Link to the uncensored version will be in the description. Felt bad that people weren't able to see it because it got age restricted. This one seems good to go, but we'll just have to see. Thanks for the patience y'all.
This really is a one of a kind video essay that opens your eyes and broadens your perspective on society. I'm speechless. Thank you for putting so much effort into it ubnub, it is worth it for every single one of us watching ^^
Thank god you uploaded this version, i was watching the other one but needed to stop and when i came back i couldnt watch more( and no im not giving google my shit)
We always pretend it's easy,but the hardest part is to get rid of the biases that guide our perception because we're constantly marginalising people unconsiously.Reeducating an adult is harder than educating a kid,because we already have solid beliefs and convictions and we need to challenge them before anything,and having the courage to break them if we need.
Absolutely fascinating stuff, Ubnub! It's really cool to see you branching out with the videos you make. This was really well put together! I particularly loved your editing here. I feel like I've been left with a lot to think about. It's a bummer the original got age restricted, but I'm glad you decided to tackle this heavy subject matter. I feel like it's something I haven't heard much about in the west. As always, thanks for doing what you do! Take care!
I wasn't aware of anything you mentioned here and it's all so interesting and tragic at the same time, love your work and I think a lot of people should dedicate some minutes of their time to listen to you adressing this issues so they can do self evaluation and reflection, myself included. Vocaloid or not you still manage to get me going back to your video essays, amazing work.
This is just a fantastic video. Despite not knowing anything about any of the events prescribed in the video, I was hooked throughout. So many things that I've now learned about Japan because of you. Thank you!! (and I'm very excited to eventually see the yonezu documentary you've been working on!)
Ngl I loved the way you handled this video. It came out of respect, goodwill, and unlike most kept my attention to see how you talked about such a subject. A lot of the time when someone does a video like this they try and paint the picture that all is depressing in the world, all is black and white, while also putting down their own country behind thinly vailed jokes that, while entertaining, can desensitize all of us. What I’m getting at is that this was an amazing video, that’s just as good as your Vocaloid content, if not even moreso
Ok thank you for censoring the video so youtube would allow it! I know youtube can be dumb sometimes so censoring the video so we could see it means a lot to me :)
Don’t mind me dumping this essay here~ It was a rather interesting video after all, and I figured I’d give my thoughts. *Premise* In our stories, there’s a certain charm to those with nothing left to lose. Call them unstoppable-invincible even. You name it. Their disregard for the consequences of their actions enables them to be bolder in their exploits; to strike well beyond their weight. Alas, these folks are best left to the storybooks. Some have targets they hold accountable for what they lack. Others merely have fury without an outlet. No one should be at either end of that. Now how do we get there? How did we get here? I don’t really have any answers, though I do have a few thoughts. *Killing* Practically, it’s not that hard. We’re surrounded by things that could make lethal weapons. Cars, blades of many varieties, sometimes guns, and honestly whatever else. With enough oomph a rock could do fine as well. The point is that it doesn’t really take much so long as there’s the right motive behind it. On the other end of things, we can’t keep an eye on every person in our surroundings. If someone wanted you dead and didn’t mind doing it publicly, that just might be the end of the line. We are, fortunately, hardwired to avoid such acts. A book I once read called “On Killing” by Dave Grossman does a lovely job describing this. Part of the book is dedicated to the fact that armies over the centuries have needed to develop various psychological mechanisms to overcome this innate resistance. Another section examines the consequences of overcoming that resistance in more modern wars. Generally, the goal of the book is to understand the how, what, and why of killing and the systems surrounding it. Very good book by the way. This is all to say that despite our continued history of violence, humans are not innate killers. At least, not to each other. *The Contract* Where our innate aversion to killing fails, the rules of government provide another barrier to violence. Ideally, the government is able to provide a means for settling conflicts without a need for bloodshed. To an extent, it has to if things are going to run smoothly. Modern society runs on _trust._ Society allows us a comforting consistency in many parts of life, and it’s not much of a stretch to say that the economy would struggle if everyone lived under the threat of immediate and indiscriminate physical harm. There is, naturally, a lot of room to speak of the government’s mediation and control over violence. Who, truly, is responsible for a crime when one is committed? Is it the one who crossed the line? Those who drew the line, or the circumstances that pushed the individual over it? The justice I’m most familiar with is American justice: theoretically blind to individuals and their circumstances. Stealing bread is wrong, whether or not the thief has enough to eat. It doesn’t matter if there’s no means to gather one’s own food and no guarantee of shelter. Our justice system promises to punish lawbreakers to keep everyone in line. That is all. *A Constant Danger* Punishment can only deter so many for so long. People break laws for all sorts of reasons: desperation, unaccountability, ignorance, and whatever else. When the contract fails, we return to trusting people and individuals. How much do we really trust those we’ve never met? With how easy it is to grievously wound someone, it only takes one to lose it all. Wrong place, wrong time. That sort of thing. Is it any surprise that those who distrust the government may be interested in acquiring weapons of their own? You can practically see that contract unraveling in some places these days. Everyone has their own way of dealing with that kind of threat, and it’s not really my place to say who’s right. Some arm themselves. Others may hide. Many go about their day as usual. It all depends on the individual’s perceived circumstances. Me? I trust I’m not worth the trouble. Of course, it’s not like every day’s a gamble for most (I hope). It’s my understanding that most people don’t have reason enough to justify the assault, let alone murder, of a random passerby. Don’t get me wrong, there are still great strides to be made in the name of public safety such as improving pedestrian safety and disaster response capacities. Violent crime, fortunately, seems to be somewhat rare (though always a tragedy). That said-if you feel like you’re in danger, do what you have to do to feel safe. *What are Labels?* Taken to its logical extreme, “Hasn’t history taught us enough that _placing a label on a group of individuals is bound to lead to discrimination?”