The Pakistani Spectator

Would you please tell us something about you and your writing expeditions?
I am a Tokyo-based writer and managing editor of the Center for International Relations’ Web site, International Affairs Forum. I usually write about Japanese politics and international relations, but have also written on a number of other subjects including British and U.S. politics.My work has appeared in the Christian Science Monitor,
the Daily Yomiuri, the American Spectator and TCS Daily, among other publications.

I’m wondering what some of your memorable experiences are with writing?
I’ve been very lucky to have had a range of memorable writing experiences and to have met some incredibly interesting people all over the world as part of my research and interviews. I wrote on the primary elections while I was in New Hampshire in 2004, have reported from London, New York, Beijing and Tokyo and am enjoying exploring new
subjects in an exciting part of the world.

What do you think is the most exciting or most innovative use of technology  in politics right now?
Well, its been said many times before, but there is something quite exciting about on the scene blogging, some of which I understand your own website has been involved in. I don’t think blogging should be considered an alternative to conventional reporting, but it can
provide new, interesting and immediate perspectives.

Do you think that these new technologies are effective in making people more responsive?
I think these technologies, enabled by the growing reach of the Internet, can certainly bring more people into political debates, which is healthy.

What do you think sets Your writings apart from others?
I try to make my writing as clear as possible - to take often complicated subjects and present them in a way that makes them understandable to a wider audience. How successful I am at that is for other people to judge, but it’s what I try to do.

What was the happiest and gloomiest moment of your life?
Difficult to say - I have had ups and downs like everyone else, but always try to keep a positive frame of mind. I feel lucky that my life continues to get more interesting, I have the chance to see some exciting places and meet a wide range of people through my work. I hope the happiest moments of my life are still to come.

What features make this shift of online writing more democratic or less democratic?
I think in so far as it gives anyone with Internet access a voice and a chance to have their say, then it could be seen as improving democracy, because it helps disseminate new perspectives and ideas and allows people to get a better understanding of the issues. But the anonymity that online writing offers can also create problems as well as opportunities, as some people writing on the Internet think this anonymity gives them license t write what they want, without thinking of the consequences. There are also issues of accuracy and trust, which is why I think for now online writing is often a great supplement to traditional media, it is not ready to supplant them.

Do you think [the use of Twitter and other social networking tools by politicians] is bandwagon jumping or what?
I think some see it as a genuine opportunity to communicate with their constituents, especially younger ones. But obviously many view it simply as a way of getting their message out and garnering support with their next election in mind.

If you could pick a travel destination, anywhere in the world, with no worries about how it’s paid for - what would your top 3 choices be?
Very difficult - there are so many places I want to see (though I guess everyone says that, don’t they?)
I think in terms of places I’ve never been - Johannesburg, as I haven’t been to sub-Saharan Africa, Moscow and for pure relaxation purposes perhaps the Seychelles!

What is your favorite book and why?
Again, I have a few. The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro is a beautiful book. Ishiguro has an unpretentious but elegant style of prose and I find his books linger in my mind years after I’ve read them.

Is it true that who has a successful blog has an awful lot of time on their hands?
Sometimes, but not necessarily. I just think some people are better than others at making time for these things.

What role can bloggers of the world play to make this world more friendlier and less hostile?
I think tolerance and accuracy are two of the words that spring to mind. The blogosphere is full of some vitriolic writing that poisons debate and hardens points of view instead of making people more open. Connected to this is accuracy - it is easy and perhaps even sometimes tempting when writing anonymously to write first and fact-check later.
But once something gets on the Internet it’s impossible to contain, and inaccuracies can end up being widely disseminated and hugely damaging.

Who are your top five favourite bloggers or writers on net?
I like Taegen Goddard’s Political Wire website - the emphasis there is not so much pushing a point of view, but providing information. For U.S. election coverage I find the New Republic’s primary blog interesting, and I also like Steve Clemons’ blog ‘The Washington Note’ and Andrew Sullivan’s ‘Daily Dish.’

What is your perception about Pakistan and its people?
I think it’s unwise as a rule to generalize too much about a country’s people, though my broad impressions, from news coverage and from sources such as your blog, are of a passionate, dignified and often brave people who are trying, often with remarkable success, to cope with incredibly difficult and uncertain times.

How a developing country could become developed one?
That’s a big question, though one I find extremely interesting as my old boss, the late Piara Khabra MP, was on the House of Commons select committee for International Development. If there is one thing I had to name that I think is extremely important, it is good governance, and systems in place to tackle corruption.

What is the future of blogging?
I think as long as bloggers take responsibility for what they write, and remember the consequences if they don’t, then the future could be very bright.

You have also got a writing life, how has it directly affected both your personal and professional life?
I find that the more writing you do, the more distinctions between professional and personal time get blurred. For example, what was meant to be a short holiday in Beijing ended up providing ideas for an article I wrote, while with the time differences I find that whereas I used to come home and relax, now the evenings are a perfect time to
catch up on work with editors in the U.S.

What are your future plans?
To see more of Asia, and to keep writing about it.

Any Message you want to give to the readers of The Pakistani Spectator?
Let something you read inspire you - professionally, personally - whatever - to make yours and other people’s lives better.