zprawnism

Zprawnism is a fictional or speculative philosophical and spiritual movement centered on the figure of the zprawn, a symbolic creature representing resilience, adaptability, and communal problem solving. Prominent in online subcultures and speculative fiction circles in the late 2010s, zprawnism presents no single sacred text or deity, but a set of guiding principles expressed through discussion, art, and collaborative projects. The movement often positions itself as secular or agnostic, emphasizing empirical inquiry alongside metaphorical inquiry.

Ideology and tenets: Core values include curiosity, nonviolence, openness to new ideas, environmental stewardship, and mutual aid. It stresses adaptive ethics—how to respond to changing circumstances with humility and cooperation. Believers are encouraged to question assumptions, cite sources, and share knowledge openly in both online and local contexts. Leadership is typically informal and distributed.

Practices and rituals: Zprawnism centers on study circles, open forums, and cooperative projects rather than formal worship. Activities include collaborative learning groups called pods, participatory arts, community service, and digital knowledge exchanges. Rituals, when present, are symbolic and customizable, such as annual 'zprawn calls' inviting members to reflect on challenges and celebrate small collective achievements.

History and reception: The term arose in online communities as a playful framework for discussing resilience and ethics in information-age living. As a loosely organized movement, zprawnism has attracted adherents and critics alike; supporters praise its inclusive, experimental approach, while critics label it a vague or ungrounded belief system prone to fragmentation and unfalsifiable claims. In academic discussions, zprawnism is sometimes cited as an example of emergent, internet-era spiritual movements.

See also: new religious movements, internet-based spirituality, contemporary mysticism, epistemic cultures.