Youtube hearted comments of etherdog (@etherdog).

  1. Dating is hard, period, but it was very interesting hearing the perspectives of the various people you interviewed. I'm glad you got guys from a wide variety of countries. Do you set up the interviews in advance or do you just approach people on the street?
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  2. Sofyani's perspective on identity as half Japanese is important because it shows how much culture informs one's sense of self.
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  3. When we said we wanted to see more of you, we weren't expecting the beach scenes :-) There was a TV show in the 60s with Art Linkletter called "Kids Say the Darnedest Things" which was all about the honest unfiltered speech of kids, and it was quite popular (albeit, there were only 3 channels back then).
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  4. Being positive, respectful, and funny is something almost everybody likes. Doggies attract a lot of interaction, too.
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  5. Takashii, it seems these anime interviews were part of more extended interviews that you edited together--very clever! It makes me wonder what else you have up your sleeve. I hope you are enjoying the US and that the culture shock is not too overwhelming. George in Japan is also touring.
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  6. What an interesting perspective! That's why we love you, Nobita.
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  7. It is cool to see Grossi and Pao's reactions to Japan.
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  8. I learned so much French from a Primsleur video series on PBS that when I was in Montreal, an older women came up to me in a metro station and asked directions to where she wanted to go and I was able to tell her.
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  9. We had been waiting to see the rings on Mt Takao, and you certainly didn't disappoint, John!
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  10. I think for a lot of people lack of confidence can be traced to fear of screwing up/making mistakes. Getting over that fear by knowing that you ARE going to make mistakes, and that you will learn from them, is one key to happiness as a human being. You embody that well, Anming!
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  11. We really appreciate the difficult topics you tackle, Nobita-san!
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  12. We saw you and Jasmine back-to-back! Your Sakurako and Tokyo Treats promo was the most inventive I've ever seen!
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  13. Oddly enough, when Weird Al released his "I'm Fat" video I started questioning my biases. People are different. Vive la difference!
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  14. Takashii, I hope you will reflect on how your travels in the US has changed your impression of the world around you and the people within it.
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  15. Great interview with Lisa. I didn't notice that SHE had any disability.
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  16. Norm, your analysis on the sound quality differences was spot on. It was amazing how synchronous the players were with each other, too! Very edifying.
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  17. At university when I was an undergrad, our prof said to collect mushrooms in a mesh bag or something similar so the spores can be distributed whilst trudging through the woods. This was fascinating, John!
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  18. An Ming, these "language flexing" type of videos are really empowering. It isn't just the language (which is cool) but it is the interpersonal engagement that is so stimulating, and I think that is something that comes more easily to Americans. When I was in Greece in 1984, on the first night on Paros island, we had together 3 Brits from the Midlands, 2 Welsh lads 3 Irish girls, a Canadienne, (who I will love forever) and a couple of Aussie girls. We were thick as thieves for two weeks, doing everything together in a seemingly spontaneously manner, but in reality (in retrospect) it was because I (as the sole American) said "do you wanna do x?" and they said "Sure!" Doing something is better than doing nothing.
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  19. Sakai-san was so endearing! Do you know the story of the pink paperclip?
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  20. It is interesting to see how Japanese people change in different milieu.
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  21. Your videos are always interesting and thorough! Thank you, Nobita!
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  22. John, the detail you go into at the fireworks factory was fascinating! Thanks!
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  23. I realized a few videos ago that your music is either from, or evocative of, Orson Welles spy movie "The Third Man". Ha! Proof you are a spy :-) Nice reflections on your experiences! Travelling when young shapes the rest of your life, for the better. It certainly did mine. I'd be willing to go out on a limb and say that every university student should have a gap year in a foreign (language) country before matriculating. If that were so, our GDP and total happiness would soar.
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  24. Remember, guys, bear spray does no't work like bug spray!
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  25. John, as a follow on from your live stream, I would say that recommending other channels enhances yours and gives potential visitors additional perspectives that would enrich their experience. I follow about 40 channels and find them synergistically compelling.
