Trend Day

when i speak to many ppl, like 200 to 300, i blur my vision of them. Shift, quick eye movements across ur audiences help too. it will give the effect that u are looking at them, but in face, u're not..since u're wearing a specs, u may consider removing it before u speak, although u will look strange...the rest, it's entirely up to ur content.

gd luck

Good luck, Danny!

I'm afraid to speak infront of others as well... Anyway, good luck Danny! Show em' what you got!

Yeah, good luck danny.

The thing im most afraid of is water, i dont know why, but probaly because i have had some close death encounters in water.

Yeah, good luck Danny.
I'm sure you'll rock !

Good Luck! You can make it.
The little article in German about you is actually more of an interesting sociological explanation of the "otaku phenomenon"... but also a bit negative, since it's written from a rather distanced point of view...

Good interview, by the way!

its not that im afraid of speaking.. its that i don't get to do it..

but i'm not afraid of anything.. if i am.. i just conqour it by doing it over and over... my biggest fear was drowning.. now i'm lifeguard quality swimmer.. go figure.. conquor your fears!

Good luck Danny!

I also have a problem speaking in front of many people, but now is not as bad as before... Keep practicing... :D

The more people, the easier it is.

I used to be quite bad and afraid of speaking in front of others. But over time, I got better as I gave more and more presentations for my projects in school. I guess practice really does help.
Anyways, good luck with your presentation at Trend Day, Danny! :D

i know this may sound cheesy or something pulled out of a movie, but i am most afraid of losing something dear and precious to me rather than losing myself.

usually, when need to talk in front of many ppl, i just imagine that they are all my friends.

well anyway, danny add oil add oil (ganbatte!!). we are waitin for good news from you

Good luck Danny! I'm sure you'll do just fine, maybe pretend you're in your stormtrooper outfit. :p

just pretending you're the leader of a stormtrooper garrison, and you are happening to be briefing them on how to quash the Rebel Alliance

good luck have fun! see you when you get back! if you do make your way to nuremburg, don't forget to check out http://www.engadget.com/2007/08/27/fully-automated-restaurant-opens-in-germany/
they beat japan to it ^^

がんばれ！ The biggest problem for me in public performances used to be the pace of my speech. I used to speak so fast that it wasn't always comfortable to follow what I was saying. But then I learned to speak more slowly, to give the audience more time to absorb the information and avoid saying all in one sentence. And of course at first I didn't have any courage to take eye contact with the audience, just tried to look at the papers in front :P

So everytime I have to speak for many people, I say these things to myself: speak clearly, speak slowly and enjoy yourself!

I'm pretty ok with speaking in front of people. I've become quite used to delivering presentations to my company's senior executives. All thanks to the training and support I got from the Toastmasters program. Anyone wanting to overcome their fear of public speaking and/or improve their communications should seek out the nearest Toastmasters club or go to www.toastmasters.org.

Thats great news! I hope it goes well. Will you post your presenation for us? I'd love to see it. I've always admired those who can stand up and speak so calmly infront of large crowds.

My english is crap, so pretty much obvious 'Speaking in front of people'. What a nice opportunity Danny, to get invited for such event.

My greatest fear is pain...

Hmm, If 2D girls don't work, use your Stomtrooper custom!!! Funny, and you don't look nervous in it.

Well, I'm not afraid of these things for now =) but someday maybe. Everything to win, nothing to lose. I'm not that afraid speaking in front of people coz it feel like "woa hell, I'll never meet u guys again" problably... ^_^

When I have to give a presentation, I always totally focus on the topic. Don't mind the amount of people, just imagine there would only be one person you want to explain something. And always keep in mind, that these people are there because they WANT to learn something from you, so there is no reason, why they should be offensive. Start with some German sentences, thats always funny! ^^ "Guten Tag, mein Name ist Danny Choo und ich bin der Geschäftsführer von Mirai Inc." or something like that, the other Germans here could give some other suggestions! Good luck Danny! Banzai!

Good luck Danny, I'm sure you'll do just fine!

Not really afraid of speaking in front of a crowd, although I do agree it is always nerve racking before and during it. Most of it is psychological and in your own head just making up stuff of how it might go wrong but if you really think about it and especially draw from past experience when speaking in public, it's really not that bad.

