On Alterhuman Frameworks
Contrary to popular belief, there is no theory-of-everything system to the labels and communities under the alterhuman umbrella. Whenever anyone makes one, they always end up erasing a group, cutting someone off from a community they have always been in, and being deeply ahistorical.
To be extra clear and reiterate; 'identify as' is not the only framework through which one may consider themselves alterhuman. There are many experiences that are not understood through that framework under the label. Alterhuman is not just nonhuman. Claiming it to be cheapens both words.
A nonexhaustive example list of alterhuman identity label frameworks we have collected:
- I am this thing
- I both am and am not this thing
- I cannot tell whether I am this thing or not
- I was this thing
- I will be this thing/I am becoming this thing
- This thing became part of me
- I do/practice/perform/embody this thing
- I have traits/behaviors of this thing
- I experience this thing/this thing happens to me
- I was made to be this
- I belong to this/I am part of this
- This is a core part of me/defining trait of me
- I use this thing as a metaphor/this thing is a metaphor for me
- This thing resonates with me/I resonate with this thing
- This thing reflects me/I reflect this thing
- I share a bond with this thing
- I deeply like/hate this thing
- This thing is like me/This thing is shaped like me/this thing has my vibe
- This is connected to me through system members
- This is connected to me through other experiences
- I am attracted/drawn to this thing
- This thing is my family
- This thing impacted me as I developed
Special thanks to otherconnect and lawn havers anonymous discord servers for help compiling this list!
Its important when interacting with others under the alterhuman umbrella to remember that not everyone is experiencing the same thing as you, and thats ok! It is even still ok if they are interpereting similar experiences very differently.
When questioning or attempting to articulate your experiences and where you are coming from, we strongly encourage you to think about what framework you are using for your identity in this vein.
Use something off this list, or make your own. In fact, we strongly encourage you to use your own words to articulate in a jargonless way what your experiences are. Get as vague or as detailed as you want. Have many things that apply partially or wholly. The world is your oyster!