Factkin
Factkin (sometimes called factualkin or diaunthros) are individuals who identify as people who have truly existed, such as a celebrity. The term is similar to fictionkin, and there can be overlap between the experiences of the two. The identity is controversial in otherkin and alterhuman communities, with many believing that all factkin are trolls or have ill intent. However, many factkin reject this, asserting that there are individuals who engage with the label in good faith.
The object of a factkin's identification is called their facttype.
Experiences
- Not always famous people [1]
- respect for the original person’s identity
- Not 100% based on reality - they don’t know every detail of their source’s lives [2]
- Overlap with fictionkin + differences between them
Etymology & History
Some state that the term factkin was invented by trolls,[1] while others assert it was only popularized by them.[2] Trolls commonly used the identity to mock otherkin and fictionkin [how commonly? when?], operating under the assumption that others would see identifying as a living person as nonsensical and conclude that otherkin have “gone too far”.[Citation needed] Yukon believes these trolls intended to cause infighting in alterhuman communities.[2]
In an effort to be separated from trolls, some started using the term factualkin, using a similar word that had been created by genuine members of the community.[1] Additionally, in an effort to separate factual identification from inaccurate nonhumanity, the term diaunthro was coined in 2021 from the roots “di”, “auth”, and “thro”, meaning a copy of another real individual.[3] These terms have not become as well known as the original factkin.
[i've seen a factkin symbol on some of the sources - who created it and when? what was the response?]
Reception
Factkin are generally associated with trolls and anti-otherkin sentiment. However, many factkin wish for their identities to become more legitimized.
some don't see why it's a 'kin' label or even alterhuman, they see it as just a reincarnation belief [3] [4]
Some have criticized factkin for being identity thieves. However, factkin do not consider this the case. They state that identity theft is a serious and complex crime, and is usually done for personal gain, while factkinity is an integral identity that does not necessitate any harmful actions be taken. They believe genuine factkin do not intend to take credit for their facttype’s accomplishments, and do not attempt to pose as the “real” version of their facttype to the general public.[2] [some others have raised concerns that there could be other issues, such as harming the mental health of one's facttype [5]]