Good Luck Danny.. We will support you all the way.. ^^

For a bit of fun, do the Caramelldansen using your stormtrooper costume at the end of your presentation.. XD

Good Luck Danny x)

i'm a terrible speaker. u will never see me talking/presenting in front of people. ^^;

anyway danny, since u all giving a speech on otaku culture, it shouldn't be much of a problem since this is something u are already very familiar with. do remember to inject some humour now and then to keep the topic interesting.

will u will getting someone to film your presentation? i belive many of us will love to see it. and your slides as well.

good luck and all the best. may the force and haruhi be with u. ^^;

Danny, all the best. I'm sure it will be fine. BTW I have just had a look at the PDF for Trend day. Weird cover!!

Anyhoo, Heights scare me silly. For instance a few years ago I was visiting relatives in Toronto & went up the CN tower. They have a transparent section in the floor and I could NOT step on it. Intellectually I knew it was perfectly safe. After all other people were jumping up & down on it. But I just could NOT put my weight on it. On the other hand flying doesnt bother me at all.

My last speech/ presentation was couple of years ago when I was still in the process of completing my subjects... that was thesis... It was a program for a medical clinic that was made using vb6... it was funny that when a gal *bitch* schoolmate pointed out the error of our system, I was trying to do the speaking while my gal groupmate was fixing the program... My vision kinda went blurred and I don't know what I was talking about in front of my school mates (I think there were 12 of them) and us presenters' family member and subject lecturer. In the end, we still passed the subject... thank Lord that the panelists wasn't being hard on us... and thank Lord that they had no idea about programming as they are professionals which was not on IT industry... Just sharing my experience on this "presenting in front of crowd" thingy... I know this is just nothing for you guys...

Anyway, Good luck on your presentation Danny...
And post some pictures of some otaku stuffs from Germany.

good luck from me too, danny!

i've never had a problem or fear of speaking in front of crowds. just imagine the crowd as something weak and pathetic like a pack of naked mole rats congregating on a rotting tuber and you'll be alright.

I would think danny will be explaining what otaku is, where it comes from and how to make money off our fickle group. If there is one certain thing about us , we are defiantly a moving target.

Ganbatte Danny!~

Put forth your stormtrooper spirit!

がんばって!

You are doing well for yourself Danny.

And, I hate to speak in front of people too.

good luck Danny~
I'm afraid of speaking in front other people too; I also scares height little bit; well, not that I can't take flight or live in a height place. I just feel dizzy when I'm looking down... Man, I wonder how I could do the sky-diving years ago.

Most fears I used to have, but have since overcome. My biggest fear has still got to be the Unknown, be it paranormal or things/events that can go terribly wrong etc.

I'm sure you'll be able to speak in front of everybody, just think of them as not being there, it works (at least for me). May the force be with you!

Go go Danny! Personally I always find myself tongue-tied whenever I have to face a large crowd >_< But my biggest fear is one day, I'll simply be unable to overcome any obstacle. Then I'll be FAIL >o<

I'm afraid of being old. sounds weird, but it's true :<

Best of luck with the confrence mate - take your figmas with you and fiddle with them under the podium when youre stressed!

As for the fears bit - im most afraid of dying a sad lonely bugger, and im well on my way to achieving that o.O

Some materials you might want to (or maybe already have added) add to the presentation, Danny. ^^

http://clast.diamondagency.jp/en/?p=97
^ Otaku culture is overwhelming other popular culture in Japan.

Maybe you can also add how the sales in Japanese pop culture industry has been tripling and how it is happening during this kinda depressing moment in the economy of Japan. ^^

http://ampontan.wordpress.com/2008/01/20/japans-economy-no-longer-first-class/
http://www.time.com/time/asia/2003/cool_japan/story.html

(And the reason why Otaku may be largest contributor to that may be this.... "At present, the Akiba otaku are the only widespread, definable group whose culture remains based on purchasing lots of items as a means to demonstrate fandom", from http://clast.diamondagency.jp/en/?p=97 fifth paragraph).

And personally I want you to add how good Kugimiya Rie is.... especially as a tsundere loli (Nagi, Shana and Louise and the likes). ^^

Oh yeah, identify what tsundere is and what loli is might be good? ^^ lol.

