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It wasn’t until late November I’d finally figured out a title for this arc; three guesses what inspired it.
That said, some unexpected things happened that derailed me from what I had originally planned for this section. Still, I thought it was necessary to address imagined accusations of harbouring an exclusive sausage party, and some other stuff that was heavily on my mind last year… some of which we’re stuck with the consequences of in early 2026 (correct at the time of posting this, 2nd February 2026)
Some may choose to drop reading by this point, and that’s fine; each to their own.
This ‘arc’ is fairly short but it’s stuffed to the gills with a lot of references and things, all helpfully explained in the Companion Guide which I’ll post after all the pages are uploaded.
Oh and fair warning, this may be the last one I do for a few months as I literally haven’t concluded this part overall section of the story. I don’t even know what I’ll call the next section. 😵
That said, some unexpected things happened that derailed me from what I had originally planned for this section. Still, I thought it was necessary to address imagined accusations of harbouring an exclusive sausage party, and some other stuff that was heavily on my mind last year… some of which we’re stuck with the consequences of in early 2026 (correct at the time of posting this, 2nd February 2026)
Some may choose to drop reading by this point, and that’s fine; each to their own.
This ‘arc’ is fairly short but it’s stuffed to the gills with a lot of references and things, all helpfully explained in the Companion Guide which I’ll post after all the pages are uploaded.
Oh and fair warning, this may be the last one I do for a few months as I literally haven’t concluded this part overall section of the story. I don’t even know what I’ll call the next section. 😵
Category Artwork (Digital) / Pokemon
Species Pokemon
Size 1240 x 1754px
File Size 4.24 MB
Listed in Folders
If vital essentialism—along with its associated fantasies, interests, and "hunting grounds"—represents only a tiny, niche preference, then what exactly is so defamatory about labeling it an "exclusive sausage party"? If that's genuinely how certain people interpret or experience it, why dismiss that perception as invalid or unreal? Nothing prevents anyone from pursuing their own customized version of vital essentialism, shaped by whatever aesthetic or personal flavor appeals to them. The supposed conflict here has always puzzled me.
I've never received a satisfying answer to why *The Good Earth*—or life itself—isn't spacious enough for everyone to chase their own informed, consensual version of happiness. The broader clash between vital essentialism and its critics (ranging from self-appointed guardians of orthodox purity on one end to champions of progressive modernism on the other) feels as pointless as flies and bees bickering over whether excrement or honey tastes superior.
The irony? Each side casts itself as the bee defending honey, while painting the other as the fly obsessed with shit.
Perception isn't always chosen. We're all dragged—Persephone-like—into the banquet of existence, then judged or attacked for picking the "wrong" item from the buffet.
Some worldviews simply aren't compatible or changeable, and that's fine. Forcing alignment is usually a waste of energy. Preferences are just preferences. As long as no one is coerced or non-consensually involved, the rest of us should mind our own business and let people be.
I've never received a satisfying answer to why *The Good Earth*—or life itself—isn't spacious enough for everyone to chase their own informed, consensual version of happiness. The broader clash between vital essentialism and its critics (ranging from self-appointed guardians of orthodox purity on one end to champions of progressive modernism on the other) feels as pointless as flies and bees bickering over whether excrement or honey tastes superior.
The irony? Each side casts itself as the bee defending honey, while painting the other as the fly obsessed with shit.
Perception isn't always chosen. We're all dragged—Persephone-like—into the banquet of existence, then judged or attacked for picking the "wrong" item from the buffet.
Some worldviews simply aren't compatible or changeable, and that's fine. Forcing alignment is usually a waste of energy. Preferences are just preferences. As long as no one is coerced or non-consensually involved, the rest of us should mind our own business and let people be.
… and that was the point I was trying to make? If I’m understanding you correctly.
I’m not disagreeing with you, so it’s not a fight. I’m unfamiliar with the book you’ve mentioned so I can’t comment on that either.
