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Monday, 2 March 2026
A Quick Update On A Free Way To Support Our Work
62nd Annual Conference of the Business History Society of Japan
62nd Annual Conference of the Business History Society of JapanHosei University, Tokyo, August 29-30
Call for Papers for the international session (in English)Expanding Horizons in Business History: Methods, Boundaries, and Global PerspectivesBusiness history is a field that continues to evolve and expand in scope. These developments can be identified in three interrelated dimensions. The first concerns the expansion of methodology. While business history has traditionally been grounded in established historical approaches, its methodological repertoire has broadened in a variety of ways in recent years. This diversification includes the adoption of quantitative methods, engagements with organization theory and strategic management, increased attention to narrative and rhetorical approaches to historical analysis, and growing interest in cultural history and the history of the senses. The second dimension involves the crossing of disciplinary boundaries and the integration of business history with other fields of study. Business history has long been connected to labor history, social history, and the history of technology. More recently, it has also developed linkages with fields such as gender studies and political science, in addition to the areas mentioned above. The third dimension concerns the expansion of the geographical scope. Traditionally, business history has often taken the nation-state as its primary unit of analysis, focusing on single-country studies or comparative analyses across a limited number of countries. While such approaches remain important, increasing attention has been devoted to cross-border corporate connections, transnational actors, and approaches commonly referred to as “global business history.” The conference organizers particularly welcome paper proposals that engage with these evolving directions in business history. We encourage submissions that address, for example, new methodologies in business history, the intersections of business history with other fields of research, or connections across national, regional, and global contexts. These themes are not exhaustive, and proposals that do not directly engage with them but nevertheless make a significant contribution to business history will be also welcome. Submission GuidelinesIndividual paper proposals should include an abstract clearly stating the research question (maximum 300 words) and a short curriculum vitae indicating the author’s institutional affiliation (approximately 100 words). Panel proposals should include a panel abstract and individual paper abstracts, along with brief CVs for all participants. All proposals should be submitted to the following address: bhsj2026tokyo@gmail.com The deadline for submissions is April 15, 2026. Applicants will be notified of the results of the selection process by the end of April. Accepted papers will be scheduled for oral presentation at the conference.
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Review: G Soothe Scarlet Apple & Sage
There’s a particular vulnerability in reviewing a “functional” drink when you live sober. You don’t just taste it. You monitor it. You clock the minutes. You pay attention to the micro-shifts in your nervous system. You’re aware of how easily culture tries to sell us altered states in shiny packaging. Calm in a can. Focus in a bottle. Relief with a pull-tab. So when I picked up G Soothe’s Scarlet Apple & Sage, I decided to treat it as a small evening experiment rather than a passive refreshment. First Impressions: Texture, Colour, IntentIt comes in a 250 ml green can with a slightly rough, matte texture. That tactile detail matters. It feels intentional. Grounded. Not neon. Not chaotic. It signals “lifestyle” rather than “energy spike”. The brand describes it as a functional drink. In simple terms, that means it’s not just marketed for hydration or taste, but for a claimed physiological effect. This one contains nootropics (ingredients associated with cognitive support) and adaptogens (plant compounds thought to help regulate stress responses). The promise is soothing and relaxation. Whenever I see those words, my inner sceptic sharpens a pencil. Not cynicism; just curiosity. The science behind adaptogens is mixed. Some evidence is promising. Some is preliminary. None of it amounts to a pharmaceutical tranquilliser. And that’s probably a good thing. The Smell: Bright with a Green UndertoneBefore the first sip, the aroma was distinctly apple-forward. Sharp and clean. Not syrupy. Not synthetic. Then the sage appeared underneath; herbal, slightly resinous, grounding. Not Sunday roast sage stuffing. More botanical restraint. It smelled like it meant business. Already, it felt different from your average canned drink. The Taste: 5/5, No DebateThe apple hits sharply and intensely. It has bite. It wakes the palate up. But instead of tipping into sweetness overload, the sage steadies it with distinct herbal undernotes. This isn’t a background drink. I absolutely loved the flavour. Full marks. 5/5. For someone living sober, flavour matters. Complexity matters. We often get handed sugary substitutes and told to be grateful. This didn’t feel like a consolation prize. It felt like a grown-up drink. 25 Minutes In: Something, MaybeAbout 25 minutes after starting, I felt relaxed, but not in a dramatic “the drink has taken effect” way. I had just had a really nice phone call with family. I noticed I felt slightly more chatty than usual. Warmer, looser socially, but I couldn’t confidently attribute that to the drink. And here’s the important part; social connection itself is neurologically calming. It reduces stress hormones. It increases bonding chemistry. A good phone call can do more for your nervous system than most supplements ever will. So I stayed honest. I felt relaxed. I just didn’t know why. 45 Minutes In: Alert and Rest-ReadyBy 45 minutes, something interesting happened. I felt quite alert — not jittery, not wired — just mentally switched on. At the same time, I felt like I could happily lie down and rest. That paradox is fascinating, alert yet rest-capable. Awake but not tense. In sobriety, that state is gold, it’s equilibrium. It’s the absence of agitation rather than the presence of sedation. Was it the drink? Possibly. Some nootropics and adaptogens can produce subtle modulation within that timeframe. Was it hydration, conversation, expectation, or simply the natural settling of an evening? Also possible. The brain is a context machine. It responds to ritual as much as chemistry. One Hour: Gentle Buzzing into CalmAt the hour mark, there was a mild buzzing alertness layered over relaxation. Not an energy drink buzz. More like a soft hum of cognitive brightness. Then it settled. As the evening continued, I just felt relaxed. No crash. No heaviness. No artificial lift. If there was an effect, it was gentle and self-limiting. The ScoresFlavour: 5/5 Presentation & smell: 4/5 Relaxation effect: 3/5 Overall: 4/5 It’s a genuinely enjoyable drink that feels different from standard refreshments. The botanical sharpness makes it interesting. The design makes it feel intentional. As a “functional drink”, the effect was noticeable but modest. I sensed something, I just can’t swear it was the can. A Sober ReflectionLiving sober changes how you approach products like this. I’m not looking for an altered state. I’m not chasing numbness or stimulation. What I value now is steadiness, optional rest, or clear-headed calm. I seek some level of autonomy over my feelings rather than the total oblivion I sought in addiction. G Soothe Scarlet Apple & Sage didn’t try to hijack my nervous system, nor did it didn’t sedate me. It didn’t get me high, if it did anything, it nudged my body to acheive the relaxation it was capable of already. And honestly? That’s enough. In a culture addicted to extremes; hyper-productivity, hyper-stimulation, hyper-relaxation, a drink that tastes exceptional and collaborates gently with your evening rather than dominating it is worth acknowledging. Not a miracle elixir or snake oil. Just a very good drink that might, on a good night, sit alongside you rather than try to change you. For someone living sober, that restraint feels strangely respectful.
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A Quick Update On A Free Way To Support Our Work
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