I just hope we get a video of your speech, as the topic is interesting but i don't have the time to attend to it. :) (work won't let me go - bah)
I would be very sad if we don't get one. :p

I've always found that the wait before doing a speech is scary, but the moment it starts, it melts away and the whole thing is easy.

Good luck with yours Danny, either way.

Haha - that sounds like fun...if you like public speaking. I don't know how I'd fair in front of a ton of people talking about what an otaku is though. Probably not so well as I hate public speaking myself >_>.

Anyway - good luck with that.

On a side note, I like how the poll proves that people's worst fear is still speaking in front of a crowd way over death.

Tha's good Danny, but you need to relax. I get extremly nervous when presenting infront of my class, and you need to breathe in, hold it for 3 seconds, and let it out from your mouth. That always works for me.

My fears would be spiders, I discovered recently that I can't even look at pictures of spiders on the internet...

I'll try to find some 2D girls if that relaxes you.

To me, the fear of speaking in front of people is what my reputation with the people will be afterwards. Reputation is important because it affects how people treat you and view you, thus your social life. Even when I am not going to do something stupid, I keep thinking my reputation will go down, because I think I will do the slightest of mistake that will take away my good reputation. If it was a very carefree world, I won't even care what I do in front of, say millions of people, much like the internet which promotes anonymousity

Go Danny~

Go Danny! And you're even visiting my old hometown where I spent my first 14 years growing up. I haven't been back (26 years later) but all my relatives are still there. Hope you enjoy it. I managed to overcome my shyness/fear of talking in front of people after several years of being MC for the local anime club (100-150 people a week).

I hate speaking in front of people too, danny. Just try to remain focused and remember it will be over soon. Anyway, good luck!

When are you gonna visit the netherlands ? ^_^

Congratulations on getting to speak at this event. I'm sure that you'll do great. I read the interview they had with you. Funny thing is, I think we can extend the term "otaku" to more than just those of us who are into anime, manga, etc. Yesterday I spoke with someone that I'd call a wine otaku. This guy was so passionate about not just drinking wine, but had a huge knowledge about wine in general. AH, Im rambling. Sorry, late night because of a server move

Congratulation Danny! to be an invited speaker for a reputatable convention once again.

I was once a presenter/speaker for my product in several seminars & conference, & my best advise to leave aside the fear of public speaking is to Practice/Rehearse many time before giving the actual speech. While concentrating in script, I tend to remove my specs so that I cant see the audiences in front of me & this will keep me focus in my speech without thinking that someone might not be paying attention or passing negative-thought.

All the best!

congrats on the conference. Trend Tag sounds like an interesting forum. I look forward to seeing a post on the highlights. Good luck and represent the otaku cultures well.

may the force be with you.

keep it up, and go for it!

Well if you pointed a gun at someone and asked them if they would rather speak or die, I would assume you would be more afraid of dying at that point.

I think I tend to cuss when I have to do a presentation (very bad :P) thankfully I haven't been needing to do presentation too often ^^; I am already pretty shifty eyed at times (when nervous) it gets worse when I am in public with too many people LOL!

Don't forget the black suit, Danny :D
Ganbate!!!!!!!!!!!

just be yourself danny!!!
spread your powers in germany.
safe trip n luck will follow you.

GOOD LUCK DANNY!!! I´m really looking forward to seeing you on TV with a 5 metre high Mirai in the back! If you really get nevous, just turnaround and watch her beautiful smile (*_*)

I never really knew the fear of public speaking since I was "thrown into it" when I was very young. Ironically, I just finished a public speaking course here at the campus.

The best advice I can offer you is to not sweat it, but that is easier said than done eh? ^^.

Here is how I go about it.

Organize your speech and know the material. That is the golden rule. If you organize it and fret about it too much then it will trip you up when you go to speak.

If you know your material, which I think you do (you worked on the program right? ^^) I think you will be just fine. Consider your audience. Do they have a technical knowledge? are they business folk? Recognizing the audience is very important, I would describe the technicalities and improvements to the techies while I would lightly get into the technical stuff and explain the benefits and power of the program to business heads.

