I don’t know if it’s the coffee I made, the recent lack of sleep, or what, but I feel like riffing a little today.
I’m not a writer. I mean, I can write a decent piece; obviously right? I’m published. I don’t know if that’s a valued parameter or not, but it seems like it should count for something. I want to write more though. I think the problem is, and this is probably going to sound horrifyingly deviant I’m sure, writing about cars is fucking boring. I think that’s why I always enjoyed Yuta’s articles back when he wrote for Import Tuner. None of his articles were about cars; he always focused the theme around the individual (or Mexican food); half the time he wouldn’t even mention the car. That was interesting! People are interesting…for the most part. I think we’re hitting a low point as a country though, but that’s an entirely different subject. Of course this is just an opinion – my opinion. Opinions can be powerful though can’t they?
Speaking of which, when did we reach that level where everyone’s opinions became equal? In regards to automotive decisions, relevance and guidance I mean; or actually, in regards to fucking anything this day. Where did the boundaries go? Is it the ability to hide behind a computer monitor? It’s like the Wild West out there. There used to be this concept of “informed opinion” – yeah, informed. There’s a word that doesn’t get tossed around too much anymore. Remember the time where other people’s opinions mattered more than others? You know, in scenarios where, not necessarily experts, but people who have experience in the topic hold opinions that have more weight than others. There’s value in that experience. I mean, personally it doesn’t happen to me often, but I see it literally fucking everywhere. The internet is rife with slander and argumentative comments with no basis, coming from individuals who have no accreditation or experience in whatever subject is at discussion. The worst part is there are people out there so influenced by shit that these individuals are actually being backed. Why the fuck do people listen to this crap? And for what? What’s the end game for these people? To get popular on the internet? Do they throw their unasked for opinions in the ring to compensate for something? I don’t know, I’m not a psychologist. It’s getting out of hand to be honest. It gets real alarming when it’s someone whose made a name for themselves (however the fuck they did that) throws out commentaries that are incorrect by principal, but no one will call them on it because they have a prevalent endorsement via the internet or whatever.
Let me throw an example out there. I’ve been to Japan, I don’t know, 26, 27 times? I forgot. It doesn’t matter. I’d say though, and don’t misinterpret this as bragging or anything, I mean I’m a humble guy by nature (which is probably why this is bothering me so much this morning), but I’d say that going to a certain place over two dozen times gives me a pretty good foundation, a decent knowledge of what that place is all about. Right? Am I wrong? So when I write something, or post something about Japan itself, regardless of whether it deals with the car culture out there, and someone who has never fucking been to Japan, hasn’t built a fucking decent car, or to be honest hasn’t done shit with his life, replies in a fashion that tries to discredit my opinion…I don’t know how to end that. Some people will take that opinion as truth, and even maybe counter it with, yeah, what about that shit? Why? Why even put it out there. You throw no weight – not that I do, but my history counts for something right? Like, I fucking know some people. Opinions shouldn’t be equal. I mean, look at Joey’s pieces on the culture in Osaka. He knows people there, he visits often, he sees shit a lot of people don’t. I fucking bet you, with his last post about Mecha-Dock, someone will say something that discredits or goes against what he posted. Why? No. Just fucking stop. Stop, and go outside. Go talk to someone. Listen for a change. No one talks anymore. I have this friend, good friend, Jack. We’ve worked together and have been friends for, like, probably a decade now. We go to Japan together a lot, or we used to, not so much anymore that I’m traveling every week. Back in like 2006-2008 we used to stay at his in-laws house in Katsuradai – a small suburb outside Ofuna, in Kanagawa. That’s partially irrelevant, but the point is Jack and I talk, all the time. Just bullshit, stories, sharing experiences, whatever. I feel like not many people just talk anymore. Talk with reciprocated listening I should say. Anyway, if you’re one of those people who throw their feather like opinions around, I suggest you go talk to some people with experience. You’ll learn a thing or two, and it may shed some light on just how much you don’t realize in life.
