this post was submitted on 11 Jul 2023
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Zucc gives an impression of an android-reptilian hybrid, but he handles PR a lot better. And this is because he doesn't spout every thought that runs in his head on social media without filter.
Every time the “reptile” line gets trotted out, I can’t help but feel it’s insulting neurodivergent people that don’t exactly share neurotypical body language or traits or mannerisms, but it gets a pass because it’s Zuckerberg, a person people really don’t like.
I also really don’t like ad hominem stuff. By all means, hate Zuckerberg for the actual stuff he’s done wrong. But his looks and mannerisms aren’t why he’s a bad person and I feel bad for innocent people who share a physical resemblance or some mannerisms and constantly see his get dunked on. “Am I also unacceptable? Are they just bringing up anything they can to be hurtful, or does this have an actual basis in reality and they legit have a problem with his looks and mannerisms? What does that say about how people think about me, about how I’ll be treated? Am I commonly perceived as a robot who’s faking their way through humanity too?”
The reptilian conspiracy theory can be considered at least antisemitism-adjacent, which makes its popularity with respect to Zuckerberg... interesting.
As someone of Jewish heritage, I agree there was anti-Semitism attached to the idea in the past, it's passed into public discourse as a joke without that malice attached, especially as people were laughing at nutters like David Ike, that I don't see the harm in it at this point.
As a fellow Jew, I agree, but it's worth noting. I wouldn't ever call someone an antisemite for referring to someone as a lizard-person, because at this point no one intends it that way. I have a friend who's pretty receptive to social justice issues and mentioned it to her recently just as an interesting point of conversation.