Todd,

"You [Ara] mention that in Japan... mentioning such a idea would be the kiss of death"

Yes, I mean in a grant proposal or other official way. Not among friends, or on unofficial or amateur websites.

"You also mentioned to Petra that nobody in Japan would embrace her eartone ideas"

Well, I was referring only to specifics such as the distance formula she uses, which is not accepted by most American eartone folk, let alone Japanese. As for the general idea that eartones can be earthquake-precursors (definitely not an idea belonging to Petra), that is widely believed in Japan, and also in Taiwan and elsewhere. Eartones are regularly reported enthusiastically on the Internet. (I would say the intensity of the interest is as high as Californians, if not more.) I myself have reported my eartones in this way.

"I guess its a good thing that none of us live in Japan!"

I guess you are lucky too, especially if you can't stand quakes because there are far more quakes in Japan than in California.

"Personally I think Glen's ideas are very interesting. I think should they be put into action, since they are his vision, it should ONLY be focused on earthquakes."

You say "should they be put into action." We have no disagreement. It is just a matter of individual strategy to accomplish as much as you can accomplish, given the inevitable restrictions of society and mortality. My opinion is that proposals to spend money on observing animals to predict earthquakes will never get anywhere here, and I doubt it is much different in the US. But good luck.

"over the course of one day a group of great minds"

If you or Glen can be a part of such group, then you are twice-lucky. Not living in Japan, and being amongst great minds! I envy you.