Suspicious Dish posted:

~ ☯ ~ The Basics ~ ☯ ~



What are otherkin?

People who don't identify as human. Usually they identify as some mythical or crypto-historical creature, like angels or dragons.


What are therians?

People who identify as members of historical animal species. This FAQ uses "otherkin" as a blanket term for both therians and otherkin, but not all therians call themselves otherkin.


What does it mean to "identify as" something?

To see yourself as that thing. It's like gender identity; seeing yourself as an otherkin just feels right, in a way that seeing yourself as human does not.


What are "kintype," "phenotype," "theritype" and the like?

These words are all used to indicate the specific non-human thing that an otherkin identifies as.


What "types" are there?

Where to start? There are dragonkin, demon- and angelkin, elves, vampires, and a whole slew of animals like foxes and wolves which may or may not have a magical aspect to them. I've even seen a swan here on Dreamwidth.


How come there aren't any cockroach- or naked mole rat-kin?

This question often comes up as a way to put otherkin in their place, so let's get it over with. Yes, most animals and mythical creatures that otherkin identify with are the "cool" ones.

There are two things to keep in mind here. First, otherkin often start on their journey to otherkin-ness by seeing a photo, or painting, or live example of their species that calls to them. Something that fills them with longing, or even with memories, and makes them yearn to live that creature's life.

Let's face it: there aren't a whole lot of chances for naked mole rat-kin to have that kind of experience. So if you want to blame someone, blame the world's artists and storytellers, for not depicting enough naked mole rats.

Second, otherkin aren't stuck identifying as the first species that calls to them. They might think they're a peregrine falcon at first, and then realize the tree swallow's closer to their heart. This doesn't mean they were wrong for choosing to identify as a falcon, earlier. It just means that they've found something more right for them. (Or even that they're both species at the same time.)

Personally, I've run across a combine harvester "machinekin." So I wouldn't rule anything out at this point.


What about otherkin who say that they're fictional characters?

"Fictives" exist, and there's probably one of your favorite character. They're controversial even inside the otherkin community, for two reasons.

One is that many otherkin are as incredulous of fictives as many (if not most) humans are of otherkin. They believe that they live in a world where elves, dragons, and animals take human form, but the idea that their roommate is the Sephiroth -- much less that there are a dozen others who say they are, too -- just makes them shake their heads in disgust.

If you aren't an otherkin, this is obvious to you, but I'm going to point it out anyway: The otherkin who don't accept fictives lack empathy and self-awareness. They either don't realize, or don't care, that they're doing to other people what others have done to them. They don't see "because my life finally makes sense to me now" as a valid reason to identify as something. They want to decide who gets to be what, and they're miffed that fictives "chose" an identity that they don't like.

Sometimes they tell themselves stories about fictives, like "they're just saying it to make themselves feel special." As though no one has the right to feel special, and as though that'd make one bit of difference if it were true. Just like with otherkin stereotypes, these only serve to depersonalize the fictives in question, and to make it easier to deny them what they long for: To be accepted for who they are.

The second reason that fictives are controversial is that most otherkin on the Internet hold a first-world view of culture and copyright. They think it's okay for a large corporation to hold the exclusive rights to a myth, and to prevent others from telling stories about it or identifying with parts of it. And they don't see the disconnect between (for instance) drawing on stories of fox spirits to learn about their kitsune heritage, and telling someone he can't be Shippo.


~ ☯ ~ How to relate to otherkin ~ ☯ ~

Suspicious Dish posted:

~ ☯ ~ The Basics ~ ☯ ~



What are otherkin?

People who don't identify as human. Usually they identify as some mythical or crypto-historical creature, like angels or dragons.


What are therians?

People who identify as members of historical animal species. This FAQ uses "otherkin" as a blanket term for both therians and otherkin, but not all therians call themselves otherkin.


What does it mean to "identify as" something?

To see yourself as that thing. It's like gender identity; seeing yourself as an otherkin just feels right, in a way that seeing yourself as human does not.


