Contrast

I thought Shinya Yamanaka’s piece was a good example of the importance of the group dynamic in Japanese culture.  Yamanaka was always very careful to acknowledge how his success was derived from a team effort.  It was not about what he could accomplish on his own but rather what he and his team could accomplish together.  This is also indicated in how he mentions the team members he brought with him to his current position at Kyoto University.  The Japanese place greater emphasis on teams as opposed to individuals; success as a unit is always considered greater than individual achievement.  Yamanaka’s affirmation of this fact: always trumpeting the team effort and never specifically his own is very refreshing especially in light of how Kari Stefansson acts and is portrayed in Michael Fortun’s book.  I have no doubt of the accuracy of that portrayal since it is acomplished largely through Stefansson's own words and actions, and also in the various journalists’ articles on him.  Robert Kunzig, with his battle imagery, is especially guilty of aggrandizement.

As I said in my previous post,  Stefansson is constantly in the process of selling himself as if he is the primary reason his company runs and is or will be successful.   The scene in chapter six where, at the town hall meeting, a member of the crowd stands and asks for a vote of confidence in Kari just builds on this already prominent edifice.  I found the part where Fortun explains the town is part of the district that was represented by Kari’s father in Parliament very telling; how much of their actions that night is built simply on their fondness for Stefansson and his family connections?  Do they support his actions or do they just support him?  It is a little disturbing when so much attention is focused on the individual and not enough light is shone on his actions.