2017-08-10, 17:13
Wow! Yer fast. Thanks for the responses.
I was around when they came up with the word "Therian" and it was originally intended to be a "politically correct" alternative to "Were". People on WereNet and The Werelist were concerned that, when we said "Were", the rest of the world thought about The Wolfman. I wasn't particularly keen on the change because the new word was an invitation for everyone and their brothers, who were tired of their poor mundane existence to think, "Wow! I could be an exciting Werewolf!" It was a disconnect from our real history and heritage. But I could see their point so I didn't get my hackles up too much. I still prefer the old "Were" terminology, though. It's just words.
I don't believe that we can physically shift, no, but that said, I don't think we're what they are either. Every human alive that has any ancestors that left Africa are sapiens/Neanderthal hybrids. But, in most of them, the Neanderthal doesn't manifest. In some of us, it does and the genetic difference between sapiens and Neanderthal is so small, if the Neanderthal manifests at all, you might as well consider it Neanderthal instead of sapiens. So many Weres show so many Neanderthal traits that I just figure we're Neanderthal and, since we're hybrids, it wouldn't be unreasonable to expect a continuum from weak Neanderthal phenotypes to complete Neanderthal atavism.
In short, I believe that a Were is a Neanderthal animal shaman.
I don't shift at all - I'm a contherian, but I do have a full phantom so, as I sit here, my tail is kinked under me and is slowly going to sleep. I also have to wash dishes and I have an appointment at 1:00 so I need to vamoose but I'll check back in later today.
I feel honored by the welcome, but there's no honor in just being old. I hope I can be a benefit.
It's good to meet you all.
I was around when they came up with the word "Therian" and it was originally intended to be a "politically correct" alternative to "Were". People on WereNet and The Werelist were concerned that, when we said "Were", the rest of the world thought about The Wolfman. I wasn't particularly keen on the change because the new word was an invitation for everyone and their brothers, who were tired of their poor mundane existence to think, "Wow! I could be an exciting Werewolf!" It was a disconnect from our real history and heritage. But I could see their point so I didn't get my hackles up too much. I still prefer the old "Were" terminology, though. It's just words.
I don't believe that we can physically shift, no, but that said, I don't think we're what they are either. Every human alive that has any ancestors that left Africa are sapiens/Neanderthal hybrids. But, in most of them, the Neanderthal doesn't manifest. In some of us, it does and the genetic difference between sapiens and Neanderthal is so small, if the Neanderthal manifests at all, you might as well consider it Neanderthal instead of sapiens. So many Weres show so many Neanderthal traits that I just figure we're Neanderthal and, since we're hybrids, it wouldn't be unreasonable to expect a continuum from weak Neanderthal phenotypes to complete Neanderthal atavism.
In short, I believe that a Were is a Neanderthal animal shaman.
I don't shift at all - I'm a contherian, but I do have a full phantom so, as I sit here, my tail is kinked under me and is slowly going to sleep. I also have to wash dishes and I have an appointment at 1:00 so I need to vamoose but I'll check back in later today.
I feel honored by the welcome, but there's no honor in just being old. I hope I can be a benefit.
It's good to meet you all.