Japan Parade in New York

@Dave

Everybody knows who George Takei is. Nobody knows who Michio Kaku is. I had to look him up and I'm a New Yorker. Chill out.

Dave

Why him, Isn't there more famous and smart Japanese Americans that could fill the bill? 

More famous? Nope. Smarter, probably. But, famous wins when it comes to parades.

Why? Do you have a problem with him for some reason?

I bet is you go on the streets of America and asked who is George Takei is without a picture, 90% would not know him from Adam.

What are you even talking about? He's extremely famous, for like 60 years. He even knows Trump himself from his time on The Apprentice.

Oh my.

OssanAmerika:

Nobody knows who Michio Kaku is.

For most uneducated people, you're correct. Probably explains why Kaku is not that well known by his fellow countrymen. I personally enjoyed his book, Parallel Worlds. Unfortunately, I don't think humanity would allow us to proceed to the last chapter of that book. Especially with an American empire.

@Dave

I’m not American, wasn’t born when the first Star Trek series was aired, and I’m not a great TV or film watcher. I think I have seen two of the Star Trek films with him as Sulu.

I can name him without a pause.

As mentioned above, in more recent times, he’s appeared on The Apprentice and is actively involved in the LGBT rights movement. He’s appeared on TV talk shows with huge audiences.

I’d say he’s a good choice for this parade.

For most uneducated people, you are correct

I know Kaku because I have an interest in physics. I don’t think a lack of interest in physics makes you uneducated.

I can honestly say I’ve never read the work of a geologist writing for a wider audience.

Michio Kaku would have been a good choice but nothing wrong with George Takei as he is by far the more famous of the two. I want a New York parade in Tokyo. I'll be the grand marshal.

Why him, Isn't there more famous and smart Japanese Americans that could fill the bill? He was on Star Trek and made a commercial about a Japanese TV. Did I leave anything out? How about Michio Kaku?

Its important to note that they weren’t just appointing a random Japanese American famous guy. Takei has been a really huge figure in the Japanese American community for many years. He lived in an internment camp during WW2 and has contributed a lot to public understanding about that, has been active in the community, recognized by the Japanese government for his contributions to Japanese-American relations, etc.

I fail to see how one could have a problem with him in that role, no offense to Michio Kaku.

Dave

@OssanAmerica, I bet is you go on the streets of America and asked who is George Takei is without a picture, 90% would not know him from Adam. With picture, that is the guy from Star Trek.

It wouldn't be 90%. And, certainly not at a Japan-themed parade. But, it's a moot point, as it's his face that everybody is seeing at the front of the parade, not his name.

Wonderful a Japan parade in NYC!

as for most famous Japanese American, it’s got to be pop artist Hikaru Utada…

 I bet is you go on the streets of America and asked who is George Takei is without a picture, 90% would not know him from Adam. With picture, that is the guy from Star Trek.

I estimate over 90% of Americans know who George Takei is. Apart from maybe a few great baseballers, he is the most famous Japanese person in the USA. Amazing actor.

Great to see him honored this way, and this Japan Parade is a brilliant initiative and looks pretty awesome! Love to be there among the street party!

jimizo:

I don’t think a lack of interest in physics makes you uneducated.

I never said that. Stop putting words in my mouth. I was just saying a significant portion of people in USA are uneducated.

I'm a fan of Takei. His family suffered at the hands of America. His experiences have helped shape him and he's been a vocal ally of Muslims and all Asians. He'd be disgusted to see Chinese-Americans locked up in camps because of this anti-China rhetoric in USA, and previously spoke out against Islamophobia.

He'd be disgusted to see Chinese-Americans locked up in camps because of this anti-China rhetoric in USA

He probably IS disgusted at the locked up minorities in China, don't ya think also?

Dave: I know (of) Takei very well, and I am also not American. Not only was he Sulu, he's made a slough of TV appearances (possibly more) in the last couple of decades, from voice acting in The Simpsons, Archer, Bojack Horseman, Star Wars, and more, to Heroes, Hawaii Five-0, Twilight Zone, and HEAPS of other shows. More than that, though, of late he's been quite big for his political activism, especially against Trump. Michio Kaku? Never heard of him. Even looked him up and his picture didn't jog any memories of having seen or heard of him. Sorry, man.

I don't much like Takei, either - but if he wants to lead the parade, I see no problem with it. Better than Steven Seagal. Any educated person should at least know who Michio Kaku is though. Not sure if he would be interested in leading a parade anyway.

commanteer

Any educated person should at least know who Michio Kaku is though. Not sure if he would be interested in leading a parade anyway.

I'd wager 100 quatloos that he would accept, if he was invited. He strikes me as someone who enjoys the spotlight, similar to his peer, Neil deGrasse Tyson.

Shohei Otani would have been a great choice to lead the parade if he didn't have games...

Not only was he Sulu, he's made a slough of TV appearances (possibly more) in the last couple of decades

He's not all that bad an actor. (Unless you meant to say slew of TV appearances).

Just spoke to some people I know, some who have degrees in various subjects and my fiancé who has a phd and they were all very impressed that I called them uneducated as none of them knew who this Kaku was. Showed them a screen shot of Dave's post and some of the language used was less then flattering.