In the era centered on reason, the ability to respond to change was emphasized as a proof of life, in the era of the masses, values that justified mass production and mass consumption were imposed, and in the era of individuality, the answers that were considered correct were diversified.
In the midst of these historical trends, even in modern society, it can be said that reading the trends in the world’s movements, transformations, and changes in politics, economy, and culture is essential for living our daily lives safely and with caution. (ref., Curry Spices In Globalism And Cultural Transformation)
The depletion of crude oil, various raw materials derived from petroleum, and fertilizers due to the situation in the Middle East; food crises and waves of inflation caused by conflicts, wars, and disasters; and the encroachment of rapidly evolving AI into human society, along with strict surveillance systems and controls—all of these factors are intricately intertwined and accelerating, profoundly impacting the daily lives of ordinary people. (ref., Harnessing Premonition To Prepare For Catastrophe)
The penetration of digitalization into social life is leading to individualization and social fragmentation, the loss of public spaces and the virtualization of communication are further exacerbating isolation and alienation, and the digital divide and the uneven distribution of information due to algorithms are deepening social inequality and exclusionary structures, leading to the collapse of traditional communities. (ref., Impact Of AI Dictionaries On Humanity And Freedom)
Free apps like TikTok, which feature face-editing versions that display the aging process in real time on screen, quickly became popular as harmless entertainment.
This eventually evolved into a massive dataset for AI models to recognize human aging patterns. Behavioral patterns, preferences, and biometric data extracted through photographs were collected and incorporated into algorithms that refined predictive mechanisms for surveillance functions, ultimately leading to monetization and the development of facial recognition systems.
This infrastructure of interaction via free apps, using images uploaded by users driven by a desire for recognition and validation, became a training manual for building more invasive technologies. The machine came to know the user better through images than the user themselves, and applied to generative AI, this dynamic expanded beyond enjoyable family activities, advertising, content curation, and even data annotation, becoming a training system capable of accurately predicting and tracking human identity over time, transforming connection into control.
Free social media apps, presented as harmless forms of entertainment for creativity and reminiscing, were offered to encourage users to voluntarily submit their personal information and data. However, in reality, they functioned as cleverly designed traps, luring users in under the guise of emotional connection while simultaneously collecting intimate biometric data.
This is evident from the fact that generative AI systems, such as those that transform photos into Ghibli-style art or create Polaroid-style images of users in their youth, with famous lovers, or with deceased relatives, generate fantasies, distort reality perception, and blur the lines between memory and manipulation.
Furthermore, each uploaded (meaning freely provided) image is used to train AI that recognizes chronological patterns in human appearance, from childhood to adulthood. This data is then applied to surveillance systems, predictive threat assessment profiling by border and law enforcement agencies, and militarized technologies that monitor and target individuals across various life stages.
In short, the individual memories of ordinary people, conveyed through images of everyday events and cultural moments, transcend the connections between those involved and are directly linked to the reinforcement of surveillance capitalism’s infrastructure and the militarized application of predictive identity technologies.
At present, machine learning tools are already capable of predicting human patterns with high accuracy, requiring little additional input, accelerating the shift from data collection to data exploitation, and algorithms are becoming self-sustaining, requiring minimal new input to generate wide-ranging predictions.
Digital footprints, exploited under the guise of harmlessness through aging filters, nostalgia trends, and image sharing, are incorporated into predictive tools and merge with social media trends, AI surveillance, and militarization, potentially functioning as a system of oppression that exerts substantial influence on the lives of ordinary people through surveillance, profiling, and social control. (ref., The Interplay Between AI, Digital ID, And Humanity)
The tactic of population reduction, stemming from the “Limits to Growth” narrative, could be seen as part of such suppression and control. (ref., Earthrise And Essential Elements Of The Earth)
Therefore, in order to survive in such turbulent times without losing oneself, information literacy—that is, the ability to collect high-quality information from multiple perspectives, critically examine it, discern its essence, and view things from various viewpoints—is essential.
Given these harsh realities, let’s move on to topics that may contribute to cultivating information literacy.
Phrases like “That’s impressive,” “I didn’t know that,” “Amazing,” “You have good sense,” and “I see” are known to be well-received compliments. In particular, “You have good sense (or taste)” seems to acknowledge not only the object or thing being praised, but also the underlying sophistication, leaving a positive impression on the recipient.
Furthermore, feeling a sense of good taste can lead to a desire to emulate or become like that oneself.
This is because it encompasses all the effort a person has put in up to that point—the pursuit of essence, decision-making criteria, sense of balance, imagination, creativity, and so on—and these contribute to the appreciation of their good sense.
