Furries

[SuperStingray]

The furry subculture has always intrigued me. I'm no psychologist, but I think the interest may stem from a subconscious integration between personal interest in animals and escapism; some people are unsatisfied with their actual appearance and wish to escape that by being portrayed as an entity they have an appreciation for. While furry fandom is not always a fetish, I think that this sort of escapism can often become tied to the sex drive easily. But it has been shown scientifically that only about 2% of furries actually have a real life animal fetish, so I doubt that it has much to do with zoophilia or bestiality.

[Golden Wonder]

Furries are amongst the most insane, unstable, socially messed-up, bizarre and intimidating people I've met. The fandom consists of some of the most egotistical, underserving, attention-whoring, whiny bastards that I've had the misfortune of being around. The drama is unspeakable, the art is quite often diabolical, their themes beyond twisted and their logic incomprehensible. They'll make you cringe in public, they'll make you gag in disgust, they'll make you want to run away and hide and they'll quite often want to do things to your bum.

The same fandom/subculture/whatever also includes some of the most awesome people ever to have graced my presence, and contains many of the most open-minded and imaginative individuals you can find. There's nothing negative there that you can't find anywhere else, and the stigma... well, it's partly justified (give people fuel, they'll set fire to it), but that doesn't negate some of the fantastic creations and people to be found within it. I'm quite content to be part of it really, warts and all.

It's not all bad... I wouldn't have it any other way. ;3

Edited March 15, 2009 by Gewwy

[SuperStingray]

Furries are amongst the most insane, unstable, socially messed-up, bizarre and intimidating people I've met. The fandom consists of some of the most egotistical, underserving, attention-whoring, whiny bastards that I've had the misfortune of being around. The drama is unspeakable, the art is quite often diabolical, their themes beyond twisted and their logic incomprehensible. They'll make you cringe in public, they'll make you gag in disgust, they'll make you want to run away and hide and they'll quite often want to do things to your bum.

The same fandom/subculture/whatever also includes some of the most awesome people ever to have graced my presence, and contains many of the most open-minded and imaginative individuals you can find. There's nothing negative there that you can't find anywhere else, and the stigma... well, it's partly justified (give people fuel, they'll set fire to it), but that doesn't negate some of the fantastic creations and people to be found within it. I'm quite content to be part of it really, warts and all.

It's not all bad... I wouldn't have it any other way. ;3

That's the most bipolar post I've ever read.

[DaBatGuy]

That's the most bipolar post I've ever read.

Which means it's the most accurate about the fandom.

[HelenBaby]

Gewwy, that was an awesome post. Might have to copy and paste that in future (giving credit to you ofcorse) to use in places

Edited March 15, 2009 by HelenBaby

[SuperLink]

Before I say where I stand, I'm not actually sure on what most would class as a furry. I'm not a member of any communities, never wanted to go to any conventions, and I've always avoided porn of it, especially anthro which I really can't stand. If I was a furry on any level it would be because I'm a huge Sonic fan, and a big fan of many of the characters, plus I used to have 2-3 original characters (I still do, they just suck and I don't use them) so would that be what you call a fursona? Once upon a time I was known as Sought The Poltercow on this very forum, and used an avatar of that character too, so I guess he would be my "fursona".

I don't have anything against furries, but I think people who do the whole package (porn etc) may get into it simply from being attatched to characters from games and cartoons, and eventually picturing them in a sexual way. That's generally how a lot of people get into hentai isn't it? Especially with the way anime and game characters are made sometimes.

Edited March 15, 2009 by SuperLink

[Eileanach]

I see your point SuperLink and it makes a lot of sense I need to agree with you that using a character of your own creation suddenly becomes lumped with "OMG FURSONA" syndrome which makes me most unhappy.

You make a valid point that perhaps it is the whole becoming attached to a character that then brings about the porn of it, but at the same time there are also these people who call themselves "toonophiles" completely different from furries as they know they are human they are just in love with fictional characters or whatever. It's different and unusual to people who don't understand it but it's no reason to hate them.

I don't hate furries or toonophiles as they aren't doing me any harm they just annoy me with their drama and constantly trying to make me one of them.

[Golden Wonder]

I don't hate furries or toonophiles as they aren't doing me any harm they just annoy me with their drama and constantly trying to make me one of them.

Join us, we have porn! Joking aside:

but at the same time there are also these people who call themselves "toonophiles" completely different from furries as they know they are human they are just in love with fictional characters or whatever.

Just a small note. Furries who embrace the sexual aspect are generally toonphiles by default. Another thing is that most furries acknowledge that they're actually human. The ones that don't, lean into the realms of Therianism, which is more of a belief system than a subculture/fandom, and is not the same as being a furry. Furries are more like Trekkies... minus the Star Trek, and plus the anthropomorphic animals. There's the people who prefer the more savoury aspects, and there's the ones who prefer to take it to greater extremes. Pretty much like any fandom, really.

As for the whole "YOU HAVE A CHARACTER, THOU ART FURRY" thing, just ignore them. There's a lot of us who like to justify our existence by dragging everyone else further down the social hierarchy. Labels are assigned as appropriate and if you don't feel you want to be labeled a furry, then evidently, you are not a furry.

Edited March 15, 2009 by Gewwy

[123654]

I'm sort of a furry. I don't dress up in costumes or have a "fursona", but I do like the art.

I think of it as a fetish. No more "weird" than someone who has a foot fetish.

[Flyboy Fox]

In the end, the only person who can decide whether or not someone is a furry is that person themself. As far as I'm concerned, if two people are equally interested in furry fandom and participate in identical ways, yet one thinks of himself as a furry and the other doesn't, then one is a furry and the other isn't. Simple as that.

[Eileanach]

Wise words FlyboyFox. =D

I guess you are right in what you say Gewwy. Oh I do ignore them but it still doesn't stop people from making me slightly annoyed when they say it.

[Yong]

Whether I'm classed as a furry or not for liking cute, sexy artwork, the whole "getting into ridiculous costumes and getting shaggy" subgroup still makes no sense to me.

[Eileanach]

"getting shaggy" that is a new phrase for me to use. I have never heard of it before and it first made me think of Shaggy from Scooby Doo .XD

[Yong]

"getting shaggy" that is a new phrase for me to use. I have never heard of it before and it first made me think of Shaggy from Scooby Doo .XD

Probably isn't. Just something that came out of my head in my poor attempt to keep my post kid friendly. Why I attempt to I don't know. I've seen the f-bomb dropped several times on this board, myself included.