Therian Guide: Forums

I wanted to start a discussion here about the word 'valid'.

I've recently stumbled upon many comments on platforms such as Instagram, etc. in which users shout: "Valid!" "Your opinion is valid!" "So proud! Valid!" from which I concluded that the usage has become a new trend.
The first time I read this word being used in this manner, I was more than confused. Not only was the validity of my post or the content never a concern to me, I was also wondering what made the person think they were in the position to deem my content 'valid'.

I understand where people are coming from, that it is supposed to tell people that their opinions about things are worthy of being listened to, worthy of having. That it is supposed to tell people can they can be proud of whatever statement they made. But something about it feels very off.

It sounds somewhat belittling, as if, as I mentioned before, the person shouting the word would indicate that they are in the position to judge your content to that level. But if you are a person commenting on my post, I do not see you as someone who knows more or is better than me in the first place (unless you prove me wrong on something or have actual sidenotes to my content).

The only way I would see "valid" as a 'valid' word to use, is when it is not about an opinion but rather to claim that a statement would be seen as approvable by today's society (**not by you**). Because that is the actual meaning of the word, and not some way to show you have respect for someone. We have tons of other words for this that are much less judging, such as "preach" or "retweet". And if you really want to just state the obvious instead of using a trend to show respect: just say "Agreed" or "respect".

What do you guys think about this? Do you use the term in this manner?

I agree. I try my hardest to not say "Valid" alot especially when im stating an opinion.

I always have found the word very annoying....the way it is used bothers me as well.... I never liked how it's trendy to use.

I guess it's a result of those conversations we had where the conclusion was that Fictionkin, etc, were just as valid in whatever it is that they are, even though it's not the same as being a Therian.

Sometimes when you draw borders between different experiences, people get the impression that you are saying their experiences are invalid, because they are not Therianthropy. The point to make was that they are valid, they are just different.

Now if that has devolved into some kind of trend, it's just another example of how meaning is lost when an idea is passed around between people who do not understand what it's supposed to mean.

LP,
Dusty

The word has literally lost all its "validity". The way it's been thrown everywhere and twisted by cringe culture and SJW's is just ridiculous.

People need to stop using "valid" as an excuse, and start to question what exactly makes their experiences legitimate.

I agree with you Kyra. I have sometimes seen the word "valid" used in a situation when someone has been gaslighted and they're experiencing self-doubt and confusion. The person may need to do a reality check and ask someone else to confirm whether their feelings/perceptions are valid or congruent with the situation. And then they feel a sense of relief if the other person confirms their feelings or perceptions are valid. In this case the word "valid" is used in a way that is true to its definition.

I go to a local trans support group often (or at least, used to before the pandemic). People would use the word 'valid' pretty often as a way of telling each other "Hey, your experiences and identity are real and true". Kind of became a meme after everyone used it so much.
"I'm so tired dude"
"Yeah,that's valid."
Probably a similar situation with what's happening on the internet where it started off as a friendly gesture for groups like the trans community and the usage spiraled off from there.

It's a slang usage, for sure. Language changes and evolves, sometimes in ways we like, sometimes in ways we don't. Like "cool" or "respect" before it, this is the direction valid has been going.

Maybe I'll start using something different. "You're bona fide. Irrefutable!"