Podcast Summary
London's political chaos and Gillette's controversial ad: Reflect on complex topics and engage in meaningful conversations rather than getting caught up in polarization and noise.
The current political climate in London, as evidenced by the helicopters hovering over Westminster following the rejection of Theresa May's Brexit deal, can create chaos and uncertainty. Meanwhile, the internet is ablaze with controversy over a recent Gillette advertisement challenging toxic masculinity. While the message is noble, there's unease about corporations like Gillette leading this conversation, as the discourse has become polarized and aggressive rather than productive. Last week's podcast discussed the importance of addressing emotions and mental health, and the speaker shared his thoughts on these issues. Overall, it's important to reflect on complex topics and engage in meaningful conversations, rather than getting caught up in the noise and polarization.
Gillette's Controversial Ad: Polarizing Reactions and Increased Engagement: Gillette's controversial ad sparked intense debates and engagement, increasing brand visibility and positioning them as advocates for social justice.
The Gillette controversial advert, which aimed to challenge toxic masculinity, has successfully created a polarized reaction on the internet, leading to intense debates and engagement. Gillette intended this response, as it helps them achieve "front of mind advertising," increasing their brand visibility regardless of whether the reactions are positive or negative. The emotional appeal of the ad has also allowed Gillette to position themselves as fearless advocates for social justice, occupying the same emotional space as popular feminist icons. However, this commodification of social justice culture risks diluting its impact and making it less authentic. The internet's aggressive response to the ad has resulted in increased engagement and visibility, benefiting Gillette's marketing goals.
The sixties message of peace, love, and inclusion was commodified by the advertising industry: Companies have been using social justice movements for corporate gain, reducing authentic messages to sell products
The sixties message of peace, love, and inclusion was commodified and reduced by the advertising industry, as seen in the famous Coca-Cola "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing" campaign. This campaign, which aimed to unify people of different cultures and backgrounds, was actually born from an observation at Shannon Airport in Ireland, where people from various nationalities were all united by their consumption of Coca-Cola. While the idea may have started organically, the commodification of social justice for corporate gain is a concerning trend that continues today, with companies performing wokeness to sell products. For instance, Gillette's viral "toxic masculinity" ad, which sparked heated debates, is an example of a company using social issues to boost sales. It's important to be critical of such performative activism and to encourage ethical corporate practices instead.
Gillette's Progressive Image vs. Parent Company's Controversies: Gillette's socially conscious image clashes with Procter and Gamble's human rights and environmental controversies, raising ethical concerns and potential shift in consumer preferences.
While Gillette, a Procter and Gamble brand, presents itself as socially conscious and progressive, its parent company, Procter and Gamble, has been accused of various human rights abuses and environmental issues, including the use of palm oil produced through child labor, deforestation, and animal testing. These issues contradict Gillette's image and raise ethical concerns. Furthermore, Gillette's marketing strategy seems to target hipsters and men with beards, who are more likely to use alternative brands like Dollar Shave Club. The inconsistency between Gillette's image and its parent company's actions, as well as the potential shift in trend away from beards, adds complexity to the situation. This highlights the need for consumers to be aware of the practices of corporations behind popular brands and the importance of making informed decisions.
Personal reflections, cultural explorations, and the comfort of essentials: Explore personal connections to music, cultural histories, and find comfort in essentials amidst chaos, while supporting creators through Patreon.
The connection between South American instruments and a London apartment, chaos in Britain, and the comfort of essentials can intertwine in unexpected ways. The speaker, while playing an ocarina in his London apartment during political unrest, reflects on his heritage and the comfort of Bombas' absurdly comfortable essentials. He also highlights the importance of supporting the podcast through Patreon. Moreover, the speaker shares his passion for music and its origins, particularly the history of disco music and its roots in the LGBT and trans movement. This week's podcast explores a parallel timeline, shifting the focus to Japan and making the case for the Japanese as the silent partners of 20th century African American music. So, in essence, this podcast episode combines personal reflections, cultural explorations, and the comfort of essentials, all while showcasing the speaker's deep-rooted passion for music and its historical significance.