What are "kintype," "phenotype," "theritype" and the like?

These words are all used to indicate the specific non-human thing that an otherkin identifies as.


What "types" are there?

Where to start? There are dragonkin, demon- and angelkin, elves, vampires, and a whole slew of animals like foxes and wolves which may or may not have a magical aspect to them. I've even seen a swan here on Dreamwidth.


How come there aren't any cockroach- or naked mole rat-kin?

This question often comes up as a way to put otherkin in their place, so let's get it over with. Yes, most animals and mythical creatures that otherkin identify with are the "cool" ones.

There are two things to keep in mind here. First, otherkin often start on their journey to otherkin-ness by seeing a photo, or painting, or live example of their species that calls to them. Something that fills them with longing, or even with memories, and makes them yearn to live that creature's life.

Let's face it: there aren't a whole lot of chances for naked mole rat-kin to have that kind of experience. So if you want to blame someone, blame the world's artists and storytellers, for not depicting enough naked mole rats.

Second, otherkin aren't stuck identifying as the first species that calls to them. They might think they're a peregrine falcon at first, and then realize the tree swallow's closer to their heart. This doesn't mean they were wrong for choosing to identify as a falcon, earlier. It just means that they've found something more right for them. (Or even that they're both species at the same time.)

Personally, I've run across a combine harvester "machinekin." So I wouldn't rule anything out at this point.


What about otherkin who say that they're fictional characters?

"Fictives" exist, and there's probably one of your favorite character. They're controversial even inside the otherkin community, for two reasons.

One is that many otherkin are as incredulous of fictives as many (if not most) humans are of otherkin. They believe that they live in a world where elves, dragons, and animals take human form, but the idea that their roommate is the Sephiroth -- much less that there are a dozen others who say they are, too -- just makes them shake their heads in disgust.

If you aren't an otherkin, this is obvious to you, but I'm going to point it out anyway: The otherkin who don't accept fictives lack empathy and self-awareness. They either don't realize, or don't care, that they're doing to other people what others have done to them. They don't see "because my life finally makes sense to me now" as a valid reason to identify as something. They want to decide who gets to be what, and they're miffed that fictives "chose" an identity that they don't like.

Sometimes they tell themselves stories about fictives, like "they're just saying it to make themselves feel special." As though no one has the right to feel special, and as though that'd make one bit of difference if it were true. Just like with otherkin stereotypes, these only serve to depersonalize the fictives in question, and to make it easier to deny them what they long for: To be accepted for who they are.

The second reason that fictives are controversial is that most otherkin on the Internet hold a first-world view of culture and copyright. They think it's okay for a large corporation to hold the exclusive rights to a myth, and to prevent others from telling stories about it or identifying with parts of it. And they don't see the disconnect between (for instance) drawing on stories of fox spirits to learn about their kitsune heritage, and telling someone he can't be Shippo.


~ ☯ ~ How to relate to otherkin ~ ☯ ~

yellowD posted:

This has to cross the line from "teenager" to "mentally ill", right?

Suspicious Dish posted:

Personally, I've run across a combine harvester "machinekin." So I wouldn't rule anything out at this point.

Tuxedo Gin posted:

wasn't there a guy who identified as a tampon/pad?

Tuxedo Gin posted:

wasn't there a guy who identified as a tampon/pad?

Tuxedo Gin posted:

wasn't there a guy who identified as a tampon/pad?

Spoilers Below posted:

quote:

Emoti-Con Takes Indianapolis - June 19-21, 2015
We here at Emoti-Con are gearing up and getting ready for a fabulous summer event, and you should be too. Why? Because, if you like the internet, then you're going to love us...

Tumblr? Reddit? YouTube? Facebook? 4Chan? Us too.

Geeks? Gamers? Fashionistas? Activists? All of the above? Welcome home!

Emoti-Con aims to be the most comprehensive, internet-themed convention in the US. We love the internet, and we're making strides to embrace as much of it and as many of you as possible. After all, what is the internet without its users? And what is a convention without its attendees? Answer: Nothing.

