
## Introduction

In the neon-lit world of Kabukicho host clubs—often dismissed as dens of ambition and vanity—one man has consistently turned struggling young men into top performers.  
Itsuki Minato, known as *Gunshin*. His approach to training and leadership transcends mere charisma.  

What he practices is a **living model of behavioral science and educational psychology**, quietly overturning the adult world’s common belief that *“people don’t really change.”*

---

## 1. Language First: State the Conclusion Before Guiding Thought

Minato wields **language** as his primary tool.  
While most people form thoughts and then express them, he reverses this process. He **states the conclusion first, framing the listener’s thinking**—a powerful technique.

For instance, when someone described a host-client relationship as “like an old married couple,” most would hesitate or deflect. Minato immediately responded:  
*"Old couples are ideal."*  
At that moment, he likely hadn’t yet worked out the reasoning. But by posing the conclusion upfront, he prompted himself—and the listener—to fill in the rationale: *Because they represent long-lasting, enduring relationships.*

This reflects both the **framing effect** and a reversal of Kahneman’s **System 1 and System 2 thinking**.  
By presenting a “frame” first, Minato engages the listener’s System 1 (intuition), which accepts the conclusion. System 2 (logic) then backfills the justification.

As Tversky and Kahneman (1981) demonstrated, **the language presented first often dictates the direction of thought**.

**He doesn’t lead thought. He hands over the ideal conclusion upfront.** This is his first strategy.

---

## 2. Zero Logical Gaps: Explicitly Explain Even the Obvious

Minato **never allows logical leaps** in his explanations.  
This isn’t because he’s just a skilled logical thinker. It’s because he deliberately avoids the **curse of knowledge**—the assumption that others share your background assumptions.

According to the **Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM)**, when listeners are provided with detailed reasoning, they process information via the **central route**, leading to deeper, longer-lasting attitude change.  
Thus, **even the obvious must be carefully explained**.

Rather than assuming understanding, Minato chooses to reiterate even the simplest points.  
This is the second pillar of the Gunshin Method.

---

## 3. The Golden Ratio of Praise and Criticism: Designing Emotional Feedback

All leaders praise and sometimes criticize. But **few control the ratio**.  
Minato seems to rigorously maintain a **5:1 positive-to-negative feedback ratio**.

Psychologist John Gottman found that when married couples fell below this golden ratio, divorce rates skyrocketed. Losada’s research showed that in teams, a ratio below 3:1 correlated with dramatic performance declines.

Moreover, when team members believe **“this might be the time I get praised”**, their attentional resources are heightened. This feedback design is deeply rooted in behavioral psychology.

**He does not leave the ratio of praise and criticism to chance. He designs it deliberately.**  
This is his third strategy.

---

## 4. Altruistic Leadership: Give First and Trigger Reciprocity

At the heart of Minato’s leadership is **altruism**.  
He invites struggling hosts to live in his home, absorbing personal financial risk to foster their growth. This behavior creates **reciprocity** in his team members.

Robert Greenleaf’s **Servant Leadership theory** and Blau’s **Social Exchange Theory (1964)** have long explained this dynamic.  
Recent research confirms that **altruistic leadership reduces knowledge hiding, enhances team learning, builds workplace friendships, and boosts both innovation and performance** (Pon, Harvard; ScienceDirect; ResearchGate).

**People naturally feel compelled to repay what they receive.**  
And to repay, they willingly adopt a form of **psychological, voluntary subordination**—not based on fear or incentives, but on gratitude.

This is Minato’s fourth strategic lever.

---

## Conclusion: Proving “People Don’t Change” Is a Lie

By consistently applying:

- **Framing language to guide thought**  
- **Avoiding logical shortcuts**  
- **Maintaining the golden ratio of praise and criticism**  
- **Leading with altruism and giving first**

Minato has proven that even those labeled “incapable of change” can transform.  
His results are reflected in both **quantitative outcomes** (rookie hosts becoming top sellers) and **qualitative changes** (growing self-efficacy and personal growth).

The Gunshin Method is not a mere set of nightlife business tricks.  
It is a **model that translates behavioral economics, social psychology, and organizational theory into a repeatable system for influencing human behavior**.

