I Love Shinsho: Keywords of Modern America

1. Introduction

Learning is a process of endless exploration.

It is considered that the essence lies not in the mere acquisition of knowledge, but in the 'discovery and creation' that generates new knowledge.

Therefore, for 100 consecutive days starting in June 2024, in order to think about learning living knowledge, to break away from old views of knowledge (the doner kebab model of knowledge), and to awaken the power of self-directed learning, I would like to position 'Shinsho' (paperback books) as the entrance hall to learning and make use of them.

2. What Shinsho books are like

Shinsho refers to books in the Shinsho format, which are approximately 17cm tall and 11cm wide.

There are no strict rules regarding the size, and the dimensions vary slightly depending on the Shinsho label.

Furthermore, if taken in a broad sense,

'All books in the Shinsho format are Shinsho'

but generally,

'Shinsho'

refers to non-fiction works including educational and practical books, while novels in the Shinsho format are called

'Novels'

to distinguish them, so this time, I am focusing on non-fiction Shinsho books.

Also, Shinsho books are more introductory in content compared to specialized books.

Therefore, when you want to learn about a certain field,

'reading them after online articles'

is a perfect position for these books.

3. Benefits of utilizing Shinsho

In situations where you have to think for yourself about 'what to use to start learning' and build your own learning, Shinsho books serve as one of the clues for acquiring the ability to learn on your own.

In this day and age, most people would probably start by doing a quick search on the internet, including social media.

Unless the topic is extremely obscure, you should be able to find some kind of information, such as news or blog posts.

If that information is sufficient in both quality and quantity, there is no particular problem with stopping there.

However, if that information leaves you wanting more, it makes sense to use a Shinsho (paperback book) as your next step.

This is because the content is not too difficult, and you can still gain a certain amount of organized knowledge.

If online articles are the

"door"

to a certain topic or field, then a Shinsho corresponds to the

"entrance hall."

It is like being able to get a rough sense of the atmosphere inside the building.

In other words, you can roughly grasp the basic knowledge of that topic or field, such as:

What kind of content is covered?

What are the issues being addressed?

You can get a general overview of these basics.

Once you have solidified your foundation with a Shinsho, try moving deeper into the building or up to the higher floors by reading specialized books or academic papers to aim for further improvement.

4. Is it mandatory to start with a Shinsho when learning something?

To conclude, it is not a problem if you do not use a Shinsho.

In fact, sticking only to Shinsho might narrow your options and perspective, which could actually be a disadvantage.

As mentioned above, a Shinsho is

a useful tool for getting started.

As a "gateway to learning,"

it serves as a reliable ally, though it is not a panacea.

For example, various publishers have their own Shinsho labels, and a diverse lineup is released almost every month, but even so,

"there is often no Shinsho that covers exactly what I want to learn"

is likely the case most of the time.

Therefore, Shinsho is, at most,

one of the "introductory learning materials"

and needs to be combined with other items.

As for examples of other items, there are books that are not Shinsho but are written with gentle explanations for beginners.

Manga is also fine.

5. Important things when choosing a Shinsho

Reading begins with choosing a book.

The same applies to Shinsho.

This is important, so I will emphasize it.

Of course, since the time available is limited, you cannot check every book, but even so, please try to choose a book that clears at least the following two points.

1. You can take an interest in it

2. You can understand the content

6. The idea of learning from the past gives depth to learning

When I look up the meaning of "onko chishin" (learning from the past) in the Kojien dictionary again, it is written as follows:

"Studying and examining things of the past to gain new knowledge and insights from them"

The phrase "onko chishin" (learning from the past) originally comes from the words of Confucius.

"If you study past history thoroughly and come to understand the essence of things, you will become a person capable of being a teacher."

It seems that Confucius used this phrase with that meaning in mind.

However, I would like to use the term "onko chishin" here not in such a grand sense, but rather,

"When you re-read books you read or articles you wrote in the past, you will find new discoveries."

I would like to use this phrase with roughly that meaning.

Since humans are constantly growing and changing, as time passes, you may have different perspectives or impressions of the same things than you did before.

Also, by making it a habit to re-read past books and notes (or notebooks), new "ideas" and "realizations" are very often born.

What you thought about in the past (past information) and what you are thinking about now (current information) connect, causing a chemical reaction, and new ideas emerge.

It feels something like that.

I think it is a great waste for books you read or articles you wrote in the past to be sleeping on a bookshelf or desk.

Why don't you all try practicing "onko chishin" as well?

7. Is there a difference between reading novels and reading educational books like new paperbacks?

Below, I will quote two suggestive phrases.

◆ "Cool head and warm heart"

These are the words of Alfred Marshall, an economist at the University of Cambridge in the UK who raised Keynes, one of the most influential economists who fundamentally changed macroeconomic theory and practice, as well as the economic policies of governments around the world.

