# Aeschines lived in Japan for eight years! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [April 14, 2005, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aeschines-lived-in-japan-for-eight-years/299231 "2005-04-14T03:21:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Scott\_Plaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Scott\_Plaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scott_Plaid)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2005, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aeschines-lived-in-japan-for-eight-years/299231/41 "2005-04-14T17:03:13Z")
> [@Princhester](#): > > Sorry I’m still not getting it. They have really long, flash swords, unlike the ninjas. > [@Princhester](#): > > How long? Very long > [@Princhester](#): > > Where? Either in the guts, or the arms. (I had another answer, but it’s TMI. ---
**Author:** ![Genghis\_Bob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/45deac/32.png) [@Genghis\_Bob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Genghis_Bob)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2005, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aeschines-lived-in-japan-for-eight-years/299231/42 "2005-04-14T17:17:27Z")
> [@gobear](#): > > Eh, I don’t know, Given the popularity of the Chimp in charge and the tenor of the GOP leadership lately, I’d say the Hillbillies are still in the fight. Hmm. . . **gobear** , I interpreted \*\*LHoD’s \*\* post to mean, “the Hillbillies have \*already \* won.” ---
**Author:** ![Merijeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2005, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aeschines-lived-in-japan-for-eight-years/299231/43 "2005-04-14T17:26:07Z")
> [@Genghis Bob](#): > > Hmm. . . **gobear** , I interpreted \*\*LHoD’s \*\* post to mean, “the Hillbillies have \*already \* won.” I kind of figured he was referring to that little tiff from 1861-1865. Oh, and **Bob** , try not to use abbreviations. I think it makes lil’ **Abbie** ’s (oh, sorry, **abbie** ’s) text-to-speech converter go apeshit. -Joe ---
**Author:** ![vetbridge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5e925/32.png) [@vetbridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vetbridge)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2005, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aeschines-lived-in-japan-for-eight-years/299231/44 "2005-04-14T18:51:43Z")
> [@Rune](#): > > I guess he’s just big in Japan. With apologies to Tom Waits: I got the style but not the grace I got the clothes but not the face I got the bread but not the butter I got the winda but not the shutter But I’m big in japan I’m big in japan but heh I’m big in japan I got the house but not the deed I got the horn but not the reed I got the cards but not the luck I got the wheel but not the truck But heh I’m big in japan I’m big in japan I’m big in japan Oh, and **Aeschines** is welcome to hang out with me anytime. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2005, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aeschines-lived-in-japan-for-eight-years/299231/45 "2005-04-14T19:07:30Z")
And now for a serious response. **Even Sven** , that you disagree with him is no reason to Pit him. His initial argument in the cited thread is reasoned, the other cites seem reasoned too. Just because you disagree with him doesn’t mean he’s wrong; it doesn’t mean he’s right either. That you take umbrage is a sign that you need to step back and take a deep breath. ---
**Author:** ![ouryL](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ouryl/32/6067_2.png) [@ouryL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ouryL)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2005, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aeschines-lived-in-japan-for-eight-years/299231/46 "2005-04-14T19:23:20Z")
> [@even sven](#): > > In case you guys missed it, Aeschines lived in Japan for EIGHT YEARS! That apparently entitles him to spout any amount of barely diguised racist (oh wait, it’s not racist- he just hates Islam) bullshit he wants, and then say either > > A: I lived in Japan for EIGHT YEARS!!!111oneOMG > B: You are just brainwashed by the PC police > > Whenever he is called on it. Aeschines lives in a bizarre world where “debate” means “saying whatever wierd stuff comes to his head” and then resorting to such time-worn debate tactics as “my daddy is the vice president of his company, so I know what I’m talking about” and “your just a big wrong doodyhead.” His debate style goes beyond fallacious and in to a strange dark realm where logic falls apart at the hands of his malformed childish ego. > > His quote-by-quote rebuttles (which he makes second after every post- doesn’t he have a job or something?) can be kind of funny, if they didn’t inspire quite so much nasea. He can reply to ten different quotes in one post, and never actually engange the argument. I’m really baffled as to what sort of joy he gets out of this. It’s like the time I went to New York and a barber said he’d give me a free haircut and ended up shaving my head- he’s got to be getting off on this somewhow. I’ve never met someone who can so so little in so much. Maybe thats just what eight years in Japan does for you. > > You’ve really got to [read this thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=311620&page=1&pp=50) to understand. > > Although he refers to himself as part of “we the left” (ack! who invited him here!) his real beliefs are somewhat, errrr, strange. He thinks that Japan was better of with feudalism (and I guess he should know, as he was there for eight years), for example. He’s like some kind of freaky Bush-Bashing Pro-Life Ultra-Darwinian Ayn Rand who believes in ghosts. > > Now for your enjoyment, I’ll include a diverse selection of Aeschines quotes, from which we can glean his immense personal knowledge of subjects ranging from what life was like in the 1950s to the nature of the afterlife. If only we spent eight years in Japan, we too could be worthy to join in these conversations. > > On social decline and martinis: > > On the supremacy of the MBA: > > On the attributes of the afterlife: > > On that guy that shot the wounded unarmed Iraqi: > > On the primal origin of descrimination against bowties: > > On America’s electorate: > > On “Jewdar” > > On the Palastinians: > > On a divided America: > > On the supernatural: > > On the intellegence of the Japanese, who he lived with for eight years: > > On why women get abortions: > > On the unexpected results of gay marriage: > > On space travel: I give you seven out of nine yuks! 😃 😛 😛 😛 😛 😛 😛 😛 ---
**Author:** ![scule](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4af34b/32.png) [@scule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scule)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2005, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aeschines-lived-in-japan-for-eight-years/299231/47 "2005-04-14T19:27:53Z")
I’m not sure I get this one either. All those quotes seems either neutral or misguided. But then I’ve only been to Japan for a week, so I guess that means I’m borderline retarded. Of course, then everyone else who hasn’t been at all is full on retarded. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2005, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aeschines-lived-in-japan-for-eight-years/299231/48 "2005-04-14T19:30:23Z")
> [@Bosda Di'Chi of Tricor](#): > > **Aeschines** is a trifle daft. > > But, aren’t we all? > > Still, he probably benefits by a Pitting, every year or two, just like the rest of us. > > \< smacks **Aeschines** with a wet trout \> Pardon me but this doesn’t look like the quay at Teddington Lock. ---
**Author:** ![Kythereia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e8c25b/32.png) [@Kythereia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kythereia)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2005, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aeschines-lived-in-japan-for-eight-years/299231/49 "2005-04-14T19:56:33Z")
Excuse me, I came into this office for an argument! (And the OP doesn’t seem to be providing much of one, either…) ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2005, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aeschines-lived-in-japan-for-eight-years/299231/50 "2005-04-14T19:57:51Z")
Arugments? You want room 12A. ---
**Author:** ![audreyayn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c67d28/32.png) [@audreyayn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/audreyayn)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2005, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aeschines-lived-in-japan-for-eight-years/299231/51 "2005-04-14T20:24:40Z")
I think his point is that he said all those things in a thread about abortion? I’m not sure. I got a little into the thread and shouted “But ethnicity and culture aren’t the same thing!” and ran for it. ---
**Author:** ![Scott\_Plaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Scott\_Plaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scott_Plaid)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2005, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aeschines-lived-in-japan-for-eight-years/299231/52 "2005-04-14T20:27:57Z")
I think the point is that he seems to have some really bizarre views of culture, and that makes it hard to have a discussion. That or the OP really hates to talk to Aeschines. I know I do. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2005, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aeschines-lived-in-japan-for-eight-years/299231/53 "2005-04-14T20:39:44Z")
I dunno, at first I thought Aeschines was just a fuzzy-headed but harmless New-age boob, but in recent weeks he seems to have become nasty, as though Jupiter was misaligned with Mars or his crystal collection got scuffed, or something. ---
**Author:** ![Loopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loopus/32/15343_2.png) [@Loopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loopus)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2005, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aeschines-lived-in-japan-for-eight-years/299231/54 "2005-04-14T22:38:21Z")
> [@Kythereia](#): > > Excuse me, I came into this office for an argument! No you didn’t. ---
**Author:** ![furt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/439d5e/32.png) [@furt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furt)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2005, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aeschines-lived-in-japan-for-eight-years/299231/55 "2005-04-15T00:01:44Z")
> [@gobear](#): > > Well, you’re totally right, **Hamlet** , I was being foolish in that thread. Meh. If I’d been around I probably would have taken your side in that. ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2005, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aeschines-lived-in-japan-for-eight-years/299231/56 "2005-04-15T00:09:53Z")
