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[Alynna]

This is important.

For the longest time I've been trying to determine what defines a 'poser' or not.   One of the hardest things i've had to deal with in running this forum is who is one and who is not.   I've recently given alot of thought and had alot of discussion about this matter.   I've been able to come up with a set of guidelines that will be enforced.  They are alot like the old guidelines, but i'll fully explain them here.   I'm hoping that by outlining these, that I'll be able to participate more here, as well as keep the quality control high.

• A poser is someone who is knowingly making false claims about their self-identity in order to be part of the group.
• A troll is someone who participates in the forum to actively disrupt dialog.  This does not mean disagreement, or argument, or discussion, but instead consistent personal attacks or general attacks on any particular participating group.
• A roleplayer is someone who misunderstands the purpose of this forum in the belief that we are lying about our own self-identites, and in that attempts to play along.  This is not a roleplay forum.
• An otakukin is someone who specifically identifies with specific character(s) from regular media.  Not a race or species, but a character.  The only exception to this is Twilight vampires, which AFAIC are are all posers.

All of the above classes of individuals are not welcome on Kitsuhana or any of its related spaces on the Internet.

This being said, this means that the following classes of individuals are permitted to be here.

• Those making claims that are 'probability challenged', whether or not they are able to immediately explain why they believe this.
• Those who are unsure about their phenotype or other self-identifying label.
• Those who are not otherkin at all and are not trying to claim to be one either.

In the cases above where there is doubt and uncertainty on either the side of the new member (hereto called 'newbie') or the existing members about the newbie claims, the standard action towards the member should be to attempt to guide them towards less probability-challenged self-identification, rather than outright rejection and ostracization.

In general, if a newbie makes claims that they believe and are prepared to explain, they should be (as it should be with anyone) rightly questioned on why, and encouraged to examine the belief closely, to rationalize it to themselves.   But after a long discussion about this matter and a long time of thinking about it on my own, I have come to the realization that no claim can be proven or disproven ultimately.  I can throw evidence against any claim anyone here makes, as much as anyone here can attempt to prove it.  But this path will lead to us becoming a clique, and not a newbie friendly community.

I have come to realize that a great many otherkin, including more foxes and kitsune, may come here with claims that are probability-challenged.  But that doesn't necessarily mean they are not otherkin or foxes or kitsune or what have you.   An attempt to guide them to rational answers must be made first, before a decision is made as to whether they should be permitted to stay here.

This being said, the burden of proper introspection to self-identity still resides with the newbie.  If you come here with claims that are probability-challenged, and you are challenged by our community to justify them, and you are unable to.. well this post does not mean that it will be eventually accepted.  You are likely to be continued to be challenged to justify your assertions.  This post means that you will not be removed from the forum, at least in the short term, for your assertions.

Everyone, no matter what stage in your awakening or life you are in, should be prepared to listen to others, learn from others, and justify your assertions.  However everyone should also be willing to help newbies through their own confusion, because most of us were there once.

[Seeker]

Hmm... "probability-challenged". I like that. I agree with your definitions.

I think it would be a good idea to move away from the idea of "proof" which has been such a hot button here. Not that proof isn't possible, but that *proof* isn't possible. In such discussions I've tried to emphasize the idea that evidence and proof are different but related concepts. Proof has a certain implication to it that unsettles me, that it must be absolute, but more importantly *communicable*. Many things in this area are very much not communicable.

I'll use myself as an example.

For many years I wasn't sure about much of anything. After much thought, I arrived at the conclusion of "maybe". Then I met Seiko. Now, for me, being Kitsune is simply a matter of fact. But other than a set of strong experiences that gave me a basis for my faith, What do I have to show for it? Not a damn thing. Because nothing changed except my awareness. The *proof* I have is only valid for me- I can't logically prove it, because the only data I have is a factor of perception, which is neither absolute nor very easy to communicate.

Am I a Kitsune? I definitely believe part of me is. But I also take responsibility for the gravity of that claim. You'll notice since my awakening I've been more reserved. I try not to state things as fact because I take this seriously- I don't make claims other than the simplest because I don't actually think I understand enough to do so.

Maybe the problem is the idea of judgement rather than that of proof. A few of the site's veterans, those here and those that aren't around anymore, have put considerably more thought and time into this, but I've been around enough to know that this is like any other complex thing- the more you know, the more you see that you don't. We still have no concrete foundation that binds us. A few characters and concepts from old lore, but much of that has even been called into question recently. As of now there is no "kitsune checklist", no "kitsune bible". And it's difficult to discuss such without verging on elitism and inviting "monkey see monkey do" types, like the Twilight fans you mentioned. Doesn't it stand to reason that since there's no central, agreed upon measure that each seeker should measure themselves?

Maybe our approach with "green" newbies, instead of directly dealing with their current beliefs and "proof", should instead be about Critical Thinking, maturity, and respect? If we could impart that, they ought to be able to work most of it out for themselves. The problem is that people with those things can generally already work things out on their own and we tend to attract the other group. We need to find a way to get more of the less "green" sort, that already have a functioning mental state and simply need guidance, those are the people we can help the most currently. We just simply don't have the time or population to teach every 12 year old how to think properly, nor should we try. If we turn them away now, and they're serious, they'll probably return in a few years, better informed and better equipped.

But what can actually be *done* after all this hot air? I have a few ideas. First, is a "bare minimum" screening process. It would give me something to busy myself with, anyways. Nothing about age or specific belief, the only requirements being just enough english to be understood, and the ability to hold a serious discussion about a neutral topic. If we wanted to take it farther we could screen out the ones that were at the very beginning, that would probably be more harmed than helped by too much outside influence anyway. At the very least weed out the spam, and the *mental* children. Plus it would give us something to do, lol.

Second... I think we need some sort of Code. Not a Creed, but a Constitution. Something involving the above definitions, maybe some topics to stay clear of (p-shifting, nuff said), and a general manner of behavior. Censorship is a big ass no, but if people start hurling insults there needs to be action. If a problem can't be solved through dialogue it should just be dropped to avoid further conflict, at least for a while. We already have something like this, but most people go straight to the forums and don't even see it. I'm thinking announcements sticky, visible from all boards, Global Rule Numero Uno.

I hate balance issues like this. Anything too specific stifles and brings conformism where it isn't wanted, but some things just HAVE to go away.

[Kirara Munashi'i]

Now, now, let's not turn this thread into a "post your intros here" thread.

I am all for the definitions posted here and the conditions explained.
Also, this topic needs to be stickied, so... *does so*

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