Weekly Challenge - The Next Country . . .

As I've noted a few times, Japan is a country that obviously has had major influence on the North American Geekonomy.  Video Games, anime, sentai and more.  From Battle of the Planets decades ago to Power Rangers and Bleach, from Space Invaders to Final Fantasy pick-a-number, Japan has had a huge effect.

At this rate, Japanese influence on pop culture and major Geekonomic areas is more than obvious.  I'm not sure how much more influence can be had (though my guess is Kodansha is looking for more).

But there's always a hunger for new products and entertainments, foods and culture, and business models and opportunities.

So here's your challenge for the week: what country do you think is going to be next to have a big cultural/pop cultural influence on North America?

South Korean and it's growing media?

India with it's tech opportunities and the power of Bollywood?

More British influence now that Doctor Who is Reborn and series are getting remade (again)?

Think about what's next.  After all, my fellow progeek, you're going to be living it in the years to come . . .

- Steven Savage

(And as for my answer?  I'm still thinking that one over.)

Comments

[www.genjipress.com]

Apart from Asia, I vote for Russia. Proto-steampunk pre-WWI aesthetics seem to be on the rise in general, something that Russia probably has great amounts of in its cultural reservoir.

But I also feel that Japan's just going to be one of those things that never quite goes completely out of style, like the tuxedo. Yes, I'm biased.

[Steven Savage]

I do know there's been a renewed interest in Russian/Slavic/Baltic SF as of late since it is "new" to Western audiences.

[green_meklar]

Even before reading the other comments, I was also inclined to suggest Russia. Us here in the west had little opportunity to get to know russian culture for a long time because of the Cold War, but that's over now and things these days are more open and less tainted by political agendas. Also, Russia may still be struggling economically but it does have a substantial hacker/geek culture to draw off of.

Other ideas could include Germany, India, Britain, maybe the scandinavian countries (although norse mythology has already been finding its way into pop culture references for some time). However I really don't expect Japan to be eclipsed in its role anytime soon, so don't hold your breath!