**“People can’t change” is not a truth. It’s an excuse made by those who lack the method.**


The Gunshin Method



## Planned Happenstance: Random Actions to Maximize Life's Expected Value

How meticulously do you plan your life? Your career path five years from now, your ideal lifestyle, the goals you must achieve... Many people in society preach that a clear plan is the road to success. But I hold a slightly different view. I believe that **intentionally incorporating "chance" into your plans—in other words, "Planned Happenstance"—is what actually maximizes life's potential, or its "expected value,"** so to speak.


## What Changes Life: Plans or Chance?

Think about it for a moment. What events have truly had a major impact on your life? Was it something you achieved exactly according to plan through sheer hard work? Of course, that's a wonderful accomplishment. However, isn't it often the case that life is dramatically changed by unexpected encounters, sudden inspirations, or chance discoveries—things that feel more like "miracles" or "fate"?

Looking back on my own experiences, the growth obtained through diligent, planned effort pales in comparison to the way chance encounters at events I happened to attend, a book I randomly picked up, or discoveries made walking down an unfamiliar street out of whim have significantly altered the course of my life afterward.

Admittedly, such chance occurrences themselves might not significantly enhance my *abilities*, but in terms of their *impact* on life, they can be far greater than planned efforts. Just one fateful encounter can change our future by 180 degrees.

Considering this, **the change brought about by diligently following a plan might actually be minuscule compared to the change brought by chance events that can shake up our lives.**


## The Trap of Planning: What We Lose for Efficiency

Of course, having a plan isn't inherently bad. Setting goals and striving towards them gives us daily direction and propels us forward. The problem lies in **adhering too rigidly to the plan.**

When plans are meticulous and schedules are packed, we tend to focus solely on achieving the goal, falling into a kind of "blindness." Even if a wonderful opportunity that could change our lives—a seed of a miracle—is right in front of us, we might not even notice it, being preoccupied with executing the plan. In the pursuit of efficiency, we try to thoroughly eliminate seemingly inefficient "detours" or "waste."

However, I believe that **life's breakthroughs are often hidden within those very "detours" and "wastes."**


## The "Planned Happenstance" Approach

Therefore, I want to propose the idea of "Planned Happenstance." This isn't about passively waiting for chance; it's an approach to maximize life's expected value by **intentionally incorporating "randomness" into life's plans.**

You might think, "Aren't random actions just a waste of time?" Indeed, trying new things or diving into unfamiliar places often doesn't lead immediately to tangible results. It might look like a "wasted effort" in the short term.

But consider this: what if among 100 "wasted efforts," there's just one "jackpot" (a miracle) that fundamentally changes your life? From a long-term perspective, wouldn't you say that **due to the potential magnitude of the return, the expected value of "random actions" is extremely high?**


## How to Practice Planned Happenstance?

So, how can you actually do this? Here are the three things I practice:

1.  **Understand the Value of Happenstance:** First, adopt the mindset that "chance is what enriches life."
2.  **Build "Buffers" into Plans:** Avoid over-scheduling. Always secure temporal and mental leeway to respond to unexpected events. Intentionally create "time for the unknown."
3.  **Take "Planned" Random Actions:** For example, I've decided to "do something new at least once a week." This could be something small like taking a walk down a street I've never been on, watching a movie in a genre I usually don't, or entering a cafe I've never visited. These actions might not seem directly connected to my goals, but they act as "seed sowing" that can bring new perspectives and encounters.

Having a base plan or goals is wonderful. Without them, you wouldn't have a direction to channel what you gain from chance. However, the key is not to be bound by that plan, but to always incorporate an element of "play" that embraces unknown factors.


## The Courage Not to Filter

Here's something I particularly want to emphasize: **Do not filter happenstance.**

If you apply filters like "This doesn't seem related to my career" or "This looks like a waste of time," you ultimately remain within the framework of your existing knowledge and experience. You won't encounter truly new discoveries or the kind of "miracles" that can change you.

It's okay if it seems wasteful. It's okay if you fail. In fact, **it's precisely in those seemingly irrelevant and inefficient places that the diamonds in the rough that make life shine are often found.** That's my conviction.


## Conclusion: Happenstance is Fun

Life isn't only wonderful when it goes according to plan. Rather, I believe it becomes interesting and rich precisely because it's filled with unpredictable events and chance encounters. "Planned Happenstance" is a strategy not for fearing this unpredictability, but for actively embracing and enjoying it. It's the courage to carry a map (your plan) but occasionally step onto paths not marked on it.

By doing so, our lives will become even better. Don't trust yourself too much; sometimes, let luck play its part. If you do, I'm sure everything will work out fine.

