Early Buzzes of the Year?

So, we barely finished the first week of January, and as always, a lot of buzzes here and there already appearing on social media, news, everywhere. Normally whenever I see these different types of buzzes and headlines, I usually keep my own personal thoughts to myself or post them on my own social media accounts (mainly Facebook and sometimes Twitter). However, lately, there are a few that I can’t seem to ignore, not because they’ve always been talking about every single day, but these infuriate me big time.

馬鹿野郎外人

The Japanese heading should already hint you what this rant would be about. 😅 The headline showed up on my Twitter on its first day, however, when I went ahead and explored it myself, I just couldn’t ignore it like I would with some other infuriating headlines. As both an Asian and an American, I feel insulted in both ends.

I may not be Japanese, and I may not have been to Japan,1 however, Asians, in general, have similar customs and beliefs. The number one moral that we all share and care for deeply is none other than respect. Respect for yourself, respect for others, respect for your home, respect for the homes of others. I’m sure most people treasure respect very highly in their everyday lives. Unfortunately, there are moronic douchebags out there who don’t give a damn because they think it’s cool to do the opposite.

I don’t have to mention this douchebag’s name because I refuse to even refer by his name. And to think that kids are just being kids, this particular douchebag may have forgotten that he is an adult. Many of us strive to do our best in the real world, whether or not we have the intentions of being role models to a future generation. However, because everything seems to be twisted now, with people doing something obnoxious and disrespectful being the “coolest” thing, being a “rule breaker” is now a trend. I wonder if these atrocious actions would still be considered “cool” when someone else becomes a victim of their jokes and antics to the point that particular person ends up dying.

In general, when you visit someone’s home, you have to show respect to the host and the home you were invited in. Whatever their culture may be inside that house, you have to respect and honor it. You don’t have to conform to their norms as a visitor,2 but that doesn’t excuse you from being a rude jerk just because these norms may not be your definition of norms. These apply greatly to other countries. You have your own country you’re currently living, and if you’re visiting another country, that’s someone else’s country, someone else’s home. Either way or the other, you have no excuse for pissing people off with your unruly behavior, regardless if it’s for fame, for the hits, for the millions, whatsoever. And anybody else says so otherwise are just plain sick and uncultured altogether.

I’ve seen some comments from supporters3 who think that the perpetrator was being bullied with all the hate the internet has given him ever since those videos. First of all, the perpetrator did the bullying in the first place and then expect the viewers to find his actions funny. There are others who may have received heat from the public for different or opposing views, and these said others may have made mistakes and don’t deserve all the heat. However, this particular douchebag? His past videos have the same theme as his latest videos of his Japan trip, and that was how he monetizes through the videos, he truly deserved the global heat. And to top it all, this had to happen close and during New Year’s Day, a holiday that is highly revered by the Japanese.4

All of this applies to every single country, even your own home country. Heck if I see this perpetrator hanging around my neighborhood, doing these awful things to our town, no one’s going to be laughing. I’d call 911 on that guy and have him arrested for disturbing the peace and invasion of privacy.

I’m speaking, of course, of his previous videos before that very controversial Suicide Forest video. To top things off, I have heard about Aokigahara (from Japanese friends and friends who have been to Japan). Just by hearing about it is already disturbing enough, that there is a place like that where people can’t find hope and redemption for their lives and just ending their life is the only solution for them to find salvation. I don’t know about you, but just by the description of this place, I would simply just stay away, not because I’m scared of dead bodies, let alone seeing one, but to show my respect for the families and friends of those who decided to end their lives there. I don’t even want to write more about this because I’m sure most people already know about this.

This douche does not represent all of America, although now it’s difficult for non-Americans (even those living in America) to look at American tourists now, thanks to him. An apology video (and I’ve seen this also) is not going to cut it.

Now, I share this with all the parents of kids his age and younger. I have to point this out to you because I’m sure many of the age of young adult parents are now my age. Whether you have well-behaved children or not, this issue needs to be brought out, and teach them the true meaning of respect to all peoples, especially when you end up visiting a place you are unfamiliar with. Because at the end, as we have kids turning into douchebags, the responsibility lies with the parents. You do not want to be that parent who is seen as a failure with children showing atrocious behaviors as that douche.

Stepping out of the (internet) comfort zone

In every beginning of the year comes another chance of renewing and revisiting in life. Lately, there are some bloggers who have been using internet aliases, nicknames, and handles to represent themselves. This is always the case with those who are making their own internet presence for the very first time. I started this way also by using an internet nickname, and somehow it changes for every fandom or interest that I get into. I understand why many would this act and the prior reasons: security and privacy.

There may be other reasons, depending on who the person is, but regardless of what reasons may be, it’s only right to respect them for it. It’s like with celebrities and authors and such, where they would use monikers for their careers instead of their real names. Some people just want to be known by that moniker instead of their real name. And then there are others who are simply confused with themselves that they try to be someone else they’re not but want to be known that way. Whatever it is, just let them be, whether they choose to remain their presence with that moniker, continue on with another moniker, or simply omit the moniker altogether and use their real names instead.

Some people take awhile to step out of their comfort zones, while others don’t. There are others who want to build a brand around their blogs and personal sites and be known by that particular brand name without revealing their real names. Others just like being called that particular name knowing that name will never be theirs in their own realities. There is nothing “trendy” and such about using an alias on the internet versus your real name outside the internet, and it’s not anybody’s business to accuse their reasons why they do these things.

When I made my internet presence almost 20 years ago (1996-1998, sometime in that period), I was just testing waters with my presence there, and because of that, it was a lot safer and more secure for me to use an internet alias name. When I met other people on the internet on a chat community or a forum community the first time, they all did the same. I’ve also seen people opening their own blogs and websites using an internet alias for the same general reason as those who joined in chats and forums. It’s understandable, it’s normal for those who are new, and no, it’s not some kind of a “trend” like certain people would mention. 🙄

So, a huge shoutout to the two bloggers (and I’m sure there are more) who have decided to break through their own naming comfort zones and step out to the world with their real names. It’s good to finally meet the both of you, Megan and Kassy. 🤗

Just buzzing along now…

We barely just ended the first week of 2018 and the media of all kinds are already buzzing with so many headlines. It’s like, give us some time to breathe and refresh, at least for one entire month. But then again, Mother Nature isn’t always that forgiving on all sides. California was punished with wildfires and now the East and some parts of the South are now suffering from many snowstorms and icy temperatures that lives are dying, just as much as the wildfires have.

Right now, I’m about to set up my machine to boot a Linux system (Ubuntu) on a virtual engine for training. It’s really hard to avoid social media at times and that was one of my goals for 2018 too (avoid social media as much as I can) so that I can focus on the more important things.

Till next time!

1. got plenty of Japanese friends, however. Shout out to you all! [↩]
2. but if you plan on dwelling there, now you have to conform to their norms as a resident. [↩]
3. most likely little kids to teenagers… [↩]
4. much more revered than Christmas [↩]