Otherkin and Other Bollocks

Like real cats, cat-man did not work

Behold the magisterial folk who believe they are the incarnation of an animal or a mythical beast. Now not all these folks are delusional or completely deranged, for there appears to be a gradation of belief, a spectrum from normal to sad gamer to fully certified bona fide twat. 

There are those that use an animal persona for their online incarnation. Tis easy to slip into another’s clothes/fur online and portray yourself as something or someone else. Mostly this is achieved with a sense of humour and all who can read can see the mild and unconvincing deception. Many engage in this soft escapism and as long as no nefarious intent is forthcoming all is well. There are gamers who take the concept to the next level and totally wallow in an animal persona. Generally, this masquerade is to cover over deep insecurities and mental and physical infirmities. Online, no one can tell that you are a fat 40-year-old unemployed virgin living in your parent’s basement and it is enticingly easy to slip into wolf’s clothing. Note, the animals chosen are those associated with noble and physically vigorous attributes. There be lots of wolves, lions, tigers and dragons, but for some reason, no one wants to be a slug.

And so, to the next level. These folk contend that they have a spiritual affinity with a chosen animal. Regard the bores at parties who brow beat listeners with tales of the 'rape of mother earth' and how things would we be perfect if we stopped using plastic bags and became more ‘in tune’ with nature. All superficially profound but condensed silly hippy pronouncement all the same. Of similar ilk are those who take to expressing that there is something about them that is part animal, not on a physical level but on a psychic plane. Tis is all very ethereal and unsubstantiated and the ravings of a disordered uneducated mind; contemplate the fools who delude themselves but rarely beguile others. Here be a quote from a believer: “In pagan religions of the past, it wasn't uncommon to believe that humans would be reborn as animals, so the idea that I was, in a past life, a lion, is not as far-fetched as some would think." I’ll not bother to unpack this blathering nonsense. Just to say that several logical fallacies have been committed and therefore I’ll not trouble my formidable intellect to dissect this statement further.

 Some may entice with body modification, an attempt to force the body to take on the form of their chosen totem. They ingratiate themselves with a sanitised form of animism or elder primitive culture. An affinity with so-called native American beliefs is exceedingly common. In rare cases, extensive modification surgery is undertaken. The ‘cat man’ is a tragic and extreme example of this form of hallucination. If we take a step back, we can identify a less severe exposition. Teenage girls of a certain type are prone to affecting superficial appendages of their chosen beast. Thus, tails are sown on, headgear is worn and the odd howl may occasionally be vocalised. They hang about with other disenfranchised and socially marginalised souls and frequent local malls attracting derision and merriment from their peers. This is just a phase and most will outgrow foolish things to partially integrate/ingratiate into mainstream society.  

It is time to enter the land of ‘pseudologica fantastica’. A small subset of the ‘otherkin’ community avers that they are able to physically transform into the animal of their choice. They state that their DNA is entwined/twinned with animal DNA. As an ex-professional Geneticist, in a previous incarnation, this particular pseudo-bollox makes me want to weep, or howl perhaps.  This is known a P shifting. If we are to consider ourselves as rational beings, this form of fallacious rendering is the babbling of a charlatan or more seriously the ravings of an individual with a severe mental illness such as schizophrenia.

It may come as no surprise that adherents to this sub-culture are prone to partake in other irrational beliefs such as the supernatural, ghosts and extreme conspiracy theories. It would seem, from reading otherkin message boards, that a significant percentage of otherkin are also transgender. Delusions,  like wolves, come in packs.

I’m an advocate for freedom of expression and speech. However, that said, this should not be confused with a willingness to take on board any expressed beliefs before examining their rational basis and in this respect and case, they have been found wanting. Watch out for the legitimisation of this sub-culture by the liberal intelligentsia. Just like so-called gender fluidity, the strident few will invent a new category of hate crime – ‘specism’. I hope you have noticed - this is not a real word. Arse. 

O Lordy, Lordy