#119 | What Remains in the Age of AI / The Price of the Non-Digitalizable

The wisdom of our predecessors embedded in the concept of being underprepared.

With the realization that you never truly know until you try, Richard-san and Kagayaki-san reaffirm the importance of a "pre-opening" process. Drawing on experiences from Kagayaki-san’s family sushi restaurant and an interview regarding the turnaround of a theme park in Okinawa, the conversation deepens into the question of who truly determines the "fair value" of a service.

Discussing the excitement of innovation through the combination of existing ideas.

This current challenge combines the mechanisms of a podcast studio and a shared bookstore. Richard-san suggests that just as the iPhone was born from combining existing technologies, new experiences may emerge from a "mixed martial arts"-style fusion of disparate elements. The atmosphere captured is one of busy, fulfilling excitement—much like the night before a school festival.

A surprising discovery about the "price" of things that cannot be digitized.

Both hosts were shocked to realize that an Instax ("Cheki") print costs 350 yen while planning their event. At a price point that could buy a mini bowl of beef at a restaurant, they identify the essence of "physical luxury" that does not become cheaper despite technological progress. The discussion expands into an unexpected perspective from there—be sure to listen to the full episode to find out the details.