I’m afraid I don’t have a very concrete reason, just “bad vibes” stemming from its similarity to way too many gross transphobic comics with similar framing.
I guess even if it is innocent, transphobes have ruined this sort of absurdist humor for me.
Honestly, I don’t think that’s the case. I initially upvoted this, but then retracted it and left a comment because I was worried I was platforming bigotry.
Looks like I was probably wrong, given the other replies I’ve gotten.
Because it’s probably meant to be. The themes are obvious. South Park pulled the same bit. What these crude analogies both miss is that trans species or trans racial is not at all analagous to transitioning between genders. Every cell in your body has expression modes that activate depending on whether your system is testosterone and estrogen dominated. Evey embryo is conceived with the genetic potential to develop either male or female sex, regardless of genetics. You take a person with XY chromosomes and give them in-utero estrogen injections, they would grow a completely female anatomy including uterus, etc. And even as an adult, taking hrt can be argued to fundamentally change your biological sex.
The same isn’t true in the case of transitioning race or species. You can’t take a pill and have your body start growing sword fish characteristics. Someone with all white ancestors does not have the genetic potential to change their physical racial characteristics. You can fundamentally alter your sex. You cannot fundamentally alter your race or species. That is the key difference.
I mean If a guy wants to be a swordfish why not just let him? It doesn’t seem mutually exclusive with transgender rights. It’s absurdism for sure. And I don’t doubt that there is a fair amount of trauma since conservatives make those parallels as dumb jokes.
But, and I guess I might be influenced by the book I’m reading “Diaspora” which is about post humans living in a simulation.
For me personally, I might, if given this chance in a virtual world, choose to be a feminine anthro creature because for me it would feel right.
While one of those aspects is practically impossible in the real world, our minds which define the extent of possible feelings of bodily dysphoria are products of nature and environment; and capable of great change. So to create a hierarchy of validity between the two aspects of my desire feels like an appeal to nature.
However, as long as we are all piloting flesh mechs, I understand how this argument might feel threatening as to a conservative it might be used to justify the slippery slope arguments that they frequent.
Because it’s possible for someone to be born neurologically intersex. It is not possible for someone to be born neurologically interspecies. Trans identities arise from neurology, just like anything else. It’s entirely possible for someone with a male body but a brain primed for a female form and female social role. That is at its core what it means to be trans.
There is simply no equivalent for trans racial or trans species folks.
Your mistake is that you view being trans as a quirky body mod that people chose, rather than a correction of a fundamental neurological disconnect someone is born with. In other words, someone can be born with a female brain in a male body, vice versa, or somewhere in between. Again, there is no equivalent for trans racial or trans species.
Why does this feel vaguely transphobic?
There are some echos here, but likely not the intent. The artist tends towards absurdism. With their work in mind, I read this as a literal take.
Here are a bunch more examples and they dont have the stink of transphobia on them:
https://pleated-jeans.com/2024/04/10/new-dark-humor-comics-beetlemoses/
An interview if you want to dig deeper:
https://sktchd.com/interview/beetle-moses-interview/
The dude’s last name irl is Fishman lol
I respect the vision but this is an insane thing to say with no supporting analysis.
I’m afraid I don’t have a very concrete reason, just “bad vibes” stemming from its similarity to way too many gross transphobic comics with similar framing.
I guess even if it is innocent, transphobes have ruined this sort of absurdist humor for me.
The context of 2026 make their point likely honestly.
It reminded me of that South Park episode where Kyle’s dad becomes a dolphin and demands separate toilets but I doubt that it’s intentional.
Because you’re looking to be offended because you enjoy the thrill of it.
Honestly, I don’t think that’s the case. I initially upvoted this, but then retracted it and left a comment because I was worried I was platforming bigotry.
Looks like I was probably wrong, given the other replies I’ve gotten.
Because it’s probably meant to be. The themes are obvious. South Park pulled the same bit. What these crude analogies both miss is that trans species or trans racial is not at all analagous to transitioning between genders. Every cell in your body has expression modes that activate depending on whether your system is testosterone and estrogen dominated. Evey embryo is conceived with the genetic potential to develop either male or female sex, regardless of genetics. You take a person with XY chromosomes and give them in-utero estrogen injections, they would grow a completely female anatomy including uterus, etc. And even as an adult, taking hrt can be argued to fundamentally change your biological sex.
The same isn’t true in the case of transitioning race or species. You can’t take a pill and have your body start growing sword fish characteristics. Someone with all white ancestors does not have the genetic potential to change their physical racial characteristics. You can fundamentally alter your sex. You cannot fundamentally alter your race or species. That is the key difference.
I mean If a guy wants to be a swordfish why not just let him? It doesn’t seem mutually exclusive with transgender rights. It’s absurdism for sure. And I don’t doubt that there is a fair amount of trauma since conservatives make those parallels as dumb jokes.
But, and I guess I might be influenced by the book I’m reading “Diaspora” which is about post humans living in a simulation.
For me personally, I might, if given this chance in a virtual world, choose to be a feminine anthro creature because for me it would feel right.
While one of those aspects is practically impossible in the real world, our minds which define the extent of possible feelings of bodily dysphoria are products of nature and environment; and capable of great change. So to create a hierarchy of validity between the two aspects of my desire feels like an appeal to nature.
However, as long as we are all piloting flesh mechs, I understand how this argument might feel threatening as to a conservative it might be used to justify the slippery slope arguments that they frequent.
Because it’s possible for someone to be born neurologically intersex. It is not possible for someone to be born neurologically interspecies. Trans identities arise from neurology, just like anything else. It’s entirely possible for someone with a male body but a brain primed for a female form and female social role. That is at its core what it means to be trans.
There is simply no equivalent for trans racial or trans species folks.
Your mistake is that you view being trans as a quirky body mod that people chose, rather than a correction of a fundamental neurological disconnect someone is born with. In other words, someone can be born with a female brain in a male body, vice versa, or somewhere in between. Again, there is no equivalent for trans racial or trans species.