_ gets a little silly to say the least. Perhaps I’ve misunderstood the argument or am taking it further than I should since it wasn’t necessarily the core of the video, but it feels like something worth expanding upon. This is to say that I disagree with the notion that labels are bound to lead to discrimination. Labels can be _used_ to target groups for discrimination, but, in of themselves, they are merely descriptors. Tools. Labels tell us something of those they are used to describe. “Men” has historically referred to people with a certain biological sex. “Engineer” tells us of an occupation. “Christian” describes those who subscribe to a certain set of beliefs. “Homeless” speaks to a material circumstance. “Invincible”, in our case here, describes a people with nothing to lose-telling of a certain material, social, and/or mental standing. While the meanings of these labels change with general shifts in their usage across society, they can be used to efficiently communicate a lot of information about things and people. While some are used for negative purposes, most are just useful. At the end of the day, labels are mostly just adjectives, so it’s pretty hard to have a productive conversation without them. *The Danger of Labels* _However,_ we have to be very careful about what exactly this label is used to define and the purpose of the term. Take this with a grain of salt, of course-I’m no expert. Anyhow, the label “Japanese” is quite descriptive without marginalizing those it describes. The wartime abbreviation used by Americans to describe the same group during WWII became a slur. Why is that? By deeming the group as an ill intended other, the term was used along with propaganda to discourage any understanding with them. The label was a problem because it no longer truthfully described the people it encompassed and was instead used as a vehicle to defame, target, and dehumanize the group. It’s the usage of the label and intent behind it that’s problematic. Ban a swear and people will find a new sound as their outlet. While the sound and those adjacent to it are certainly important, it’s the usage that truly makes it special. Labels aren’t much different if you ask me. *Labels - Revisited* To this end, I’d wager the argument of history’s lessons is to warn against labeling them as a monstrous other rather than to avoid the use of descriptions in general. We can’t just call them “those people” after all, and it’s not like “potential culprits of senseless violence” is exactly a more flattering (or useful) descriptor. Of course, “Invincible” could be considered to be too far on the other end-romanticizing them instead. If we are to talk about them, we need something. This term ideally describes common traits or circumstances, ideally helping to identify a population at risk rather than those beyond the edge. The goal is to spread awareness, and to seek a greater understanding. I don’t think we’ll get there without a way of referring to these people as a group. As it stands, I struggle to find a better word to describe them, at least from my perspective. *What To Do?* To say that the violence is caused by inhuman individuals who can’t be predicted or understood is equivalent to giving up in my eyes. This isn’t a problem that can be solved by greater policing or harsher sentences. People are wonderfully consistent and can always be counted to act in their best interests, whatever they may be. Every action has a reason behind it if we dig deep enough. With the right understanding of the systems currently in place and knowledge of the problems we aim to solve, it’s plenty possible to eliminate the motive for these incidents such that they no longer occur. As described in the video, the invincible individuals seem largely in part made by the stresses in their lives. Identifying and systematically addressing the problems facing them should solve or at least reduce the problematic behavior. Shocker, I know. Everyone knows that. I don’t really have any more than that. I won’t pretend to know how to make the gears of governance turn. Poverty, homelessness, and loneliness are policy choices in my eyes. Zoning laws. Laws surrounding employment, and the standards for public education. Food security and health care. Alas, smiling a little more and being a bit friendlier will have to do for now. *Conclusion* “Invincible” individuals represent a breach in the social contract, or something like that. If the media’s to be believed, they’re an ever-present danger to us all. I’d wager that no one wants to go that far. At least, not at first. Society fails these people, and so many more. If nothing else, it’d be nice to see some of their problems addressed. A lot of these problems reach a lot further than just the most extreme cases. Everyone has something to gain by addressing them. Of course, I’m just some guy on the internet. I don’t do any real research, so make what you will of that. Cheers~
tbh people always thought japan is strange but in reality japan was ahead most of japan problems is slowly creeping up to the rest of the world urbanization depopulation absurb property prices rise of loneliness rise of mental health rise of corporate slavery rise of senseless violance rise of hikkikomori (aka people who cant find job) rise of useless college degree is just sad that japan are more known to brute force a problem then finding a solution with trial & error they probably will solve it but boi it will hurt first before they do
The point at the end this video made me very sad, because at the beginning when you explained the definition of "muteki no hito" I thought "oh so it's just like incel."
Really interesting video!!! There is simply one thing im wondering about. Dont you think you could change your perspective on the constant fear of violence. I imagine it would be really awful to worry about that all the time. Also, worrying about something that is completely out of my control seems pointless. To me it sounds like you should also be worried that a car accident could happen or a meteorite might hit you. Maybe im misinterpreting what you said so please correct me if im wrong. But in my opinion enjoying life and simply accepting the fact that you could die any day is the "better" way to go about it. Keep in mind gun violence in my country is pretty low so i cant really relate. With the rest of the conclusion i completely agree. The political state of america is horrible right now from what ive seen. I am also worried but nevertheless optimistic that we can have a positive impact on the future. And mental health awareness is always great!
No you're absolutely right Tim. I guess the best way for me to put it, is that making art is a good way for me to channel my emotions that I might not be able to talk to directly with others. I try to keep a positive mindset about life, but sometimes we need a chance to just let it out
As someone pretty familiar with the subject, I disagree with many of the points you raised, and how they're clearly being used to push an agenda that may end up biting you in the back. Freedom of expression should never be restricted. With that said, leaving politics aside (as much as they can when such a subject is being discussed) and ignoring said instances, it was a pretty good essay, ubnub.
