The Disappearance of Something Reminiscent of a Fenced Garden - 1/25/2026

Abstract

A fence was erected in a small town garden. The fence was praised for protecting passersby, giving residents a sense of security. However, the fence blocked wind passage, reduced the variety of flowers, and erased the garden's individuality. Eventually, everyone chose fences of the same height, and the town became a uniform, tree-lined street. This film depicts the process by which a choice that began in the name of safety transformed into a system that eradicates differences.

Keywords

Fence, Homogenization, Self-Censorship, Differentiation

Small Garden Fence

A new type of fence became popular in a certain town. It was sold with a description that included words like "security" and "trust," and residents readily installed it. The fence certainly provided a tangible sense of security. Passing parents felt their children were protected, and store owners no longer had to worry about complaints on their signs. The fence was advertised succinctly, but it did not go into detail about what the fence blocked. In exchange for peace of mind, people gradually narrowed the openings to their gardens.

Quietness Inside the Fence

At first, the sense of incongruity was small. The wind died down a little, and the bird population decreased. Residents accepted the change, citing it as "safety." Soon, neighbors chose the same fence. The reason was simple: if someone built a tall fence, others had no choice but to follow suit. A shorter fence would appear less appealing. Thus, fences throughout the town were all the same height. While each garden was visually protected, the variety of flowers decreased, and passersby's conversations became more similar. Residents rarely noticed the changes in their own gardens. The change occurred quietly but surely.

Hole Under the Fence

One day, a young gardener suggested lowering the fence. The wind would return and the flowers would grow more abundant. His suggestion, however, was not accepted. The reason was clear: a low fence stood out and was an easy target for criticism. Neighborhood rules and rumors labeled a low fence "unprotected." Everyone continued to choose higher fences to protect their own gardens. What was happening here was a simple chain of choices. Individuals acted to protect themselves, and as a result, the whole converged.

In the name of safety = corporate defense ÷ social burden

The more fences there were, the smaller the differences between gardens became, and the room for choice disappeared. As differences disappeared, residents were no longer chosen based on the uniqueness of their gardens. The criteria for selection became size and power, and meticulous care and ingenuity became less appreciated.

The Morning the Fences Closed

The outcome was quiet. One morning, I walked through town and found that every garden was surrounded by fences of the same height. Flowers were lined up neatly, and the range of colors was narrowing. Everyone expressed relief, and everyone felt relief for the same reasons. Gardeners left for other towns, and young people sought new hobbies. Those who lowered their fences immediately stood out and were criticized. No one took the first step. The fences were built for protection, but by protecting them, they deprived the town of options and, eventually, tied the hands of those who defended them. The garden became safe, but at the same time, the differences that had existed there disappeared.