(2024-03-08 20:37)Bagera Wrote:  

(2024-03-08 20:32)aaviiann Wrote:  I strongly agree. I've only been in the community for about two years, but I'm still very able to pick up on the culture of "accept everyone, ask no questions".
Young pups tend to act as though asking questions is something offensive. An example; recently I had an otherhearted friend "awaken" as a therian, when they were asked why they believed this, they simply said "I've been having more shifts than normal." Any further questioning was shut-down as being mean and judgemental.
I wish there was more we could do to normalize asking questions and inspire introspection in people new to the community, but I'm not even sure how you'd start without just being called a dickhead.

The more people do it, the more normalized it becomes. It was once this way and it can become so again. Question people, but try to do it in the spirit of inquiry and not judgement. If people can't handle that, let them think you're a dick. This community is a place for education and self exploration. If people don't want to use it for its intended purpose, they can leave for all I care.

Of course; I'm just worried that pups outside of TG will refuse questions and simply block instead. The internet has taught them to be sensitive, so that is what the majority of them will do.

(2024-03-08 20:25)DustWolf Wrote:  

(2024-03-08 20:12)Ashfur Wrote:  I love the idea of a TG "Kindergarten," maybe it'd lead to less misinfo spreading around... it'd also be nice to give pups and kits under the age of 13 their own space

Yes, it would be a therianthropy-themed play space, appropriate to the needs of people in that age bracket.

However it would have to be supervised as to avoid the issue described above happening to it (spaces like Amino and TikTok teach us that things usually turn ugly when kids are in charge of kids). However nobody I talked to of the adults has time for such a role, so we can't do it.

Here's an old post where I described the idea 4 years ago:
https://forums.therian-guide.com/Thread-A-Doggo-Manifesto?pid=182947#pid182947

LP,
Dusty

I think a fairly easy way to have an education space specifically for kids under 13 and not have to worry about them being moderated would be to have a small forum dedicated specifically to informational content about therianthropy that is easy to digest for a young audience. Something like how Webkinz chat used to work where there are premade messages they can send could be used. (ex. "What does this post mean?", "I am a cat!", "Thanks!", "I disagree.")

I weirdly want to be asked even more questions now.

(2024-03-08 20:32)aaviiann Wrote:  I strongly agree. I've only been in the community for about two years, but I'm still very able to pick up on the culture of "accept everyone, ask no questions".
Young pups tend to act as though asking questions is something offensive. An example; recently I had an otherhearted friend "awaken" as a therian, when they were asked why they believed this, they simply said "I've been having more shifts than normal." Any further questioning was shut-down as being mean and judgemental.
I wish there was more we could do to normalize asking questions and inspire introspection in people new to the community, but I'm not even sure how you'd start without just being called a dickhead.

The more people do it, the more normalized it becomes. It was once this way and it can become so again. Question people, but try to do it in the spirit of inquiry and not judgement. If people can't handle that, let them think you're a dick. This community is a place for education and self exploration. If people don't want to use it for its intended purpose, they can leave for all I care.

I strongly agree. I've only been in the community for about two years, but I'm still very able to pick up on the culture of "accept everyone, ask no questions".
Young pups tend to act as though asking questions is something offensive. An example; recently I had an otherhearted friend "awaken" as a therian, when they were asked why they believed this, they simply said "I've been having more shifts than normal." Any further questioning was shut-down as being mean and judgemental.
I wish there was more we could do to normalize asking questions and inspire introspection in people new to the community, but I'm not even sure how you'd start without just being called a dickhead.

(2024-03-08 20:25)DustWolf Wrote:  

(2024-03-08 20:12)Ashfur Wrote:  I love the idea of a TG "Kindergarten," maybe it'd lead to less misinfo spreading around... it'd also be nice to give pups and kits under the age of 13 their own space

Yes, it would be a therianthropy-themed play space, appropriate to the needs of people in that age bracket.

However it would have to be supervised as to avoid the issue described above happening to it (spaces like Amino and TikTok teach us that things usually turn ugly when kids are in charge of kids). However nobody I talked to of the adults has time for such a role, so we can't do it.

Here's an old post where I described the idea 4 years ago:
https://forums.therian-guide.com/Thread-A-Doggo-Manifesto?pid=182947#pid182947

LP,
Dusty

Cool idea imo, but yeah it'd probably be really hard to moderate. I'd love to but I'm only a kit XP
Iirc COPPA only affects America so maybe it could only be available outside of there... but I live in America so if I were to be a part of the staff I'd have to use a VPN to get around all that T^T

(2024-03-08 20:17)TherianRose Wrote:  As someone who has also been around the community for a while, I wholeheartedly agree with Bag. I think we need to bring back the spirit of inquiry instead of allowing blind acceptance to run rampant.

I understand why younger folks tend more towards accepting without questioning, since at this point in school and socially, it's very much a "because I told you so" environment instead of one that fosters critical thinking. It's important to realize that asking questions is how we grow - it's not meant as a judgemental "gotcha", but rather to guide you to think more deeply and uncover parts of yourself that may otherwise remain hidden.

