WEC Articles

What is the 'intention economy,' and how can you protect yourself? In the 1990s, the internet was a bit of a wonderland. It was new and liberating and largely free of corporate and government influence . Thirty years later, I don’t think any of us would describe the internet this way. Worse, if subscribers to the Dead Internet Theory are correct, much of what we see on the internet today isn’t even created by humans anymore—a trend that is likely only to accelerate with the rise of generative AI technologies. However, a particular kind of generative AI technology, the AI chatbot, is set to usher in something even worse than a dying human internet. If researchers at the University of Cambridge are correct, we’re quickly approaching a new “intention economy,” where reports of our future actions will be sold to the highest bidder. And yes, that’s even scarier than it sounds. What is the intention economy? Right now, a large portion of the tech industry operates in a marketplace ...

"We Didn’t Start the Fire" – Then and Now Billy Joel’s   "We Didn’t Start the Fire"   (1989) and Fall Out Boy’s reinterpretation (2023) share a unique mission: chronicling history through a relentless stream of cultural, political, and societal events. While Joel’s original paints a vivid picture of the Cold War era and its ripple effects, Fall Out Boy picks up the baton to narrate a chaotic, interconnected 21st century. Both songs underscore a central theme: humanity’s ceaseless cycle of upheaval and resilience. Joel’s song is a history lesson set to music, spanning 1949 (the year of his birth) to 1989. Its references evoke a mid-20th-century world gripped by the Cold War, nuclear threats, and groundbreaking cultural shifts. Events like the Korean War, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and iconic figures such as JFK and Marilyn Monroe mark a period of transformation. Joel's reflective tone suggests that the "fire" of human conflict and progress is eternal, pr...

Yuko-chan here is the book  Full free book -  https://www.gutenberg.org/files/2446/2446-h/2446-h.htm limited pages https://www.google.co.jp/books/edition/An_Enemy_of_the_People/k0AzDwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA1&printsec=frontcover

Why Rice is Scarce in Japan’s Supermarkets Right Now If you’ve recently visited a supermarket in Japan, you may have noticed a surprising absence of rice on the shelves. Across the country, shoppers have been met with empty rice sections and signs limiting purchases to one bag per person. But what’s causing this sudden shortage in a country where rice is a staple food? The current scarcity is due to several factors, including concerns about a potential Nankai Trough earthquake, though there’s no need to panic, according to Hiroshi Itakura, a representative from the agriculture ministry. “Rice is an annual crop, and the main rice-producing regions typically begin harvesting in September, making August the month when supplies are at their lowest,” Itakura explained. He also noted that in the years following the pandemic, there was an excess supply of rice because fewer people were dining out. This year, however, that surplus has been used up, and demand has returned to normal levels. “Th...

  The Power of Storytelling in Business: The Case of Rideable Suitcases In an era where the market is flooded with products and services, standing out can be a monumental challenge. One way businesses can achieve this is through storytelling—an art that transcends simple marketing tactics and builds emotional connections. This approach has proven to be especially potent in transforming mundane items into memorable experiences. A prime example of this is the rideable suitcase, a product that has leveraged storytelling to capture the imagination of travelers and revolutionize the way we think about luggage. The rideable suitcase began as a clever invention designed to address a common traveler’s frustration: lugging heavy bags through crowded airports. At its core, it’s a suitcase with wheels that you can ride on, making airport navigation less of a chore. However, its success story isn't just about its functionality. It’s about how storytelling elevated this practical innovation int...

Harnessing Anxiety: A Pathway to Growth, Mindfulness, and Fulfillment In today's complex world, characterized by rapid information flow and often conflicting viewpoints, finding balance between mind and body is crucial. Many people grapple with managing anxiety, stress, and a sense of unfulfilled purpose, compounded by the influence of biased media, divergent perspectives, and the demands of social contracts. By integrating modern psychological strategies with the Japanese concept of   ikigai —finding joy and fulfillment in daily life—we can transform these challenges into opportunities for personal growth and satisfaction while navigating media bias, differing perspectives, and social responsibilities with insight and clarity. Anxiety is frequently viewed as a debilitating emotion, but it can be a powerful catalyst for growth. It is a natural response to perceived threats or challenges, triggering our body's “fight or flight” system. This heightened state of alertness can be h...

  The Randoseru: The Book Bag That Binds Japanese Society In the intricate tapestry of Japanese society, where cultural expectations are deeply ingrained and peer pressure holds sway, the   randoseru —a distinctive and sturdy school backpack—emerges as a powerful symbol of social conformity and tradition. More than just a practical item for carrying textbooks, the   randoseru   encapsulates the essence of Japan's educational values and the collective adherence to societal norms. The history of the   randoseru   dates back to the late 19th century, a period of rapid modernization in Japan. Originally derived from the Dutch word "ransel," meaning backpack, the   randoseru   was first introduced in Japan as part of the military's standard gear. It was later adapted for use in education, becoming a staple of the Japanese school uniform and a representation of discipline and structure in the classroom. Today, the   randoseru   is more than ju...

