Joi Ito has a great post on the public flogging that Horie is taking from the Japanese media. Not surprising really and pretty typical of the Japanese media. My previous post on Horie got picked up by CBSNews.com, which is surprising to say the least! Joi's post has four pieces of advice for those looking to become media figures in Japan. In retrospect it looks like Horie broke all of them.
From Joi Ito:
1) Manage media exposure - Take breaks from media appearances and be wary of articles that want to make you look better than you really are. Try to get out from under labels that at first glance may appear flattering but could piss people off or make you look stupid.
2) Don't believe the hype - Obvious point, but EVERYONE seems to get a dose of invincibility madness when the get glowing press and get shuttled around in motorcades. This madness is the weakness that will be exploited.
3) Don't say or do ANYTHING that might be used to tear you down - Japan (not only Japan) is full of situations where people break the law because everyone else does it. Sometimes it feels like securities and corporate statute are at the level of traffic laws - things that can be ignored as long as you don't get caught. The problem is, just because everyone else is doing it, it doesn't mean it won't be used against you. Especially if you are going to take on the establishment, you have to keep yourself squeaky clean.
4) Don't piss people off for fun - There are plenty of situations where people will get pissed off with what you do. There is no point in pissing people off on purpose. Resist the urge.
There haven't been any more new posts on Horie's blog since the one before being arrested. Now that he is also technically not Shacho anymore there probably won't be. It is interesting that they haven't been taken down, but I guess they are at least driving some traffic to the business, and they probably will need the money.
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