Re: [tlug] (OT) The enigma of Japan (was: UNIX jobs on TLUG)

[Edward Middleton <emiddleton@example.com>]

Josh Glover wrote:
> Edward Middleton wrote:
>   
>> Josh Glover wrote:
>>     
>>> Edward Middleton wrote:
>>>       
>>>> I was suggesting something far more heretical,  i.e. don't bother studying such things until you can temper them with experience.
>>>>         

>>> Taking this to its logical conclusion, shouldn't we all wait until we're in our 30s to go to university?
>>>       

>> That would be a straw man[1].
>>     
>
> Disagree.
>   

Yes, I imagine you do ;)

>>  The point was in regard to experiencing how "Japan is" before reading about how "Japan is".
>>     
>
> Why should we read and learn about how "software engineering is"
> before experiencing it?
>   

Maybe, but that is a different argument, your argument.  Though I would
have to say in the scientific fields that tends I tend to follow your
advice, but then it is far easier to be dispassionate and objective
about such things.

>> I think with any culture, coming with strong expectations about how things are will be blinds you to actually looking and learning.
>>     
>
> Of course it does. Maturity is all about realising that you don't know as much as you thought, and that a lot of what you know is flat out wrong.
>
> So read as much as possible, and expose yourself to all these ideas.
> Form opinions, and just realise that you'll have to change your mind.
>   

This is my opinion based on my experience and the observation of others
struggling with the same things.

I think the problem is that we have too much invested in our own
countries and cultures to look objectively at others.  Until you can get
past that, reading about how things are will just confirm your opinions
and prejudices, and make it harder to listen and understand.

I would also say that most of the important books worth reading haven't
been written, because people are too busy living them, can't or won't
talk about them.  I don't think there is any substitute for experience
and an open mind.

This reminds my of a story by a friend who was working in an IT
company.  The two Japanese English translators were arguing about how to
translate an advertisement because the native English speaker was wrong.

Edward