Episode 321: Pure Invention—Video Games & 20th Century Japan
Added 2020-08-24 13:00:05 +0000 UTCThis week's episode is a little more on the academic side than most, which should be a good thing. Variety, spice of life, all that. Also, the topic is fascinating.
I invited Matt Alt (a Tokyo-based translator/pop culture historian/fellow gin maven) to talk about his findings and experiences putting together his latest book, Pure Invention. I read through Pure Invention recently and found it to be, quite simply, the best-researched and most engrossing treatise I've seen on 20th century pop culture I've ever come across. While it focuses specifically on how Japan's culture and economy rebounded from the devastation of World War II through technological innovation, Matt did an incredible job of both tracing the origins of these concepts and tracking how they have shaped (and continue to shape, as the surprising final chapter attests) the rest of the world.
And yes, that includes the impact of video games. Obviously.
If you enjoy this episode, I strongly encourage you to pick up a copy of Pure Invention—it's the kind of book that I (1) couldn't put down and (2) wish I had written myself. You can find it wherever books are sold; I recommend Powell's.
Description: Matt Alt, author of Pure Invention, joins Jeremy to discuss his research into the impact of technological innovation on the growth of Japanese society in the 20th century, and how it shaped video gaming. Cover art by Nick Wanserski.
Comments
Please sir, may I have some more! Usually you gain economic power, which leads to more funds to become a military power, which in turn makes you a political power on the world stage. Once you are respected as a world power, then your culture rises to the top and are accepted. See France, the UK, and the US as examples. But Japan and now Korea skipped a few steps and are genuine cultural draws today.
Cajun Baz
2020-09-30 14:53:10 +0000 UTCThanks a ton, Greg!
2020-09-11 17:54:38 +0000 UTCHere's all the songs used for musical inserts in this episode: 06:19 - Attack of the Friday Monsters!: A Little Forced Happiness 14:31 - Pokemon Red/Green/Blue: Pallet Town 27:41 - Metroid: Ending Theme 37:55 - Darius (Arcade): Captain Neo -[Ad Break]- Find Mii (SteetPass Quest): Title Theme 51:48 - Animal Crossing New Horizons: Prologue (Sixth Phase) Closing - Ultraman Towards the Future (SNES): "Towards the Future"
Greg J
2020-09-09 20:56:53 +0000 UTCFantastic interview! Quick question: what were the name of the song around 6:21? It was so nice and relaxing!
2020-09-08 17:52:47 +0000 UTCLoved this conversation! Gonna put this book on my Cmas list.
Mike Brothers
2020-09-06 00:39:29 +0000 UTCI suggested the book to my local library; it'd be a good addition to their manga section.
Will Oliver
2020-08-29 18:42:09 +0000 UTCWhat a great episode - It'd be nice to hear other episodes about other regions/countries too regarding video games and geekery!
Wood Duck
2020-08-29 10:58:15 +0000 UTCThis was a fascinating and excellent podcast. I purchased the book and am really looking forward to reading it. Jeremy, I wish you could’ve finished your thought about indie games and their developers having more empathy — I found this a compelling thought.
Julian
2020-08-29 01:46:10 +0000 UTCwish there was a few words about Matt Alt recording his book seeing as how this is a podcast and all. It's really cool to hear about the origins of things I'm familiar with but never bothered to explore. I'm currently working through the anime chapter, and hearing about Tezuka took his Astro Boy manga and adapted it to animation; "Ya, sure we can make it for 500000 yen an episode" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpwbNYFvZy4 and oooof - it ain't Clutch Cargo, but...
John Simon
2020-08-28 17:03:43 +0000 UTCWas going to buy it anyway even before the interview but after hearing it I'm hyped.
littleterr0r
2020-08-26 08:22:43 +0000 UTCI just gave the audiobook a download and am only a little ways into it so far, but its really, really good.
Curtis Bostick
2020-08-26 02:42:30 +0000 UTCGreat episode all around, however that final bit was next level. Viewing current cultural aspects of the US as mirroring cultural events in post bubble Japan, both due to late stage capitalism... 🤯🤯🤯
Mat Segal
2020-08-25 22:37:09 +0000 UTCI would like an entire list of music credits
Diamond Feit
2020-08-25 11:59:21 +0000 UTCGreat ep., ordered the book yesterday. What is the name of the first song, the one with guitar and violin?
youngmoneySWE
2020-08-25 07:12:47 +0000 UTCHuge fan of the historical aspects of Retronauts. Thank you for making this a highlight for an episode!
Jared Blankenship
2020-08-24 20:19:16 +0000 UTCShout out to Powell's!
littleterr0r
2020-08-24 19:34:53 +0000 UTCJust ordered the book! Can’t wait to read it! This podcast was a delight.
Alexander Pero
2020-08-24 18:24:23 +0000 UTC
