Tess "Querying The Egg Prime Directive!" Tanen
@mothmother.com
Neurospicy disabled anarchist trans lady, making music, stories, poetry, and trouble. Recovering academic.
Patreon: patreon.com/MothMotherTess
Moth Mother Studios: MothMother.com/
Consulting: TessTanen.com
Everything Else: linktr.ee/MothMother
Patreon: patreon.com/MothMotherTess
Moth Mother Studios: MothMother.com/
Consulting: TessTanen.com
Everything Else: linktr.ee/MothMother
Pinned
New Introduction post! I'm Tess! I'm a disabled, queer, trans, neurospicy, musician, producer, game maker & poet! I run Moth Mother studios: an 800 sq/ft. music production studio in Central Illinois.
Currently making audiodrama, audiobooks & trouble & always looking for gigs & collaborators.
Currently making audiodrama, audiobooks & trouble & always looking for gigs & collaborators.
Getting into the solstice spirit by practicing painting fireglow in watercolor. I'm learning a lot!
(the first piece is a collaboration with @drtanenbaumii.bsky.social who drew the initial pencil sketch for me to ink and color.)
(the first piece is a collaboration with @drtanenbaumii.bsky.social who drew the initial pencil sketch for me to ink and color.)
December 5, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Getting into the solstice spirit by practicing painting fireglow in watercolor. I'm learning a lot!
(the first piece is a collaboration with @drtanenbaumii.bsky.social who drew the initial pencil sketch for me to ink and color.)
(the first piece is a collaboration with @drtanenbaumii.bsky.social who drew the initial pencil sketch for me to ink and color.)
Reposted by Tess "Querying The Egg Prime Directive!" Tanen
One of my favorite tricks for getting student attention was to drop Man Voice into lectures when quoting dudes, just to watch them jump at the sudden gear shift.
December 4, 2025 at 2:35 PM
One of my favorite tricks for getting student attention was to drop Man Voice into lectures when quoting dudes, just to watch them jump at the sudden gear shift.
Real "look, it doesn't count if you only tell me I look pretty when I ask you to—I want you to *actually think* I'm pretty, and notice it, and tell me WITHOUT ME HAVING TO ASK YOU" energy from the transphobes over this one.
Note how these awful people are getting exactly the exclusions of children that they demanded and *that still isn’t enough for them*: they demand everyone be delighted about it and kiss their arses for being brilliant.
December 4, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Real "look, it doesn't count if you only tell me I look pretty when I ask you to—I want you to *actually think* I'm pretty, and notice it, and tell me WITHOUT ME HAVING TO ASK YOU" energy from the transphobes over this one.
Reposted by Tess "Querying The Egg Prime Directive!" Tanen
Okay, so first: I agreed with this post and the whole thread—go read it!
But I think that it's important to recognize that whether we're selectively engineering for specific traits or not, we are always rolling the dice when we inflict the condition of living on a new consciousness.
But I think that it's important to recognize that whether we're selectively engineering for specific traits or not, we are always rolling the dice when we inflict the condition of living on a new consciousness.
Even if we accept the argument that people just want to select what they think will help their offspring the best (which is an illegitimate argument), the ethics of choosing someone’s physical characteristics are not great. What if that kid doesn’t want to be 6’5” or that causes them problems?
December 4, 2025 at 6:21 AM
Okay, so first: I agreed with this post and the whole thread—go read it!
But I think that it's important to recognize that whether we're selectively engineering for specific traits or not, we are always rolling the dice when we inflict the condition of living on a new consciousness.
But I think that it's important to recognize that whether we're selectively engineering for specific traits or not, we are always rolling the dice when we inflict the condition of living on a new consciousness.
Holding pattern
Tess Tanenbaum, Dec '25
I usually hold my mind's children too close
for too long, ...
Read more: https://longer.blue/posts/-qnC_nYUSl
Tess Tanenbaum, Dec '25
I usually hold my mind's children too close
for too long, ...
Read more: https://longer.blue/posts/-qnC_nYUSl
December 4, 2025 at 8:06 AM
Holding pattern
Tess Tanenbaum, Dec '25
I usually hold my mind's children too close
for too long, ...