So I encourage you all to consider what makes you feel the way you do - why you're here, what you hope to gain from our corner of the community. Of course you don't have to have all the answers, no one starts off knowing, but I think it's a good exercise to start learning how to think critically. Self-reflection is a tool that you'll need throughout life, and I think TG is a particularly good space to practice using it.

I'd also like to highlight that relating to aspects of an animal or character does not a theriotype make. Characters especially are written with the goal of getting the audience to see themselves in that person - they're often exaggerated and can even be stereotypical, and wouldn't hold up well outside of their specific world's circumstances.

I absolutely understand it can feel like you are or want to be like someone. I've had those feelings as well! But please, be cautious. Don't rush to cast aside what makes you unique to become more like what you think you should be. I buried parts of myself that I'm still learning to accept, and while I'm glad I'm able to work on that, I wish I had been kinder to myself sooner. Over time, you'll find comfort in being yourself instead of trying to emulate anyone else.

Agree 100%.

(that is all, tried wording a response but it just sounded like I was trying to be better than the other pups so I deleted)

(2024-03-08 20:12)Ashfur Wrote:  I love the idea of a TG "Kindergarten," maybe it'd lead to less misinfo spreading around... it'd also be nice to give pups and kits under the age of 13 their own space

Yes, it would be a therianthropy-themed play space, appropriate to the needs of people in that age bracket.

However it would have to be supervised as to avoid the issue described above happening to it (spaces like Amino and TikTok teach us that things usually turn ugly when kids are in charge of kids). However nobody I talked to of the adults has time for such a role, so we can't do it.

Here's an old post where I described the idea 4 years ago:
https://forums.therian-guide.com/Thread-A-Doggo-Manifesto?pid=182947#pid182947

LP,
Dusty

(2024-03-08 20:08)DustWolf Wrote:  Hi,

I'm usually skeptical about these types of posts, but what you say sounds legit. Moved it to a more appropriate forum, where it'll get more attention.

Perhaps it will do some good for people to hear it coming from someone closer to their age.

Thankfully TG is easy enough to find just using Google these days, one can hope we are one of the young therians' first experiences with a therian community (I've also advocated for a "TG kindergarten" for therians younger than 13, but it's not currently feasible).

LP,
Dusty

Thank you so much!
And yeah, I'm actually planning to start making youtube content about therianthropy, I'm definitely going to mention TG as a good recourse of accurate information for people interested in the community to look into.
I dobut I'll have a big sphere of influence, but hopefully every little bit will help the community

(2024-03-08 20:12)Ashfur Wrote:  

(2024-03-08 20:08)DustWolf Wrote:  Hi,

I'm usually skeptical about these types of posts, but what you say sounds legit. Moved it to a more appropriate forum, where it'll get more attention.

Perhaps it will do some good for people to hear it coming from someone closer to their age.

Thankfully TG is easy enough to find just using Google these days, one can hope we are one of the young therians' first experiences with a therian community (I've also advocated for a "TG kindergarten" for therians younger than 13, but it's not currently feasible).

LP,
Dusty

I love the idea of a TG "Kindergarten," maybe it'd lead to less misinfo spreading around... it'd also be nice to give pups and kits under the age of 13 their own space

In theory it sounds like a good idea, but that kind of space would be a nightmare to moderate.
I think it might be able to function, after a lot of work, but for now its easiest to let young pups just read what's public on TG and not be able to personally interact.

As someone who has also been around the community for a while, I wholeheartedly agree with Bag. I think we need to bring back the spirit of inquiry instead of allowing blind acceptance to run rampant.

I understand why younger folks tend more towards accepting without questioning, since at this point in school and socially, it's very much a "because I told you so" environment instead of one that fosters critical thinking. It's important to realize that asking questions is how we grow - it's not meant as a judgemental "gotcha", but rather to guide you to think more deeply and uncover parts of yourself that may otherwise remain hidden.

So I encourage you all to consider what makes you feel the way you do - why you're here, what you hope to gain from our corner of the community. Of course you don't have to have all the answers, no one starts off knowing, but I think it's a good exercise to start learning how to think critically. Self-reflection is a tool that you'll need throughout life, and I think TG is a particularly good space to practice using it.

I'd also like to highlight that relating to aspects of an animal or character does not a theriotype make. Characters especially are written with the goal of getting the audience to see themselves in that person - they're often exaggerated and can even be stereotypical, and wouldn't hold up well outside of their specific world's circumstances.

I absolutely understand it can feel like you are or want to be like someone. I've had those feelings as well! But please, be cautious. Don't rush to cast aside what makes you unique to become more like what you think you should be. I buried parts of myself that I'm still learning to accept, and while I'm glad I'm able to work on that, I wish I had been kinder to myself sooner. Over time, you'll find comfort in being yourself instead of trying to emulate anyone else.