Japan's Economic Isolationism and US Intervention: Japan's past economic isolationism and US military intervention led to a complex relationship, shaping Japan's alignment with the Axis powers during WW2 and influencing its unique contribution to modern music.
Japan's economic isolationism in the 19th century, which was a common practice during the Mercantilism era, led to tension between Japan and the United States. The US, driven by its own imperialistic interests, aggressively forced Japan to open its borders and trade with America through military intimidation. This hostile interaction between the two countries created a deep-rooted dislike and disharmony, leading Japan to align with Germany and Italy during World War 2 on the Axis side. This history is crucial to understanding the significant role Japan played in the development of modern music, particularly electronic music, despite the complex and often contentious relationship it had with the US.
Japan's transformation into a tech powerhouse after WW2: The U.S. occupation led to internal improvements and focus on innovation, despite historical isolationism and internment of Japanese Americans.
The aftermath of World War 2 had a profound impact on Japan's development into a technological powerhouse. The U.S. occupation of Japan led to the dismantling of its military and restrictions on importing high-grade steel, forcing Japan to focus on improving the quality of its products from the inside out. Additionally, Japan's long history of economic and cultural isolationism set the stage for a unique focus on innovation and technological advancements. However, it's important to remember the darker side of this history, as the U.S. interned over 200,000 Japanese Americans during the war, a human rights abuse that is often overlooked.
Post-War Japan's Cultural Shift and Technological Boom: Young Japanese man Ikotaro Kakahashi's fascination with repairing watches and radios during Japan's post-war focus on commercial technology set the foundation for future electronics innovations.
The post-World War 2 era in Japan saw a cultural shift towards embracing Western values, leading to a boom in technological advancements. This was primed by the collectivist ideology within Japanese business, which encouraged cooperation and mutual investment among corporations. One significant figure in this period was Ikotaro Kakahashi, a young Japanese man who grew up fixing submarines and later became fascinated with repairing watches and radios. Despite Japan's focus on commercial technology during the Cold War, Kakahashi's interest in precise timekeeping and communication devices laid the groundwork for future innovations in electronics. His story highlights the intersection of personal determination, cultural influences, and technological progress in Japan's post-war history.
A Self-Taught Electronic Genius's Journey from Repairing Watches to Inventing a Revolutionary Drum Machine: A self-taught electronic genius transformed his repair shop into a pioneering electronic music company, inventing a revolutionary drum machine despite initial rejection, due to his unique background as a watchmaker.
Kakahashi, a self-taught electronic genius, started the Ace Electronic Company in Japan after being saved by antibiotics. Initially focusing on repairing watches and radios, Kakahashi became fascinated with the Theremin and decided to make Ace Electronics an electronic music company. He began building keyboard instruments, particularly organs, and by the late 1950s, was selling simple organs, guitar amps, and pedals. In the early 1960s, he saw an opportunity to create a companion instrument for home organ players and invented the Rhythm Ace, a portable drum machine, in 1964. Despite initial rejection, the Rhythm Ace was a revolutionary invention, paving the way for the development of electronic drum machines. Kakahashi's background as a watchmaker gave him the perfect timing and understanding of electronic equipment, leading to his groundbreaking innovation.
Japanese Electronic Organs and African American Music: Japanese electronic organs with bonus drum machines influenced African American gospel music in the mid 20th century, shaping genres like house, disco, and techno.
The intersection of Japanese electronic instrument innovation and African American musical expression led to significant advancements in mid 20th century music. An American buyer of a Japanese electronic organ often received a drum machine as a bonus, initially seen as a novelty. However, these rhythmic machines gained popularity among black gospel musicians due to their affordability and consistency, offering a perfect rhythmic accompaniment to their singing. This trend was seen in artists like Timmy Thomas and Shuggie Otis, who used drum machines extensively in their music despite the stigma against it at the time. Japanese electronic instruments, including the Rhythm Ace drum machine, played a pivotal role in shaping African American musical expression during this era, influencing genres such as house music, disco, and techno. This unlikely collaboration between Japanese watchmaker technology and African American musical creativity paved the way for future electronic music innovations.
