The One True TheDavid: aevorea:

A boyfriend?

I didn't think of that one. Kudos, sir or ma'am.

*bows*

You're welcome.

/ma'am

Make a ton of money

You'll have all the GFs you want

That's all it takes

A bong and 2nd controller for his XBox/Playstation controller.

/obvious

Odd Bird: A bong and 2nd controller for his XBox/Playstation controller.

sheesh...

a medal

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74M7OV7wEL0

one of these?

You know, I tend to feel like a miserable, lonely, unwanted piece of shiat. Then I see things like this and realize, "I could be worse" and feel a little better.

/Having that reaction to this kind of thing make me a bit ashamed.
//But I still feel better, anyway.

Oh, Japan. What would the modern world do without you?

Mega Steve: [3.bp.blogspot.com image 465x304]

Things like this fascinate me.  Japanese culture seems so hung up on reputation; the fear of shame is a primary social force in their society.  Yet they have all these contraptions for lonely people which are utterly shameless (and often outright sad).  I've spent just under a month in Japan.  Will someone with a deeper understanding of this phenomenon please edify me?

caddisfly: Mega Steve: [3.bp.blogspot.com image 465x304]

Things like this fascinate me.  Japanese culture seems so hung up on reputation; the fear of shame is a primary social force in their society.  Yet they have all these contraptions for lonely people which are utterly shameless (and often outright sad).  I've spent just under a month in Japan.  Will someone with a deeper understanding of this phenomenon please edify me?

As far as I'm aware, and I may be wrong, otaku, Akiba types, and hikikomori aren't really expected to have much in the way of societal standing or honor. They also usually reject or have no use for the status quo. They're seen as outcasts and even deviants. But they have money that they're willing to burn on their selected lifestyle. So, part of it is outcasts making things for outcasts and part of it is marketing to a willing consumer. When you have no use for reputation or standing then shame ceases to be. You can't be shameless unless you recognize shame. Whatever the Japanese do they tend to do big. This is no exception.