wh5 = who, what, where, when and why. The five basic questions that are the structure of any story. Explored in "Who says what, where, when and and Why: Context in Conversation." An introduction to Sociolinguistics through Conversation Analysis. wh5 is the blogsite of the book published 2008 by Nanundo-Phoenix, Tokyo.
What have blossoms bravely blooming in the Japanese spring got to do with rugby you may ask? Well, the Japanese ruggards team is called the Brave Blossoms. It seems an unusual juxtaposition, but gets your attention. And maybe sympathy. WHITE RABBIT, WHITE RABBIT, WHITE RABBIT!
Recognizing a scene in an old photo …
Russell: remember that Top Gear episode where they tried to destroy a Toyota Hilux? Sank it in the sea, smashed it with a wrecking ball, set it on fire—thing just wouldn’t die.
Rory: Aye, grand bit of telly. Smashed it but it still ran.
Russell: A metaphor for disruption in the televsion industry perhaps?
Rory: Reality TV was meant to ruin it. Like dropping the Hilux into the ocean. They said scripted drama was done for, but it just adapted.
Russell: Then came YouTube, TikTok, participatory media—swinging at TV like that wrecking ball. "Who needs professionally made content when the masses can make their own?" they said.
Rory: And then what happened? Instead of dying, TV swallowed it whole. Now half the shows on telly are based on viral trends. Even the news is presented like a reality show.
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Voice-over
Like Schumpeter’s “creative destruction” — old industries don’t just vanish, they’re torn apart and reborn in new forms. Television isn’t dying; it’s just shedding its old skin, adapting to new formats, new technologies, and new audiences. Just like the Hilux, battered but still running. TV doesn’t die—it evolves. Social media gave birth to Netflix's interactive shows. AI? Well, give it time; TV will find a way to make it work.
On air…
Dan: Have you noticed how phrases like "Just saying" and "putting it out there" seem to be everywhere these days?
Barbara: Yes, it's like people use them to say whatever they want without taking responsibility. Making our society more chaotic, maybe?
Dan: Definitely. Social media amplifying these phrases, making it easier for politicians and conspiracy theorists to spread lies and fake news just to get attention.
Barbara: Remember Vance? He admitted to telling lies to make a better story.
Dan: Exactly. It's scary how effective that strategy can be. The more they repeat these lies, the more people start to believe them, creating divisions in society.
Barbara: And social media just makes it worse. The echo chamber ups the volume. A constant state of outrage. Everyone trying to outdo each other with more shocking stories.
Dan: Unchecked for facts, yes. And the algorithms on social media platforms prioritize these kinds of posts because they generate more engagement.
Barbara: Which means more ad revenue for the platforms, but more misinformation for us. It's a vicious cycle.
Dan: It's not just politicians and conspiracy theorists. Even regular people use these phrases to avoid accountability for their words.
Barbara: Saying something controversial without fully committing to it. "Just saying" gives them an out if they get called out.
Dan: And "putting it out there" could give the impression someone is sharing an idea, even if it's totally fake. You never know what's true anymore because there’s such a cacophony of competing stories.
My Dearest Emma,
With the utmost delight I write these lines to you on the eve of your birthday. How swiftly the years have flown, and yet, each one has only served to enhance your grace and charm.
I am on my way to join the celebrations, the coach and horses depart before the sun will set tomorrow so my arrival will be after darkness has fallen.
Arriving thus the night before the event in good time and eager to join you all in a celebratory feasting, in a lofty mansion. The event promises to be filled with games such as charades and musical chairs which reminds me that I hope you will perform airs, so be sure to bring your music. The prospect of such merriment fills me with the greatest anticipation. May your day be as radiant as your smile and as joyous as your laughter.
Sincerest Felicitations,
Jane A.
An Elizabethan birthday…
Stumbling on an attraction in Ari…
Bae: "Death Cafe"? Sounds like a place where coffee isn't the only thing that keeps you up at night.
Prae: Haha, Let's check it out. Maybe they serve killer lattes.
Bae: (walking down the alley) The lights are on, but it looks like nobody's home. Spooky!
Prae: Look, there's a ghost room and escape challenges. And what's this? Finding an antidote after being bitten by a snake?
Bae: What a weird place. I wonder if they have a frequent screamer card.
Prae: Maybe they give out ghost points. Collect ten and get a free exorcism!
Bae: I don't see anyone inside. Do you think it's a trap? Like, we go in and never come out?
Prae: Or maybe it's just a really exclusive club. Only the bravest souls allowed.
Bae: Speaking of souls, did you notice the cancer hospital across the road? Talk about a contrast.
Prae: Yeah, it's like life and death are having a staring contest.
Bae: Well, if we survive the Death Cafe, we can always pop over for a check-up.
Prae: Let's see if we can find someone to tell us more. Maybe they're hiding in the ghost room.
Bae: Or maybe they're just dying to meet us.
Prae: (groans) That's terrible.
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Voice-over
The idea of a “Death Café” was initiated by Swiss sociologist Bernard Crettaz, who organized the first "café mortel" in 2004. His aim was to break the "tyrannical secrecy" surrounding death and encourage open conversations about it, to increase awareness of death and to help people make the most of their finite lives. There are now some 14,000 death cafés in 80 countries.
Managing an invitation…
Planning the next trip…
Yoko: Ferruccio, we need to decide on our next trip. Should we go to Naoshima or Kyushu? You’re not still obsessed with those oversized pumpkins and spotted teapots?
Ferruccio: Haha, yes, Naoshima has gone a bit overboard with its so-called “art.” How about a trip around Kyushu, remember? 50 years ago? When you were SUCH a good navigator!
Yoko: Oh, playing the nostalgia card? But Kyushu does have a charm that Naoshima’s “art” could never replicate.
Ferruccio: Maybe Kyushu hasn’t quite yet been overrun with tourists taking selfies with fake art. Amakusa, Kagoshima, Nagasaki?
Yoko: Amakusa would be quiet, with those great coastal views and hidden Christian churches. I could take pictures and show church friends. And we can stay in a traditional ryokan with unique dishes and a hot spring.
Ferruccio: Sounds good. Maybe we’ll even have some quiet evenings to rest.
Yoko: Making some new memories travelling in Kyushu. It’s never too late.
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Voice-over
The Amakusa islands have several hidden churches and are known as the "islands of prayer". During the Edo period (1603–1868), when Christianity was banned, Christians lived in hiding on the islands. Sakitsu Church itself (pictured) was not a hiding place for Japanese Christians during the period of persecution, as it was built later, in 1934. However, the village of Sakitsu, was a significant refuge for Hidden Christians (Kakure Kirishitan) when Christianity was banned.
