Summary

The author has chosen to identify as a penguin on their Medium profile as a statement against the fixation on identity politics, advocating for a focus on content over personal attributes.

Abstract

The author of a Medium article has decided to change their profile picture to a penguin, an act they acknowledge may be seen as offensive but argue is irrelevant. They express frustration with the constant scrutiny of personal characteristics such as sex, gender, sexuality, and race, which they feel detracts from the substance of their arguments. By adopting a penguin identity, the author aims to remove these personal attributes from the discourse and force readers to engage with their writing without preconceived notions. The article suggests that this is a form of protest against the superficial nature of identity politics and a call for a return to rational, content-focused discussions.

Opinions

The author believes that personal identity characteristics should not overshadow the content of one's arguments or writing.
They are critical of the way identity politics can lead to mischaracterization and unnecessary conflict, distracting from the core messages being communicated.
The author implies that society's obsession with categorizing individuals based on identity is counterproductive and trivial.
They suggest that anonymity or the use of avatars, like the penguin, can help shift the focus back to the substance of what is being said, as seen in the TV show "The Masked Singer."
The author challenges the notion of having 72 genders, questioning its practicality and benefit to society.
They express a desire for a more rational and centrist approach to discussions, free from the extreme positions often taken in online debates.
The author indicates that the decision to identify as a penguin is a deliberate choice to exit the "carousel of online despair" and the endless debates surrounding identity.

I’m now identifying as Penguin

Because it’s 2020 and why the hell not?

I’ve recently changed my profile picture to a penguin. Is this offensive? Probably. Should it be? Shouldn’t think so. I‘m about to outline why I now identify as a penguin and why you should pick your favourite animal and identify that way too whilst writing on Medium.

I’m now refusing to tell anyone what my sex, gender, sexuality or race is. Why? Because it’s none of your damn business and it keeps getting in the way of real life. Sure. Back against the wall you could probably guess…. but if you mis-gender me, mis-profile me, or attempt to undermine my penguinity I’m gonna kick off.

I’m allowed. That’s what liberalism is all about.

You’re probably wondering if I’m doing this to make a point. Probably one about the ridiculous nature of identity politics. Partly. But the reality is… I’m just fed up.

I’m bored of people using my sexual characteristics as though they’re integral to any argument that I make or don’t make. Penguins, like most creatures have a sex and maybe they have a gender. But it’s not immediately obvious what mine is from my profile anymore.

Secondly… I’m bored of having to second guess whether I can chime in on any conversation about any form of identity. Penguins have a great identity, they’re penguins. Now I’m a penguin, that’s my identity too.

I don’t have to justify it and you don’t have to like it.

Perhaps you know my pre-penguin identity. You’re not allowed to mention it. I threaten to find it offensive when you do that. There’s a serious point to be made here.

One made exceptionally well by Reality TV. Turns out when you put giant avatars of singers on stage, you actually have to listen to whether or not they can sing and perform! Who knew!? The same principle applies here.

We need to focus on what each other says, not who each other are and what we can infer from that. I’m beginning to see why Stephen King invented Richard Bachman, why J.K Rowling became Robert Galbraith and why I’ve finally leveled up into JayJay La Penguin.

I want people to focus on WHAT I write. I want the anonymity and escape from endless circular arguments that surround the identity agenda. So now you don’t know if I’m black, white, asian, male, female or other. You don’t know my nationality. You don’t know my politics. You can only be certain of one thing.

I’m identifying as a fricking penguin.

You don’t get to know anything about me, because you weren’t able to use that information sensibly last time round.

And if you think I’m playing fast and loose and trivilising what is a serious matter. You’re wrong. This isn’t a trivial matter. This comes from a place of frustration at the endless apology and blame circles. The retrograde ridiculousness that comes with riding the rhetoric carousel with idiots and demagogues.

Rest assured, this isn’t me hiding behind an avatar — it’s giving you a chance to read what I say without apriori assumption and judgment.

In many ways, this is for your benefit.

For all the men who mansplain and interrupted me. For all the women who think misandry isn’t the same as misogny. For all the homophobes and transphobes who hate without reason. And to all the woke activists who invented 72 genders and think that’s a helpful way for a society to function. For all the globalists and their nationalist detractors. For the raging incels and the uptight feminazis. For the hysterical MAGA brigade and the increasingly contradictory #MeToo movement. For all evangelical right wingers and their hypocritical Christianity, and holier-than-thou left wingers with their morally dubious collectivism.

I’ve gone from sanguine to penguin and the world is to blame. For all of you currently sitting on the carousel of online despair and squabling over the seats. Your time is up.

I’ve had enough. Centre ground rationality, you have your champion

I am penguin. Hear me roar… or squawk, or gurgle, or whatever.

From my back catalogue…

I think J.K Rowling Might Be… Evil?

What to do when your hero isn’t everything you want them to be.

medium.com

When Bad Behavior Goes Viral

The internet’s reward system favors anger, and it’s catching up with us

medium.com