Re:Japan: The Harbinger State
by ehnto on Monday January 23, 2023 @07:53AM
(#34488196)
> Will also the USA and Europe get stuck technologically as the population grows older? Again, it is to be expected.
I think they may have escaped to evergreen technology for consumer electronics, but one might argue America is equally as trapped by historical infrastructure. Japan's infrastructure is interesting as it's clear much of it was built in the 80s and 90s, but it's still serviceable and their big bets on trains turned out to be rather future proof. When walking the streets, especially somewhere like Osaka, you can see much of the signage, bridges, pedestrian crossing buttons are very old indeed. You do often feel like you are in a future-past of some kind.
None of these statements apply universally across both countries mind you, there is good rail in the US and modern infra in Japan as well.
I think they may have escaped to evergreen technology for consumer electronics, but one might argue America is equally as trapped by historical infrastructure. Japan's infrastructure is interesting as it's clear much of it was built in the 80s and 90s, but it's still serviceable and their big bets on trains turned out to be rather future proof. When walking the streets, especially somewhere like Osaka, you can see much of the signage, bridges, pedestrian crossing buttons are very old indeed. You do often feel like you are in a future-past of some kind.
None of these statements apply universally across both countries mind you, there is good rail in the US and modern infra in Japan as well.