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  26. I take it that Rise went to UM. I would love to see the outtakes of your rivalry talk! Thanks for highlighting this town and Rise's House. It seems the kind of place that having a guide to introduce you to the area would be a real bonus in your experience.
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  27. John Daub really puts the "fun" in fundoshi!
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  28. I read Matt's book last week and it is a great insight into the post war culture revolution. A very well written book, informative, well researched and with citations. I cannot recommend it highly enough!
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  29. Oy! Thia was so difficult to watch but your love for each other pulled you through,
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  30. We thought some of this was familiar--glad you mentioned the walking tour on you X channel, Greg. We enjoy the depth of your descriptions and the context you provide! Oh, and your subtle wry humor doesn't go unnoticed :-)
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  31. You brought not only joy and amusement to the people you encountered, but also your viewers! Well done, Anming!
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  32. If they actually are maintaining the road and helping to keep it open, I would have given them some money. It was only a couple of bucks.
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  33. That was worth the wait! Does Lera understand how lucky she is in traveling with you guys?
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  34. I've always thought of "nihongo jozu" as encouragement. Nice vid!
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  35. There is a dynamism in becoming immersed in different cultures that is a benefit for all. The more diverse an ecosystem is, the stronger it becomes.
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  36. Was the guy at the tree museum speaking English to you? Great vid, and we look forward to more historical sites you discover!
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  37. Your idea about what it is like to raise haifu kids is a good one!
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  38. What contingency are you NOT prepared for, Norm?
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  39. Norm, I think you should pick someone for whom this trip would be life-changing, as it was for you, so I urge you to select someone between 16 and 24. My wife and I in the US can (barely) afford to go to Japan, and we had tickets booked for March 23, 2020, and yes, that didn't happen, but we did get full refunds on everything, and we have already lived in other countries. You can change a life (for the better) with this lottery. Please do so!
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  40. John, your vid and Greg's are perfect complements to each other! It's kinda funnt (in a tragic way) that you both fell and hurt yourselves on this trip. And thanks for the time stamps.
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  41. Dogs and people domesticated each other. It was interesting to see the young kids trying out their English with you, too.
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  42. Great trip and a lot more fun walking! The subtitles are difficult to read--the text is dark grey on a black background.
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  43. Is 90,000USD the purchase price? That would be a GREAT deal!
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  44. Hey, Alyssa, this is one of the most important videos you have made!
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  45. Here is an idea, Takashii. Interview Japanese people who don't speak (much) English but work with people whose native language is English and ask them their thoughts about their personalities, work habits, and perhaps more importantly, their efficiency. We always enjoy your content and your are getting much better at interviewing! It was very perceptive of your last interviewee that your personality and demeanor change depending on which language you are speaking. When you speak Japanese, you are much more formal than when you are speaking English.
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  46. You tip about actually paying for some instruction is a good one--if you have "skin in the game" you tend to pay a lot more attention to results.
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  47. John, it was to great to hear the comment of your interviewees--and to see Rogier, Alex, and Violet again! How are the internet speeds in these rural areas and are governments making it a priority? (Maybe a topic for a vid?)
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  48. I think it might be time for me to jump on your Patreon, Dogen!
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  49. What a payoff at the end!
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  50. How did you manage to get into the country? That is the real conundrum! The tunnel explanation was spot on!
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  51. The deep channel with water running through was gorgeous!
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  52. As always, good interviews Takashii!
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  53. Yeah, Takashii! But, whoa, sure wasn't expecting that ending!
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  54. My thoughts are that you can power your gear from the bikes as you travel like the inverter from JACO.
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  55. Alyssa, I don't see this kind of reporting on NHK! Aside from the guy lowballing you in NW Tokyo (your virtue is infinity), it seems these areas are relatively safe and there is less mental illness than in the US. The light you are shedding on this topic of homelessness is making a difference. If you can keep it up, I think the government will do something to address it. It takes an outsider's eye to put the problem into perspective!
