Adopt Tech, Preserve Culture

Updated: 2025.08.23 2M ago 1 sources
Societies can import foreign technologies without losing their cultural core, as Japan’s 'Japanese soul, Western technology' approach demonstrates. Europe’s reluctance to embrace AC reflects a broader fear of cultural dilution that imposes real welfare costs when temperatures rise. — It challenges protectionist and purity arguments that block productivity‑enhancing adoption across sectors, not just cooling.

Sources

Europe's crusade against air conditioning is insane
Noah Smith 2025.08.23 100% relevant
The piece explicitly invokes 'wakon yosai' to contrast Japan’s AC embrace with Europe’s reticence.
← Back to All Ideas