Frankly ... visual

Frankly...visual  Holometabolan Humans

Illustration einer Kaulquappe, die den Mittelfinger zeigt © Susi Bumms

What do holometabolan insects have to do with the voting behaviour of young and old people? Our first column by Susi Bumms, with three pictures to illustrate the demographic divide.
 

Susi Bumms
Holometabolan insects undergo a visible metamorphosis during the course of their development, from a larva to a pupa to a fully-grown creature. Juveniles, teenagers and adult creatures bear no resemblance whatsoever to each other, and lead very different lives. For example tadpoles, caterpillars and ladybirds.
Illustration of tadpole showing the middle finger The tadpole is baffled by the next life stage. | © Susi Bumms Just imagine if humans were like that, wouldn’t it be a hoot? First everyone would pupate in their mid-twenties, and after that they would become someone else completely.

Illustration of two figures: one with hat, one with a caterpillar body without arms Imagining holometabolan humans | © Susi Bumms
But age differences can be perceived in other ways. For example if you look at divergent opinions, perspectives, ideals and the resulting voting behaviour. We can see clear demographic divides here. On the one hand there are far more progressive decisions, but also – and this seems to be the surprise of the 2021 Bundestag elections – a strong free market leaning. In this context we see it in percentages – not bodies.
Illustration von drei kokonförmigen Figuren, die an einem Baum hängen und grimmig schauen; darunter eine fröhliche Figur in Schmetterlingsform How do cocoons feel about metamorphosing into butterflies? Just nope. | © Susi Bumms                        
Pictured: Tadpoles, caterpillars and cocoons have zero enthusiasm for the next life stage. I get that.

 

„Frankly“

On an alternating basis each week, our “Frankly ...” column series is written by Susi Bumms, Maximilian Buddenbohm, Sineb el Masrar and Margarita Tsomou. In the “Frankly…visual” column, Susi Bumms observes pop culture and politics, commenting on what she sees through cartoons and pictures.

October 2021