-Basically, a "polymorph" is an alterhuman that has a theriotype that is always changing, kind of like a shapeshifter-! The alterhuman in question may experience shifts of 1 animal at a time, or possibly even multiple (most common in phantom shifts) for example, feeling a wolf tail, and a bird's wings. These do change, though. Sometimes, the person may experience having a seperate identity to this too though. For example: experiencing shifts and strong connection of a red fox; AS WELL AS of always changing creatures-!

-Polymorph vs Polytherian
-A polymorph theriotypes change very frequently, while a polytherian's just stay the same. A polytherian has more than 1 theriotype.
-Please do not jump to the conclusion that you are a polymorph quickly after learning about your therianthropy as it is common to get your kintype wrong-!

-How did I find out that I was a polymorph/my experiences.
-I had been having major struggles finding my theriotype as well, it was constantly changing. When I thought that I had finally found my (second) kintype, I decided to draw it, write about my shifts etc. I noticed that when I was doing this, I would research the animal that I thought it was, as you should. The animals that I researched, I felt a super strong connection with. And it felt like ME-! But these really didn't last too long. Years go on and I experience many shifts. Mainly of dragons. Some of Reindeers, Dogs, Cats, Wolves, Tigers, Crocodiles, maybe even mixed species. Although again- these animals were constantly changing, I would rarley have a shift of the same animal-! I KNEW that I had a second theriotype but, what could it be-?
-A few months ago, I came across the term of a polymorph. I heard of others describing their experiences and it just felt so close to home.

-But. How can you have multiple kintypes if they are constantly changing-? I need an explanation-!
-For me at least- I have always felt a strong connection to dragons. Had dragon shifts, etc. I am comftable in my dragon identity and I never stopped having this connection with dragons. Although with my polymorph side, the creatures here are always changing, unlike my dragon.

-Hopefully this all makes sense-! If you have any questions feel free to ask. :3

For me, connecting with others helps me to feel more safe and comfortable, really.

(2022-10-23 17:58)Pushy zver Wrote:  yous exaggerate the importance of the community.

@WolfThing and you Pushy: Please calm your emotions. Take 30 minutes and come back to it with a cool head. I have archived your argument.

I think people often misunderstand Pushy (myself included), because he says things that seem to be meaningless or obvious, etc. He's just stating his opinion on the topic and if it doesn't mean anything to you, you can safely ignore it.

In this case the context of his words is that in the Russian therian community, the importance of the community itself is much less pronounced than in the west. In effect, they call our brand of Therianthropy a subculture / fan club, kinda like the furry community.

I have considered both perspectives and it seems somewhat reasonable, because the core of therianthropy is in fact the therian experience itself and the culture of it (therian gear, packs and activities like quadrobics) shouldn't play a role. I think there is something to be gained from mutual understanding here.

LP,
Dusty

yous exaggerate the importance of the community.
..

and lash out at participants whose opinion does not coincide with yours.
which also doesn't fit the definition of "community".

@Taguel

I think your perspective is important and I'd like to see you stick around. I find that empathy is a limited resource which consumes energy and people only have so much of it. This is something I struggle with a lot as a trait of my dead "kintype." It's easier for wolves to empathize with other wolves than with rabbits. I understand your feelings of alienation and I'm sorry you feel your perspective is not taken seriously. There are some things that have upset me about people's attitudes at times too.

On the other hand, for a very empathetic person it can be hard to set boundaries and it becomes very draining. That could put you on the defensive because you feel exhausted already. I get this defensiveness of being more easily irritated and shutting people out to conserve energy. It might help you feel better if you consider whether there are things in your personal life where you could establish better boundaries.

I hear your points and while I do not agree with them, I respect your right to share them. I do not think we are going to see eye to eye on this matter. If you would like to discuss ways that the community can be more comfortable for prey/herbivore types, please let me know. Otherwise, I believe we will have to agree to disagree on this point. I don't think there is more that can be said that will not devolve this conversation into an argument because, personally, I feel angry and upset, so I am going to step out and allow the thread to continue as it was intended.

(2022-10-23 17:13)Taguel Wrote:  

(2022-10-23 16:19)WolfThing Wrote:  The fact that you commented on a post about why the community is important to you, then state that it isn't important to you, frankly proves that is is important to you...don't you think? I stuggle to understand bringing drama to a thread like this, but it does make me smile seeing you contradict yourself. Because you want to see a change you feel is important. I'm glad because that means some kinda way you care.

I was not attempting to bring drama into this thread. I was trying to make my voice heard because I have stated on many occasions that I don't feel like my voice is heard. If you are interpreting it as me attempting drama, then I will need to rethink my words and perceived tone of my post. I think it would be wise for your to rethink your tone as well because your reply comes off as very patronizing and condescending. The way you are talking to me is pretty much a text book example of why I feel like I don't belong here. You are talking to me like I am naïve and ignorant and I am not sure why. I understand that tone is often misconstrued over text though.