He is said to have said this:

"The people Cambridge sends out into the world should be willing to devote at least a part of their full strength to confronting the social suffering around them with a cool head and a warm heart."

It is thought that a cool head corresponds to "intellect/knowledge" and a warm heart to "emotion," and while both new paperbacks and novels are important, it can be presumed that new paperbacks act mainly on the former, while novels act mainly on the latter.

◆ "Do not be impatient. If emotion is nurtured, will is born, and knowledge gathers."

These are words from the book "Ikuru" (To Live) written by So-shu Shikko.

"Ikuru" by So-shu Shikko

First, he says that it is important to cultivate emotions, and that willpower and intellect grow based on that foundation, and I think that is probably correct.

Based on the above, for example, if one's reading habits become biased toward Shinsho (paperbacks), it can be inferred that the cultivation of the emotional side might be insufficient; while a cool head might be polished, a warm heart might be neglected.

Of course, the cultivation of a warm heart (emotions) is not just a matter of reading, and it is true that it is greatly influenced by various human relationships.

However, regardless of age, I would really like you to fully enjoy literary works (masterpieces of novels, poetry, essays, etc.) to cultivate your emotions.

These can be considered food for cultivating rich emotions at any time through emotional experiences that shake the heart in various ways, and in "Introduction to Literature" by Takeo Kuwabara, a long-selling Shinsho that emphasizes the necessity of literature,

"Introduction to Literature" (Iwanami Shinsho) by Takeo Kuwabara

"There is nothing more necessary for life than literature."

He argues this, and in Chapter 1, several grounds for why he can say so are stated, so if you are interested, please check it out.

Also, there is a list of "50 Masterpieces" at the end of the book, which I think will be helpful.

8. [Random Reading No. 38] "Keywords of Contemporary America" (Chuko Shinsho) edited by Yuto Yaguchi / Mari Yoshihara

[Content]
Although a large amount of information about America is in circulation, our understanding of America remains one-sided, superficial, and even conventional today.
There are many things that are very common in America or are the focus of intense debate that are not even discussed in Japan.
With a view to the profound changes that have occurred in American society since the 9/11 terrorist attacks, this book presents the current state of the superpower with the latest information and clear analysis.
A small encyclopedia for thinking about the world in the 21st century.

[Table of Contents]
Abu Ghraib Scandal
John Adams
Agribusiness
Alaska Oil Development
Lance Armstrong
American Diplomacy in Asia
"Avenue Q"
Daniel Barenboim
George W. Bush
21st Century Politicians [and others]

[Discoveries (Insights)]
This is a book that gave me intellectual stimulation for the first time in a while.
It is an attempt to make the overall picture of America visible through 81 keywords that cannot be known through the Japanese media, such as major political and economic trends in contemporary America (especially conscious of post-9/11), debates over social issues, thoughts and innovations appearing in culture, art, and media, and social conditions seen in pop culture and trends.
Of course, it is impossible to understand America with just this book, and since the authors are liberal, it may be a one-sided view.
However, if you follow the keywords listed in this book, you might be able to see the problems and directions that America is facing.
The authors are two people, and they clearly write that they do not represent typical America.
They say that among their friends, there are labor union leaders, feminism researchers, environmental experts, and gay activists, but almost no Republican supporters, social conservatives, or Christian fundamentalists.
It seems to be an America viewed with knowledge and interests shaped by the adult world of the urban middle class.
Indeed, as you read the articles for each item, the atmosphere of anti-Bush and anti-Iraq War is thick, but because they are looking with realistic and cool eyes, the writing style is also fully conscious of the strength of the conservatives.
If it is packed with this much content, you can consider the cost performance to be quite high.
It is a book worth reading, especially when there are more and more empty Shinsho books.
The content is very substantial.
I also have a good impression that they are writing with a clear political and ideological stance.
Although there may still be a lack of keywords to title it "Keywords of Contemporary America," I think it is a good book for an overview of contemporary America, assuming that the reader already has a basic understanding of American history, culture, etc.

[Problem Presentation]
Quoted from the obi.
"Although a large amount of information about America is in circulation, our understanding of America remains one-sided, superficial, and even conventional today.
There are many things that are very common in America or are the focus of intense debate that are not even discussed in Japan.
With a view to the profound changes that have occurred in American society since the 9/11 terrorist attacks, this book presents the current state of the superpower with the latest information and clear analysis.
A small encyclopedia for thinking about the world in the 21st century."
Do you know what a gated community is?
Do you know where Guantanamo Bay is and why inhumanity that ignores human rights is rampant inside?
What is an Indian casino?
Have you heard the name T.D. Jakes?
Have you watched the program of Oprah Winfrey, the most famous TV personality in the United States? Until I read this book, I didn't know much about any of them.
This is a small dictionary, but each item explanation is also a collection of short essays where the overall picture and the author's perspective are discussed with a strong awareness of the issues.
It is a book that clearly shows that the information about America that reaches the Japanese media is one-sided.
The recognition that the true figure of America cannot be seen from the Japanese media seems to be held by many Japan experts on America.

