modern life in Japan, which has had its foot to the economic pedal for decades, may have come at a cost: the unpicking of traditional social structures. “The increase in loneliness, and lonely deaths, is partly tied to traditional family structures falling apart,”says Masaki Ichinose, a professor at the Center for Life and Death Studies at the University of Tokyo.
Western-style nuclear families have taken the place of traditional, multi-generational households, which used to serve as a social safety net for especially the elderly, says Ichinose.
Many workers face punishing hours, fueling the phenomenon of karōshi, or death by overwork.At the less extreme end of the spectrum, grueling work schedules leave people with little time to find partners and have children.
YUYA SHINO / REUTERS
A job seeker looks at his cellphone during a job fair for graduates in Tokyo, 2015. Permanent jobs are harder to come by in Japan. Since the financial crisis in 2008, much of employment growth has been in fixed-term, part-time or temporary work.
Life can be equally challenging, if not more so, for the growing slice of the populationunable to find permanent jobs. A prolonged economic slump means that while unemployment is low, steady good-paying jobs remain hard to come by. Many peopleend up working several jobs to make ends meet, allowing little time to socialize.
For some people in Japan, the pressures have led them to withdraw from society altogether. Professor Takahiro Kato at Kyushu University’s Department of Neuropsychiatry studies loneliness andhikikomori (or shut-ins), the trend for people to live in isolation for a year or more. Kato points out that data is sparse, but a study by the Japanese government showed there to be 500,000 hikikomori aged 16 to 39.“The initial findings before 2000 were that it was mostly young people. However, we have seen a marked increase in hikikomori amongst middle-aged and old people,”he says.
The Technological Solution
For Japan, part of the answer to the growing loneliness is technology― and that technology is becoming increasingly life-like.
Sony’s Aibo robot dogs, for example, re-launched by maker Sony after being retired in 2006, inspire such an emotional bond with their owners that some hold funerals when the robotic pets stop working.
Tech giant Softbank Robotics produces the Pepper robot, a humanoid designed to provide companionship,which some have taken to integrating into their family as substitute children or grandchildren. At Silver Wing care facility, Pepper is in charge of the midday exercise session.
ELEANOR CHURCH
Perhaps one of the best examples of how the robots offer companionship is the Telenoid R1. Like others, its minimalistic design is meant to make it easier for users to project faces of, for example, family members when they speak with it.
A whole industry also has sprung up to provide company to younger customers, primarily men, who aren’t having human relationships. (A 2013 study found that 30 percent of Japanese men in their 20s and 30s had never dated.)Gatebox has developed the anime-inspired VR-companion, tailored toward younger men who, due to long work hours or other reasons, prefer the company of a virtual partner.
BLOOMBERG VIA GETTY IMAGES
The Gatebox virtual home robot. The Tokyo startup believes people will forge emotional relationships with their digital assistants.
Japanese startup Couger is developing an AI-powered virtual assistant that can follow a user around, and move seamlessly from device to device. Company founder Atsushi Ishii says part of the goal is creating a system that people can relate to on a personal level, perhaps making them feel less lonely.
“Humans and AI-powered technology, like robots and virtual assistants,should have a relationship like friends. One that is built on trust and one where people can perhaps open up to ― and build a social relation to― the technological solution easier than they can to a person,” Ishii says.
Outsourcing Empathy
This technology does seem to work, says Takanori Shibata, a professor at Japan’s National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology. “Studies showed that interaction with Paro improved loneliness significantly,” says Shibata.
Clinical psychologist Puihan Joyce Chao, who treats many people suffering from extreme loneliness, agrees technology can provide part of the answer, but stresses the need to include a human element. Combating loneliness, she says, “starts on the individual level, and perhaps with a focus more on quality than quantity of connections and interactions. … Perhaps this is something that needs to be a focal point ― that we teach children and younger generations how to experience and be in the moment with the people around you.”
The idea of outsourcing the human need for care, contact and empathy to machines worries some.“Humans need human interaction; that is how we are evolved. We would want any technological solution like a friendship app to be used alongside offline connection,” says Laura Alcock-Ferguson, executive director of the Campaign to End Loneliness, a U.K.-based network.
