Like to do and good at doing

It is a traditionally discussed matter.

We have something we like to do. Someone like to play sports. Others like to learn history. Another person may like to play the piano, but he perhaps do not like to read a novel. A matter like to do is quite various in each person.

Thus, some people say we should do the thing we do like.

On the other hand, it is also true we have our own advantages. Someone is good at writing. Another speaks well. You may be a strong Judo warrior, meanwhile you cannot swim. The strength is also various.

Then, which should be more focused, especially to choose our job? There are lots of opinions about this question.

In my opinion, I recommend you to refer to the thing you are good at, not like to do, at least in the initial setting. I agree with Mr. Tetsuyuki Ohishi, a Japanese nomad writer.

In Japanese proverb, "Mitsugo no tamashii hyaku made."[As the boy, so the man.] Generally speaking, it is true. Indeed, both the thing you like and the thing you are good at seem to be eternal. However, there is a critical difference between them. When you feel that you really like something, it is an emotion you have. Emotion is a strong flow of the human mind, but unfortunately, sometimes vulnerable. In contrast, if you are good at doing something, it is a characteristic of you. Character includes physical or genetic factors to some extent. They are quite lasting.

Therefore, if you choose a job that you really like to do, you would perhaps change to dislike to do it. Instead, when you choose a job that you are good at, there is low risk for you to change to bad at this.

It is one more thing you should remember. You can know what do you like. But you cannot know what are you good at. Whether you are good at a thing or not is evaluated by someone else. The reason is that the advantage is a relative concept. For example, even if you feel you are not a good engineer, when no one is superior to you, the employer would hire you at a large amount of the fee.

Like or dislike is absolute and subjective standard. Only you can decide the matter. In contrast, you cannot see what is the advantage of you.

After all, I recommend you to try many things. Never try, never gain. Thinking produces nothing about this matter. When you get a good appraisal, it may be your mission, even if you dislike it.

Problems about mental health in each country

Huff Post reports a problem around the mental health system in Virginia.

Huff Post: Long Before Deeds Case, Virginia Tech Massacre Pointed To Mental Health Service Gaps

According to this, there are some difficulties for functional mental health service: Lack of emergency beds, inadequate assessment of the patients, failure of sharing information among  practitioners.

These errors can also occur frequently in Japan. However, I was surprised to know some things happened in Virginia. Temporary detention order seems to rarely be adopted. I do not know the reason. In any places, there are patients who are needed to compulsory hospitalization, unfortunately. It is also quite rare in Japan that a patient discharge soon after the hospitalization.

Indeed, foreign report about mental health system is a little difficult to understand, since the scheme of public mental health are various be regions. How to deal with the patients with mental disorders often depends on cultural background and social resources available in each area.

In Japan, the landscape of mental health has three characteristics.

(1) Rich beds
Japan has large amounts of psychiatric beds. The number per population is doubled by western countries. There is a historical reason for it. About 90% of the mental hospitals is managed by the private sector. Thus, it is difficult for the government to control mental hospitals. On the other hand, almost all patients are able to be hospitalized without waiting a long time. It is an advantage in Japan.

(2) Familial aid
In traditional Japan, the family was responsible to take care of other members with some disabilities. Even now, compulsory hospitalization to a psychiatric bed requires a consent by a particular family member, as a principle. To maintain the outpatient care of the patients is also a task of the family. Instead, social resources such as Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) or Day & Night Hospitals has not grown enough yet.

(3) Opinion of doctors
In Japan, doctors, including psychiatrists have strong power to determine the strategy of therapy. When a doctor suggests an option, patients and family members are seldom opposed. Psychiatrists are also decisive in compulsory hospitalization. The judges and lawyers participate only in a special case under the Medical Care and Treatment Act.

It is meaningless to consider which system is superior. Each scheme has own argument.

Discussion about the harm of touchscreens for children

Recently, some researchers claim that exposure for excessive time to touchscreens is harmful for children. According to them, children who frequently use the devices with touchscreen can cause motor delays and/or decreased muscle strength. The American Academy of Pediatrics published a warning that children less than 2 years old should avoid these devices.