Quote:What will YOU do to see the changes you wish? If you continue to openly share your arguments, experiences and perspectives without being swayed by opposition you may receive the community as a whole can eventually understand better, and as a result change. But sitting and judging the way predator type therians nmay naturally exist does nothing for that change.

What do you suggest I do? If I share my opinion and viewpoint, I get replies like this telling me that I am wrong and trying to act as though the other person knows my thoughts and feelings more than I do. After a while, you start to learn that people either don't value your opinion or they think they know better and talk over you and tell you you're wrong. I don't feel the need to fight with people online over whether or not my viewpoints about my experience are correct.

Your response was basically a perfect example of why I have retreated greatly from this community. You listened to nothing I said and instead tried to act like you knew better than I do and basically put a majority of the blame on my shoulders for not wanting to interact with people who don't listen to me, talk over me, and clearly do not take me or my thoughts seriously because they think they know better.

Maybe it is a trait of being a prey kin-type, but I keep getting negative reactions and outcomes to my attempts to socialize with carnivores, I am just going to avoid them. The therian community is important to you, but in your words, what will YOU do to make it welcoming and safe to ALL therians, not just wolves and carnivores? To me, a prey type surrounded by predators, the therian community is almost completely tailored and suited for predator types. Even the language that is used is carnivore focused (howls, packs, etc.).

I respect that the therian community is important to you and I am happy it is. At the same time, making a thread like this opens the field up for people who have a differing opinion than you to enter the conversation. If that is not your intention, then you are looking only to communicate with people who share your viewpoint and then we are circling right back to my original statement of how I do not feel heard or have respected viewpoints.

I have no problems with your differing opinions. I pointed out your clear contradictions. You say you don't care about the community and then go on to comment and say you would like to see changes in it. Is that not what took place? I said nothing that did not happen. As for everything else I can recognize that my directness can come off a certain way and do try to mitigate that, but I have also spent too much off my life under the thumb of people who sort of put people down for having certain levels of confidence.

Or being rough around the edges due to their experiences in life. They throw words like empathy around and feign as if they always have moral high ground over everyone else, they act as if their stuff doesn't stink.

At no point did I say you were wrong about anything. Where did I? I simply stated it sounds contradictory to make a comment that you don't care, but take actions as if you do care. Even now you say you don't feel the need to argue your view points, yet you are. And the hypocrisy of pointing out something you don't like, but then saying you will do nothing about it is nothing more than drama starting. It offers no solution just you pointing fingers.

So now I do not hold my own tongue or sugar coat my thoughts or passion.

(2022-10-23 16:19)WolfThing Wrote:  The fact that you commented on a post about why the community is important to you, then state that it isn't important to you, frankly proves that is is important to you...don't you think? I stuggle to understand bringing drama to a thread like this, but it does make me smile seeing you contradict yourself. Because you want to see a change you feel is important. I'm glad because that means some kinda way you care.

I was not attempting to bring drama into this thread. I was trying to make my voice heard because I have stated on many occasions that I don't feel like my voice is heard. If you are interpreting it as me attempting drama, then I will need to rethink my words and perceived tone of my post. I think it would be wise for your to rethink your tone as well because your reply comes off as very patronizing and condescending. The way you are talking to me is pretty much a text book example of why I feel like I don't belong here. You are talking to me like I am naïve and ignorant and I am not sure why. I understand that tone is often misconstrued over text though.

Quote:What will YOU do to see the changes you wish? If you continue to openly share your arguments, experiences and perspectives without being swayed by opposition you may receive the community as a whole can eventually understand better, and as a result change. But sitting and judging the way predator type therians nmay naturally exist does nothing for that change.

What do you suggest I do? If I share my opinion and viewpoint, I get replies like this telling me that I am wrong and trying to act as though the other person knows my thoughts and feelings more than I do. After a while, you start to learn that people either don't value your opinion or they think they know better and talk over you and tell you you're wrong. I don't feel the need to fight with people online over whether or not my viewpoints about my experience are correct.

Your response was basically a perfect example of why I have retreated greatly from this community. You listened to nothing I said and instead tried to act like you knew better than I do and basically put a majority of the blame on my shoulders for not wanting to interact with people who don't listen to me, talk over me, and clearly do not take me or my thoughts seriously because they think they know better.

Maybe it is a trait of being a prey kin-type, but I keep getting negative reactions and outcomes to my attempts to socialize with carnivores, I am just going to avoid them. The therian community is important to you, but in your words, what will YOU do to make it welcoming and safe to ALL therians, not just wolves and carnivores? To me, a prey type surrounded by predators, the therian community is almost completely tailored and suited for predator types. Even the language that is used is carnivore focused (howls, packs, etc.).