Read more: https://longer.blue/posts/-qnC_nYUSl
Tess Tanenbaum, Dec '25
I usually hold my mind's children too close
for too long, ...
Read more: https://longer.blue/posts/-qnC_nYUSl
Not only is Deezer not funding AI killing machines, but you can stream my music there! You can't do that on Spotify anymore, because Fuck Daniel Ek.
link.deezer.com/s/31MFWISnc9...
link.deezer.com/s/31MFWISnc9...
December 4, 2025 at 7:22 AM
Not only is Deezer not funding AI killing machines, but you can stream my music there! You can't do that on Spotify anymore, because Fuck Daniel Ek.
link.deezer.com/s/31MFWISnc9...
link.deezer.com/s/31MFWISnc9...
Okay, so first: I agreed with this post and the whole thread—go read it!
But I think that it's important to recognize that whether we're selectively engineering for specific traits or not, we are always rolling the dice when we inflict the condition of living on a new consciousness.
But I think that it's important to recognize that whether we're selectively engineering for specific traits or not, we are always rolling the dice when we inflict the condition of living on a new consciousness.
Even if we accept the argument that people just want to select what they think will help their offspring the best (which is an illegitimate argument), the ethics of choosing someone’s physical characteristics are not great. What if that kid doesn’t want to be 6’5” or that causes them problems?
December 4, 2025 at 6:21 AM
Okay, so first: I agreed with this post and the whole thread—go read it!
But I think that it's important to recognize that whether we're selectively engineering for specific traits or not, we are always rolling the dice when we inflict the condition of living on a new consciousness.
But I think that it's important to recognize that whether we're selectively engineering for specific traits or not, we are always rolling the dice when we inflict the condition of living on a new consciousness.
My most hipster trait is that I listened to more of my own unreleased music in 2025 than anything on any streaming service.
My favorite musical artist? Oh you probably haven't heard of her... Because it's ME, bitches!
🤘😈🔥
My favorite musical artist? Oh you probably haven't heard of her... Because it's ME, bitches!
🤘😈🔥
December 4, 2025 at 12:56 AM
My most hipster trait is that I listened to more of my own unreleased music in 2025 than anything on any streaming service.
My favorite musical artist? Oh you probably haven't heard of her... Because it's ME, bitches!
🤘😈🔥
My favorite musical artist? Oh you probably haven't heard of her... Because it's ME, bitches!
🤘😈🔥
Reposted by Tess "Querying The Egg Prime Directive!" Tanen
My daughter has felt forced to educate teachers, counsellors, friends' parents, distant relatives at weddings...for over a decade. And she's not yet 18. So many cis people ignorant & putting emotional labour on a child (and often in situations where she was vulnerable ie when bullied & assaulted)
Shortly after I came out as trans, @katta.bsky.social introduced me to the concept of Epistemic Exploitation, and it has haunted me ever since.
"Epistemic exploitation occurs when privileged persons compel marginalized persons to educate them about the nature of their oppression."
A🧵
"Epistemic exploitation occurs when privileged persons compel marginalized persons to educate them about the nature of their oppression."
A🧵
December 2, 2025 at 9:08 PM
My daughter has felt forced to educate teachers, counsellors, friends' parents, distant relatives at weddings...for over a decade. And she's not yet 18. So many cis people ignorant & putting emotional labour on a child (and often in situations where she was vulnerable ie when bullied & assaulted)
Reposted by Tess "Querying The Egg Prime Directive!" Tanen
This whole 🧵 is a Must Read, be this especially is an important aspect of Epistemic Exploitation that should be unpacked: the extra labor demanded of us to become experts in the nature of our oppression because the "well meaning" people around us are going to question everything we say about it.
What about the cost of OUR constant research of affirming books and studies? We have to learn about our *own oppression* because straight people won't. We have to learn about our *own terminology and identities* because they have been erased or silenced on purpose to marginalize us.
