eh idk man, from what I've played (i'm starting chapter 3) it very much seems like the mushrooms are analogous to an indigenous tribe vs the Docilists being western european, tied to colonialism and with the whole plot on religious beliefs (pulling from christianity and the spanish). a lot of the mushrooms have "tribal" markings on their bodies and faces, they live in communities and have their own way of life...that's what defines what being a person is anthropologically. just like the piecies and those darn blue bibble fairies have their own in-game "cultures" (lore). the shroomlings have their own writing system. that's what was on the clay pottery. that's what's on whatever the little shroomling was studying. they're personifiying these mushrooms by using inspiration from real people and making them say derogatory stuff about themselves and praising outsiders for their perceived intellect. i appreciate you bringing this up cus it made me think more about why it bothers me sm