Tokyo, City of Dreams/Permissive Zoning Policy (w/Joe McReynolds)

Joe McReynolds is co-author of a new book about how flexible micro-spaces create the spontaneity and vitality of Tokyo, and how so much the city is built on the often very niche dreams and passions of its citizens, and also slash-fan-fiction.

Cruises to deal with inflation and heat stroke.

Topics discussed on this episode include:

What to remember about your successes or failures on the JLPTBobby's continuing BBQ tribulations and the experience of working together as husband and wifeThe challenges of mass producing sauceOllie's latest stand-up adventures and how things are finally looking up for him a bitOllie's thoughts on therapy and clarityGratitude for your continued patience and supportJoe's book Emergent Tokyo: Designing the Spontaneous CityHow different zoning restrictions create kind of spaces/businesses that we're used to seeing in Japanese citiesJapan's narrow, dingy, alleyways and how they became a vibrant part of city lifeThe sheer massive NUMBER of drinking/dining establishments and how they're sustainableBarriers for opening restaurants in the states and UK, as opposed to JapanThe difference between what people WANT to do, and what laws make it possible for people to doWeird business operations hours with Shimokitazawa as a test caseRunning a business versus doing something you enjoy with your life/timeWhich district of Tokyo does Joe find fascinating and what does the district teach us about the creation of real physical pockets of subcultureHow countries choose to restrict or not restrict people's creative endeavoursWhy Joe's background in National Security Analysis helped him tackle this topicHow the cityscape of Tokyo is built out of people's dreams and allows for self-explorationThe control that landlords/land-owners wield over the tone/vibe of the city and local economyHow concern with property value affects possibilityBobby's experience with selling products out of his home kitchen and getting the permissions to do that/open a restaurantHow much do we trust strangers with our (food) safety?Japanese reactions to food poisoning outbreaks when they happen and Japanese reactive policy in generalCultural essentialism?? Shokunin, Otaku, and Bukatsu

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Extras this time include conversations about:

The Robot RestaurantChinese Militarism and Security PolicyAND SO MUCH MORE

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Social Media Links:

Joe McReynold's Twitter | Emergent Tokyo: Designing the Spontaneous City

Ollie Horn: Twitter | Instagram

Bobby Judo: Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

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We record remotely using Squadcast and the podcast is hosted on Transistor. Bobby uses the Samson Go Mic and Ollie uses the AT2005USB mic

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