Otherkin / Fictionkin / Therians - Weirdos LARPing as animals, mythological creatures, and fictional characters

SPARKLETWAT

Fuck this place, it went to shit. I’m gone.
kiwifarms.net
Joined
Feb 25, 2013
They're the biggest fucktards you'll find on Tumblr. Challenge them and they BAWWW at you for not understanding.

For the fags who don't know what otherkin are

Otherkin is a collective noun for an assortment of people who have come to the somewhat unorthodox, and possibly quite bizarre, conclusion that they identify themselves as being something other than human. It is also the label used by a number of communities both on and off line. (The distinction between the two is not always drawn and can lead to some confusion).

There are a number of ways people reach this conclusion, and a number of possible explanations for it. On the face of it, it is a remarkably difficult conclusion to reach, not only is the evidence scant at best, but to define yourself as not human requires defining what human means - an exercise which philosophers for millennia have failed to complete.

The following is a brief overview of some of the possible explanations. (useless link info removed from here)

1 - Appeal to biology

There are a very few people who claim a biological difference from humans. On the face of it this should be the easiest to prove - the biological requirements for species are fairly well defined. Life is rarely that simple and the existence of a subspecies that can occasionally interbreed with humans is at least somewhat plausible. Those that claim this tend to posit an initial technical, magical or deity intervention for the initial pairing. Thus the most frequent (if such a term can be used for such a small sample) such claims are for some form of elves (generally Tuatha de Danaan or Sidhe - for which there is some support in ancient texts), angels (for which there is some biblical support) or oriental dragons (such as the royal line of Japan claims).

To date, the variations encountered (including those unsupported claims made that were not utterly impossible) have been explainable variations and mutations of homo sapiens and unprovable without extensive DNA testing. (For which, if anyone ever volunteers an appropriate lab, there are a number of volunteers).

Those claiming such tend to expect even less belief from the general populace.

2 - Appeal to spirit

By far the most common explanation from those who fit the definition (even if they don't claim this specific label) is that whilst their physical forms may be human, their essence, soul or equivalent term is not.

Of those, the majority make their claim based on reincarnation - what they have been in a previous incarnation so strongly affects their current incarnation that they still identify with it. Obviously this requires a belief in reincarnation, and in the transmigration of souls. Both are reasonably common in a number of religions and spiritual beliefs across the world.

The less frequent explanations are "nature of soul" (where one is created as a specific entity, but failed to incarnate as such - sometimes including the "ooops! missed!" theory of incarnation), and "walk-in" (where the original spirit inhabiting a body vacated it for one reason or another - frequently near-death or severe trauma - and a separate entity took over).

Obviously this is a lot harder to prove, especially as the evidence for reincarnation itself is rather sparse (some are documented to varying degrees of veracity, such as the Dali Lama and a number of cultural mythologies). It is also more open to both intentional and unintentional abuse (see below).

People in this category sometimes (but by no means always) show signs of maladaption. The two main symptoms appear to be:

Problems not dissimilar to trans-gender issues - discomfort with the physical form not because of gender but because of species. This seems to be more common amongst younger people. (Many of the psychological arguments for and against transgender apply here, though for the most part the biological ones do not).
Phantom limbs - much as an amputee often gets sensation from the missing limb, so do some who claim species that have appendages that humans do not (wings and tails being the main ones). The conventional explanation for amputees is misfiring nerves and obviously this is implausible in this case. That such problems are psychosomatic seems possible, however some do have physically observable side effects that have to be handled (such as back muscle problems from 'supporting' wings).
3 - Appeal to psychology

Another explanation posited is that of using the concept of other species as a tool for self exploration. Thus one is not a member of that species, but takes on the traits of that species to learn from it. This could take the form of (at least the westernised distortion of) Totemic belief, or of Jungian Archetypes.

For the most part those using such techniques deliberately know what it is they are doing and do not claim the label. However, there are many people who have not been introduced to the concepts (or have inaccurate information if they have) and if they should find themselves in the position of having a Totem (if such can happen outside the appropriate culture) they may well mistake the effects as them being that creature rather than having an association with that archetype.