Don't memorize your words. Speak in what is known as the "extraporaneous (spelling?) style" of speaking. That is, know your topic and keep noted on key points. For example, if I were talking about a hard drive, I would have notes that indicate I should discuss the technical aspects of it.

note- Hard drive allows for easy integration into PC

That makes me say "oh! I'll talk about PC integration and depending on the audience, how the drive does it".

You can never really get rid of the butterflies. Edward Murrow once said- it is all about making the butterflies fly in formation.

I'm sure you'll do great Danny, you did't look nervous presenting the office tours earlier either. Where is this event held, is it close to the border? If so, you could pop over in the Netherlands too XD

Speaking in front of people is hard, but people always want you to do your best. Usually they are more scared than you are. Good luck!

Hey Danny, I feel ya buddy. Any audience bigger than a classroom will get my heart race'in. As I've said from your videos, your english is very proper but try to speak more slowly. You seem to like to talk with your hands which is a good mask if you feel nervous. Undoubtedly you've practiced in front of the Mrs., so if the crowd overwhelms you pick a small group in the audience and present to them. Let the rest melt into the background.

Most important though boss, take comfort in the knowledge you know what you're taking about. This audience is looking for insight into otaku culture, and you're the man to give it to them. Just try not to say "Mmmm. Eyes" too often LOL!

When all is said & done Danny, don't forget to have fun in Germany. Go get'em Tokyo cowboy.

Speaking with only a few people you dont know can be hard so i imagine its not exactly easy to talk in front of 100s.

I think most of the worry is down to thinking in the back of your mind that they think what your saying is daft etc even its its completly the opposite.

Good luck you'll be fine Danny.

Hope you'll have a great time in Germany Danny, and good luck to you too!

good luck and u gonna be rich

this may sound strange, picture everyone in the room naked. ive heard this many times and its supposed to help.

Thanks all for the kind words of encouragement ^^

had my fair share of public speaking...i think 600ppl was the most. i was scared shirtless but then i just had fun with them and it was all good.

Yah Danny, tell them that Otaku are the wave of the future. : )

I don't envy your speech though.

Hi Danny,
Could not resist suggesting to make your speech dressed as a Storm Trooper :) Seeing you as quite relaxed dancing in the streets (the thing I could not make myself doing) could make you less nervous... perhaps... :)

On the more serious note, gather you friends together and give them your speech several times -- you may find some parts of it are too slow or too overloaded with technical terms etc. -- it is amazing how a live run of any speech can show its imperfections even to the same person who just wrote it.

I am sure you've got enough mentors and advisers, but just in case you need someone to look at your text, you can send it me (email is in my profile) and I'll do my best as a reviewer.

Good luck Danny!! I'm sure you'll rock that conference! We're all cheering for you! ;-)

Good Luck Danny! I as well Have a Horrible Phobia Of Public Speaking So I Know exactly What you Mean. But I’m Sure you’ll Do Great

As for myself, I had a complete fear in talking to strangers and even use the phone to prospect jobs. Me being a time-proven loner didn't help at all either.
Anyway, I decided to be strong and to get rid of my inner demons. The most important part is to convince yourself that what you're doing is good, to talk about what is important to you and to show you cherish it (also known as "don't feel like you're selling a pack of BS to strangers who stay there out of politeness").
This would especially work in a job meeting or a convention. Just be natural, just be yourself and don't even mind public reaction, as if you do, you'll only think about the worst and stress yourself.
Just do your best, we are supporting you!

Good luck, Danny! I'm sure you will be fine.

You could take a lucky charm with you during the speech (e. g. the Hobby Stock pantsu but pretty much anything is fine).

I usually don't believe in lucky charms but at certain occasions I'm nervous about (like exams) I still take one with me.

Good luck, Danny!

But I'm sure you'll do fine. While my few experiences are nothing near international, once you begin, your instincts, reflexes, and likability should come through. Just be yourself, right? And after it's over, it'll all seem like a blur anyway, lol... We're all cheering for you! (Reminds me of Densha Otoko, lol.) Go Otaku Otoko!

P.S. You could always wear your armor, right? ^_^;

Ganbatte Danny!! Just look at general directions and give the speech, you will be alright.