That's where you come in. Watch this space, as more details and special guest information will be posted soon. Can't wait to see you all next year!

quote:

Emoti-Con 2015 all rights reserved by So Attacked Entertainment LLC

Paladinus posted:

We've made such a good job with a con for a very limited group of people who are all interested in similar things, that we are now ready to organise a con about everything on the Internet and invite people of radically different subcultures to attend.

E: On the other hand it does look like someone's hosed dashcon over and stolen their place. Which can only mean more tumblr drama.

yellowD posted:

This has to cross the line from "teenager" to "mentally ill", right?

1gnoirents posted:

that settles it. im going

btw pro hack for anybody who wants to get into a convention for free. search the convention or hotel website for the in house A/V company name. This is typically PSAV

walk in the dock

If anybody asks you whats up, which is very rare but depends on the venue, simply say youre looking for PSAV (or whoever) for a hot shot. It is so ridiculously common and normal for someone in normal clothes to say something like this (even in an unsure manner, ie temps) and you can just go inside. There will always be a service way into convention halls and rooms, typically bustling with staff. Once you're past the dock you are in an nobody will ever say anything to you ever. If someone asks you out of niceness, just say you're looking for the convention and they will tell you the best way to get there

Worst, worst case scenario is a dock master calls PSAV or whoever immediately or they happen to be right there, just say let me get my paperwork and leave lol. Out of the 100 times ive done this for real work purposes that has never been the case though.

The most trouble you will have is if the convention itself is checking passes at doors and entrances. Just say you're looking for PSAV. It's dat easy. Plus since you're now familiar with the service halls you can basically avoid all of that. If you want to make things even easier, wear a blank black polo shirt from wal mart. This works because almost all legitimate people working an event that don't actually work in the hotel or hall itself won't have passes, or ID of any kind, for the company they actually work for. Almost all of it is subcontracted, and there are always tons of idiot temps who know nothing about anything

enjoy your tumblr convention

visceril posted:

Is it really inviting reddit and 4chan to participate? I thought tumblers had some sort of blood feud going on with 4 chan. Are we sure it's not a parody of dashcon that stole their spot?

Regalingualius posted:

Don't 4chan and Reddit basically hate the poo poo out of each other, too? Never spent much/any time on either, so I dunno what the full story is beyond Reddit running 4chan's old memes even harder into the ground.

Over There posted:

75% of anyone on these sites is a part of one or more of the others. They just don't admit it.

Over There posted:

75% of anyone on these sites is a part of one or more of the others. They just don't admit it.

Rad Tad posted:

i am roxanne ama

Aerox posted:

Yep.

http://www.dailydot.com/society/florida-man-wants-to-be-kotex-maxi-pad/

Regalingualius posted:

Will you turn off the red light?

Tuxedo Gin posted:

wasn't there a guy who identified as a tampon/pad?

1gnoirents posted:

it'd be worth it if it were for actual amounts of money

visceril posted:

Is it really inviting reddit and 4chan to participate? I thought tumblers had some sort of blood feud going on with 4 chan. Are we sure it's not a parody of dashcon that stole their spot?

GOTTA STAY FAI posted:

Okay this actually isn't a terrible idea for a scam: form a limited liability company/partnership, hold an event where dumb fucks from the Internet give you money, then abandon the company along with your fall guy and start a new company/partnership in a new state for the next time. They could probably do this six or seven times before the tax man catches up with them

Spoilers Below posted:

Suspicious Dish posted:

Personally, I've run across a combine harvester "machinekin." So I wouldn't rule anything out at this point.

Regalingualius posted:

Yeah, that's the part where this would fall apart if it is indeed a scam. If they were getting 100K+, yeah, I could definitely see them being cozy with it. But just 17k even before they divvy it up?

In other words, no matter what theoretical angle you try approaching this whole fiasco from, it's incompetence all the way down.