In an era where normal human decorum often seems to be in retreat, the oddities of modern culture continue to push boundaries. The latest spectacle? A gathering of nearly 1,000 individuals, primarily hailing from Berlin, who prefer to be recognized as dogs rather than humans.
This unconventional assembly was organized by a group called “Canine Beings” and took place at Berlin’s Potsamer Platz railroad station. Event participants communicated solely by howling and barking.
The spectacle comes on the heels of the viral sensation Toco, a man in Japan who has invested $14,000 in a hyperrealistic suit to live out his life-long dream of being a collie.
In an interview with The Post, Toco expressed a desire to meet others with similar canine ambitions. “I think it would be great if something like this existed,” Toco, referred to as a “therian,” commented. “I would like to meet them.”
This niche group of self-proclaimed “therians,” distinct from individuals who engage in animal-themed cosplay known as “furries,” are asserting their identities as non-human.
Dr. Elizabeth Fein, an associate professor of psychology at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, explained the phenomenon. “Some therians, short for ‘therianthrope,’ might believe that they are a cat soul reincarnated into a human body,” she previously told The Post.
Social media reactions to the Berlin gathering have ranged from mockery to disbelief, with some critics jesting about the participants’ self-proclaimed canine instincts.
One online commenter retorted, “Just abandon them in the Siberian tundra and let them survive with their canine instincts.”
Another questioned the authenticity of their identification by asking, “But if they identify as dogs, why do they put on masks?”
The line between idiosyncratic subculture, fetish and flat out insanity are often blurred. Some activities within this realm have been sexualized into a BDSM kink known as “puppy play,” where participants, usually men, adopt the roles and paraphernalia of dogs.
Furthermore, there are OnlyFans models who have found a lucrative niche in adopting canine behavior. Adult content creator Jenna Phillips reported earning $10,000 per month from such endeavors in 2020.
“It’s insane,” she said at the time. “I never thought my weird dog kink would be looked at by a broad audience, or that so many people would like/care about it,” Phillips said.
While some may view this as the next frontier of identity politics, others see it as a bizarre erosion of the boundaries that give society structure. Whatever one’s views, it’s hard to ignore the bizarre spectacle of adults howling and barking in public spaces.
At what point do we stop perpetuating the insanity by giving it names, like “therians,” and normalizing these behaviors?
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