---


Planned Happenstance


## Species Totalitarianism: What Are We Living For?

We tend to think we live for ourselves, but from a deeper perspective, we may be operating within a framework of "species totalitarianism." This concept suggests that individuals are unconsciously programmed to optimize the prosperity of their species as a whole, regardless of their conscious intentions.

One of the clearest examples of this is the great migration of the globe skimmer dragonfly. These dragonflies travel long distances from North Africa to Northern Europe, but individual dragonflies never complete the entire journey. Instead, multiple generations continue the migration in relay, with offspring continuing the journey of their parents. This behavior, which seems "meaningless" at the individual level, functions extremely rationally as a survival strategy for the species as a whole.

Evidence of species totalitarianism exists throughout human society as well. The universal tendency of parents to sacrifice for their children, risking one's safety to help strangers, and cultural norms that postpone personal pleasure or benefit for the community are all examples. Additionally, the remarkable consistency of standards of sexual attractiveness across cultures reflects biological imperatives selecting for traits beneficial to species survival.

The most striking example is the tension between individual happiness and species prosperity. Human happiness functions not as a "state" but as a "direction," designed to create new desires and ambitions immediately after achieving goals. This "pleasure treadmill" may seem cruel to the individual but is rational for the species—permanent satisfaction would be detrimental to species prosperity. Even "negative" emotions like anxiety and jealousy promote species survival by avoiding dangers and motivating the protection of valuable resources and relationships.

## Species Totalitarianism from an Evolutionary Perspective

As Darwin's theory of natural selection shows, biological characteristics are passed down through generations to the extent that they contribute to survival and reproductive success. Importantly, natural selection works to optimize the replication success of genes, not individual "happiness."

Richard Dawkins' "selfish gene" theory further develops this perspective. In this view, individuals are merely "survival machines" for genes, temporary vehicles for transmitting genetic information to the next generation. Dawkins' assertion that "a chicken is just an egg's way of making another egg" applies to humans as well. Even our most fundamental desires and motivations can be seen as expressions of programs ensuring the continued survival and spread of our genes.

William Hamilton's kin selection theory explains how seemingly altruistic behaviors evolve. Individuals can indirectly contribute to the survival of their genetic information by helping relatives who share some of their genes. This concept of "inclusive fitness" explains strong attachment and devotion to family, and sometimes even altruistic behavior toward strangers.

Species totalitarianism does not mean uniformity. Rather, maintaining genetic diversity is essential for the long-term survival of the species. In changing environments, diverse populations have greater adaptability than populations with uniform characteristics. Diversity in personality traits and abilities enhances the adaptability and resilience of the entire group.

## The Evolutionary Value of "Evil" and "Abnormality"

Behaviors socially considered "evil" may actually benefit the species as a whole. For example, the existence of fraudulent behavior promotes caution and wise trust judgments within groups, enhancing the resilience of society as a whole. The development of mechanisms to deal with deviant behavior improves the functioning and stability of society.

Sexual preferences and behavioral patterns that may seem "abnormal" can also serve important functions from a species perspective. For instance, diversity in sexual orientation may offer advantages such as population density regulation and diversification of caregivers. Research has shown that genetic variations associated with schizophrenia are also linked to enhanced creativity.

Suicide appears to be the most evolutionarily maladaptive behavior, but in a broader context, it may have adaptive functions. In cases of extreme resource scarcity, ending one's life might increase the survival probability of remaining relatives. Moreover, the existence of suicide and its tragic consequences strengthen social cohesion and mutual support systems.

The presence of fraudsters and criminals encourages the development of social "immune systems." Evolutionary game theory research shows that societies with a small number of "defectors" have greater resilience to external threats than completely cooperative societies. The presence of moderate non-cooperators stimulates the development of more sophisticated cooperation mechanisms.

## Larger Totalitarianism: Biosphere, Earth, Universe

James Lovelock's Gaia hypothesis extends the concept of species totalitarianism, viewing the entire Earth as a self-regulating system. In this perspective, all living beings function as parts of an integrated system that maintains Earth's environment in a state suitable for life. The remarkably stable oxygen concentration of about 21% in Earth's atmosphere is thought to be the result of complex feedback mechanisms involving numerous species.