[Lessons]
Using a search engine, previously,
"Information about America"
When I looked it up, the following text was caught on the first page.
I will post it as is.
・Information about America - Google Search
"Information about America" search results about 939,000 items
・Although a large amount of information about America is in circulation (the top 3 are related to this book)
・Information about America is overflowing. However, most of that information is fragmentary information, or
・Information about America can be obtained relatively easily while in Japan through various media. However, in Japanese reports
・Information about America is relatively easy to obtain, but it is almost impossible to see America from religion.
・Information about America could only be obtained from Hollywood movies.
・Information about America can be obtained as much as you want if you feel like it. However,
・Information about America is reaching my ears even things that probably wouldn't have been reported before. Did I grab the branch called America in such a muddy stream?
・There was so much information about America that I was troubled by the choice, and
In Japan, the view that information about America is easy to obtain but one-sided is beautifully common.
However, now, the situation is quite different and interesting.

This book has 81 items of those invisible parts, and I learned a lot.
It is a book I want to reread as needed.

[Conclusion]
60 years after the war, it would not be a mistake to assert that it was America that implicitly decided Japan's polity and the direction it should aim for.
Japan has always defined "how its own country should be" in terms of its distance from America.
It was a history of being tossed about, and also a history of modest resistance and frustration.
That is something that many critics have already pointed out, without me, a complete layman in political science, raising my voice, and there is no end to the number of such arguments.
Of course, it is not just politics.
Needless to say, Japan is also strongly influenced by America in culture.
Not to mention the decorations on the T-shirts young people wear, the English circulating in the streets, the popular music and movies... we live surrounded by "things American" every day while staying in Japan.
It is an undeniable fact that we are strongly influenced by America in politics and culture.
However, how much do we understand America... I think many people would look down the moment they are asked such a question.
As for me personally, as I got older, I stopped understanding the country called America.
When I was a student, America was a country that was an object of longing.
Now, I don't have that kind of naivety.
Of course, I must honestly confess that I am sometimes fascinated by America.
However, at the same time, it is also a fact that for me now, the image of America as a "country that should not be followed" and a "pre-modern country" is attached to it.
As always, I don't understand America.
But at the same time, I think.
Can't I somehow look at America at its true size, without overly glorifying it or distorting it unnecessarily?
This book selects 81 keywords to understand contemporary America, and for each one, it attempts to explain it over a few pages.
By the way, if you were asked "Who are the villains and heroes of 2006?", who would you think of?
According to a public opinion poll conducted by the Associated Press at the end of last year, it seems that Americans chose the same person for first place for both.
That person is, yes, President Bush.
As a villain, he had a 25% vote rate, far ahead of second place Osama bin Laden (8%).
By the way, 3rd, 4th, and 5th places are President Hussein, President Ahmadinejad, and Secretary Kim Jong-il, respectively.
As a hero, he had a 13% vote rate.
Second place is "Iraq Occupation Forces" (6%).
3rd to 5th places each had a 3% vote rate: Oprah Winfrey (popular TV caster), Barack Obama (Senator), and Jesus Christ.
I think it's amazing that one in four people chooses their own country's president as a villain, but the fact that 13% of people think he is a hero is also...
Well, of course, he is president because there are people who think so.
But as far as I've glanced at the comments on the site reporting this news,
"I can't believe there are people who consider Bush a hero"
was overwhelming.

[Comment]
Are there many people who are critical of Bush among those who write on the net?
According to the article, 43% of Democratic supporters considered Bush a villain, and 27% of Republican supporters considered Bush a hero, but even among Republican supporters, there are more people who cannot call Bush a hero.
It is certainly difficult to answer the question "Who was last year's hero?".
Surely the real heroes are those who don't appear in public that much.

9. Reference Articles

<5 Points for Writing a Book Review>
1) Write so that even those who have never held the book can understand it.

2) Try thinking about comparisons with the author's other works or the historical background of its publication (such as disasters or social events).

3) You may write about the critical points of the book, not just its appealing aspects. However, always provide objective and logical reasons. Do not write based solely on the emotion of likes or dislikes.

4) Focus on specific points and write in depth.

5) A flow of "Overview of the book -> Points to be discussed in this review -> Reasons for choosing and evaluating those points -> Conclusion" is recommended.

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