Yeah that's it, you hit the nail on the head there. It was never about creating an echo chamber to reinforce previously held notions, but about discussing things in a civil way.
Absolutely! That's what I love about it too, how can we make this amazing technology we've got these days work to make a simpler way of life feasible. Solar in particular is something that seems so full of promise and potential.
You know, I will look into that. I've always found modern Japanese culture to be so fascinating as an outsider anyway, it only makes sense to understand why it is how it is now. Been a big fan of Miyazaki's work for several years now. I've not heard of Murakami, you've given me lots of research here! Thanks!