Nice!! And good luck Danny!! ^^

Speaking in front of so many people is not easy, but the experience is something really satisfying ^^

You can do it!! >_<v

For the longest time, public speaking was the bane of my existence. The thought of being in 'sales' was about as appealing as contracting herpes.

Fast-forward to modern days, and my job is all about dealing with customers, doing demonstrations and dealing with sales. There are days I wonder, 'How the HELL did I get here?'

At any rate, I've found the secret for not getting too nervous about your presentations is this: KNOW YOUR MATERIAL. You can't control random computer failures while doing a demo, people walking in and out or whether they'll like what you have to say. But there's a certain serenity by knowing your presentation material backwards and forwards. Taking questions afterwards really requires you to know it, so you can answer /and/ not look too nervous while you present!

i afraid of talking infront of others as well, will get very nervous. Good luck danny.

While i have no advice to give you since im a terrible public speaker myself i wish you all the best!!

That's awesome, Danny. GOOD LUCK!!!!!!

When I do presentations I always makes sure that I know my slides inside out, so that within 5 mins into my presentations, I will lose the nervousness by becoming absorbed in telling ppl what I have been passionately about. Hope you get what I mean.

awesome danny, i'm so happy to hear about this amazing opportunity you have to speak in front of many people hehe. I'm sure you will mesmerized and convert them all to become your new followers. MMUHAHHAHHA

i'm sure you'll kick ass danny

I wish you good luck on the speech and have fun in Germany while at it too~

がんばって! DannY!

Bring your Gundams and Figures along. SOS Dan, Fauna, etcs. How about a live coverage of it during your presentation? ^.^

Speaking in front of large groups of people is not something I don't do well. Standing on a stage at a conference, where Nobel laureates have spoken doesn't help. I would be feeling very nervous.

Danny you know your subject and how to communicate it to others. You are doing that everyday to the internet where your audience is even larger. Yes, I know you don't see us eye to eye. Try to think of us as an audience you have stood before. It might help alleviate the tension you are feeling about the size of the audience.

You are there because they want to hear what you have to say. Otherwise you would be sitting in the audience. I'm not trying to be an ass. This is what I would tell myself to build my confidence. In return help me to be myself and project an air of confidence even though I'm quaking in my shoes ^^

You are going to do well Danny!

Wish I could be there for this conference. Identity management is something that I do need to learn more about. I'm stuck on internet visibility at the moment, although that is a slightly different topic.

I guess part your focus will be on providing services and access to services in regards to various interest of anime otaku. Demonstrate how you are currently doing that with Mirai Gaia.

Sometimes it feels overwhelming to me. I feel like the proverbially sponge trying to soak up everything that comes my way. Brain overload... ^o^

Go and kick their asses Danny, KUDOS!!!

VERY IMPORTANT DANNY!! Please don´t use the new artwork of Mirai, where u can see the pantsu (or anything similar) as an Introducing, because in germany there´s still the prejudice: ANIME, that´s that Pokemon-Kiddie Suff, OR: ANIME, aren´t that those japanese cartoon-porn´s with little kids??
It´s cause we only got Naruto(censored Version as i heard), Detective Conan, One Piece, Pokemon and Yu-gi-oh on TV, and the best example to show you the state of Anime: ハウルの動く城 (Howl's Moving Castle) free-TV premiere on 8 o´clock in the Morning before the usual kiddy programme.

lol. I am not sure whether anyone has said this but imagine yourself addressing them in your Stormtrooper costume.

And indeed if you have been a speaker before, then I am sure this will not be much of a problem for you. Just think of it as a more difficult dungeon to conquer.

Good luck!

Talking in front its my biggest weakness. You can do it Danny!!!

wow congratulations Danny, and good luck. not to worry, I'm sure you'll do fine. but if you do get the last minute jitters, just take a deep breath and imagine as though you're just talking to a friend or colleague.
about fears, hmm.. whenever scuba diving I have a fear of depth, strange thing though I don't have a fear for heights. ^^

Wow, I wish you the best of luck Danny, I hope you slip in the ocasional slide of sexy girls ... everyone loves that.
I hope you get paid lots also!