Rising loneliness is not just a Japanese phenomenon.In the U.K., 500,000 elderly people say they go at least five days a week without seeing or speaking to anyone. The country is the world’s first to have aminister for loneliness. And in the U.S., a study in May 2018 showed that nearly half of Americans sometimes or always feel alone, and that loneliness was especially pronounced for young people.
Back at the Silver Wing care facility, manager Sekigichi, says at-home care would be preferable for the residents, but “the reality is that many elderly live alone and struggle to manage life on their own.”The robots help, she says. Relatives of some of the day care patients were amazed to see how much they interacted with the robots when they are at the center, compared with how little they are able to do in their homes. But Sekigichi, too, emphasizes the need for human contact:“Robots and technology can be used for some aspects, but we need humans to give full care to others.”
spacer
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE…
STOP WEARING A MASK!!!
DEFINITION OF A HYPOCRITE: One Who Wears A MASK!!
MERRIAM WEBSTER
Word History
The Origin of ‘Hypocrite’
This common word has a dramatic origin story
A number of different things might pop to mind when we hear the word hypocrite. Maybe it’s a politician caught in a scandal; maybe it’s a religious leader doing something counter to their creed; maybe it’s a scheming and conniving character featured in soap operas. But it’s likely that the one thing that doesn’t come to mind is the theater.
Photo: Marie-Lan Nguyen CC-BY-SA 3.0
A theatrical mask from the 1st century B.C.E. ‘Hypocrite’ comes from the Greek word ‘hypokrites’, which means “an actor.”
The word hypocrite ultimately came into English from the Greek word hypokrites, which means “an actor” or “a stage player.” The Greek word itself is a compound noun: it’s made up of two Greek words that literally translate as “an interpreter from underneath.” That bizarre compound makes more sense when you know that the actors in ancient Greek theater wore large masks to mark which character they were playing, and so they interpreted the story from underneath their masks.
The Greek word took on an extended meaning to refer to any person who was wearing a figurative mask and pretending to be someone or something they were not. This sense was taken into medieval French and then into English, where it showed up with its earlier spelling, ypocrite, in 13th-century religious texts to refer to someone who pretends to be morally good or pious in order to deceive others. (Hypocrite gained its initial h- by the 16th century.)
It took a surprisingly long time for hypocrite to gain its more general meaning that we use today: “a person who acts in contradiction to his or her stated beliefs or feelings.” Our first citations for this use are from the early 1700s, nearly 500 years after hypocrite first stepped onto English’s stage.
Hypocrite someone who deliberately deceives you. Wears a mask.
hypocrite – Noun (pluralhypocrites) Someone who practices hypocrisy,who pretends to hold beliefs, or whose actions are not consistent with their claimed beliefs. [from early 13th c.]
A hypocrite is someone who wears a mask – who pretends to be one person on the outside even though he is another person on the inside. A hypocrite lack integrity. He isn’t who he says he is. And there are two types of religious hypocrites today. Type #1: The legalistic hypocrite. This is the most commonly identified hypocrite.
Hypocrite is derived a compound Greek word hypokritēs(hoop-ok-ree-tace’). Formed from Hypo- meaning under,and -kritikē meaning judge or critic.This word was commonly used to refer to stage actors, meaning performer under a mask.
He is writing to Janus and Tiresias, to someone who is one and many at the same time. He is writing to a hypocrite, who can wear just one mask at a time to express the flow of faces that life entails. “La conscience est dans le mal” or at least in the awareness of the inevitability of our hypocrisy. BOOKS ON THE TOPIC
But anyone who denies me here on earth will be denied before God’s angels. Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.” (Luke 12:8-10). A hypocrite believes that he is nothing unless human beings acknowledge him as something – so he puts on the mask they want to see.
Hypocrisy: “The masks we wear…” 1. Do you remember your first taste of hypocrisy? 2. Do you remember your first taste of hypocrisy with organized religion? 3. Do you remember the first time you saw hypocrisy operating in your own life? 4. Did you ever wonder why God is so adamantly opposed to hypocrisy among His people?