In other words, to be considered to have good sense means being able to perceive the differences in a particular thing, down to the smallest detail, and to express and utilize them effectively.
In calm and harmonious spaces, witty writing, design, fashion, art, cooking, business presentations, communication, work styles, etc., the sense and sensibility of naturalness, stability, sophistication, etc. expressed there may leave some sort of impression on people, and ultimately lead to evaluations and impressions of good sense.
Although its outstanding ability cannot be seen, and its enchanting presence and atmosphere cannot be touched, the elegant aftertaste and comfort emanating from objects, events, and individuals remain in the hearts of many people as proof of its good sense.
In fact, having good sense is perceived as a vague but positive impression, whereas not having good sense is perceived as having a clear and decisive flaw, even if it is not clear what caused it.
Sense is not synonymous with sensation or the five senses. Sensation and the five senses are bodily functions that originally perceive dangers from the outside world and play a role in protecting the body by perceiving all stimuli. Therefore, the evaluation of “good sense” as used in art or sports is not about physical function, nor is the quality of a painter or musician determined by high eyesight or hearing. “Sense” is rather a concept on the mental side, not the physical side.
Furthermore, since “sense” refers to the mental function of feeling, it corresponds to “sensitivity,” and as a function encompassing a higher level of comprehensiveness than sensation, “sense” and “sensitivity” can be said to be the power to create, or induce, harmony within an individual with stimuli perceived by sensation, along with their experiences, thoughts, and memories.
Therefore, creativity, which is often evaluated based on the presence or absence of “sense,” tends to be seen as an innate or innate ability that is expressed through talent. However, if we consider the true nature of “sense,” we can see that the creative power that gives rise to something completely new is related to how existing senses can be connected and harmonized.
Good sense is not a separate ability or part of the body; rather, the process leading up to it—the comparisons, adjustments, and repeated failures—is overlooked, and only the visible result is given attention, leading to the perception that one possesses some special innate talent.
In reality, a good sense means having the ability to understand and recognize things, and as an important element related to sensory criteria such as color, shape, sound, and words, it can be said to be an ability that contributes to improving self-expression in all aspects of life, not just design and art, but also business and relationships.
* Aesthetic sense: The ability to perceive beauty.
* Social sense: The ability to judge in communication with others.
* Technical sense: The ability to think logically.
* Emotional sense: The ability to understand and express one’s own and others’ emotions.
These senses are intertwined and likely influence judgment and action.
Furthermore, it can be seen that sense includes the following impressions.
* Intuition/sensitivity:
The ability to instantly grasp the essence and charm of things.
* Expressive power:
Skills to not only just sense things, but also to convey information to the outside world in an easy-to-understand manner.
* Creativity:
A talent for successfully combining existing concepts and creating new value.
* Ability to grasp the situation:
Ability to accurately decipher social context, such as trends and the needs of others.
In fact, in moments in life when good taste is recognized, one can sense that there is a wealth of information deeply involved in sensation and judgment—information that is difficult to put into words—and that a refined quality arises from the exquisite adjustment of external and internal parameters. In other words, it may be the result of a successful fusion of universality, which many people find good, and individuality, which is the sophistication and taste unique to each person.
In any case, it’s difficult to say precisely whether it’s an innate sense or something accumulated through experience, but the impression that someone has a good sense of style is probably due to them possessing something special.
Although some parts of good sense may be innate, it is thought that many parts of it can be developed through the environment, learning, and experience.It is said that good sense can be honed by consciously working on the following things, which leads to the acquisition of creative solutions and new ideas.
1. Gain diverse experience:
Sense is refined through the sensations and sensibilities gained and accumulated through experience, so it is essential to expand one’s range through a variety of experiences, to come into contact with different cultures and fields, to broaden one’s horizons and to cultivate richness.
e.g.:
* Improving cooking sense: Eat food from various countries, experience various cooking methods, and develop sensitivity to variations in taste and aroma.
* New ideas and innovation: Avoid fixation, broaden your horizons, and try to focus on or combine multiple areas.
2. Build up knowledge, theory, and observation skills:
It is essential to gain insight through careful observation and cultivate sophistication through the fusion of sensitivity, logic, and theory.
e.g.:
* Graphic design: Learn the basics of beautiful layouts, such as the rule of thirds and the golden rule.
* Music: Understanding melodies and chord progression patterns that are pleasing to the ear, through composition theory and harmony.
* Business: Acquire systematic knowledge for building promotions and brand strategies, such as marketing theory and consumer behavior analysis.
3. Adopt a broader perspective:
It is essential to respect different opinions and points of view, to broaden our horizons and ways of thinking, and to utilize them in our ideas and direction.
e.g.:
* Arts and business: Examine criticism, reviews, and feedback as a reference for ideas and direction.