4 - Escapism and mental aberration

The vast majority of people on encountering the concept (and a fair proportion of those who subscribe to it) will favour this explanation - it's certainly the easiest one. Anyone who has actually claimed a label that fits under the 'otherkin' category has seriously considered this option (or should have).

The most frequent accusation is that all otherkin are lost in fantasy, they've played one too many D&D games and gone over the edge. Personal study seems to indicate this is actually one of the least frequent explanations. Most roleplayers know they are roleplaying, even if they are also otherkin, and roleplaying can be a very useful tool in self exploration.

Escapism from what is seen as an increasingly hostile and unpleasant culture (especially in the United States) is somewhat more plausible and more common. The irony there is that modern society is becoming increasingly magical - in what other era could you speak instantaneously with someone a thousand miles away with a simple ten digit incantation, see images from the past or distant present or rain fiery death from the skies from half a world away? The potential for being one step further than a mythological SCA is certainly there however.

Not being "like them" is a much more common cause, whether "them" is classmates, family, coworkers or everyone you meet. For some it's perhaps real - otherkin really *are* different. However the relationship is not reciprocal - being different does not make one otherkin. The alienation that many teenagers go through, both as part of normal human development and the social aberration that many high-schools seem to be, can easily have people looking for an explanation. For some it's that they are the only goth in a conservative area, others have less obvious affiliation, but take a deep interest in dragons and extrapolate.

The other side of that particular coin is looking around you and seeing the many terrible things that humanity is capable of and deciding that you are not like that and thus cannot possibly be human. (ref "behaviours - differentiation by repudiation").

There are also those for whom it is simply wish fulfillment - is being an elf not so much better than being Joe Smith who flips burgers at McDonalds?

5 - All of the above

Whilst the above explanations are presented as distinct categories, people do not necessarily fall into only one of them. There are those who claim physical differences, and past lives. There are those who are both in therapy for mental health problems and otherkin (and which is cause and which effect is debatable).

In the end, without further evidence, it comes down to a matter of personal belief. As personal beliefs go, it's relatively harmless.
SAUCE: http://www.otherkin.net/articles/what.html

Here's the otherkin tumblr tag http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/otherkin

About two years ago I wasted an hour spamming the otherkin tag with goatse and messages reminding these losers they were human beings and not animals. I think I pissed off a good lot of them. Otherfags get butthurt so easily.

Have fun reading the wangst, kiddos.

Mod Edit: This and a 2015 OP by @Cosmos in the tumblr subforum have been merged and moved to Animal Control. Otherkin are related enough to Furries to be put here. Fictionkin on the other hand will be staying in tumblr since that's largely just a tumblr thing.
 
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idk, I feel like if they deem it necessary to identify as something other than human in order to feel right with themselves, let them. They're not causing anyone else grief until they take offense and lash out over some innocuous comment or whatever, and I'm not immediately seeing anything like that on the tag.

(Though if there area any specific examples of unwarranted self-importance and screams of "OPPRESSION!" over really dumb stuff please share links! THAT would amuse me.)

EDIT: Oh, but if any of them are like raping animals in the name of "breeding with their own species" or dumb shit THAT'S not cool by any means.
 
Jenn here. Ugh. My mom just walked in on me during a past life regression. I was crawling around the floor slowly. She asked me what I was doing and I told her that she wouldn’t understand. She kept pressing and I told her I was experiencing past life regression. I told her about how I was a tortoise in my past life and about my tortoise memories. I ended up coming out as otherkin to her and had to explain what that meant. She got angry and told me to “grow up” and fill out some job applications online.

I don’t even know why she would tell me to fill out job applications when I’m going to be moving soon. I can’t wait to move. I am so sick of living with a bigotted alcoholic mother who is afraid of what she doesn’t understand.

