Oshi, VR, and AI. The story of how we are gradually becoming a "Crab Stick Society" [Voice Resume Vol. 95]

Let me start by saying that "crab stick" is by no means a negative term. I think you will understand once you read to the end.

Hello. I am Ogata, the CEO of Voicy.

This series, "Voice Resume," is where I, as the founder, talk about the path Voicy has taken so far and what I am thinking about now. I would be happy if you could follow the magazine.

Today, I would like to talk about how the world is becoming a crab stick society lately. In an era where we can be satisfied with fakes (or alternatives), virtuality, and substitutes, I have started to think about how our happiness will change and what Voicy can provide.

A crab stick society is an era where we can be satisfied with fakes

I have been talking about the idea that "a crab stick society is coming" within the company for some time.

"Crab sticks" aren't real crab, but they are treated as crab to a certain extent, aren't they? They are actually quite delicious, so for some people, "I like them better than real crab because they aren't as fishy." In fact, there are even people who say, "I don't like crab, but I can eat crab sticks."

Truly delicious crab might be incredibly good, but if it's cheap crab, some people might think, "Actually, crab sticks are better." I think there are people who feel that way.

I think that number is increasing quite a bit.

People who think, "I don't really need crab, crab sticks are fine." People who are satisfied with artificially processed things rather than real products.

For example, some people don't eat real cheese but like cheese-flavored snacks, or prefer blueberry gum to real blueberries. There have always been people like that when it comes to food. I love snacks too.

However, it has now appeared in many different fields.

For example, romance is the same. Since it's troublesome to start a real relationship from scratch, people are satisfied with games or interacting with someone they are connected to on social media. The same thing is happening with fashion; no matter how much effort you put into your own style, there's a limit, so people think it's better to create a cool avatar and dress it in nice items. There are also fewer people playing sports themselves; they don't just watch professional games, they watch games and game streams.

Various things around us are gradually leaning toward virtuality and substitutes. That is progressing further and further, and in the end, it looks like "we are trying to turn life itself into a crab stick."

"Oshi" is a proxy for the protagonist of life

In the last few years, the culture of "Oshi" (a favorite character or person you support) has taken root all at once. It's interesting to talk to current college students. It's common for them to say, "I spend half the money I earn from my part-time job on my Oshi." Some even go so far as to say, "I can stay alive because I have an Oshi, and supporting my Oshi is my reason for living." I've even heard some say, "If I didn't have an Oshi, I wouldn't bother working hard at my part-time job."

In short, their reason for living has become their Oshi. In a sense, I think this is "a proxy service for the protagonist of life."

They are increasingly outsourcing their lives to this proxy service, and they don't need to be a significant presence themselves, they don't need to be fashionable, and they don't invest in themselves. Instead, by investing in their Oshi and feeling the Oshi's hard work as their own, they are already happy.

I think we are reaching a point where we don't know where the real thing is anymore, and our avatars in games feel more like ourselves, or our characters on social media express who we are better.

When I put it this way, it sounds a bit scary, but to varying degrees, we all have aspects of living by entrusting something to someone else. That has been the case for a long time. There have always been idols, and if you go further, religion is similar. Horror movies are a simulated experience of feeling fear, aren't they?

If people stop investing in themselves, will the number of people who grow decrease?

But, in terms of whether this "Crab Stick Society" is good or bad, which one is it?

The answer is, of course, "it's both", I think.

Let's think about the very bad side. If people stop investing in themselves, the number of people who grow will simply decrease.If that happens, I think the productivity of society as a whole will also decrease.

And naturally, there is a possibility that the number of "attractive people" themselves will decrease. Since they aren't polishing themselves, it might become difficult for others to find them attractive.

As the population of unattractive people continues to grow, a trend will emerge where people think, "We don't have to choose such unattractive people as partners, right?" and a spiral will occur where people think, "Since there aren't enough attractive people in the real world for me anyway, I'd rather be in the virtual world, I'm fine just having an oshi." In the end, won't society be divided into two?

Is that a bit too dystopian?

As long as you don't ask for luxury, anyone can properly enjoy life

Let's also list some very good points. In a society that is becoming like crab sticks, as long as you don't ask for luxury, anyone can—even those who couldn't win in the capitalism and meritocracy of the past—will be able to enjoy life properly.

Does that mean the state of "unhappiness" will disappear? If you find your own kind of happiness, I think you can create a "state where everyone is happy."

I think the "patterns of happiness" that individuals feel are clearly increasing. And if AI is added to this, the supply of crab sticks will accelerate, and it seems likely that living only on crab sticks will basically be considered happiness.

In a sense, the "gap between the rich and poor in happiness" in life will disappear.

If you are going to live half-heartedly, it's better to just enjoy the virtual world, and it will become a society where people who want to be surrounded by real things really have to work hard.

What will Voicy aim for from now on?

"Crab Stick Society" is a phenomenon I've come to see through my own interpretation of recent culture, technology, and people's words and actions. If you ask me if there are facts to support it, I'd be troubled, but I do think, "I think it's heading in that direction."

So, what kind of position should Voicy take to get involved in that? That is what I am most worried about.

Voicy has aimed to be a "place where you can meet that person." We have asked, "Which voice will you connect with next?" So, while I want to be a service that is useful for people living in the real world, I want to be a service that is useful for people living in the real world, I also want to make content that resonates with people who think the virtual world is enough.

After all, what you take into the virtual world is just your own heart and your own voice. You dress up your avatar in games, but everyone wants to leave some of their true self behind, so they talk with their original voices.

I want to support people who are properly enhancing their charm in the real world, and I want to deliver content that properly affirms people who are happy enough in the virtual world.

I think many media companies and content industries will likely end up standing between the real world and the crab sticks from now on.

I feel like a society where the range of human happiness is expanded is waiting for us. Let's explore it together.

--Thank you for reading until the end.

Voice Editor's Note

After writing the article, I look back on the content and talk about it in audio as well. Please listen to this too if you'd like.

I would be happy if you could like or follow me.