I've noticed something about a lot of people from various interest groups. A lot of people enjoy unplugging themselves. This can be in the form of watching TV, playing video games, going to a unicorn furry rave or people like us who like to "turn on, tune in, drop out" with the use of entheogens.

I consider myself to be someone who enjoys dropping out of my identity, so that I may learn from not being me. I do not want to drop out of my identity all the time. I have never, and will never, have an identity crisis (my mindset naturally forbids that from taking place). But there are plenty of people who struggle with a sense of identity, mainly from conflicting influences. One prime example is a homosexual who is told they aren't "normal", and they need to fix themselves. I can't even conceptualise the identity struggle going on through this person's mind, being told they are not normal, but feeling totally fine.

The reason I started this topic is because I watched two VICE documentaries. One was on LARPing (live-action roleplaying) and the other was the unicorn movement. I watched both of these closely, because I wanted to see why people gravitated towards these hobbies.

For you old farts, LARPing is dressing up like World of Warcraft characters and acting like the character, including the fighting (which is done with fake weapons which they often make themselves). This often takes place over a weekend, where they camp in a forest.





In the case of the LARP video, I initially found LARPing humorous. Mainly because they yell "Fireball! 1 damage!" repeatedly out loud, which is something I normally don't see (coming from a video game perspective). After watching the video, I started to wonder why people enjoy having alter egos. The focal point of that documentary was on a young man, Jon, with Aspberger's syndrome. He struggled with social situations in normal circumstances, but overcame these obstacles because of LARPing. I thought "holy shit, that's awesome". He always had one LARP character with a ridiculously long name (first name was Von). In fact, most LARPers have extremely extensive backstories of their character. Anyway, Von showed many characteristics that Jon did not have. When Jon was confronted with a situation that he could not deal with, he would think "what would Von do?" And he would proceed from that point using Von's "wisdom". This was absolutely and unequivocally cool, for someone with Aspberger's syndrome to combat their problems just with their mind. But what about everyone else at the LARP event? Did anyone of them seem like they were struggling with identity? There was one guy/girl who was transgender (I never know what to refer them as. I will call them "guyrls" ). The rest seemed like they didn't have any problems with who they are.

Then I thought about myself. "Hang on. Don't I make characters in video games that follow some archetype?" Granted, I don't go as far as these guys, I just make a character and go "This guy is a bad ass mothafuckin' warlock, beeyatch!". That's the limit of my roleplaying. But isn't this small gesture indicative of wanting to let go? Upon thinking about this, I said no. I just want to see what would happen to this character when confronted with a variety of problems. I would make decisions based on who they were, not what I would do. In essence, I was a puppet master, just creating a narrative.

But why do I want to create a character? Why not just press the "randomise" button and start playing? I guess I need to find the answer myself.


For the unicorn video, the guy in the video found his "unicornness" from ayahuasca. From his actions, he seems to be a massive contradiction. When he meditates, he says to let go of oneself etc. You know, typical egoless meditative practice. But most of the time, he's brimming with narcissism, which is the polar opposite of the former. That, to me, seems like someone who's having difficulty finding out who they are. After 3 months, he started cross-dressing and said he's starting to bring out his feminine side, which confirmed my belief.

I never understood the furry movement, because it seems like an exercise in futility. These people want to be the animal they identify with, but can never attain it. I can understand transgenderism, because that makes total sense to me, from a neuroscience perspective. Androgens and other sex hormones are well studied, and scientists know what causes transgenderism. But what causes "furryism"? Is it because a person who did not have a sense of identity was persuaded to join this subculture by one of their friends? Is it a plea for attention? I suppose everyone has their own reason, and I may never truly understand it.



I guess one cannot talk about identity without talking about individuality. Is that the answer to this huge-arse post? That people just want to be different? What do you guys think?

Hey!
...I think that we all love to boost our self-esteem by becoming a respected, revered and reputable individual in our area of work or play (even on the Nexus, there are legendary people who are widely known in this community). My weird hobbies are my own choice, and reflect my individuality. Role-players are no different, so I don't think role-playing is against identity.

I have a gay friend who has INTENSE popularity and status in his two hobbies (one of which is dressing up as a gay fox and going to furry conventions - he knows a lot of people in the community).

MY point is - he firmly chose this path and he owns up to it. That's really the mark of a strong individuality.

Oh, also I have been a closet furry of sorts for many years. I can explain to you exactly how I came to like them and i guarantee, you would not think I am nuts.

Yes, I believe that identity and individuality go hand in hand!

P.S. Thoughts on a super-identity or "oneness with the universe:" Yes indeed! these strong feelings (or realities...o.0) certainly exist, and throw a mystery into the clean definition of your individual self. However, it's safe to say that for the VAST majority of your life, you'll be existing as a normal, sober, individual human being. I put far, far more of my beliefs in THIS reality, than the DMT reality (which is one crazy reality).

P.S.2 - sometimes i feel that Ego is confusing. Most ppl i talk to here tend to think it's bad. I don't think it's inherently bad at all, rather its an essential tool. Without and ego telling you how to survive and how to accomplish things, you would just be lost I think!

