Up, down, straight

I was born in the midst of one of the largest industrial growths recorded in history: post-WWII Japan. From dawn to dusk, everybody was busy catching up with with the speed and changes that were delivered by technological innovations. Larger, faster, cheaper led to...

Ideas are bamboo forest

Ideas pop out out of nowhere. When I am drinking coffee, taking a shower, sleeping on a couch, a thought just “appears” and captures my mind for a moment. I want to go to Argentina. Is there someone selling a DIY apartment from scratch? If breathing through liquid is...

Treat before we need it

We rush to an emergency room or go see a doctor when a tangible symptom surfaces on our mind or body. We think going to the hospital is our treatment. But our body has its own counter-threat mechanism, which is still far more effective than any known medical practice....

Land of the rising (contaminated) water

A 300-ton monster, born in the land of the rising sun, is attacking the Pacific. That was the premise of a cheesy (but infinitely entertaining) blockbuster from the US. Now it is turning into reality. Japan’s infamous Fukushima nuclear power plant is leaking...

We listen but we don’t follow

This is a letter to an artist friend of mine who has been suffering from illness and pain for a while. Dear, I woke up this morning and the first thought came to my mind was your illness. Why does it bother me? And more importantly, what can I do? I rewind my memories...