I’m just some guy drawing cartoon animals for a living, and therefore the least qualified to make serious theological arguments that I’d be ready to perish for. All I’m doing is pointing out how… easily a figurative train can be derailed by heightened emotions and a sense of being *seen* to do good without *actually* doing good, irrespective of affiliation. That and an argument in Japan about female sumo wrestlers and why women can’t enter the dohyô (ring) of the traditional male sumo tournaments was on my mind at the time.
That said, I sometimes do wish I had the strength-of-mind and steel resolve to go into these deeper (frustrating) issues that you’re alluding to (and seem exasperated by) to but… for better or worse, cowardice and lack of cognition. Whether it’s learned ignorance, I’ll let you determine that.
Still, so many disclaimers were made because fear of… ‘reprisal’, for wont of a better word because memories of the 2010s and the… ‘climate’ of the time. Am I saying this is my magnum opus and is my ‘bravely standing up with everyone looking at me’* moment? No, it’s just a silly comic that was initially born out of spite over a decade ago.
Have I inadvertently dropped the figurative hammer on my foot, by alluding to or hinting at things going on in the world, and now I can no longer feign innocence? Probably. I mean, It’s not like this is a random pivot, I’ve been doing that in my comics a lot. Are you free to come after me for it? Probably. (please don't!)
I don’t know what you want of me. But perhaps this is one of those instances where one has to throw up their hands in the air and admit that they don’t know what they’re doing and they’re just acting out on what impulse? Emotions? I dunno…
White flag. Olive branch. Thank you for offering your thoughts. (also, yes, your final paragraph I agree with, and that's what I was going for eventually in the story) The world is what it is… endure it the best you can. (also you’re not alone in how you feel about it btw; I’m just not as good as articulating it)
*referring to a certain painting by artist Norman Rockwell that’s been bandied about online as a sort of image meme. It was painted in response to certain events going on in the 1940s. I don’t want to get into it because I’m not qualified to go into any of the deeper meaning behind it. I’m just pointing out I’ve been seeing it used a lot lately, especially given what the title of said painting is that I’m deliberately not stating.
I’m not disagreeing with you, so it’s not a fight. I’m unfamiliar with the book you’ve mentioned so I can’t comment on that either.
I’m just some guy drawing cartoon animals for a living, and therefore the least qualified to make serious theological arguments that I’d be ready to perish for. All I’m doing is pointing out how… easily a figurative train can be derailed by heightened emotions and a sense of being *seen* to do good without *actually* doing good, irrespective of affiliation. That and an argument in Japan about female sumo wrestlers and why women can’t enter the dohyô (ring) of the traditional male sumo tournaments was on my mind at the time.
That said, I sometimes do wish I had the strength-of-mind and steel resolve to go into these deeper (frustrating) issues that you’re alluding to (and seem exasperated by) to but… for better or worse, cowardice and lack of cognition. Whether it’s learned ignorance, I’ll let you determine that.
Still, so many disclaimers were made because fear of… ‘reprisal’, for wont of a better word because memories of the 2010s and the… ‘climate’ of the time. Am I saying this is my magnum opus and is my ‘bravely standing up with everyone looking at me’* moment? No, it’s just a silly comic that was initially born out of spite over a decade ago.
Have I inadvertently dropped the figurative hammer on my foot, by alluding to or hinting at things going on in the world, and now I can no longer feign innocence? Probably. I mean, It’s not like this is a random pivot, I’ve been doing that in my comics a lot. Are you free to come after me for it? Probably. (please don't!)
I don’t know what you want of me. But perhaps this is one of those instances where one has to throw up their hands in the air and admit that they don’t know what they’re doing and they’re just acting out on what impulse? Emotions? I dunno…
White flag. Olive branch. Thank you for offering your thoughts. (also, yes, your final paragraph I agree with, and that's what I was going for eventually in the story) The world is what it is… endure it the best you can. (also you’re not alone in how you feel about it btw; I’m just not as good as articulating it)
*referring to a certain painting by artist Norman Rockwell that’s been bandied about online as a sort of image meme. It was painted in response to certain events going on in the 1940s. I don’t want to get into it because I’m not qualified to go into any of the deeper meaning behind it. I’m just pointing out I’ve been seeing it used a lot lately, especially given what the title of said painting is that I’m deliberately not stating.
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