Trend Number Three: Demonetization
Edahiro has recognized a shift from full-time work (that sounds similar to the over-worked, over-stressed 9-7 jobs here in the states) to part-time lifestyles that allow time for growing food for the family. Instead of being a full time writer for example, one might be a part-time farmer, part-time writer. The tides could be shifting to a "work to live" rather than "live to work" mentality.Edahiro's observed trends certainly leave high hopes. As she concludes, each could potentially dent "business models seeking profit simply by selling increasing numbers of products." This potentially green grassroots movement doesn't seem the buying type.
When I see things like the above, I see the happy evolution that humanity as a collective is reacting to its experiences and learning to more deeply understand the notion of value.
That's quite a mouthful, but basically I mean that I think we're at a place where we're starting to understand the limits of equating monetary value as the only kind of value. It's a short-sighted model of the world, and I think we're starting to understand that.
I say evolution in my first statement above because short-sightedness comes from lack of perspective, and perspective comes from experience - in this case, it's the kind of experience that only amasses over hundreds of generations, and within conditions that allow for the rapid spread of ideas.
(The rest of the Treehugger article "Japanese Trends Worth Watching "is here.)