A hypocrite, or one who wears a mask, claims to be free from faults. A Christian, on the other hand, freely admits the fact that he or she is a sinner. The next verse, 1 John 1:9 describes the difference between a hypocrite and an honest sinner: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from …
spacer
Any Falsehood, Any Pretense, anything we do or use to HIDE our TRUE SELVES (which were made in the image of GOD) IS A LIE!
WE know that LIES are from the Devil who is the FATHER OF LIES.
Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. John 8:44
Lying is a temptation like many others we struggle with. Sometimes it seems easier to lie our way out of a situation than admit the truth. But rarely does lying have positive results. It often leads to hurt, mistrust, and an endless cycle of more lies.
It doesn’t have to be this way. God in his wisdom, saw the dangers of lying and the way it would hurt both the liar and the person being lied to. He wanted something better for us.
In these Bible verses below God warns us about lying and encourages trustworthiness. If we are caught in a web of lies, God offers forgiveness and help for a way out.
Blessings for Honesty
Proverbs 12:22 – The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.
Luke 16:10Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.
Proverbs 10:9 – Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out.
Philippians 4: 25-27 & 29 – Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
1 Peter 3:10-12 –For whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit;let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer.
God Tells Us Not to Lie
Exodus 20:16 (From the 10 Commandments) – You must not lie.
Proverbs 6:12-13 – Let me describe for you a worthless and a wicked man; first, he is a constant liar; he signals his true intentions to his friends with eyes and feet and fingers.
Proverbs 6:16-19– For there are six things the Lord hates—no, seven: haughtiness, lying, murdering, plotting evil, eagerness to do wrong, a false witness, sowing discord among brothers.
Proverbs 21:6 & 8 – A fortune made by people who tell lies amounts to nothing and leads to death.…But the conduct of those who are not guilty is honest.
Luke 8:17 – For all that is secret will eventually be brought into the open, and everything that is concealed will be brought to light and made known to all.
Psalm 12:2-6 – Everyone deceives and flatters and lies. There is no sincerity left. But the Lord will not deal gently with people who act like that; he will destroy those proud liars who say, “We will lie to our heart’s content. Our lips are our own; who can stop us?The Lord replies, “I will arise and defend the oppressed, the poor, the needy. I will rescue them as they have longed for me to do.” The Lord’s promise is sure. He speaks no careless word; all he says is purest truth, like silver seven times refined.
Satan – The Father of All Lies
John 8:44 – For you are the children of your father the devil and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning and a hater of truth—there is not an iota of truth in him. When he lies, it is perfectly normal; for he is the father of liars.
God Forgives – It’s NEVER Too Late
1 John 1:9 –If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Daniel 9:9 – To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against him.
Romans 5:8 – But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
1 Timothy 1:15 – Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.
God Will Help You Stop Lying
Philippians 4:13 – For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
1 Corinthians 10:13 – No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
2 Corinthians 12:9 – Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.
Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.
spacer
My Final Thoughts:
I hope by now you know that my heart is intent on reaching the lost with TRUTH and saving people from an eternity of torture. I love humanity. Please tell me what I can say to make you understand that if you go along with these Draconian (means coming from THE DRAGON, which they do) policies and constraints you are allowing the enemy of your soul to ROB YOU! He is robbing you of you the blessing of human contact and touch, or the joy of fellowship and a warm smile, of the peace of trusting the Lord for your health, MOST IMPORTANTLY he is ROBBING YOU OF TRUTH in your LIFE. PLEASE STOP actively participating in your own destruction!
Spacer
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON MASKS AND WHAT THEY DO TO YOU:
Now, I am baffled. They obviously did a complete turnaround there at the WHO regarding mandatory facemasks. That is a good. But, why are they not reporting it in the news? Are they to embarrassed to have to come back so soon after making the facemasks MANDATORY FOR EVERYONE EVERYWHERE to say there NEVER WAS … Click Here to Read More
There is a spiritual aspect to MASKS. One that has been known since they were first used. One that the elite know very well. There is a dark reason why they want EVERYONE to wear one. You can laugh if you like… but laugh after you read this entire article, so at least you have … Click Here to Read More