The Unheralded Journey of Roland's TR-808 Drum Machine: Japanese inventor Ikutaro Kakehashi's creation of the TR-808 drum machine, initially a commercial failure, became a game-changer when it was adopted by black artists in Chicago and Detroit to create house music.
Ikutaro Kakehashi, a Japanese inventor, revolutionized the music industry with his creation of the Roland TR-808 drum machine, despite it being a commercial failure at first. In the late 1970s, Kakehashi founded Roland after leaving Ace Tone Company. His innovations, such as the Roland Jazz Chorus guitar amp, gained popularity among jazz musicians. However, it was the TR-808 drum machine, released in 1980, that would make Roland a household name. The TR-808 was marketed towards solo musicians who couldn't afford or bring a drummer on gigs. Its unique feature allowed users to program their own beats, offering creative freedom. However, the drum sounds were far from realistic, making it an embarrassing piece of equipment. Despite this, the TR-808 found a new life when it was discovered by young black artists in Chicago and Detroit during the decline of disco music. With limited resources, they saw the potential in these cheaply sold drum machines and used them to create the foundations of house music. Thus, the TR-808, once considered a failure, became a pivotal instrument in music history.
From pawn shops to genre-defining sounds: Young black musicians in Detroit and Chicago transformed failed Japanese instruments, the 808 drum machine and TB 303 synthesizer, into iconic sounds for hip hop, trap, and acid house through experimentation and creativity.
The 808 drum machine and the TB 303 synthesizer, both failures in their original intended markets, became instrumental in shaping the sounds of house music, hip hop, and techno. Originating from Detroit and Chicago, young black musicians discovered these Japanese instruments in pawn shops and, through experimentation and creativity, transformed them into iconic sounds that defined entire genres. The 808, with its distinctive bass drum, became synonymous with hip hop and trap music, while the TB 303, initially intended to replicate a bass guitar, was pushed beyond its limits to create the dark, sinister sounds of acid house. These instruments' unconventional journeys from failure to fame demonstrate the power of innovation and creativity in music.
Japanese Influence on Electronic Music: Japanese instrument manufacturers significantly impacted electronic music genres like house, techno, hip hop, and trap through their innovative electronic instruments. African American musicians added soul to these instruments, shaping the soundscapes of various music genres we know today.
Japanese instrument manufacturers like Roland, Yamaha, Korg, and Akai have significantly influenced the development and evolution of electronic music genres such as house, techno, hip hop, and trap, particularly among African American musicians from industrial cities. The creators of these Japanese instruments, like Tatsuya Takahashi of Roland, were pioneers in electronic music manufacture, but it was the innovative use and adaptation of these instruments by African American musicians that brought them to life and added soul to them. Despite the brilliant fidelity and musicianship in Japanese music, there's a common critique that Japanese musicians only copy American music perfectly without adding anything new. However, the true creative ingenuity lies in the electronics themselves, and the Japanese contribution to 20th-century music after 1950 is immense, shaping the soundscapes of various music genres we know today.
Exploring Passionate Topics and Supporting Charity: The podcast host shares his passion for unique topics, such as the impact of a Japanese watchmaker on hip hop music, and encourages listeners to attend a charity event. Future episodes will cover various topics, including dogs, and the host promotes Health ProtectorGuard fixed indemnity insurance plans.
The podcast is a form of self-expression for the host, who prefers to speak about topics he is genuinely passionate about, rather than following trends. He emphasized this by sharing his interest in the influence of a Japanese watchmaker on hip hop music. Additionally, he encouraged listeners to attend a charity gig at Whelan's Dublin on January 23 to support the Peter McVey Trust, which helps homelessness. The podcast host expressed his excitement about making the podcast and promised to cover various topics, including dogs, in future episodes. Lastly, he promoted UnitedHealthcare's Health ProtectorGuard fixed indemnity insurance plans to help manage out-of-pocket healthcare costs.
