Professor Sakamoto, do you have people you like or dislike?
I have too many people I dislike, and it's causing me trouble. How can I learn to like them?

The Cause Lies Within Yourself

Of course, I have people I like and people I dislike.

It might sound like a cliché, but at my age, I've come to realize that when you dislike someone, it's often because they dislike you too. The cause lies within yourself. Therefore, the cause is with you.

First, calm your anger and jealousy. Try not to harbor various emotions. It's difficult, though.
You can't possibly dislike someone who likes you, can you?


Professor, what kind of music do you find "unpleasant"?
For me, songs with uninspired chord progressions or uninspired lyrics are unpleasant, even if they are popular.

I Dislike Resorts

I've liked most music since I was a child, but I could never get into country or Hawaiian music.

I still can't stand country music, and I suspect it might be the fiddle.

I figured out why I dislike Hawaiian music. When I visited Hawaii and traced the history of its music, I found that ancient Tahitian chants brought to Hawaii were wonderful.

Then, as railroads were built and the plantation era began, the music changed. In the early 20th century, it became a resort for Americans, and resort music was created to artificially evoke an exotic atmosphere to please white people.

I dislike resorts.

I'll try not to badmouth music, except for country and Hawaiian (laughs).