[Opinion] The Power of Insensitivity

There was once a famous doctor in a university hospital in Japan who was known for being very strict toward his students. When this doctor scolded his students for “slow movement of hands” or “weak concentration” the students easily felt down. But one student was different. All the time, this student only repeated “yes,” and seemed not to care about what was being said. Instead, the student concentrated on strengthening his talent. Later, this student became the only one to inherit the know-how of surgery from the doctor. Watanabe Junishi, a Japanese doctor and writer, praised such “wise dullness” in his new book, “The Power of Insensitivity.”

The message of this book is that while being sensitive is preferred in general, in everyday life being insensitive is more useful. It argues that insensitivity, or “the dullness of emotions or senses,” is not a shortcoming but a talent. Those who do not find any inconvenience in a strange place to sleep, those who immediately forget anything bad that has happened, and those who are not affected when scolded or criticized by others are the types of people with the talent to be insensitive.

This is not the same as being lazy. The author advises readers to concentrate their abilities inward and to maximize them rather than using up abilities outward on other people or surroundings.

The power of insensitivity also helps one stay healthy. People who are not easily afflicted by insulting words have expanded blood vessels and thus better circulation. People with insensitive intestines become less sick after eating bad food. There are also theories that argue that those with sensitive sight or hearing age earlier than others. Cancer is more likely to be cured when the patient takes things easy.

In human relationships, such as marriage or companionship, seeking perfection only increases pressure and tends to break down relationships easily. The author also argues that one of the secrets to long-lasting married lives of old couples is the power of insensitivity. He describes that when one is insensitive toward the other, there is more room for generosity. In the first half of this year in Japan, only one million copies of this book were sold. The author’s advice to avoid responding to each and every piece of criticism or sarcasm and to stay firm at one’s own center has already provided me with strength.

Editorial Writer Huh Mun-myeong, angelhuh@donga.com