You can read it once in a while, read it again, or engage with it in your own way.
By the way, did the Corona Disaster change anything?
Miyamoto:One interesting thing was that shortly after the Corona began, a Korean reader wrote in Korean, "This newsletter from Japan is interesting.tweetIt was the fact that they did it. He said, "I especially like the curation since the corona started."
Sasaki:That was a joy. He probably read it on Google Translate. Where he learned that is a mystery.
Oka Bridge:With Corona, everyone was unsure of what was the right thing to do or what would happen. When that happens, it is important to not just jump on new trends and buzzwords, but to be aware of what is happening around them and in the background, and to try to unravel them from a historical context, which is what we have been doing. So the tweets were an experience that made us more aware of what we were doing and for what purpose.
Do you have any ideas for what you would like to do with "LOBSTERR"?
Sasaki:I have many fantasies, such as publishing a book, doing commerce, or owning a place. It would be nice to have a store in "MONOCLE" or a shop like "SPBS" with a sales floor and an editorial department in the back and us there.
Oka Bridge:But to do so requires funding and resources, so I guess that's why we are starting with building a community and gradually expanding the scope of the project.
So you start with the community. Do you have a purpose for what you are doing this for in the first place?
Sasaki:I do it because I enjoy it. That's it.
Oka Bridge:The best thing to do is to have fun without overdoing it.
Sasaki:It's not that I have a high-minded spirit, but after a year and a half, I feel like I have a bit of responsibility. I can't stop doing this (laughs). When we recruit people for the micro-community, we ask them to write about their motivation for participating, and there are some lengthy responses. Also, we have received a lot of feedback that they look forward to Mondays every week. As I mentioned earlier about the switchers, there is a part of me that feels that Monday mornings and "LOBSTERR" mornings are inseparably tied together. It is not good to feel obligated to do so, but the most important thing is that we are having fun.
Oka Bridge:I kind of go back and forth between the two. Of course I understand the expectations of readers, and I am happy about that. However, I put that to the side and try to get back into my own mode of thinking about what I want to write about and what I am interested in.
Sasaki:Sometimes I think that I am expected to take up this kind of thing this week, but I may try not to write about it. I want to be a good-for-nothing, I guess.
Miyamoto:I also do media work, so I am most happy to receive feedback from readers.
Lastly, do you have a message for our readers?
Sasaki:Thank you for your continued support, and I hope that the rest of you will find a way to engage with us that is comfortable for you. You can read it as a work switcher, or you can save it and read it when you have time.
Oka Bridge:In addition to that, I'm glad you read it every week, and I'm glad you listen to the podcasts. But I hope you don't feel pressured to do so, and it would be nice if you read or reread them from time to time, or if you just want to be involved in that way.
Miyamoto:Yes, I agree. I don't think it's necessary for readers to read all of the articles either, since each week is long. I would be very happy if even one of the 10 topics that I find interesting could be an inspiration for the readers.