Maybe it would be a good idea to defer further comments until **Aeschines** can show up and defend himself. **even sven** , I can’t get myself worked up into a lather over your target. Surely there’s some lower-hanging fruit around here? ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2005, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aeschines-lived-in-japan-for-eight-years/299231/57 "2005-04-15T00:21:26Z")
> [@Spectre of Pithecanthropus](#): > > Maybe it would be a good idea to defer further comments until **Aeschines** can show up and defend himself. > > **even sven** , I can’t get myself worked up into a lather over your target. Surely there’s some lower-hanging fruit around here? I agree. You can make anyone look like an asshole if you take their comments out of context and create a compendium of them (kindly don’t do this to me, as there is too much rich material out there). I do resonate with the offense of “guy thinks he can say any loopy thing about culture or racism because he lives in Japan.” Strange things happen to the minds of expatriates, and unfortunately it is often the belief that one is more “worldly” and thus better able to see past bourgeois prejudice and cultural limitations than the poor boobs who never left home. To a very minor extent this is true, but many people take it way too far. I think in Japan it’s even worse because for various reasons, you’re unlikely to run into anybody who will call “bullshit.” (Needless to say, some types of people absolutely thrive and flourish in this sort of environment). But it’s not malicious. It’s sort of the expatriate’s mental illness. It should be treated with compassion, not derision. ---
**Author:** ![Scott\_Plaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Scott\_Plaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scott_Plaid)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2005, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aeschines-lived-in-japan-for-eight-years/299231/58 "2005-04-15T00:23:24Z")
> [@Loopus](#): > > No you didn’t. Man:Yes, I did. I came here for a good argument. Mr Vibrating: No you didn’t, you came here for an argument. Man: Well, an argument’s not the same as contradiction. The above Monty Python skit was exactly how it felt to argue with Aeschines. even sven ain’t exaggerating, in my eyes. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2005, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aeschines-lived-in-japan-for-eight-years/299231/59 "2005-04-15T03:54:22Z")
> [@Rune](#): > > Tall is sexy, I’d love a woman who was taller than me. Also one who earned more than me, we don’t have castes around here but if we had I’d like her to be up there on the top. Hee hee… you probably envy me quite a bit. I have both! My girlfriend is both taller by an inch, and makes more money than I do. (I’m 6’1" and she’s an attorney.) > [@even sven](#): > > On the supremacy of the MBA: > Quote: > But I’m not cynical about MBA programs because of my good experience at Purdue. These are not PhD programs in which one pursues esoteric, useless research for 6 or more years so that one can write a paper that no one will ever read. No, MBA programs last just 2 years, teach many practical and concrete subjects, and make you put into practice your knowledge as you go though lots of case studies, projects, and teamwork. It’s about as good as education gets. Well, from a certain point of view, a practical program like a MBA program _is_ about as good as education gets. An MBA prepares you for (ideally) a management role in a company. As such, it has more in common with a professional degree like medicine or law. It’s definitely no less difficult, and possibly more difficult than most other Master’s degrees (I should know, I have one of each). Just because it’s not a research degree doesn’t somehow make it less worthy than one that is. And comparing a MBA with a PhD is kind of idiotic anyway- MBAs should be compared with other Master’s degrees. ---
**Author:** ![even\_sven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2005, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aeschines-lived-in-japan-for-eight-years/299231/60 "2005-04-15T05:54:14Z")
The guy is no **Collunsbury** , or anything. Mostly I came in to pit how he started this bizarre argument, and then posted every five minutes to refute everything everyone else said with the unelaborated statment that he lived in Japan for eight years so he knows what he’s talking about, occasionaly wierd accusations that the dozens of rational people (really, not a single person backs him up here, and I think very few even really understand what he’s saying) in this thread being brainwashed by PC, and a lot of “Uh, thats not what I want to argue right now” stuff. He’s got the debate skills of a very spoiled and slightly psychotic twelve year old. It was only while doing my research that the pieces of the Aeschines puzzle came in to place. He’s not evil, but his ideas are odd enough to make for some good light spring reading. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aeschines-lived-in-japan-for-eight-years/299231.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aeschines-lived-in-japan-for-eight-years/299231.md?page=4)