I've been studying the concept of "fixed points" for a while now. Mathematically it's quite niche so I'll skip that, but intuitively, it refers to the phenomenon of "returning to the original position." Think of it like landing on "Go Back to Start" in a board game, or circling around the same spot in Monopoly. The question is: what is "pinned down" in physical space or in society?

Ethical Fixed Points

Here's a concrete example: "Sexual violence against women must not be tolerated" is a fixed point. When someone at a media company gave an apology and said "times have changed," I don't think "times changing" is the essence of the matter. Rather, society has simply moved closer to the fixed point of "sexual violence is unacceptable." This framework can be applied to how different countries and religions have variations in their positions, or how Japan has come to emphasize the word "compliance" more strongly.

What's useful about this framework is that it addresses, for instance, those venting sessions at bars about "compliance fatigue." It moves beyond just complaining and helps you see solutions.

Edgy Humor Matters—That's a Fixed Point

I love comedy, so I believe edgy jokes are important. Isn't that a truth that applies to most people? The element of edge, like alcohol, plays a role in keeping our minds healthy and acts as a preventive measure against extreme behavior. In other words, "poison is medicine" can be seen as a fixed point in the context of humor and comedy.

Saying "all edge is bad" isn't good for society. Edgy humor, when handled properly, is an element that keeps society healthy. The key fixed point is that humans need edgy humor. When society tries to crack down on it, it's actually society that's lost its bearings and is wavering. The era is the thing that's wrong.

The Broad Applicability of Fixed Points

This concept of "fixed points" can be applied widely.

For example, which way trends are moving or who will become Japan's next prime minister are certainly important topics. But what matters more is identifying where the "fixed points for society and humanity" are. While changes in prime ministers and policies are important, universal fixed points should take priority.

The fixed point is that humans inherently have heightened violence and cruelty. The fact that we're seeing more of that kind of news lately is a sub-issue. So I think we need to tackle the handling of this fixed point head-on.