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  56. Hi, Norm. The atmospherics or your video are entertaining but it would be nice to know the specific places your were at for the video. I like to follow fids on Street View to give me a sense of the geography of the places. And thanks for the link to Arata Fukoe! Cool stuff.
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  57. We make gyoza from scratch several times a year. It's hard to find good ones where we live.
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  58. A cliffhanger--in more ways than one!
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  59. It was surprising that only 200-400 of the square watermelons are produced each year--their reputation/notoriety seems stronger than those numbers indicate. Well done and informative video, John!
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  60. My favorite is "Mountweasel" in an encyclopaedia.
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  61. Norn, I have a couple of questions. 1/ Is there a reason why you didn't name/pin the hotel where you staid? If the owner didn't want to be identified, one can respect her wishes, but it is nice to have some clue so one can at least look at the location on Google Maps (which I do ALOT). 2/ Did you get anything interesting from the "Kentucky Kamera Mount" that you left running? :-)
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  62.  @TokyoLens  Sorry, as soon as i hit send I thought of looking at the other two descriptions. I did find it just looking down the coast of Iwate. I love the work you do!
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  63. Also mad props to Luke from Nomadic Gaijin!
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  64. Sooo funny! Thanks for a cute vid, Anming!
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  65. That shirt was a real coup de grace, Norm! Great to see Tokyo from the water!
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  66. You are showing some ferocious tenacity in those bouts! Very fun to watch. I like live streams, but 30 minutes is about the max that I can spend time on (so many other Japan vids!)
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  67. We had tickets and bookings for Bologna in March and Japan in late September. Luckily, when I saw what the crowds were like at the Sapporo Snow Festival it clicked for me that this was going to be serious and I was able to get full refunds on everything. We'll be rebooking as soon as it is not irresponsible to do so. You're great, Norm!
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  68. GREAT video, John! I'm kinda surprised (but deeply gratified) that the connection still persists between the two familes and the communities. I remember some videos you posted on GO when you were in Kochi and you featured the Ryugu Shrine--I had no idea that this is what you were up to!
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  69. When you drop everything for a dog, that is a perfect moment!
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  70. Norm, it took some digging but I finally found the place on Google Maps to pin it for a visit when we get to Shikoku. Yohei-san has some pretty good ventures going on to put some vitality into the area, but even his websites don't reveal his location. The coffee bags look great for traveling!
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  71. It is a real thrill to buy a car new (I did it once), do we are very happy for you! Your description was very thorough, thanks.
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  72. We love to follow your journey!
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  73. Gorgeous as always, Norm! Glad you had the other photographer, Hasshi, on. That was nice to see and get his motivation for being there.
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  74. Exquisitely evocative, Norm! I worry, though, about the polluting effects of the things left behind, like batteries, CRTs (that's the old glass tube televisions to you youngsters out there), farm chemicals.
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  75. I suppose the word "Terminator" shouldn't be said in front of...aaaggghhhh!
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  76. Norm, your enthusiasm for making a video comes through and makes it more exciting to watch.
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  77. You are doing good, Takeshii! You editing is very "snappy".
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  78. I hope you inspired some of the girls to as big and strong as you seem to be.
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  79. That dance is dope!
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  80. You've gotta take Tommy to the original Buddy's Pizza place at 6 Mile and Conant--the birthplace of Detroit style pizza!
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  81. Trés fantastique! I like your offbeat approach. It is oblique and very interesting.
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  82. Norm, congratulations on 200k subscribers! You gave very sensible answers in the Q & A. I can afford to get the Kokoro Care package, so I hope you will give it to someone who has been a commenter from early on who has been positive and has added value in the comments. Thanks also for the podcast as I added Michaela and Tokyo Adventures as the only two that I was unaware of.
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  83. Terrific video, John! Yuki-san speaks pretty good English, it seems, and doesn't seem to shy about it. We have this pinned on our map of places we must eat (hopefully in October--we are both vaccinated).
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  84. Great to see your numbers of subscribers and views have grown, as have your interviewing skills!
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