Glasses

[mmcirvin]

Mark Rosenfelder wonders why racist American propaganda during World War II always showed Japanese people wearing glasses.

I think the answer is pretty simple--Hirohito and Hideki Tojo both wore glasses.

Comments

[james-nicoll.livejournal.com]

There was a stereotype that the Japanese all had terrible vision. When Boyington fought in China, he and his fellow pilots were told that each Japanese pilot had prescription-ground windscreen in their planes.

[mmcirvin.livejournal.com]

Hmm. Well, my second, almost-as-obvious guess is that this was an attempt to impugn the virility of the enemy.

[james-nicoll.livejournal.com]

There was definitely an element of "and this is why we white guys will have no trouble sweeping the sky clear of Zeroes," to the claim.

As Boyington comments in his bio, the pilots in the Flying Tigers learned very quickly to have respect for the talents of the Japanese pilots.

20-20 Zero

[infrogmation.livejournal.com]

Wacky rumor, but there would be something cool about perscription windshields.

Re: 20-20 Zero

[adw3345.livejournal.com]

Well, I don't know anything about Japanese WWII stereotypes, but *I'd* like to have a prescription windshield for my car, because last week my eye lens just popped right off and it was a scary few minutes to pull over the highway to find the lens and try to repair the glasses.

Also it'd be a deterrent for would-be car thieves, either they squint and abandon the car for easier pickings, or get incinerated if they drive toward the sun.

I think your idea would make for a better and stronger America.

-Derrick

Re: 20-20 Zero

[tau-iota-mu-c.livejournal.com]

But what would the economic ramifications be of America not being able to drive towards the Sun?

And how to you grind a +7 and +5 windscreen? Some funky shutter LCD technology?

Re: 20-20 Zero

[skapusniak.livejournal.com]

Diffraction grating rather than traditional lens maybe?

Re: 20-20 Zero

[mmcirvin.livejournal.com]

It'd have to be some kind of science-fiction tech that can make a constantly adapting hologram, I think.

Re: 20-20 Zero

[sunburn.livejournal.com]

Think of all the valets who would be decapitated every year because they'd be driving your car with their heads out the window!