How to Read “下手の長談義”
Heta no nagadangi
Meaning of “下手の長談義”
“Unskilled person’s long discussion” means that people with immature skills or knowledge tend to spend too much time making decisions about things.
This proverb expresses how people with low ability spend long periods worrying and thinking. While skilled people can make appropriate judgments in a short time, inexperienced people get lost among various options and end up taking too much time. Moreover, it refers to the ironic situation where despite thinking for a long time, they don’t achieve good results.
The situations where this proverb is used include when indecisive people continue discussions endlessly in meetings, or when indecisive people can’t choose products while shopping. It can also be used when reflecting on one’s own behavior.
Even today, there are many situations where people spend more time than necessary due to lack of experience or knowledge. This proverb is understood by many people today as an expression that teaches us the value of efficiency and experience.
Origin and Etymology
The origin of “Unskilled person’s long discussion” is said to have emerged from the world of Go and Shogi during the Edo period. In Go and Shogi, people with immature skills tend to spend time on each move, pondering for long periods while hesitating over various options, which gave birth to this expression.
Skilled players instantly read the situation and make the next move with accurate judgment, but beginners and poor players think too much about various possibilities even in the same situation, resulting in wasting time. Moreover, this creates the ironic situation where despite thinking for a long time, they cannot make good moves.
Since this phenomenon can be seen not only in Go and Shogi but in all aspects of daily life, it eventually became established as a common proverb. During the Edo period, Go and Shogi were popular among common people, and the fact that many people could understand this situation from personal experience is thought to have greatly contributed to the spread of the proverb.
The word “dangi” originally meant explaining Buddhist teachings, but over time it came to be used in the broader sense of “discussion” or “consultation,” and in this proverb it is used to mean “pondering thoughts.”
Interesting Facts
In the world of Go and Shogi, before time limits were introduced, a single game could actually continue for several days. Especially in matches between beginners, both players would repeatedly think for long periods, resulting in games that lasted unimaginably long by modern standards.
The word “dangi” in this proverb was originally a Buddhist term, but during the Edo period, a genre of entertainment literature called “dangi-bon,” which was the predecessor of “kodan” and “rakugo,” was also born, making it a familiar word for common people.
Usage Examples
- Newcomer Tanaka is an example of unskilled person’s long discussion, taking a whole week to create a simple project proposal
- I’m also guilty of unskilled person’s long discussion, always taking time to decide on menu items at restaurants
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, the meaning of “Unskilled person’s long discussion” has become more complex. In our information society, we live surrounded by incomparably more choices and information than before.
When purchasing products online, many people have experienced spending hours reading and comparing reviews, comparing prices, and researching similar products. This could be called a modern version of “Unskilled person’s long discussion.” However, in today’s world where information is too abundant, even experts sometimes take time to make judgments, and we cannot simply say that “it takes time because you’re unskilled.”
On the other hand, in digital communication scenarios such as decision-making via SNS and email, and discussions in meetings, the lessons of this proverb become particularly important. Online meetings tend to drag on even more than face-to-face ones, requiring efficient decision-making skills.
Additionally, in modern times, psychological concepts such as “perfectionism” and “analysis paralysis” are gaining attention, with increasing numbers of people who cannot make decisions despite having ability. This is a different phenomenon from traditional “Unskilled person’s long discussion,” but it results in creating similar situations.
This proverb has new value as precious wisdom that teaches us the importance of making decisions at appropriate timing, precisely because we live in an age of information overload.
When AI Hears This
Social media posts that receive no “likes” despite their lengthy content, or presentations where audiences lose focus halfway through, are perfect examples of the modern-day version of “unskilled people talk the longest.”
What’s fascinating is how this Edo-period phenomenon of “the less skilled someone is, the longer they talk” has become even more severe in the digital age. On social media platforms without character limits, people who lack clarity about what they really want to communicate tend to post endlessly. Meanwhile, influential communicators deliver their messages precisely in just a few words.
Presentation research has identified the “7-minute rule.” Since audience attention spans drop after about 7 minutes, skilled presenters convey their core message within this timeframe. However, unprepared speakers mistakenly believe that “spending more time will help people understand,” and they keep talking for 30 minutes or even an hour, creating the opposite effect.
A uniquely modern problem is the “democratization of information.” In an environment where anyone can broadcast their thoughts, there’s been a surge of people sharing content without learning proper communication skills. While the Edo period limited such lengthy discussions to specific venues, today we live in an era where “long-winded rambling” is broadcast to the entire world.
As a result, truly valuable information gets buried, and audiences suffer from information fatigue. This represents how “unskilled people talking the longest” has evolved from an individual-level issue into a society-wide challenge.
Lessons for Today
What “Unskilled person’s long discussion” teaches modern people is the importance of experience and learning. This proverb is not saying that “thinking is bad.” Rather, it teaches us that efficient judgment is something acquired through accumulating experience.
In modern society, there are increasing situations where quick decisions are required amid overflowing information. In such times, this proverb reminds us of the importance of “the courage to try taking action first.” Rather than becoming unable to move by seeking perfection, making decisions at a reasonable point and accumulating experience leads to growth in the long term.
Also, when you find yourself engaged in “long discussion,” you can positively view it as part of the learning process. Even if it takes time now, you will definitely improve by gaining experience. What’s important is not being ashamed of that process and continuing to move forward steadily.
When you’re troubled by something, remember this proverb. Have the courage to take a step forward, even if it’s not perfect. And accumulate the treasure called experience. That is the path to becoming someone who can make quick and accurate judgments someday.
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