Playing within the framework constructed last century by the post-structuralist philosophers such as Michel Foucault and Judith Butler, doctoral student Florentin Félix Morin challenged standard progressive theories of transgenderism to write a paper published this month justifying a person’s decision to identify as a hippopotamus, which is how Morin identifies.

The paper, published in Angelaki, was mocked roundly on the internet. It is, of course, ridiculous. But it should not be ridiculous to the same people who embrace Foucault and Butler, as it embodies the logical extension of their work — an argument made in effect by Morin’s paper.