Joe McReynolds is co-author of a new book about how flexible micro-spaces create the spontaneity and vitality of Tokyo, and how so much the city is built on the often very niche dreams and passions of its citizens, and also slash-fan-fiction.
Show Notes
Joe McReynolds is co-author of a new book about how flexible micro-spaces create the spontaneity and vitality of Tokyo, and how so much the city is built on the often very niche dreams and passions of its citizens, and also slash-fan-fiction.
Cruises to deal with inflation and heat stroke.
Topics discussed on this episode include:
- What to remember about your successes or failures on the JLPT
- Bobby's continuing BBQ tribulations and the experience of working together as husband and wife
- The challenges of mass producing sauce
- Ollie's latest stand-up adventures and how things are finally looking up for him a bit
- Ollie's thoughts on therapy and clarity
- Gratitude for your continued patience and support
- Joe's book Emergent Tokyo: Designing the Spontaneous City
- How different zoning restrictions create kind of spaces/businesses that we're used to seeing in Japanese cities
- Japan's narrow, dingy, alleyways and how they became a vibrant part of city life
- The sheer massive NUMBER of drinking/dining establishments and how they're sustainable
- Barriers for opening restaurants in the states and UK, as opposed to Japan
- The difference between what people WANT to do, and what laws make it possible for people to do
- Weird business operations hours with Shimokitazawa as a test case
- Running a business versus doing something you enjoy with your life/time
- Which district of Tokyo does Joe find fascinating and what does the district teach us about the creation of real physical pockets of subculture
- How countries choose to restrict or not restrict people's creative endeavours
- Why Joe's background in National Security Analysis helped him tackle this topic
- How the cityscape of Tokyo is built out of people's dreams and allows for self-exploration
- The control that landlords/land-owners wield over the tone/vibe of the city and local economy
- How concern with property value affects possibility
- Bobby's experience with selling products out of his home kitchen and getting the permissions to do that/open a restaurant
- How much do we trust strangers with our (food) safety?
- Japanese reactions to food poisoning outbreaks when they happen and Japanese reactive policy in general
- Cultural essentialism?? Shokunin, Otaku, and Bukatsu
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Extras this time include conversations about:- The Robot Restaurant
- Chinese Militarism and Security Policy
- AND SO MUCH MORE
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What is Japan By River Cruise?
Stand-up comedians Bobby Judo and Ollie Horn purport to report on the Japanese river cruise industry each week.