I respect that the therian community is important to you and I am happy it is. At the same time, making a thread like this opens the field up for people who have a differing opinion than you to enter the conversation. If that is not your intention, then you are looking only to communicate with people who share your viewpoint and then we are circling right back to my original statement of how I do not feel heard or have respected viewpoints.

(2022-10-23 0:48)Taguel Wrote:  This is probably going to sound callous, but as far as the community goes, I can take it or leave it. There are people in the community who I adore and feel a kinship with and others I don't.

As a rabbit and herbivore, I don't feel like there is really a place for me in the community. I think herbivores see therianthropy differently than carnivores and omnivores. From what I have seen, carnivores tend to lack a level of empathy that I require in my social relationships. If I had a dollar for every time someone from this site has talked to me like I was "dinner" or potential food to them, I could probably... idk, buy myself lunch or something.

I've stated this to some people, but I do not feel a strong desire to meet other therians irl. Even if there was a howl in my area, I likely would not go. One, because I am horribly busy and emotionally exhausted and two, because I don't think I would enjoy myself or feel comfortable. I don't feel listened to or taken seriously by some in the community. I have had my personal expertise, things that I have studied and earned a degree in, be ignored or contradicted. I find that I will be understanding and even employ a suspension of belief for the thoughts and ideals of others out of respect to them, but that same courtesy is not always returned.

There is such a strong desire in this community to be the "alpha" or the most knowledgeable/enlightened/strongest/best and while I know that is a biological drive, especially for many feral animals, it is not something I enjoy. In fact, it is something that is a major social turn off for me. I am not a competitive person and I don't really have any interest in taking part in displays of dominance/power. I have no illusions of who I am and my place within general society, as well as my place in the therian community.

I think for a society that literally requires people to be open-minded about identity, the therian community is quite often not only closed-minded, but stubborn and myopic. So many people cannot see past their own experience or personal view and it leads to others feeling like they are not good enough or not being heard.

So that being said, the community is not what is important to me. My friends that I have made through it are important to me. I stay because I hope things will get better, but, like I said, I don't really feel like I truly belong here. My experience, the experience of a rabbit/herbivore/prey therian is not represented well in the community. It leads me to do want to interact with the mass majority of the community. I'd rather just cut myself off and be alone. I don't feel like I belong in human or therian society, so why force myself to try to fit into two societies where I don't feel comfortable?

I hope this will change, but I don't think it will.

The fact that you commented on a post about why the community is important to you, then state that it isn't important to you, frankly proves that is is important to you...don't you think? I stuggle to understand bringing drama to a thread like this, but it does make me smile seeing you contradict yourself. Because you want to see a change you feel is important. I'm glad because that means some kinda way you care. What will YOU do to see the changes you wish? If you continue to openly share your arguments, experiences and perspectives without being swayed by opposition you may receive the community as a whole can eventually understand better, and as a result change. But sitting and judging the way predator type therians nmay naturally exist does nothing for that change.

This is probably going to sound callous, but as far as the community goes, I can take it or leave it. There are people in the community who I adore and feel a kinship with and others I don't.

As a rabbit and herbivore, I don't feel like there is really a place for me in the community. I think herbivores see therianthropy differently than carnivores and omnivores. From what I have seen, carnivores tend to lack a level of empathy that I require in my social relationships. If I had a dollar for every time someone from this site has talked to me like I was "dinner" or potential food to them, I could probably... idk, buy myself lunch or something.

I've stated this to some people, but I do not feel a strong desire to meet other therians irl. Even if there was a howl in my area, I likely would not go. One, because I am horribly busy and emotionally exhausted and two, because I don't think I would enjoy myself or feel comfortable. I don't feel listened to or taken seriously by some in the community. I have had my personal expertise, things that I have studied and earned a degree in, be ignored or contradicted. I find that I will be understanding and even employ a suspension of belief for the thoughts and ideals of others out of respect to them, but that same courtesy is not always returned.

There is such a strong desire in this community to be the "alpha" or the most knowledgeable/enlightened/strongest/best and while I know that is a biological drive, especially for many feral animals, it is not something I enjoy. In fact, it is something that is a major social turn off for me. I am not a competitive person and I don't really have any interest in taking part in displays of dominance/power. I have no illusions of who I am and my place within general society, as well as my place in the therian community.

I think for a society that literally requires people to be open-minded about identity, the therian community is quite often not only closed-minded, but stubborn and myopic. So many people cannot see past their own experience or personal view and it leads to others feeling like they are not good enough or not being heard.

So that being said, the community is not what is important to me. My friends that I have made through it are important to me. I stay because I hope things will get better, but, like I said, I don't really feel like I truly belong here. My experience, the experience of a rabbit/herbivore/prey therian is not represented well in the community. It leads me to do want to interact with the mass majority of the community. I'd rather just cut myself off and be alone. I don't feel like I belong in human or therian society, so why force myself to try to fit into two societies where I don't feel comfortable?

I hope this will change, but I don't think it will.