Mail Online: Toddlers who use tablets or smartphones may develop long-term problems with their hands and fingers, experts warn

CBS Baltimore: Doctors Raise Red Flag: Young Children Should Avoid Using Tablets

I think it is a pointless question whether touchscreens are harmful for children. It is no doubt that playing with only one tool for an extremely long time is harmful. There are no exceptions; iPad, other gaming, internet, soccer, baseball, and so on. Balanced activity is necessary for developing both physical and mental abilities, especially in childhood. Playing sports is healthy, although excessive training can cause fractures. If you write a lot of letters in a short term, you would suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome.

Actually, human muscle cannot grow up without appropriate exercise. Nowadays, we hardly have an opportunity to handle heavy things. Ancient humans perhaps are more powerful. Instead, we take so rich nutrition that our muscle and skeleton are firmer than our ancestors.

So, will our descendants be not able to handle a pen with a hand in the future? Some Sci-Fi novels describe such aliens who are so weak. It is not a joke. However, I do not know which people are happier.

At least, there are no academic papers to refer to adverse effects of touchscreen use on children, as far as I searched. Indeed, it is difficult to identify the true influence of a certain manner on the development of children. The truth is still unknown.

Overall, it is appropriate not to incline to a certain method to joy a child. Various pleasures should be given to children, not limited to electrics, or athletics.

Downgrade of France by S&P

Standard and Poors (S&P), a representative bond rating company, decided to cut Frances credit rating to double A.

The Wall Street Journal: S&P Cuts France's Credit Rating by One Notch to Double-A

S&P have shouldered for evaluation of the credibility of bonds. The world economy is often strongly influenced by the statement of S&P. In general, the fact that S&P cut the rating of a nation is deemed as a severe crisis of the subject.

However, the current situation is unclear. S&P is criticizing the policy of President Hollande severely. Actually, it is no doubt that S&P dislike Mr. Hollande, as he stands by the side of the socialists, compared to past president Nicolas Sarkozy.

Mr. Paul Krugman, a world famous economist, says that it is only an ideological rating. He states that no one knows the absolute way to recover the economy. I agree with him.

The New York Times: The Conscience of a Liberal - Ideological Ratings

On the other hand, Krugman also has his own ideology. I think he likes big government more than little government. His column on the New York Times has a strong influence on the economy.

Making standard is one of most easy and decisive method to take control of a region. The situation is similar in academism. In psychiatry, DSM made by APA has ultimate power.

What should France do? Hollande seems to be calm. I think he need not be concerned about the rating by S&P. It is the most beneficial way for France to show some other social value other than economic growth. If so, capitalism represented by S&P will not able to interfere them. Of course it is extremely difficult, I expect Hollande to be another type of leader.

Equal payment bill will come in Swiss?

Swiss will be soon facing a big challenge again. A proposal which restricts the amount of salary for  executives will be voted.

Business Insider: A Proposal To Limit Swiss Executive Pay To 12 Times That Of Low-Paid Employees Has Fat Cats Worried

This idea is called 1:12 initiative. The content is that all companies are required to limit the ratio of salaries between the top and the bottom less than 12 times. This proposal was signed up by over than 100,000 people. Therefore, a national vote about this will be held on Nov. 24.

Swiss is also arguing about the introduction of the basic income. It is also a considerable issue, although I do not know the date of the vote.

My past entry: Basic income in Swiss: A challenge?

If these proposals are accepted, Swiss will dramatically change the shape of the nation. Every person can receive money the amount of which guarantee daily life without starving. It will definitely be a great help for poor people. In contrast some leading persons will lose a large amount of money. According to this report above, currently most companies pay their executives salaries that are more than a hundred times of their lowest-paid employees. It is not surprising at all. They will have to correct their earning portfolios immediately if the bill is realized. I guess then most of talented persons will go out from Swiss.

After all, I anticipate that both the two proposals will be rejected. Correction of inequality is a matter necessary to accomplish in developed countries. However, it is too difficult to be achieved by some bills. Our society is complicated. There is no solution that satisfies all.

Nonetheless, the system of the national vote in Swiss is quite interesting. It may help citizens consider the scheme of society and the life in the future.

*sequel

Effects on the brain of the internet

Widespread of the internet has completely changed the world. We can hardly imagine our daily life without the internet. Thus, there are lots of opinions about using the internet.

