𝕯᥆ᥣᥣіᥱ 🪽

Species is NOT a social construct in every context, but I always assumed it was considered one inside the alterhuman community. I'd like to collect my thoughts and ask if my assumption is pertinent through this post. Further elaboration ahead:

Alterhumanity is defined as an experience that deviates from the expectation of "humanity," yet that expectation is completely made up. There is no reason for animalistic behavior to be considered "unnatural" (yes, even if that behavior is borrowed from a different species), to give an example, other than the socially constructed ideia that humans are meant to be "civilized"; to be fully clothed, speak exclusively in words, use a specific set of non-verbal expressions, etc.

(little tangent: this discussion is very deep and can definitely be extended to the subject of dehumanization of certain groups, like neurodivergent, queer, and racialized folk, as well as colonization and the erasure of indigenous ways of living. I can't and won't elaborate further as I am not part of all of this groups, so I can't speak beyond just bringing it up, but do feel free to add to this if it's your place to speak, as I'm sure that would be a very valuable contribution)

I'm using the transspecies community as an example to develop my point further because it's probably the most concrete and understandable one, but this can definitely cover alterhumity as a whole if you just shift your perspective accordingly;

That being said, for transspecies folk, I'm certain that the scientific definition of "species" (that being "a group of organisms with common characteristics that can produce fertile offspring") is not the most relevant one. From what I've seen, most transspecies beings (even those who wish to change drastically with their transition) are concerned with achieving species-affirming appearances, ways of living, personal freedom, and general self-fulfilment, instead of reproductive matters (not to mention how that perspective could lead to pretty unfortunate implications rather quickly). Besides changing one's DNA being the easiest way of achieving certain species transition goals (and obviously very euphoric and affirming for many, I'm certain!), I can't see why changing your species down to a biological level would be relevant if you could hypothetically achieve your transition goals without it

so it begs the question of what "species" even is in that context

and I can't find an answer better than simply "a social construct"

we draw the line of what is considered human and what is not based on a mostly, if not entirely social perspective, and we define what traits are associated with each species under a social bias as well. and those traits aren't just instincts, looks, or otherwise "natural" factors either! think about how we associate certain imagery and accessories with real-life animals, for example: how we decided what a dog/cat bed is supposed to look like, how bones and toy balls are a "dog thing", fish, milk and yarn are "cat things", collars are for pets, bells are for cows, saddles and bridles are for horses. NONE of those are natural, but we consider them "species traits" anyway. they are common themes in species-affirming alterhuman gear, and they are all socially constructed

friendly reminder ♡

your system does not have to look organized to be real.

some days are blurry.

some days are loud.

some days nobody knows what's going on.

you still belong ✦

IF ANTI ENDO FUCK OFF WITH THE PLURAL TAGS PLURAL IS PRO ENDO FFS

Please and thank you :3

-🩵🏳️‍🌈

‧₊˚♡ ‘’ Made with love…and flour ! ,,

Miyuji Shan ( yandere simulator )

ᴡᴇʟᴄᴏᴍᴇ ᴛᴏ ʙᴀʜᴠɪʟʟᴇ! ໒꒰ྀིᵔ ᵕ ᵔ ꒱ྀི১