I Agree with the author and yet I disagree. While being away from the online vent machines of the kin community a while, I have discovered something. The Kin Community has no elders or leaders in it. We are all just beings trying to make sense in this world of what's happened too us all our lives, and hoping to help out someone else in the meantime. However, with all communities, someone gets a big head and wants too be the President that everyone looks up too. We all try too fit in the pool by putting out webpages that too us are truth yet may be ridiculed by these Elder's. This Community is diverse, at the very best of an explanation.
I am not here too lead you, or anyone. I am here too help those of my own kind, and too fellowship and converse and find a common ground. True some of us do push the envolpe and blessings too you for all you do, but not all of us can construct gatherings in our areas, or do something big. Some of us do what we can by helping in the ways that we know how, and as long as we are pledging too the cause of what we are, then I say that's a pkus. So remember everyone out there when you work on your pages, and resources, we may be the ones sending you the energy that you need too move with onward. We all have jobs as otherkin, durty and destiny is in us all.
The true definition of a leader and elder is this: Leader: Does not trounce on the rungs of the ladder they have been on before too people below them. Elder: One that recognizes that with all they know they are still learning also.
How can there be elders? A new born baby can have an older soul than a 90 year old. People who claim to be elders will have an inherent ego problem that unveils them as charlatans.
Entropicdrifter, I feel you may be missing the author's point completely. 'Elders' is just a useful name for those members of the community whose views carry a little more weight in the ears of many, those who are respected. In traditional human society, those most worthy of respect are those who have survived life's trials, and due to the linear nature of human existance those are generally those who are chronologically older. In younger communities - and in many ways, the broadness of the Otherkin community has only been possible thanks to the Communications Age we live in - it tends to be those who have contributed most. Being in the community for a while helps, but not as much as being generous of time and spirit.
Those who are egotistical seldom have time to help people. Since 'elders' are not formally elected at elections nor even a formal popularity contest, it is impossible to stuff ballot boxes. Only those genuinely interested in helping others, who may or may not be shy of being considered highly by the community would be recommended by others. Those who are out to inflate their ego achieve nothing, and often leave since their inner troll is not fed. [Apologies to any trolls... English isn't enough sometimes.]
Entropicdrifter, I feel you may be missing the author's point completely. 'Elders' is just a useful name for those members of the community whose views carry a little more weight in the ears of many, those who are respected. In traditional human society, those most worthy of respect are those who have survived life's trials, and due to the linear nature of human existance those are generally those who are chronologically older. In younger communities - and in many ways, the broadness of the Otherkin community has only been possible thanks to the Communications Age we live in - it tends to be those who have contributed most. Being in the community for a while helps, but not as much as being generous of time and spirit.
Those who are egotistical seldom have time to help people. Since 'elders' are not formally elected at elections nor even a formal popularity contest, it is impossible to stuff ballot boxes. Only those genuinely interested in helping others, who may or may not be shy of being considered highly by the community would be recommended by others. Those who are out to inflate their ego achieve nothing, and often leave since their inner troll is not fed. [Apologies to any trolls... English isn't enough sometimes.]