Understanding the World in terms of Community

1. Significance of Making Models

 In the social sciences, researchers sometimes construct simple models to analyze their subjects.
They abandon the attempt to calculate, predict and synthesize the movements and their interactions of countless elements, simplifying the subject for research purposes.
While building a model may sometimes require the use of probability and statistics methods, it is generally possible to understand most problems.

2. Subjectivity and Objectivity

 Objectively speaking, the world exists whether I am present or not.
However, subjectively speaking, a world without me does not exist (for me).
This world exists because I perceive it.
Fundamentally, the objective world is the shared understanding of the human society to which I belong.

I think how we perceive and understand this world is essentially individual and concrete.
In that sense, distinguishing between fake and fact is fundamentally impossible.

3. Humans and Community

 Humans are social animals and belong to some kind of community.
For now, let's define this as the biological essence of humanity.
What is a community?
Here, without defining community, we will list what is generally understood as community.

Family, neighborhood association, religion, schools (elementary, junior high and high school, vocational school, university, etc.), company, clubs (sports, literature, subculture, etc.), social media (mixi, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LINE, YouTube, online forum, etc.)...

4. Value of Money

 Money itself is not the sole supreme value.
Its existence is supported by the fact that it serves as a universally desired medium of exchange.

In the context of community, while the communities people belong to vary, money alone is recognized as a universal medium of value.
Conversely, people who can make a living through savings, pensions, and other social security benefits, and thus don't need to work for money, are able to minimize the number of communities they belong to.

5. Community and Freedom

 Closed environments breed negativity.
When human groups are closed, relationships become toxic.
The reason relationships in schools (elementary, junior high, high), communities, and workplaces become toxic is because entry and exit are restricted.
Without the freedom to choose one's community, people suffer from relationships at schools and workplaces.

In the end, they start daydreaming about things like winning the lottery so they can retire, or how many years are left until retirement.
I think this is one of the mechanisms that creates the illusion that having money leads to freedom and happiness.

6. Employment and Company Membership

 Japanese employment is often described as joining a company.
Japanese employment is membership-based.
In recent years, a shift to job-based employment has been frequently discussed, yet change has been slow.
Membership-based employment has become entrenched both in the system and in the Japanese mindset.

In the context of community, Japanese employees belong to the community of their company or workplace, where cooperation as members is highly valued.
Occasionally, individuals who fail to grasp this, overconfident in their knowledge, abilities, or skills, make themselves uncomfortable within the organization and may even resign as a result.

7. Labor Market and Market Mechanisms

 When there is a surplus of labor, wages fall; when there is a labor shortage, wages soar.
Most political and economic phenomena can be explained by market mechanisms.
Why did the Jobless Generation emerge?
Of course, it would require a careful analysis of the political and economic conditions at the time.
・What was Lost 30 Years of Japan?：https://tanakah17191928.blogspot.com/2021/11/what-was-lost-30-years-of-japan.html

However, we can also explain it simply through market mechanisms.
The large population, including the second baby boom generation, led to an abundant supply of labor in the market, driving down wages for job seekers.
Among the Jobless Generation, some individuals have over-adapted to competition in the labor market, developing an abnormal fixation on academic credentials, qualifications, and skills.

8. Timbergen's Theorem and Mundell's Theorem

 Finally, I'll introduce a general approach to problem-solving.
This approach can also be useful when considering further education or job hunting.
To solve a single problem, we should choose a single (best) method.
When considering further education or job hunting, some people tend to mix up many factors and think about them all at once.

Can I earn money? Will I gain knowledge, techniques, or skills that are advantageous for job hunting or career changes? Does it offer high social status? Can I commute from my parents' home? Is there a possibility of relocation? Can I work overseas? Is overtime minimal? Are the benefits comprehensive? Is the work easy?...
For most people looking for a job, the most important factor is the salary, since they need to earn money to make a living. Next comes whether they can continue that job for a long time.
And whether they can continue working long-term depends on how comfortable the workplace is.

Whether it's school or the workplace, it is a (important) community for the people who belong to it.

- To read this article in Japanese