December 2, 2025 at 6:09 PM
This whole 🧵 is a Must Read, be this especially is an important aspect of Epistemic Exploitation that should be unpacked: the extra labor demanded of us to become experts in the nature of our oppression because the "well meaning" people around us are going to question everything we say about it.
Reposted by Tess "Querying The Egg Prime Directive!" Tanen
This is such a useful concept that applies in so many places. I feel like it's doubly so as those in power just "can't understand" why people aren't rushing out to use generative AI for everything.
Gonna highlight some quotes from the actual paper here because they hit so fucking hard and because they highlight the ways that Epistemic Exploitation serves to maintain the oppressive status quo. Privileged people preserve existing inequalities by denying the lived experiences of oppressed people.
December 2, 2025 at 9:31 AM
This is such a useful concept that applies in so many places. I feel like it's doubly so as those in power just "can't understand" why people aren't rushing out to use generative AI for everything.
Gonna highlight some quotes from the actual paper here because they hit so fucking hard and because they highlight the ways that Epistemic Exploitation serves to maintain the oppressive status quo. Privileged people preserve existing inequalities by denying the lived experiences of oppressed people.
December 2, 2025 at 2:28 AM
Gonna highlight some quotes from the actual paper here because they hit so fucking hard and because they highlight the ways that Epistemic Exploitation serves to maintain the oppressive status quo. Privileged people preserve existing inequalities by denying the lived experiences of oppressed people.
Reposted by Tess "Querying The Egg Prime Directive!" Tanen
You know those concepts you get, have dealt with, have even tried to explain to others, but never had a term for them?
Well this is one of those for me. You should check out Tess’s whole thread.
Well this is one of those for me. You should check out Tess’s whole thread.
Shortly after I came out as trans, @katta.bsky.social introduced me to the concept of Epistemic Exploitation, and it has haunted me ever since.
"Epistemic exploitation occurs when privileged persons compel marginalized persons to educate them about the nature of their oppression."
A🧵
"Epistemic exploitation occurs when privileged persons compel marginalized persons to educate them about the nature of their oppression."
A🧵
December 2, 2025 at 1:40 AM
You know those concepts you get, have dealt with, have even tried to explain to others, but never had a term for them?
Well this is one of those for me. You should check out Tess’s whole thread.
Well this is one of those for me. You should check out Tess’s whole thread.
Reposted by Tess "Querying The Egg Prime Directive!" Tanen
Holy hell, y’all, real this thread.
If you’re cis, read it twice. Slowly.
If you’re cis, read it twice. Slowly.
Shortly after I came out as trans, @katta.bsky.social introduced me to the concept of Epistemic Exploitation, and it has haunted me ever since.
"Epistemic exploitation occurs when privileged persons compel marginalized persons to educate them about the nature of their oppression."
A🧵
"Epistemic exploitation occurs when privileged persons compel marginalized persons to educate them about the nature of their oppression."
A🧵
December 2, 2025 at 12:49 AM
Holy hell, y’all, real this thread.
If you’re cis, read it twice. Slowly.
If you’re cis, read it twice. Slowly.
Shortly after I came out as trans, @katta.bsky.social introduced me to the concept of Epistemic Exploitation, and it has haunted me ever since.
"Epistemic exploitation occurs when privileged persons compel marginalized persons to educate them about the nature of their oppression."
A🧵
"Epistemic exploitation occurs when privileged persons compel marginalized persons to educate them about the nature of their oppression."
A🧵
December 1, 2025 at 11:39 PM
Shortly after I came out as trans, @katta.bsky.social introduced me to the concept of Epistemic Exploitation, and it has haunted me ever since.
"Epistemic exploitation occurs when privileged persons compel marginalized persons to educate them about the nature of their oppression."
A🧵
"Epistemic exploitation occurs when privileged persons compel marginalized persons to educate them about the nature of their oppression."
