Mark Schreiber makes a most penetrating observation in his essay in the Kyoto Journal 66: "Jiko-chuu behavior manifests itself in many forms, but essentially involves the transference of behavior once confined to one's place of residence into the public domain." He goes on to explain: "The word is derived from jiko chuushin, meaning self-centered or self-absorbed, but the kanji chuu, meaning center, is replaced by a homonym, meaning insect."
This fascinating article touches on many Jiko-chuu behaviors we all rail about these days, whether it is women putting on their makeup in their cars or on the bus, or people "eating on the run," or the ubiquitous cup of coffee being clutched by the masses. I particularly liked his reference to the controversy sparked by Masataka Nobuo's book "Monkeys with Cell Phones." The author is a professor of primatology at Kyoto University. He argues that the Jiko-chuu behavior of constantly exchanging messages is analogous to the way monkeys constantly chatter in order to confirm that others are nearby. "I may be criticized for likening the behavior of humans with monkeys," he writes. "But from my years of research into primates, I'm convinced: the proliferation of information technology is causing humans to behave in ways that resemble apes."
This is good stuff! Especially when it helps to confirm one's own feelings that the masses plugged into only their worlds are similar to ants crawling in line or spiders scooting along a surface. You can put your finger in their path, but they just bump and then go on their own way, right around the offending interruption. But then, I like insects just as long as they are not chewing excessively on something I treasure. I stand in awe of their organizational abilities. So ... ?
While pondering that conundrum, I will move on to a sense that I have about a subtle but intensive shift in our local populace. Many recent arrivals to Queen Anne have become very active in the community. This is great news and exciting, but there seems to be a real sense of entitlement that accompanies their efforts. They appear to lack a curiosity about the history or traditions of the community. Many seem unaware when I mention Dick Rhodes' development of the Queen Anne Thriftway, a project that all "those that know" said was doomed to failure. His groundbreaking work here in Queen Anne profoundly changed the national supermarket industry. Never before had a supermarket let its customers enter through the produce section! This is just a minuscule example of his stunning innovations. He also founded the Queen Anne Helpline when he realized that some of his customers were buying pet food and he knew that they did not own any pets. Yes, we have people living in our community who need help, with their rent or their utility bills, food, clothing or vouchers for social services. I suspect that the real-estate agents helping the new owners with their $1.5-million-plus home-buying projects have not necessarily mentioned this other group that resides in our community.
At the grand reopening of our beautifully renovated branch library I talked at length with a woman I had worked with years ago on a Seattle Center art project. She has lived here in Queen Anne with her family, and she confirmed that she felt this change and saw that its effect extended to students at our local schools. The sense of entitlement - or as one might say, them that obviously know best - was having a severe impact on children who did not have a parent that could stay at home and do extensive volunteer work at the local school. This is sounding more than a bit divisive. We need to all be in this together. We need each other, more than ever these days.
Last Saturday's library opening celebration was a grand gathering of people of all ages, the ancients down to the freshly minted. I saw only two cellphone actions! I felt a genuine excitement and I saw the energy. Inside, the children were grabbing at the books and wanting to be read to. There were not a lot of teens present, but on up the age range I saw many reaching out to get those books, check them out, and then just stay on the grounds, conversing with their neighbors. Also, there were some fine hats being constructed in the nicely renovated meeting room downstairs.
Subtle shifts, entitlements, insect or monkey behavior? None of that was evident at the library celebration. We can fixate on negative aspects of the current culture, or be renewed by seeing all age groups celebrating together at a library opening! I prefer the latter - it is good stuff.
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