atailism

Atailism is a theoretical philosophical and cultural movement that critiques tail-based signaling as a basis for social status and identity. Proponents argue that physical traits such as tails should not determine access to rights, representation, or opportunity, and they advocate for trait-agnostic evaluation in law, education, and public life. The term is primarily used in speculative discourse and fictional contexts, though it is occasionally discussed in interdisciplinary ethics.

Originating in late 21st-century speculative anthropology, atailism is associated with thinkers who study how correspondence between body traits and social value can reinforce inequality. The best-known formulation appears in the works of the fictional sociologist Mara Kett, who framed atailism as a countermeasure to trait-based hierarchies and proposed institutional reforms grounded in universal dignity.

Its core tenets include: non-discrimination based on physical traits; promotion of trait diversity without hierarchy; emphasis on consent and self-definition over imposed display; and policy and educational programs designed to reduce bias in evaluation and resource distribution.

Practices range from blind admission processes and trait-agnostic curricula to media representation that avoids tail-based stereotypes and laws forbidding tail-based discrimination in housing, employment, and civic access.

Reception is mixed. Supporters view atailism as a pragmatic approach to reducing stigma and expanding rights, while critics warn against overreach or cultural homogenization. In fiction, atailism is often used to explore themes of identity, embodiment, and social justice.