In short, good senses are not static, but something that constantly changes and evolves through new experiences and learning.
In any case, having good sense is an important element for enriching self-expression, and understanding and utilizing it can lead to smoother communication and be a key to success in business and creative activities.
People with good sense may possess the ability to process information at lightning speed, instantly selecting something clever or thoughtful. Therefore, they may effortlessly come up with the perfect word, choose color combinations without hesitation, or select eye-catching fashion without necessarily adhering to a trendy or flashy style.
This judgment doesn’t originate from nothing; even a seemingly intuitive, instantaneous choice involves unconsciously comparing and discarding numerous words, expressions, and phrases from previously read texts that didn’t quite fit, ultimately arriving at a single, decisive word. The accuracy of this judgment is related to the quantity and quality of their past experiences and memories; the more comparative data they possess, the faster, deeper, and more refined their processing becomes.
In short, people with good sense unconsciously utilize a high level of detection ability, either latent or developed, using a vast amount of detailed, comparable data stored in their brains to pinpoint subtle differences and discrepancies with the reality before them. They then assemble and arrange multiple elements to harmonize with the surrounding context, leading to clever words and creative expression. Therefore, as knowledge and experience increase, the resolution and resonance of their senses improve, and their sense of perception becomes more refined.
To put it simply, having good sense means being able to achieve a golden rule-like balance and harmony—without fearing deficiency, eliminating the blurring caused by excess, and retaining only what is essential. This resonates with the concept of wabi-sabi, where the density of hospitality expressed based on the core essence established after discarding and stripping away excess is paramount. (ref., The Pathos Of Things And The Cycle Of Transience, The Art Of Kintsugi And Yugen On Depth Of Psyche)
Furthermore, perhaps the accumulation of processes such as interpreting the essence of form and structure through mimetical expression, noticing subtle differences, observing, imitating, removing, putting into words, refining, and shaping, leads to unique and creative depictions, which in turn elevates one’s sense of aesthetics. (ref., Mimetical Expression Of Emotion On Rainy Days)
In expression or appreciation, the enjoyment of the expression itself is guided and conveyed through the ebb and flow of stimuli—such as the contrast, intensity, and weakness—applied to the five senses: sight, hearing, smell, touch, and taste.
Therefore, while stability and safety are ensured somewhere in the expression, the intentional creation of instability or tension, or some kind of stress, can lead to anxiety based on differences within repetition or discomfort based on deviations from rules. This, combined with a rhythmic interest separate from these meanings, stirs the heart and leads to an indescribable feeling. It is at such times that what manifests as “sense” in expression or appreciation emerges.
While there are countless concrete examples, such as the meticulous brushwork or the use of contrasting colors as accents to create a sense of harmony and unity in the overall image in Impressionist paintings, or the chords containing tension notes in musical compositions, one example is the black Raku tea bowl (黒楽茶碗).
It is shaped by hand without using a potter’s wheel, glazed with a glaze made from Kamogawa black stone (加茂川黒石), fired at around 1000°C, and then rapidly cooled after being removed from the kiln as soon as the glaze melts, resulting in its black color.
In the dimly lit tea room, the black Raku tea bowl, deliberately devoid of visual appeal, that allows one to enjoy a simple yet refined sense of wabi-sabi aesthetic through its rhythm, born from the balance of straight and curved lines, the unevenness of its surface, and the fusion of intention and chance.(ref., Tracing The Path That Tea Has Taken)
In video editing montage, intentionally combining and arranging different elements, adjusting the length and angle of the footage, or applying color correction creates a visual narrative. This allows viewers to interpret images, evoke multi-layered messages and specific emotions, and explore the connections and meanings of different parts, leading to the discovery of “sense” and ultimately to the enjoyment of the work’s concept and essence.
In any case, “sense” is the function of the mind when sensing or expressing the essence of things, and when individual sense is expressed through works of art, music, fashion, etc. and leads to the sharing of emotions, it can become a meaningful means of self-expression that leads to a sense of wellness and enriches life.
While “sense” primarily relates to aesthetic and judgmental perceptions, “sensitivity” concerns the sensory and emotional inner reactions of an individual, such as the ability to perceive things and intuitively grasp the essence of things. It encompasses both the ability to deeply feel things in one’s heart (sensitivity) and the sensory ability to receive stimuli from the outside world. In fact, in Kantian philosophy, it is distinguished from reason and understanding, and is considered the ability to receive what is stimulated by the outside world and provide material for understanding to comprehend.
