Taiwanese Illustrator Sparks Outrage with Power Outage Cartoon Blaming Animals

An illustration by online artist "Ren 2 x People2" has sparked outrage among netizens and power company employees for its perceived insinuation about the causes of power outages. The artwork depicts power company staff blaming animals for electrical failures.

The illustration, shared on Facebook, shows a power company worker complaining about an impending outage. Another worker points to a squirrel, saying, "Don't panic~ Same old rule, you, you, you, squirrel, it's your turn to take the blame this time." The artist added commentary suggesting this depicts future news reports on power outages.

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Don't panic~ Same old rule, you, you, you, squirrel, it's your turn to take the blame this time.

This depiction has drawn sharp criticism, with many accusing the artist of misrepresenting the situation and disrespecting the hard work of power company personnel. Some netizens, including individuals identifying as electricians, pointed out that animals like geckos, cats, and squirrels are indeed common causes of power disruptions, particularly in low-voltage systems. They argued that blaming animals is often a factual explanation, not an excuse to shirk responsibility.

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As someone who often deals with the aftermath for small animals, seeing this kind of picture is really uncomfortable.

"As someone who often deals with the aftermath for small animals, seeing this kind of picture is really uncomfortable," one commenter wrote. "It's because colleagues are low-key and don't want to be keyboard warriors online, not because the facts are as you say." Others condemned the illustration as "ignorant," "misleading," and an attempt to "create a narrative" without understanding the reality of the job.

The artist, who has faced accusations of plagiarism in the past, is now being criticized for promoting misinformation. The controversy highlights the tension between artistic expression and the potential for such depictions to unfairly tarnish the reputation of essential workers.

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Using this kind of picture to imply Taipower personnel are derelict in their duties, isn't that going too far!