Ippoippo

… of a different kind.

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Yes, this is a spoof site. Most amusing, and quite good at getting the point across that Carbon Offsetting is not a ’solution’.

Yep, those are today’s topics

Japan

Our man in Osaka has discovered a rather interesting Gate Phenomenon.

In more Japan related findings on the net, Japan Probe has dug up some comments regarding ‘how adult like’ are Japanese 18 year olds. (In Japan, there is dicussion about lowering the voting age from 20 to 18). Some of the comments from foreigners interviewed on Japanese TV were a little harsh.

The way I would put it is that sometimes young Japanese adults tend to be somewhat naive. Mind you, some people of the same age in the UK would be lacking in knowledge, except here it seems to be ‘arrogant ignorance’ rather than ‘naivety’… if that makes any sense???!!!

Finally, in Japan related browsing, Sushicam once again has some cracking photographs… this time some Sumo ones.

Rising Waters

Cracking site I found, showing the impact on coastal regions due to sea level rises.
In the event of a 14m rise, looks like half of Cardiff would be under water. A 6 metre rise would be mean things getting pretty dodgy for my folks and sister
Makes you think about the 50m rise that’s predicted in the ‘it’s all gone completely up shit creek’ scenario of Global Warming and Polar Ice Melt predictions. (I seem to recall, that would require a 6 degree mean temperature increase).

Actually, got quite interesting that system, because I had a look at Tokyo and surrounding areas as well. A rather big 10m rise would have resulted in our old house in Japan being next to a rather large coastal estuary! (The Edo river having got a lot bigger).

Must admit, this is quite interesting to see how this develops. World Without Oil is set around an ‘World Oil Shock Event‘ that kicked off on April 30th this year. Basically, it’s a free for all, with people creating blogs and other online media to discuss the events happening, as they develop in this alternate world.

It’s been set up in the US, and naturally focusses on ‘events’ there, however, there is some international posting going on, with contributors from other countries, like Canada, Germany, the UK and Australia (interesting developments there, Western Australia wants to separate from the rest of the country! ).

The British participants show a little bit of difference between us and the USA. The US ‘events’ are very much “It’s the Apocalypse!!!!’, whereas the British ones tend to be quite reserved (though not necessarily pretty visions of the future).

Mia represents a youthful view of this alternate reality. Worried and scared, and yet still hopeful for the future.
However, English Village is a lot more sinister!

Other UK participants are here, here, here and one here.
The last one caught my attention. Not because it was a particularly good or insightful article. Rather, it was a one off written by a chap who is a TV Presenter/Journalist in the UK (not a hugely well know one, but one I know of anyway).

Meanwhile, in the real world…

Fecking hell, this is NOT good, if the initial research is accurate.

Well, that was somewhat unexpected, and not really the idea.
The somewhat controversial ‘Baby Drop Off’ point got even more controversial when it opened, after a 3 year old was the first ‘baby’ to be dropped off there. (More info here)

It’s a tough one really. Whilst I wouldn’t like to see a child or baby have a bad life because their parents couldn’t look after them for whatever reason… you do have the flip side of the coin where by the ‘Hatch’ MAY be seen as permission for young adults to lead less responsible lives.

Meanwhile, in Japan, the media is having a field day about Chinese copy-cat behaviour, and complete disregard for copyrights. This particular article made me chuckle.