Some people emphasize the harm of the internet. In Japan I often hear the opinion that internet search engine makes human dull and thoughtless. Others claim that much information available via the internet is incorrect. In fact, I sometimes meet a client who believes inaccurate knowledge acquired through the internet.

This article also warns the cautiousness of the internet use. I think the contents are well constructed.

Huff Post: This Is How The Internet Is Rewiring Your Brain

The author pointed out 4 cons. and 1 pros. of the internet.

Fact #1: The Internet may give you an addict's brain.
The fact that the internet using may cause a kind of addiction is generally recognized. Also I have an experience. But for my knowledge the evidence has not been enough established. Some biological research has performed to prove this phenomenon. However, it is more difficult to investigate the influence of the internet use than some kinds of drugs such as methamphetamine. Further study is needed. Nonetheless, I believe that the mechanism of addiction related some particular behaviors will be clarified in the future.

Fact #2: You may feel more lonely and jealous.
This is a little surprising side effect of the internet.  Most people using the internet want to connect with other people. It is ironic that they feel lonely due to the internet.
I guess this phenomenon is related to the rise of social network service (SNS), especially real-name SNSs such as Facebook. This type of services  lets the users know the real activity of the others. Then we have to compare with each other. It makes jealousy or other negative emotions. It is quite natural that human relationship often makes us tired.

Fact #3: Internet use may heighten suicide risk in certain teens.
This is a quite controversial matter. The internet lets us obtain vast information. It includes harmful topics.
Some people claim that regulation of the internet access is required for the youth. I partially agree with this opinion. However, it is also essential for the youth to get accustomed to the dangerousness. There is no way to get rid of all harmful information. The internet resembles a knife. Both are beneficial, meanwhile harmful too.

Fact #4: Memory problems may be more likely.
I cannot agree with this part. In fact most knowledge from internet surfing will be lost immediately. But there are many people utilizing internet learning effectively. This difference may depend on the level of concentration. In general, the more information we are given, the more strengthen the connection of the synapses is. It will enhance the ability of memorization.

Fact #5: But it's not all bad -- in moderation, the Internet can actually boost brain function.
I am also doubtful about this conclusion. The research the author refers compares the brain activities during reading a book and internet searching. Actually, the two conditions differ from each other. A display monitor is much brighter than a book. There are lots of meaningless stimuli on the screen while internet searching. I can hardly accept that these stimulations would be beneficial for our brain.

After all, the influence of the internet on the brain is not exactly identified. It is not a point that we determine whether internet is beneficial or harmful. We have to be wise users of the internet.

Wolverine real but not impressive

I watched "The Wolverine" for the first time in the airplane in the last month..

This is one of the X-MEN series. I like these movies very much. So I expected this film would be also splendid.

The main field of The Wolverine is Japan. The title of this film was renamed into "Wolverine Samurai" in Japan.

Wolverine came to Japan to meet Mr. Yashida, who was saved by Wolverine in youth. Yashida called Wolverine to give him something good as a reward for his request.

It is life and death. Yashida knew that Wolverine was suffering from his own immortality. On the other hand, he wanted eternal life for the prosperity of Yashida family. He proposed an odd deal to Wolverine.

The deal was not completed. Yashida died soon. However, Wolverine lost his ability of healing factor. He became mortal for the unknown reason. Then, the successor of Yashida was stabbed by a group of assassins. Wolverine attempted to protect the lady Mariko.

This is the storyline. It is not surprising that Wolverine lost his healing ability. If the hero were immortal, the audiences would not be able to be excited with thrill that the hero can be killed. The past work "Wolverine X-Men Zero" was a story when he was young. So all audiences knew that he would survive the tough situation. But this film is a sequel to "X-Men: the Last Stand". Therefore the last scene was not revealed until the end of the movie.

To be honest, I think the plot is too simple. Although the action scenes are amazing, I was not so impressed with the story. Japanese cities described in this film are quite real. Foreign audiences perhaps enjoy it. Some American movies such as "Kill Bill" twisted the image of Japan. It is funny but misleading. In contrast, The Wolverine is sincere.

I am not satisfied completely with this film. "X-Men: First Class" was superior. And "The Last Stand" was supreme.

Personal Rating: 3 (fair)