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Exploring Identity and Neurodiversity

Packet
Hi everyone,

I’d like to open a careful and respectful discussion around a concept I’ve come across called “species dysphoria.” 
It’s not a recognized medical or psychological diagnosis, but rather a speculative or philosophical idea involving a mismatch between one’s identity and being human.
I want to be very clear:
  • This is not being presented as a clinical condition.
  • I’m sharing it as a thought experiment to explore how identity, neurodiversity, and self-perception intersect.
  • I recognize that autistic individuals may engage deeply with abstract or niche ideas, and I want to ensure this conversation remains grounded, safe, and open to critical thinking.
If this topic feels uncomfortable or confusing, please feel free to skip it.
And if you do choose to engage, I’d love to hear your thoughts—whether skeptical, curious, or critical.
Let’s keep it thoughtful and kind. 
Regards,
Packet(a96ddb is my color)
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  • Packet said:
    I’m sharing it as a thought experiment to explore how identity, neurodiversity, and self-perception intersect.

    It would be useful to know the parameters of the experiment if it is to have any meaningful analysis.

    There is some explanation of how these shoud work here:

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thought_experiment

    It is often an experiment that would be hard, impossible, or unethical to actually perform

    I imagine it will be hard to conduct as there are few controls around the experiment and the output from people is quite untestable.

    A few factors to help clean up the parameters:

    1 - Can it just be a species we identify as or can it be another "thing" such as an artificial intelligence, a robot, a god etc.

    2 - Are we constricted to existing species? How about extinct ones (I had a nepher who identified as a dinosaur for a while)?

    3 - Do the species have to be real? How about elves, dwarves, sprites etc? Aliens could fall into this category as we cannot prove they exist yet.

    4 - can we be a hybrid? a werewolf (or werehamster), cyborg, shapeshifter etc?

    5 - does it need to be all the time? I have some friends who love to identify as something else at plushy parties so if being a dog for a few hours counts then this broadens the scope.

    Packet said:
    If this topic feels uncomfortable or confusing

    This is to help clear up the confusion as autists often struggle with vague definitions.

    An interesting topic and it could be enlightening to see the responses.

  • in reply to Iain

    Thanks Iain. That’s useful to know.

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