The following are considered common characteristics of people with rich sensitivity:
* Attention to subtle differences and discrepancies:
They are sensitive to subtle changes in their surroundings, such as facial expressions and the atmosphere, and they receive and process information and stimuli delicately and thoroughly. Therefore, rather than being judged as superior or inferior in ability, this ultimately leads to being perceived as highly observant.
* Incorporating personal judgment criteria:
Instead of relying on external standards such as simply following popular opinions and trends, they pause to examine the impressions they receive in light of their own sensibilities, and derive their own judgments. As a result, this leads to the impression of having consistent values and being unwavering.
* Constantly updating sensibilities without avoiding new stimuli:
As a premise, sensibility is not something one is born with. Actively engaging with new experiences and unknown fields broadens the range of stimuli received, increasing sensory options and leading to greater depth in expression and judgment.
In other words, sensibility is the ability to receive stimuli from the outside world and how to perceive them. Therefore, it is refined by deepening the precision of receiving stimuli and refining them through subsequent processing.
Consequently, instead of indiscriminately absorbing information, it is essential to consciously engage with high-quality stimuli such as long-established films, music, art, and writing—expressions and structures that stir the senses—and to become aware of, organize, and accumulating the stimuli received as experiences, ultimately leads to enhanced sensitivity.
In short, both sense and sensibility are elements related to how a person perceives and judges things and events. Sense can be described as the ability to select things and make good judgments, while sensibility is primarily based on emotions and intuition, and is the ability to feel or perceive things and the environment as an internal reaction. To add a little more, sense can be understood and appreciated by others, while sensibility is based on individual emotions and sensations and is difficult to share with others.
On the other hand, aesthetic sense can be listed as one of the abilities related to thinking and value judgment, but it is not the ability to feel beauty itself, nor is it the same as the sense that is evaluated as a result of judgment, or sensitivity as the richness of the response to stimuli, or preference as personal taste. While these may all be important elements, they cannot be considered the essence of aesthetic sense.
Even if one can immediately respond with “like” or “dislike,” “good” or “bad” to an object in front of them, this merely demonstrates speed of judgment and doesn’t necessarily signify a high level of aesthetic sense.
Rather, if we consider that an aesthetic sense is at work, judgment is temporarily suspended, and one continues to consider why one feels that way, where this feeling of liking or unease comes from, and how to interpret its value. Rather than simply accepting sensations at face value, the characteristic of aesthetic sensibility lies in the fact that one doesn’t immediately draw conclusions about what one feels.
Judgments involving aesthetic sense differ from information processing. They follow a process of first receiving an impression as a sensation, then considering how to understand it, and finally arriving at a value judgment. In other words, they are formed in a step-by-step flow from sensation to meaning and then to judgment; therefore, neither sensation nor knowledge alone can lead to the completion of such judgments.
Furthermore, aesthetic sense is neither an innate talent nor an ability or sensation to understand beauty. It is nurtured through the accumulation of experiences of confronting various objects, suspending judgment, and continuing to think. Through experience, memory, dialogue, failure, and doubt, the criteria for judgment are constantly being updated. Therefore, judgments involving aesthetic sense can be said to be an attitude and ability to judge values formed through experience.
While emotions certainly accompany the feeling of beauty, those emotions themselves are not the essence of beauty. Furthermore, knowing a lot of information about a work of art does not necessarily mean one will find it beautiful, and conversely, one may be strongly drawn to it even with little knowledge. Therefore, it can be said that beauty is different from knowledge-based judgments where there is a clear right or wrong answer.
In other words, the state in which aesthetic sense is functioning is one of continuously contemplating value while accepting judgments that cannot be completed by either sensation or knowledge, maintaining a state of suspended uncertainty.
In today’s fluid and uncertain society, where rationality alone, such as efficiency and numerical comparisons, makes it difficult to complete judgments, where information and choices abound, making judgment itself unstable, and where finding a basis for decision-making is challenging due to diversity, aesthetic sense—which allows for continued reflection, examination of inconsistencies, cultivation of empathy, and refinement—is not merely for art appreciation, but also a practical ability to elevate sensations to value judgments and support their quality.
In any case, the evaluation of having good taste includes having a keen sense of things and being able to express them in a way that everyone will appreciate, as well as essential elements of a person such as being kind, having a good personality, and having good judgment, and these are things that can be consciously developed.
Moreover, these are things that can be consciously cultivated, and understanding the various perspectives and ways of thinking related to sense will be a significant step towards developing one’s abilities and enriching collaboration with others.
In any case, by first being mindful not to lose sight of oneself and utilizing sense as a kind of communication ability that connects the individual and society, it may lead to paving the way for a creative future.
Sincerely grateful for your financial support.
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