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Rock, Paper, Scissors...Shoot!

In January, I've been told I have to participate in the school's annual Speech Contest, and give a speech in Japanese in front of everyone, along with the other contestants. I have a maximum of seven minutes to talk about whatever the heck I want. Which brings up the very important question, since I have no restrictions, what the heck should I talk about?

During a procrastination session late at night I was browsing Stumbleupon (and if you don't know what this is, and you have procrastination issues, I recommend you DON'T go check it out. But if you have good self-control, check it out HERE) and I came across this:
And then I thought: BINGO.

Why Rock-Paper-Scissors you ask? Well, in America it's not such an interestinging thing. I mean, who plays rock-paper-scissors anyways, unless you're a small kid? And even then. Over here, however, it's a little different. Called Jan-Ken-Pon, it's used by everyone to decide things. For instance, when we want to decide who's going to use the shower first, we all do rock-paper-scissors and keep going until one person or group beats the others (for example, if one of us throws paper but the other two throw rock, the paper person goes first and then the rock people face off for second and third.) They do this in giant groups too, almost like rock-paper-scissors tournaments.

Curious, I checked the all-knowing source, the Internet, and found that there are, actually global rock-paper-scissors tournaments, and as the above picture shows, the strategies can get pretty cool. (If I may nerd for a moment; in my Game Theory seminar last year we talked about it a bit, and I think the mentality behind it is fascinating.)

So, as of now, my plan for my speech is this:
1. Comparison between the rock-paper-scissors of America and Japan
2. Talk about the different strategies behind rock-paper-scissors and mention the global tournaments

Hey. If I had to listen to a bunch of speeches, a least I'd want to listen to a unique one. My Japanese teacher, at any rate, thought it was a good idea. But how about you guys? Drop a comment or send me an email letting me know if this is honestly stupid. Because otherwise I'm going to start writing it, since I'll need to practice.

Last Note: Some of you on facebook may notice that my name is now Claire D. Ace. That is currently stemming with my potentially dangerous obsession with this guy:
Portgas D. Ace from One Piece.
He kicks (kicked, I suppose, since he died) some SERIOUS SERIOUS ASS.
That's all. (I'm currently in mourning for him.)

Comments

  1. SPOILER ALERT!!!

    Also, I think your speech idea is awesome.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sounds like a great topic, one you could have a lot of fun and enthusiasm doing. Your research could include not only web searches, but also local observation -- do strategies, responses, emotions vary among different groups? Gender, age, AFS vs. local students, etc. And some interesting possibilities for "gestures", if you wish, during the speech itself...

    ReplyDelete
  3. LUFFY'S BROTHER! ummmm he died unfortunately saving Luffy :P ehhh just so you know this is the same Josie you know just using a different gmail user

    ReplyDelete

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