A🧵
Reposted by Tess "Querying The Egg Prime Directive!" Tanen
Okay, I've pulled most of The Egg Prime Directive down, as promised. If there's anyone who wants to read the next round of edits as they happen I'll be releasing it in edited chunks on my Patreon at the lowest subscription tier until it's time to publish.
www.patreon.com/MothMotherTess
www.patreon.com/MothMotherTess
Get more from Moth Mother | Tess Tanenbaum on Patreon
Neurospicy Music | Radical Words | Trans Joy | Witchy Vibes
www.patreon.com
December 1, 2025 at 10:54 AM
Okay, I've pulled most of The Egg Prime Directive down, as promised. If there's anyone who wants to read the next round of edits as they happen I'll be releasing it in edited chunks on my Patreon at the lowest subscription tier until it's time to publish.
www.patreon.com/MothMotherTess
www.patreon.com/MothMotherTess
Reposted by Tess "Querying The Egg Prime Directive!" Tanen
My little homage to Blippo+
November 30, 2025 at 5:43 AM
My little homage to Blippo+
Okay, I've pulled most of The Egg Prime Directive down, as promised. If there's anyone who wants to read the next round of edits as they happen I'll be releasing it in edited chunks on my Patreon at the lowest subscription tier until it's time to publish.
www.patreon.com/MothMotherTess
www.patreon.com/MothMotherTess
Get more from Moth Mother | Tess Tanenbaum on Patreon
Neurospicy Music | Radical Words | Trans Joy | Witchy Vibes
www.patreon.com
December 1, 2025 at 10:54 AM
Okay, I've pulled most of The Egg Prime Directive down, as promised. If there's anyone who wants to read the next round of edits as they happen I'll be releasing it in edited chunks on my Patreon at the lowest subscription tier until it's time to publish.
www.patreon.com/MothMotherTess
www.patreon.com/MothMotherTess
Reposted by Tess "Querying The Egg Prime Directive!" Tanen
@mothmother.com So, it turns out re-reading The Egg Prime Directive doesn't cure insomnia. Sure does make me feel things, though.
November 30, 2025 at 10:02 AM
@mothmother.com So, it turns out re-reading The Egg Prime Directive doesn't cure insomnia. Sure does make me feel things, though.
My little homage to Blippo+
November 30, 2025 at 5:43 AM
My little homage to Blippo+
Tess- coded characters.
November 30, 2025 at 1:02 AM
Tess- coded characters.
So excited to reread @magicariot.com's Magica Riot and then roll right into Full Bloom!
It's blizzard conditions outside so I'm going to get cozy by the fire and just sink into these!
It's blizzard conditions outside so I'm going to get cozy by the fire and just sink into these!
November 29, 2025 at 10:18 PM
So excited to reread @magicariot.com's Magica Riot and then roll right into Full Bloom!
It's blizzard conditions outside so I'm going to get cozy by the fire and just sink into these!
It's blizzard conditions outside so I'm going to get cozy by the fire and just sink into these!
This whole thread 🧵
I absolutely saw this when I taught this spring. I had MA students who were operating well below the level I expect from a first year undergrad. It was the most hostile classroom I've experienced in over two decades of teaching. Everyone in academia is seeing this everywhere.
I absolutely saw this when I taught this spring. I had MA students who were operating well below the level I expect from a first year undergrad. It was the most hostile classroom I've experienced in over two decades of teaching. Everyone in academia is seeing this everywhere.
An issue we're seeing at all levels of university is that many students are simply refusing to do *anything*. They aren't reading the syllabus, aren't following assignment guidelines, aren't engaging with material, ignoring deadlines. And this might seem like old news, but it truly has ramped up.
November 29, 2025 at 6:08 AM
This whole thread 🧵
I absolutely saw this when I taught this spring. I had MA students who were operating well below the level I expect from a first year undergrad. It was the most hostile classroom I've experienced in over two decades of teaching. Everyone in academia is seeing this everywhere.
I absolutely saw this when I taught this spring. I had MA students who were operating well below the level I expect from a first year undergrad. It was the most hostile classroom I've experienced in over two decades of teaching. Everyone in academia is seeing this everywhere.
Reposted by Tess "Querying The Egg Prime Directive!" Tanen
i know WHY this is but that just makes it even more of a kick in the pants lmao
November 28, 2025 at 3:28 AM
i know WHY this is but that just makes it even more of a kick in the pants lmao