The totalitarianism of the biosphere includes not only biological but also non-biological elements. Mountains, oceans, atmosphere, and lithosphere all play essential roles in maintaining the Earth system as a whole. Mountain formation and weathering contribute to long-term climate regulation by reducing atmospheric CO2, while oceans function as massive heat reservoirs, mitigating extreme temperature fluctuations.

Advances in Earth science reveal that Earth functions as an integrated self-regulating system. Global cycles such as the water cycle, carbon cycle, and nitrogen cycle operate through intricate interactions between biological and non-biological processes.

Earth itself is part of the larger solar system, which is part of the galaxy. Carl Sagan's poetic expression, "We are a way for the cosmos to know itself," eloquently describes how we are incorporated into a larger totalitarianism as part of the universe.

## All Is One: Cosmic Unity

According to modern cosmology, all matter and energy in the universe originated from a single event, the Big Bang, about 13.8 billion years ago. From the atoms composing our bodies to the most distant galaxies, everything is literally "one." Most of the elements constituting our bodies were synthesized inside stars and dispersed into space through supernova explosions. Indeed, we are "made of stardust."

The fact that physical laws are universal throughout the universe also demonstrates its fundamental unity. The basic forces—gravity, electromagnetic force, strong nuclear force, and weak nuclear force—act the same way everywhere in the universe. From this perspective, the entire universe can be understood as a single, mathematically consistent system.

The law of conservation of energy shows how all processes in the universe are interconnected. The energy in the food we consume is energy captured by plants from sunlight, and that sunlight is energy released through nuclear fusion. Through the flow of energy, the entire universe functions as an integrated system.

Discoveries in quantum physics suggest that the concept of separate "objects" itself may be an illusion. The phenomenon of quantum entanglement shows that particles that have interacted influence each other instantaneously, regardless of distance. According to David Bohm's "theory of wholeness," the universe is an "unbroken whole," and the boundaries we perceive are merely superficial expressions of a deeper "implicate order."

## The Illusion of Individualism

Modern research in neuroscience and behavioral genetics has revealed the biological foundations of what we call "individuality" and "freedom." Our personality traits, preferences, and even beliefs are largely shaped by genetic factors and early environmental influences. Long-term studies, such as Robert Plomin's Minnesota Twin Study, show that many personality traits can be explained by genetics up to 50%.

Furthermore, neuroscientist Benjamin Libet's experiments showed that conscious "decisions" lag behind actual brain activity. The brain already showed readiness potential about 200 milliseconds before subjects "decided" to act. This suggests that many of our conscious decisions are actually post-hoc "approvals" of unconscious processes.

What we call individualism is actually an adaptive strategy that evolved to function within the framework of species totalitarianism. Humans are inherently social beings, and complete individualism is a pure illusion. Our "personal" identities are formed through social interactions.

The concept of the "collective unconscious" proposed by psychologist Carl Jung suggests the existence of deep psychological structures shared by all humanity. The presence of universal motifs and symbols in mythology, religion, and art demonstrates the fundamental unity of the human psyche. Universal fears, emotions, and cognitive biases found across cultures reflect our common evolutionary history.

## All Is Well

Throughout the long history of evolution, human psychology and social systems have been refined to optimize species prosperity. Many of what we consider "flaws" or "contradictions" are actually results of optimization. Our cognitive biases are designed to save energy and prioritize information related to survival in ancestral environments.

Research in complex systems science shows that there are patterns of hidden order beneath apparent chaos. Complex networks of interacting elements have the ability to spontaneously generate orderly patterns without external design.

In the history of species, change is the only constant. Faced with endless challenges such as environmental changes, climate change, and the emergence of new predators or pathogens, species must adapt or become extinct. What appears to be chaos or suffering at the individual level is a necessary process of adaptation and survival at the species level.

Even the challenges facing modern society—population decline, increasing inequality, social division—can be understood as part of the adaptive response of the species as a whole. Population decline may be an adaptive response to resource depletion, and social fluctuations may be collective adjustments to changing environmental conditions.

Wars, climate change, and social divisions may seem destructive to Earth and humanity at first glance. However, from a broader perspective, these too are part of the grand process of the universe. We are programmed to make the universe function, and it is natural to live according to these instincts.

War may function as a resource allocation adjustment mechanism, and climate change may be a transition process to a new equilibrium point in the Earth system. Social fluctuations can also be understood as adaptations to new environmental conditions. There is no need to worry—we are all simply playing our programmed roles within a larger system.