“Between Flatness and Depth: The Cultural Convergence of Eastern and Western Art in Painting and Video Games” The intersection between Eastern and Western art traditions, particularly in how they approach the representation of three-dimensional space on two-dimensional surfaces, reveals profound differences that have shaped both traditional painting and modern digital media, including video games. These differences are not just about technique but reflect deeper cultural philosophies and aesthetic values. Western art, especially since the Renaissance, has been dominated by the pursuit of realism, grounded in the use of linear perspective. This technique allows artists to create the illusion of depth, making a flat canvas appear as a window into a continuous, three-dimensional world. This approach aligns with the Western emphasis on rationality, order, and the accurate depiction of the physical world. It has deeply influenced not only painting but also the design of modern video games, ...

  Sapporo Set to Scrap 2030 Winter Olympics Bid The Japanese city of Sapporo, with its storied history in the Winter Olympics, has decided to abandon its bid to host the 2030 Winter Olympics and Paralympics, as reported by Kyodo News. This decision comes nearly a year after Sapporo and the Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC) paused their bid in December 2022 due to a bribery scandal linked to the Tokyo 2020 Summer Games. Sapporo's relationship with the Winter Olympics is deeply rooted in its history. The city was originally slated to host the 1940 Winter Olympics, which would have made it the first non-European city to do so. However, the onset of World War II forced Japan to relinquish the Games, and they were eventually canceled. It wasn’t until 1972 that Sapporo had the chance to host the Winter Olympics, becoming the first Asian city to do so. The 1972 Sapporo Games were a momentous event, not only showcasing Japan’s recovery and modernization after World War II but also leaving a...

 2014 or 1984 George Orwell's   1984   has long been regarded as a cautionary tale, a dystopian novel that explores the dangers of totalitarianism, surveillance, and the manipulation of truth. Today, as we navigate the complexities of the 21st century, the parallels between Orwell's fictional world and our reality are becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. From the pervasive reach of surveillance technology to the rise of echo chambers on social media, and the pressures of modern capitalism on global economies,   1984   feels more relevant than ever. Orwell’s concept of "Big Brother," a regime that constantly monitors its citizens, is perhaps the most striking parallel to today's world. While we may not live under an overtly oppressive regime, the ubiquity of surveillance technology is undeniable. Governments and corporations alike have access to an unprecedented amount of personal data. Cameras monitor our public spaces, our online activity is tracked, and ...

Learn a language is during early childhood  Many believe that the best time to learn a language is during early childhood when kids are naturally soaking up their first language. This belief has led to a push for introducing foreign languages as early as kindergarten. However, while there are benefits to early language exposure, there are also significant drawbacks to this approach, especially when it comes to teaching a second language in elementary school. Consider what a kindergartener is already facing. In that first year of school, children are expected to learn a lot—phonemic and phonological awareness, basic reading and writing skills, and adapting to a completely new environment. They're just beginning to grasp the sounds of their native language, learning to read simple words, and figuring out how to answer questions about a story. Adding another language to this already challenging mix can be overwhelming, both academically and emotionally. Mastering literacy in one langu...

Speech - "The Parts of Speech Poem"  "The Parts of Speech Poem": A Fun Foundation for Learning English The "Parts of Speech Poem" is a simple yet powerful tool for learning English grammar. It takes the tricky bits of the language and makes them easy to remember, much like how Dr. Seuss's   The Cat in the Hat   turns reading into an adventure. The poem is more than just a catchy tune; it's a smart way to help learners of all ages get a grip on the basics of English, making it a go-to resource in classrooms around the world. Why This Poem Matters in Learning English This poem does more than just list the parts of speech; it makes them stick. With its rhythm and rhyme, it turns nouns, pronouns, adjectives, verbs, adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions, and interjections into something learners can easily recall. It's like having a mini-grammar lesson set to music, which makes it much easier to remember. But the poem doesn't stop at just naming t...

 The Looking Glass: Culture Changers Culture in organizations is often discussed in terms of what it’s like to work somewhere — the atmosphere, the management style, or the hours employees put in. Common responses to the question, “What’s your team’s culture?” might include statements like “We work long hours,” or “We have a fun, friendly atmosphere.” While these descriptions are fine for providing a snapshot to an outsider, they fall short of capturing the deeper essence of what culture truly is. They are akin to describing the ocean simply by its color, missing the underlying currents and forces that shape it. The word “culture” itself comes from the root “cultivate,” meaning to grow with intention. Therefore, to truly understand a team’s culture, we must look beyond surface-level descriptors and ask a more probing question: “What beliefs drive your team’s growth?” Beliefs are the roots of actions; they explain why a team operates the way it does. For example, a team that works l...