In a world of AI slop, be (or love) a Jimothy

A sea shanty ode to Jimothy and all that isn't smooth or samesie

Letting this drawing be messy because it’s meta

Lo, Jimothy, do climb that fence

Unsteadily, with great suspense

PNW fishing neighborhood

Magic sweetness doth smitten neighbors good

The joy brought unto us with your weird

Combats sameness we’re all afeared

Your face be plastered b’yond Seattle

The furry figurehead for us in battle

Against the horrors and the scorers

The slop, the normie-ness, and all the borers

Here’s to our difference, our mess and muss

We all are Jimothy, and he is us

~~~~~

In a world of AI slop, be (or love) a Jimothy.

Jimothy, as you probably already know, is a raccoon who lives in the Ballard neighborhood of Seattle and has a congenital spine-shortening disease. He looks like an adorable little ball with gangly legs—some people compare him to a cryptid or other mythological creatures—and the way he’s captured our hearts is so real. We need this.

People love that he is an animal in the wild with a disability, and that when he was a baby, his family helped him instead of abandoning him because he was different. From what I’ve read, raccoons are responsible citizens this way. It’s refreshing in a culture hellbent on trying to homogenize rather than celebrate uniqueness.

I also love Jimothy because he isn’t a sight of the uncannily polished “perfection” that lots of people seem to be after, like AI slop, or IG face, or frictionless relationships, or humans never getting anything wrong. Jimothy is a beautiful and unique buddy for our times.

So, bring on the Jimothy memes, drawings, tattoos, and, as many say, protect him at all costs.

And to Jimothy’s mother—I salute you. Your son is saving the world.

PS. This is my first Substack. Thanks for being here. I don’t take your attention for granted.

XO Jenn