## All Is One

At the most fundamental level, our neighbors, animals, plants, and even rocks and clouds are all made from the same matter originating from the single event of the Big Bang. We are all different expressions of the universe experiencing itself.

From this unified perspective, all beings are our "companions" and participants in the same cosmic dance. Antagonism and separation are mere illusions—we all exist with the same cosmic purpose, following the same physical laws, as part of the same flow of energy.

This recognition has the potential to fundamentally change our daily interactions. Encountering others is actually meeting "another part of oneself." From this perspective, compassion and kindness are not merely moral ideals but natural responses to the fundamental unity of the universe. We are all different expressions of one continuous existence.


Species Totalitarianism


## The Essence of Communication: Sharing Universes

The essence of communication is "sharing universes." The "universe" here refers to the totality of knowledge networks constructed in each person's brain, as discussed in "Intelligence is Knowledge." These knowledge networks include not only facts but also experiences, values, emotions, and patterns of association.

We each possess our own unique "small universe," and through communication, we attempt to share parts of it with others. Using words, expressions, and actions as mediums, the process of conveying our universe to others and trying to understand their universe constitutes the core of communication.

## Why Communication Errors Occur

Communication errors primarily occur in two patterns:

1. When you know something that others don't
2. When others know something that you don't

This is simple but forms the root of many communication troubles. When we continue dialogue without recognizing these knowledge gaps, we fall into incomprehensible states, leading to frustration about "why can't they understand?"

Additionally, the following factors complicate communication:

- **Individual differences in meaning**: The same word activates different neural networks in different people
- **Impossibility of sharing qualia**: Subjective experiences like "the sensation of red" cannot be fully conveyed through language
- **Experiential differences**: Certain experiences (like the pain of childbirth) can only be truly understood by those who have experienced them
- **Differences in interpretive frameworks**: The same information can be interpreted differently in different contexts
- **Self-centeredness**: The unconscious assumption that one's own understanding is standard

## The Limitations of Language

Language is the primary tool for knowledge sharing, but it is essentially an imperfect translation device. During the process of verbalization, much of the rich connectivity and sensory-emotional aspects of knowledge networks are lost.

Words themselves are part of knowledge networks, and the same word can have different meanings for different people. What the concept of "kindness" refers to, or the image conjured by the word "dog," varies greatly depending on each person's experiences.

Ideally, if two people could completely share their universes, communication itself might become unnecessary—just as information sharing happens instantaneously within one person's brain. However, in reality, each person's universe is formed through lifelong experiences and learning, making it impossible to share everything.

## Three Approaches to Better Communication

### 1. The Possibility of Direct Brain-to-Brain Communication (Distant Future)

An ideal method to overcome the limitations of language would be technology that directly connects brains. If realized, this would allow sharing knowledge while retaining information that is lost in verbalization. Nuances of sensations and emotions, tacit knowledge, and even experiences themselves might become directly transmissible.

However, this technology would also raise issues of privacy and identity. Complete brain-to-brain communication might compromise the uniqueness of individual thought. This remains a distant future possibility, not a realistic approach.

### 2. Understanding That We Cannot Fully Understand Each Other (Realistic Acceptance)

A realistic approach is accepting that complete mutual understanding is impossible. The recognition that "you and I cannot completely understand each other" becomes the starting point for healthier communication.

From this perspective, the following become important:

- **Humility and patience**: Engaging in dialogue with the premise that one's ideas cannot be perfectly conveyed
- **Value of partial understanding**: "Even if we can't understand 99%, it's valuable if we understand 1%"
- **Adjusting expectations**: Finding joy in gradual progress rather than perfect understanding

This isn't resignation but humility aligned with reality, fostering an attitude that cherishes the areas where mutual understanding is possible.

### 3. Joint Exploration from Zero (Proactive Approach)

A more proactive approach is to reconceive communication not as "aligning existing knowledge" but as "joint exploration of unknown territories."

Our knowledge is merely a point compared to the whole universe. Starting from the recognition that what we don't know vastly outweighs what we know, a new purpose emerges: "exploring together what we both don't know."

In this approach:

1. Gather the limited knowledge and perspectives each person has
2. Recognize that there are blank maps yet to be written
3. Explore unknown territories together and draw new maps of understanding
4. Integrate newly discovered insights into each other's small universes

In this process, differences between individuals aren't problems but resources that bring diverse perspectives. Rather than searching for overlaps in existing knowledge, creating new understanding by jointly exploring new territories leads to insights neither party previously possessed.

