Tea Talk #2: Body Modification

Thanks to all who came to this weeks meeting! This week our tea was Mango Indica. It was exciting to get started with a topic that was less familiar to most of us and to see where the discussion led. Here are some of the main points we touched on.


Firstly, we acknowledged that such extreme forms of body modification leave us slightly disturbed without a complete understanding of why.

Ethics: For both the Human Barbie and Cat, the ethics of performing the surgeries required for the transformations can be tricky. Surgeons in the US will not perform the animal-like body modifications that Cat felt he needed because they are considered unethical. By refusing, do they also condemn him to live in a way that doesn't reflect who he wants to be?

Cat sadly passed away last November. In the Huff Post obituary they mention that body dysmorphic disorder may have been responsible for his probable suicide. They make no mention specific to Otherkin culture but characterize him as a body modification enthusiast (I wonder if this is oversimplified).

Cultural roots: Though animal imitation is reflected in many cultures, we don't know whether or not permanent imitation has any historical or anthropological roots.

Anthropocentrism: Our reactions to Otherkin are somewhat anthropocentric. Is this problematic, normal or avoidable?

Human Barbie is equally if not more disturbing to many of us than the Otherkin because she is closer to our reality. Also, her 'mission statement' of confidence in women and spiritual health is strikingly at odds with her physical image.

Body Mind Connection: How does body modification relate to personality? Do you change who you are when you permanently alter your body? This is very personal.

 Plastic surgeries are often described by patients as a way of getting closer to the way that they are 'intended' to look, meaning they can be a way of becoming your true self.