For a solid three hours today I was glued to The Da Vinci Code as I turned each page with anticipation and excitement. I read through the explanation of what the Holy Grail was supposed to be, contrary to popular beliefs. I have to say, this is one of the more gripping novels that I have read in a long time. As I read through the pages, I often wondered what part of this was real and what part was actually fiction. You have to admit that everything that is mentioned about the paintings must be real. The explanations for the discrepancies, however, are something else to think about. And figuring out the various clues, I was surprised to see how some of these were a little predictable.
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While watching tonight’s episode of Daily Planet, they mentioned things about Japan that I had recently written in my inJapan magazine. Regarding the people and their cell phone usage in Japan, this wave apparantly started back in 1992 when the then-famous pagers were only used by corporate employees. At that time, Japanese school girls realized that these little things could be used to send messages to each other. Soon enough, within a span of only one year, the use of pagers drastically changed hands from corporate salary-men to Japanese school girls all over the country.
Why do the Japanese use mobile phones so often?
Land lines are very expensive in the country. Further, privacy is something that you can rarely get in your homes as many family members tend to share bedrooms. Even if you did have your own bedroom, it was rare for one person to have their own land line.
Why do the Japanese text message each other so much?
In a number of public places, it is frowned upon to speak loudly on your cell phones. On subways, busses, and in other public places, you will see signs asking you to turn your mobile phones on manner mode, or even turn it off completely. Because of this, text messaging is the popular method for most mobile phone users as it does not bother anyone else around you.
Interesting indeed.