Christ; maybe I’m getting old. I drank too much coffee that’s for sure. I need to go work on my car.
I should attach a picture or something to this so the people who click the article expecting something good won’t be too disappointed. Not that my photography is good, but it’s something.
Here you go. Here’s a warm picture of Yokohama station.
I see Joey is starting to rub off on you being so close to him all the time LOL!
well, I’m pretty sure this is a topic that has been brought up before – Ive just never really been vocal about it
Im just one of many random guys that enjoys the photos and some of the features here so I dont know what this is all about but dont let it get to you and keep up the good work.
And i like this pic of the yokohama JR platform, brings memories of when I lived there.
nothing thats really weighing on me persay, just felt like voicing an opinion – go figure
Right on man – I think you hit what you were trying to express right on the head. Love the site, love the focus – keep up the great work
Church!
Completely agree with you. It is one of the many things that bothered me some time ago but now I don’t care about because it’s something out of my control and what matters is that those who know what’s-what know what’s up, not everybody is interested in learning or improving and justo go with whatever flow is popping. Like someone once said, real recognizes real.
Regarding the 1st (or 2nd) paragraph, I also prefer reading about the history about a car and/or his/her owner much rather than it’s specs, that is why the following video (or YT channels like Petrolicuios) is excellent and on where near boring: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjKN0Ummc6M
Indeed ~
Hi Sean,
I feel your grief and understand where you’re coming from.
When you’re reviewing comments left by others, try taking on ONLY the positive ones. The moment you sense you’re reading anything negative or unacceptable by your standards – stop midstride! Move on and make it your duty to find information or feedback that will lift you up or at least keep you grounded.
Remember, you are responsible for the information you take in/on. Your feature has just given credibility to those idiots you mention – Do not allow them rob you of your dignity.
There are many good people ‘out there’ – Focus on those and let that be your target. I for one enjoy your posts. If there is one or two cars that don’t tick the box, I simply delete it and look forward to the ones that do.
Keep your chin up Mate and keep the posts/pics coming.
Take care and very best regards,
Mallo
Date: Fri, 13 Feb 2015 16:45:59 +0000
To: mallosouth@outlook.com
Thank you sir – in regards to your comment, it’s not really the opinions themselves that bother me, it’s more so that there are others that take them as credible. Which is out of my control, really.
“Talk with reciprocated listening”
Is the key part here to me, people aren’t willing to fucking actually listen to someone, why should they listen when they think what they’ve got to say is so important?
Everyone’s so fucking keen to try and lay some knowledge on shit to impress other people, even if what they’re saying is completely wrong.
Happens in every part of life, but there’s always going to be people like this and as frustrating as it is you cant stop them from spewing their shit.
Real will always recognise real though.
Yup, all bad. Just gotta push through it I guess.
Hi! Been following your site for a little more than a year now I guess, always enjoyed your stories and photos, and yea the stories about people are more interesting cars haha, it’s a very interesting glimpse into the lives of the special people behind the cool cars. Anyway, there’ll always be dumbeffs out there who talk like they know anything without having putting a car together or being anywhere, and worse for every 1 of these people, there’ll probably be another 10 who take their words as gospel. These people are like a plaque and while there’s not much you can do about them, don’t let them get to you :)
Iam in Japan right now for the second time , always for 10 weeks. i lost my smartphone in a taxi after a good night out with the lads. so now without phone i see all the ppl nobody talks . everybody is just writing messages browsing web pages ect. even in restaurants while eating. don´t get me wrong i don´t want to say that this is a problem only here in japan . but since i lost my phone and i could not be on my one phone like all the other ppl , i do realize how crazy this is …… and then i see the beautiful nature her in japan and all the nice things around me . and i was thinking… if i would be on my phone i would miss alot ov those nice views and now i do appriciate it . but don´t get mad about these ppl. they have been arround before but you din´t know about it because they wasn´t able to share that bullshit with the hole world. sry for the bad gramma . hope you could get what i mean cheers
with the whole world * sorry