Anyways I hope this somewhat touches on your OP!

The criticisms that would arise here come from, I would predict, people interpreting this kind of thing as trying to escape your own identity. That is, you are unhappy with yourself so you feel the need to become something else, and it is a "bad" thing that you are unhappy with yourself and need to do something like this to feel more comfortable. Maybe this is true for some LARPers and others, but a majority are probably not doing this at all.

I'll posit that pretending to be something else is still contained under the umbrella of "your identity." If identity is what you are, and you like dressing up like or identifying as a fox, then you are somebody (or somefox?) who likes dressing up like or identifying as a fox. And really as long as you aren't hurting other people (by attacking and biting them, for instance) I really don't see anything wrong with this. You are pursuing happiness in your own way.

Does identifying as a fox make you a fox? This brings the argument to one about objectivity. Will you be a fox in a scientist's eyes? Well no, you're a human and only that. As far as science says you cannot physically or mentally be an animal like that. But really you are the final one who is able to determine what you believe or don't believe.

However I feel like most people who LARP or dress up like furries don't actually believe they are those things. It's more like they are "taking a break" from what they usually are or identify as, and again there is not much of an issue here, as it falls under the realm of pursuit of happiness.

In fact is this really any different from when someone imagines themselves as rich? Or famous? Or with a very attractive spouse, for example? Lots of people love to think things like "whoa what would my life be like if I won the lottery? Or had a supermodel as a wife?" It's pretty natural to think these, so why is it not natural to think "whoa what would my life be like if I was a fox?" and then even act on it!

As long as you don't formulate your values and desires to conform to those of society and do not violate others' rights to the point of physical consequences, you are free to do as you please!

Aaahhh, escapism

It's why I write fiction. I create elaborate characters and universes for them to inhabit and interact with. I live vicariously through these characters. I have a sense of control and power, 'playing god' so to speak. I think that is what originally attracted me to fiction of all types. The more complex and elaborate, the better. It has given me great peace and pleasure throughout the years. Immense solace at times of great turmoil.

Alongside fiction, there were video games. I would escape for hours into constructed realities. Again, the more in depth the more I enjoyed them. I have strayed away from them over the last few years because I felt the activity was lacking in creativity; I was only really able to explore within the confines of the environment. Writing, for me, is boundless

I feel that it is a very healthy thing for us to practice. As long as you don't blur the lines too much between fantasy and reality.

identity is the net result of what ya live day to day.

live the legend , youll be pleased............


fantasy is someone else's leftovers usually.
reality is up close and personal.


i always hear peeps say......
" only if i was smart , hot, charming, rich and blah blah''
lol ........like that makes a difference.
ive been all those things since birth.
peeps still look at you and say " now what????????"
its less advantage than ya think.

actually life, for good or bad,
has always been a contact sport.
always will be...........

Tired, did not read all of op's post. Im sorry.

I do not wish to downplay your thought at all just because it is about autistic people coping, nor for the obligatory tie-in to online gaming and "escapism".

I just wanted to point out that every day life and "reality" are not always so simple.. Far from it.. In comparison to more navigable environments that are filled with meaning and clear-cut problem to solution peer culture, which in this example at least, was invented by a handful of game designing companies. An atmosphere that is understandably preferable to lower functioning people.

Not about ego... ; the human brain simply thrives in any way shape or form so long as there is a satisfactory reward system and . .. So long as there is meaningful interaction.

Once again, sorry did not read entire post, but thanks for raising a thoughtful question and sharing your thoughts sincerely.

Offtopic:



Referring to this quote, I read something nice some days ago:

"The thing between dreams and reality is called action."

tseuq

If you are curious about why people derive fulfilment from fictitious characters, I believe it comes from a belief in the physical. When you believe in your 'mind' and 'body' being everything you are, you need to connect to something to give yourself worth, be it sport, work, wine... Ultimately true worth can never be found in this way.

Some people accept this 'self' easier than others, I have a hunch that is what drove us all here to 'drugs' till we discovered psychedelics. All people who really drowned themselves in their 'thing' I pity. Generally I have noticed these persons to be prone to selfishness. I see most materially wealthy people as being terribly lost, same with very vain people. A curious question on vanity, (as other thread is locked) vanity is a love of self, is wanting to improve oneself a form of vanity?



Love.

I agree entirely, that this has nothing to do with escaping identity. I do however believe that it is escaping reality, which is something everyone obviously does somehow. I'd also say the reality one wishes to escape into is an accurate reflection of the escapee's identify/values, along with the cost of that escape and it's duration. As for the unicorn people, IMHO they are escaping into a childish realm, and do they are probably quite childish. They also seek attention in their disregard for societal norms, which is probably caused by society having disregarded them...I don't know that society was wrong in disregarding them. Larping in different in that it's more private, and I can frankly respect that more.

In one instance, one may be attempting to escape reality.

In another instance, one may be trying another way to approach reality.