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developed by JhackAbout Skeptikai
Skeptikai defends science and exposes pseudoscience. Living in Japan also allows for an interesting opportunity to discuss fascinating stories that go unnoticed elsewhere. Psychological phenomena and intriguing cases from around the globe are also regularly highlighted.
Should You Let Your Kid Date in Middle/High School? Science Gives a Surprising AnswerYoung love can show you things about yourself you've never known. It can bring you to…
In Japan, Strangers are More Likely than Family to Give CPR for Cardiac ArrestWhen it comes to Japanese people giving CPR to someone suffering a cardiac arrest, it…
Power and Rape – Part 2: How to Create a Breeding Ground for Sex OffendersAs I mentioned in Part 1, rape is tolerated in the military because the acknowledgment of…
Power and Rape – Part 1: Rape in the Military is a Career Killer… for the VictimIf you ever wanted to know just how bad "blaming the victim" can get, look no further than the…
Does Chewing Gum Help You Concentrate?If you want to be a rocket scientist, you might want to start chewing that stick of gum.…
Possessed by Demons, Animals, and Nonsense"Japan doesn't have that stuff. That's more of a Western thing." Just like I constantly…
SATIRAN – Part 3: “Judicial Theatre,” or Judgment for the 2010 IsraeliIn May 2010, the "Gaza Freedom Flotilla" was sent to give humanitarian aid and…
Study: Close Relationships Aren’t Necessarily BetterIt makes sense, doesn't it? The closer you are to someone, the better your relationship…
Are Religious People More Charitable, Generous, and Altruistic than Atheists?According to a Canadian study from 2008, religious people are "more helpful, honest and…
Gender, Age, Socioeconomic, and Cultural Differences in Social Networking Site UsageOnline social networks has become an interesting platform for research, and hundreds if…
Category Archives: Japan
In Japan, Strangers are More Likely than Family to Give CPR for Cardiac Arrest
When it comes to Japanese people giving CPR to someone suffering a cardiac arrest, it appears as though water is actually thicker than blood. A recent review of 547,218 cases of cardiac arrests in Japan between 2005 and 2009 was presented at the American Heart Association. The results were surprising, to say the least. But why would this possibly be the case? How could a family member be so less helpful in this time of emergency?
Power and Rape – Part 2: How to Create a Breeding Ground for Sex Offenders
As I mentioned in Part 1, rape is tolerated in the military because the acknowledgment of rape in a unit will make that unit look bad, not to mention the military as a whole. Therefore, officials try to sweep such information under the rug. In fact, reporting rape is seen as far worse than actually committing it. Now, let’s focus more on the military culture. Not only is it a culture of rape, but also one of partying – a drinking culture. In fact, no matter where the U.S. servicemen go in the world, it seems like they bring their trouble along with them.
Posted in Japan, Legal Issues, Psychology, Science, Sex and Sexuality
Tagged America, Canada, crime, discrimination, military, rape, sex, sexual harassment
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Possessed by Demons, Animals, and Nonsense
“Japan doesn’t have that stuff. That’s more of a Western thing.” Just like I constantly have to remind Westerners how they’re horribly wrong about the bizarre and ridiculous stereotypes of Japan, I had to show my Japanese friend that she was totally wrong in her idea about “us” and “them.” The notion that only Westerners believe in exorcisms and demonic possessions is simply wrong. In addition to the many stories I mentioned in an earlier post about exorcisms in Japan, yet another case occurred recently in Japan where the belief in possessions reared its ugly head.
Posted in Abnormal & Clinical Psych, Culture, Japan, Psychology, Science, Skepticism
Tagged America, animals, brain, brainscan, China, crime, exorcisms, spirit possession
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What is Rakugo?
Rakugo isn’t a word the English-speaking world knows; but if one Canadian can help it, the Western hemisphere will know it soon enough. The 42-year-old “Katsura Sunshine,” as he’s known, is trying to bring English rakugo to stages all around the world. Rakugo has a long history, dating back hundreds of years. It was first used to entertain lords and aristocrats, and eventually evolved into the long form of rakugo we can see today. But… what exactly is it?
How Many Teenage Daughters Are Meeting Strangers from the Internet Offline?
A new study has just come out which reveals something about the relationship between technology and our social lives. At no time in history have we been so technologically connected to one another. We can get and stay in contact with people at any hour of the day from virtually anywhere on the planet. The reason I’m saying this is because I don’t want you to be too shocked when I tell you the percentage of teenage girls are meeting people offline.
Posted in Culture, Japan, Psychology, Science, Sex and Sexuality, Social Psych, Technology
Tagged dating, internet, parenting
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Skeptikai’s 2012 Year-End Review (July – December)
The year has come to an end, and it’s time to look back at some of my favourite pieces from 2012. The latter half of the year has been full of fear, stupidity, and hysteria; but even when it seems that times are the most bleak, it’s best to stay optimistic about our current situation and about the future. So the following articles are my favorites for each month. Click the picture if you want to see the article.
Posted in Aggregators/lists/rankings, Blogging, Culture, Japan, Psychology, Science, Skepticism
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Skeptikai’s 2012 Year-End Review (January – June)
The year has come to an end, and it’s time to look back at some of my favourite pieces from 2012. The first half of 2012 saw lots of misconceptions. For example, hypnosis, neuroscience, intelligence, etc. These are some of the things people constantly misunderstand because of the way they are being reported in the media by people who likewise have only a rudimentary understanding of it.
Should Parents Tell Their Kids “The Truth” About Santa?
Spoiler Alert! Santa is a dangerous alcoholic, suffering from obesity, and doesn’t exist.
Actually only one of those is true. Well, maybe two… but if you pass the age-test, then you know exactly what I’m talking about.
Posted in Biographical, Culture, Japan, Skepticism
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The 2012 Kanji of the Year: 金 (KIN)
Japan’s “Kanji of the year” was just released, revealing that the recent achievements by Japanese experts were largely influential in the year-long feelings of the country. The character last year was “bonds,” because of the bonds that Japanese people were so ready to keep, create, and remember, after the Great Eastern Japan Earthquake. This year, the character is 金 “KIN” which means gold (and also means money).
If Toby Becomes Japan’s New Prime Minister, Will Japan Cease to Be a Pacifist Nation?
Toby’s at it again. The dream of having to never blog about Tokyo’s most famous bigot – who I hesitate to call anything other than Toby (explanation here) – has been short lived. A few days from now, the country will vote in a general election. Having been a governer of Tokyo for over a decade, Toby has proven that he is a stable leader, which has become an increasingly attractive quality for a prime minister here. Is it possible that he could become the leader of the country? And what would that mean for Japan?