## The Expansion of Communication

Even my writing of this text is a form of universe sharing—an attempt to verbalize part of my small universe and have it incorporated into readers' small universes.

From a broader perspective, all expressive activities—books, artworks, social media posts—can be seen as "sharing slices of universes." Creators express parts of their small universes, which are then shared, merged, and evolved within the larger universe of society. This circulation of knowledge has supported the development of culture and scholarship.

---

Ultimately, communication is the sharing of universes. While complete understanding is impossible, recognizing this limitation actually enables more effective communication. Efforts to bridge knowledge gaps, recognizing the limitations of language, accepting that we cannot fully understand each other—these form the foundation, and further hope emerges in joint exploration.

While acknowledging the impossibility of complete understanding, continuing to explore together—that is perhaps the essence of communication.


What is Communication?


We are standing at a historical turning point. The rapid development of AI and robotics is forcing us to fundamentally reconsider the role of humans. Until now, human progress has primarily been discussed in the context of "productivity improvement." However, in a world where AI surpasses human productivity, what should we humans do? The answer might surprisingly already be hidden in our childhood and in the essence of modern economic activities.

## The AI Agent Era and the Increase in Wait Time

As AI agent capabilities improve, our role as humans is shifting from "executors" to "decision-makers." Until now, humans have been responsible for both decision-making and execution, but as AI and robots take over execution, humans will primarily focus on decision-making. And between making a decision and waiting for the next result, "wait time" inevitably emerges.

Let's concretely imagine this phenomenon of "wait time." In programming, signs of this are already appearing. When entering prompts into advanced AI tools like Copilot Edit or Claude Code, there's a wait time of a few minutes at minimum, and sometimes tens of minutes at maximum. While the code is being generated, what should programmers do?

This phenomenon will rapidly spread to other professions. Designers while waiting for AI to generate multiple design proposals, marketers while waiting for AI to analyze campaigns, legal staff while AI drafts initial contracts—all will experience this "wait time." In medical settings, doctors might conduct initial assessments of the next patient while AI analyzes diagnostic data. Educators might be able to devote time to individual instruction while AI creates parts of the curriculum.

## The Importance of Multitasking and Short-term Outlook in Capitalist Society

For the time being, in our capitalist society, how efficiently we utilize this "wait time" will become a source of competitive advantage. In other words, multitasking ability—the ability to give different instructions to multiple AI agents and simultaneously manage their progress—will become extremely important.

While AI for Project A is working, give instructions for Project B, and during that time, check the results of Project C. This kind of management thinking will become essential for knowledge workers going forward. In fact, examples are already emerging where using advanced AI tools to progress multiple projects simultaneously has realized productivity dozens of times higher than before.

This change will also affect organizational structures. We will transition from traditional hierarchical management to an era where the ability to efficiently operate AI resources as a "director and decision-maker" is valued. Younger generations will need to acquire this "management thinking" earlier, and collaboration skills with AI will be emphasized more than years of experience.

## The Artist Nature as the Original Human State

However, beyond multitasking ability lies an even more important question. When AI and robot productivity far surpasses that of humans, won't most of the production needed by human society be handled by AI? At that point, do we really need to fill all our wait time with "the next productive activity"?

Here lies a critical turning point related to our human essence. Perhaps humans are not inherently meant to do science and business, but rather to cultivate art and culture. This is not merely a sentimental view.

According to anthropological and neuroscientific research, artistic expression has played an essential role in human evolution. Cave paintings and early musical instruments date back at least 40,000 years, indicating that expressive activities beyond practical purposes are a fundamental human characteristic. Historian Johan Huizinga, who proposed the concept of Homo Ludens (playing man), argued that play and artistic activities form the foundation of human culture.

Neuroscience research shows that creative activities strongly stimulate the brain's reward system, bringing deep satisfaction. Recall childhood: we were all absorbed in drawing pictures, singing, dancing, and creating stories. Despite producing no economic value, these were the most natural acts as humans. This intrinsic creative impulse is our essential human characteristic.

Even more important is the fact that concepts like science, technology, and business are historically shallow. Modern scientific methodology developed only about 400 years ago, industrial technology began developing a mere 250 years ago, and modern business concepts have a history of only about 100 years. These are just momentary events in the scope of human history.