Don't worry Danny you will do it just fine. Think about it, you'll be talking about Otaku's world and this is sooooo important

We are all in your hands ^^

The best of luck

Good luck on your speech. Somebody sent an email entitled the best presentation ever from Apple CEO, Steve Jobs. The point I'm trying to make is that Steve Jobs was said to practice his speech to perfection. I am sure he has done hundreds of presentations and yet he still practice his speech.

I'm scared when going on stage...
A lot of people looking at you...
Stares...
I screw up easily when facing a crowd of people...
I hate doing presentation

I wish you luck Danny!!!

If you leave out losing my sister or my friends and family I would say that public speaking is what scares me the most. I speak in front of a around 100+ people at least once a week but it never fails for me to get nervous. the last time I spoke in front of 150+ people my sister noted that she could see my hands shaking. She also noted that she could tell by the sound of my voice that I was really nervous, something that only she can pic up on when I talk. Hearing this only made me more nervous. My suggestion Danny is that when you look up at the crowd, look past them so that you can't see their faces, this helps for some. Another person told me that he imagines that the audience is naked so that he doesn't feel so embraced. I don't know why this helps him, but he's always been a weird guy.

Congratulations Danny!...Good luck out there!

Perhaps, if you are slightly nervous, you should go in your storm trooper outfit? That way you would most certaintly get everyones attenton, but then they wouldn't be able to see you, and thus you could pretend there is nobody there?

Or, perhaps this will give you a confidence boost.

Do not believe in yourself, but believe in me/us (your members) who believes in you!

[Kamina quote ^_^]

oh wow congrats danny!
one small step for danny one giant leap for otakuism!

hmm, is there a chance for a dancetrooper germany debut :)? would be a good opportuniy xD
anyway, good luck and i hope youll have fun in our small country.

Why is a large majority of these people afraid of speaking in public? I don't get it at all, I speak in public all the time...

Good Luck, Danny !

Since you been having this kind of experience before, i think you should be able handle it with pro. No matter how many people who will attend. :)

i have the same fear as you are Danny ^^;;;

is like a job interview.. do not make many gesture.. speak loud and clear try to "break the ice" some times.. this make the people pay attencion on what are you saying. A very good hint is(if possible)to look on the back wall of where the people are. This make you less nervous. Works with me.. hope works with you Danny! Good Luck!

Do some crazy stunt before you start speaking, like slicing a watermelon in half with a samurai sword while blindfolded. Make sure you give an extra loud "kiai!" just for effect. Then, they'll be too afraid not to take you seriously.

Im not afraid of heights. im afraid of FALLING from heights....the weightlessness & your life passing before your very eyes as you in the very last moments pray to your/a god for forgiveness of all the bad that you have done before hitting the ground in a rather uncouth *splat* & leaving yet another mess for people to clean up...

I can climb mountains & scale cliffs but 'falling' really really makes me afraid.

I ask myself constantly, what would do if i knew i was going to die in the next few seconds. would i accept myself & everything that I have done or would i condemn myself for who I am/are/have done.

I am not afraid to die/of death but there are simply too many things that i have to do before i get tossed into the wind.

i'm afraid of speaking in front of crowds. But later in Life, i discovered that the Life give to you by god or your mum, was a chance.. a chance to do everything. Every single thing you do maybe your last. so, just take up your courage and give it a damn.. You, Yourself is the final weapon.

yeah Danny U TELL 'EM!!! U ROCK!!

Congrats on being selected. I would kill to be on the same stage as a Nobel Prize winner. Anyways, as for my fear, I am more fearful of talking to girls thank talking in general. I still think girls will bite my head off, especially the Japanese ones.

Spoke at a conference last year, was anxious all throughout the other speakers presentations. It went rather well though and I felt great afterwards.

I wish you good luck!

I have no fear of public speaking. I have yet to try a presentation in which I had media in the background, but it could happen one of these days.
Find an attractive face in the audience. Set that as your "default" head where to focus. Don't gaze at it continuously, though. Look left, look right. But return to it.

I hate talking in front of a large audience. Classroom size of about 40 persons isn't a problem for me though. But beyond that way too much for me already. hahah.

Good luck on the presentation. Hope you nail it. ^^

Now he must be on the party, which is after the conference ^^
I hope you enjoyed it, Danny.

I am most afraid of lizards. House lizards, especially.