Omg, of the lulz and better yet here is her tumblr description

Jenn. 22. Cisgendered white female. Transabled. Pansexual. Tortoisekin. Singlet. Gainer. Vegan. Feminist. Fat activist. Transfat activist. Demiplatonic. Aromantic. Asensual. Currently questioning my ethnicity. Likes: Sewing, cooking, gardening, eating,...
 
I don’t even know why she would tell me to fill out job applications when I’m going to be moving soon.
??? I assume because you don't have a job, and simply living in a different dwelling doesn't change your employment status...

Currently questioning my ethnicity.
I... is this even something that can be questioned?? I don't even...
 
AtroposHeart said:
Jenn here. Ugh. My mom just walked in on me during a past life regression. I was crawling around the floor slowly. She asked me what I was doing and I told her that she wouldn’t understand. She kept pressing and I told her I was experiencing past life regression. I told her about how I was a tortoise in my past life and about my tortoise memories. I ended up coming out as otherkin to her and had to explain what that meant. She got angry and told me to “grow up” and fill out some job applications online.

I don’t even know why she would tell me to fill out job applications when I’m going to be moving soon. I can’t wait to move. I am so sick of living with a bigotted alcoholic mother who is afraid of what she doesn’t understand.

Omg, of the lulz and better yet here is her tumblr description

How's that supposed to work, even? You're just walking around, and then all of a sudden WHAM YOU'RE A TORTOISE. If these people grasped the concept of skepticism, I might be a little more understanding, but it's always like 'Oh, you don't take my words at face value? YOU HUMANKIN CISGENDER WHITE MALE SCUM! HOW DARE YOU BE COMFORTABLE WITH WHO YOU ARE? CASTRATE YOURSELF WITH A BLOWTORCH!'

Jenn. 22. Cisgendered white female. Transabled. Pansexual. Tortoisekin. Singlet. Gainer. Vegan. Feminist. Fat activist. Transfat activist. Demiplatonic. Aromantic. Asensual. Currently questioning my ethnicity. Likes: Sewing, cooking, gardening, eating,...
Transabled? Pansexual? Demiplatonic?! ASENSUAL?!! What the fuck do these even mean?

Also, what the hell is the difference between 'fat activism' and 'transfat activism'? WHAT IS FAT ACTIVISM IN THE FIRST PLACE? 'Yeah, don't let those WHITE MALE CISGENDER doctors tell you it's healthier to be thin! It's your right to be fat!'
 
Maybe transfat is when you get fat from someone else.

And I dunnk what you weirdos are talking about I turn into a manta ray and flop around on the keyboard for hours every tuesday because tuesday is manta ray night. And thursday is lamprey eel afternoon.
 
When people start using labels as Transfat or Singlet or Transabled I know they're full of it. I don't need some fancy word for each aspect of my personality (nor do I even have weird personality aspects like being a transabled...)
 
AtroposHeart said:
revengeofphil said:
Okay so apparently being trans fat is when you identify as being fat and you have imaginary fat folds and you don't like people being in the space as your other worldly fat.

I... I just don't know... Anymore

I did more research apparantly that is what transfat means. Skinny people who identify as fat
I just don't understand
Why. The. Fuck.
Who wants to be purposely unhealthy? Who?
Is there transskinny too? Because that would complete the circle of stupidity.

If you're already fat are you cisfat?
 
revengeofphil said:
Okay so apparently being trans fat is when you identify as being fat and you have imaginary fat folds
Okay then, I'm fine with that, if that's what you need to believe in order to be comfortable with yourself whatever, as long as you don't hurt yourself over it that's-

revengeofphil said:
and you don't like people being in the space as your other worldly fat.
tumblr_lyfei9J04K1r1cjia.gif
 
LOL, cisfat. Well, I suppose you would be right about that, considering what cisgendered is. Oh lord, just wait for the transfatties to pick up this term so we'll hear them slinging phrases like 'Cisfat scum'
 
Yeah people on tumblr are all like "He was in the space of my fat folds" and complaining that bus seats are "sizeist" because they can't accomodate transfat people and their imaginary fat.
 
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