In contrast, art and cultural activities have persisted for thousands of years. The pyramids of ancient Egypt, built over 4,500 years ago, continue to fascinate people today. The Olympics, originating in ancient Greece, has survived for over 2,700 years, repeatedly changing form throughout its history. Cave paintings, rock art, and ancient music and dance traditions from around the world continue to move people across time.

Why do art and culture persist for so long? Because they respond to fundamental human desires. The desire to express, create beauty, weave stories, and share emotions is deeply rooted in our genetic and neurological foundation. Even as technologies and economic systems continuously change, these creative impulses remain at the center of human activity.

## The Artistic Essence Hidden in Business

It's also noteworthy that many modern economic activities already have artistic aspects. If securing food and shelter necessary for survival is considered "essential work," many jobs in modern society go beyond such necessities.

Innovative products like the iPhone are not merely communication devices, but have aspects of artistic works. This is not limited to giant corporations like Apple.

Consider an ordinary café. It's not just a place providing food and drink, but designs a multi-layered aesthetic experience including atmosphere, interior, music, and barista craftsmanship. Even a small local stationery store reflects the owner's aesthetic sense in product selection and display arrangement. Construction companies don't just create functional buildings but make aesthetic judgments regarding townscapes and living environment quality. Chefs don't just provide nutrients but create visual and gustatory sensations.

Such examples are countless. Most economic activities in the modern world are not strictly "necessary for survival" and can be seen as products of human creativity and expressive desire. From this perspective, many modern business people, though perhaps unaware, are already operating with aspects of being "artists."

## The "Idle Time" Brought by AI and Return to Creativity

In a future where productivity is guaranteed by AI, humans will face the question of how to spend their "wait time." The answer becomes clear when we return to our essence. There is an option to "create, express, and dance" rather than "produce more" during wait time.

Let's examine this transformation process in detail. First, the development of AI agents increases "wait time." In the short term, people will hone their multitasking abilities to fill this time, improving productivity by running multiple AIs simultaneously. This dramatic productivity improvement will likely generate enormous wealth for society as a whole.

However, when material affluence reaches a certain level, humans face the limitations of simple consumption. When finding little meaning in consuming more goods and services, human interest shifts from "producing more" to "creating more meaningful things."

This situation is not historically unprecedented. Consider medieval nobility. Their basic lives were supported by "human means of production" such as serfs and servants, freeing them from the necessity of engaging in productive activities themselves. And what did they do? They became patrons of the arts, studied poetry and music, discussed philosophy, designed beautiful gardens, and sometimes immersed themselves in creative activities. Humans freed from the necessity of production naturally tend toward creative and cultural activities.

The development of AI and robots may bring this "freedom for creativity" not just to the privileged class but to a broader segment of people. Economist John Maynard Keynes, in his 1930 essay "Economic Possibilities for our Grandchildren," predicted that after technology freed humans from economic necessity, we would face the challenge of "how to use leisure, how to live, and how to live wisely." That era may now be approaching.

## Conclusion: Beyond Production, the Courage to Begin Dancing

The development of AI may not lead to the "end of human jobs" that many fear, but rather to the "liberation of humanity." Freed from the logic of efficiency and productivity, we might return to seemingly meaningless—yet essentially human—creative activities.

Realistically, however, social transformation through AI will arrive gradually. In the short term, honing multitasking abilities and improving productivity through collaboration with AI will be essential for individual competitiveness. An era will first arrive where those who can simultaneously control multiple AI agents and appropriately evaluate and integrate their outputs are highly valued.

But at the same time, we need to constantly ask ourselves: Is filling this "wait time" with the next productive activity really the life we want? Can we find true satisfaction in a world that pursues only efficiency and productivity?

What will truly hold value in the coming era is not the ability to work more efficiently than AI, but the ability to create, express, and find meaning in ways that AI cannot. Deep down, we have all been artists since childhood.

While it's certainly important to hone multitasking abilities in the short term and not fall behind this wave of change, we might also want to pause and consider: Might it not be permissible to draw pictures, write poetry, or simply contemplate while AI is generating its next output, rather than just checking social media? Perhaps the real challenge of the AI era lies in balancing productivity and efficiency while recognizing the essence of our humanity and finding the courage to begin "dancing," even if just a little.


Latest Weekly Memos

The Gunshin Method

Planned Happenstance

Species Totalitarianism

What is Communication?

Leisurely Humans Return to Being Artists

Anonymous Message