Ask a Furry

[Takhisis]

Because most people are straight?

 

[Bill3000]

Are you left handed?

 

[Zelig]

In both cases, I sided with the opinion that, as furries become more revealed to the public eye, we first have to go through periods of being RL-trolled/made fun of before we're accepted.

Do you think furries will ever be more accepted than they currently are?

 

[Traitorfish]

Perhaps it'd be better to compare furs to a culturally-diverse nationality rather than an ideological group. People of those nations only really have their citizenship in common, despite their differences. Furries, likewise, have differences, but have that "citizenship" in the furry fandom to link them together.

An interesting idea; you propose, if I understand correctly, that furry fandom is defined entirely by subscription? I suppose that makes a certain sense. However, would you rely entirely on known self-identification when referring to others as "furries"? Or are there certain conditions which would allow you to feel comfortable presuming such identification?
Also, how does the use of "furry" in relation to fans relate to it's use in reference to characters? Presumably, the creation of the latter does not imply membership of the former?

Probably just the limits of finances at work. Most furs - being humans in reality - aren't rich and probably can't afford the best suits in the world, but will try their best. Think how a suit a company designs for promotions will look FAR better than one made for commercial purposes. It's easier to draw something perfect than it is to manufacture a suit and make it just as perfect.

I can draw a furry character pretty well in a matter of minutes with no cost at all besides the time. Contrast that to trying to add all those realistic details to an actual suit, all the measurements, all the MONEY and time involved, etc. Obviously much harder to make a suit than it is to make a perfect drawing.

A fair point. I suppose what throws me off is that the typical fursuit seems to diverge so strongly from the aesthetic usually encountered in anthro artwork that it seems almost alien. Is there any particular reason why so many fursuiters seem to favour the bulky "mascot" style of costume over the more aesthetically coherent style which uses a mask and a tighter suit or clothing? Is it simply because the former can be bought off the rack more easily, or something else?

 

[bathsheba666]

Do you all have sufficient self control to go in for de-furred gratification ?

 

[Tani Coyote]

What % of furrys do you think are just attention-seekers?

The same percent of general people who are. I don't see why furries would be any more special in this regard; they reflect common human statistics for stuff like this, I'd imagine. I don't think there are really any people who are furry to get attention, but I'm quite certain there are attention-seekers who happen to also be furry. We do have quite a few drama llamas in our fandom.

Do you think furries will ever be more accepted than they currently are?

Of course. Acceptance happens eventually once people get used to something... unless if it's say, really abhorrent, like murder. I think that as bizarre as some - well, okay, a lot - of us are, we're not really abhorrent. Most furs are pretty nice people from all I've seen, and would not react any differently than any other human in an everyday situation: we hate school, we hate work, etc. etc.

An interesting idea; you propose, if I understand correctly, that furry fandom is defined entirely by subscription? I suppose that makes a certain sense. However, would you rely entirely on known self-identification when referring to others as "furries"? Or are there certain conditions which would allow you to feel comfortable presuming such identification?

I define furries by fulfilling two criteria, if I have to put it in terms: a) some degree of interest in anthro animals, and of course, b) self-identification as a fur. The degree of interest can vary, but in my case, it's a slight slant in favor of furs whenever I see them. If lacking self-identification, I'd say common interest in the fandom(registering in it, contributing artwork and stories to it, etc.) could also suffice as a fur in all but name.

To give an example of my "fur bias".. I hate to invoke that fangirl-ridden piece called Twilight, but when I was forced at gunpoint to go see New Moon, I automatically chose the Werewolf over the vampire. Simply based on sight. Why? Because he was a werewolf. Automatic victory.

..Does that make me racist? Or... "speciesist"?

Also, how does the use of "furry" in relation to fans relate to it's use in reference to characters? Presumably, the creation of the latter does not imply membership of the former?

Oh no, by no means. "Furry characters" is a term that can be applied to anthro animals, but I wouldn't say that Walt Disney was a furry, nor would I say Naoto Oshima(creator of Sonic) is either.

A fair point. I suppose what throws me off is that the typical fursuit seems to diverge so strongly from the aesthetic usually encountered in anthro artwork that it seems almost alien. Is there any particular reason why so many fursuiters seem to favour the bulky "mascot" style of costume over the more aesthetically coherent style which uses a mask and a tighter suit or clothing? Is it simply because the former can be bought off the rack more easily, or something else?

I really have no idea, having not really fursuited myself. Your theory would make sense - i.e. it's easier to have it made. The bulkyness could also result from the fact there's more room for fur and stuff to be added, adding to the illusion that one has truly become an animal... which I assume many fursuiters try to have.

Nothing quite like suffocating under a pelt to replicate that, I guess.

 

[SS-18 ICBM]

Was metazoan really necessary? Just to make me look it up?

Kingdom Animalia, first term that came to mind. Though I guess Vertebrate is more accurate. I don't really see any furries going outside of that clade.

It's like the example I gave Cheezy - put a stick figure next to a picture of some great, epic battle. You'll likely reject the stick figure and say the second one is "beautiful" and "well done", and overall, "appealing." Furries, I imagine - as in my case - are the same way. We have an interest in anthro animals, and as a result will often pick the animal over the human in terms of character design. They just naturally seem "cool" to us, I guess. This interest and liking of animal designs is about all we have in common across the board, however.

I suppose that's all-encompassing of all their motivations.

 

[Traitorfish]

I really have no idea, having not really fursuited myself. Your theory would make sense - i.e. it's easier to have it made. The bulkyness could also result from the fact there's more room for fur and stuff to be added, adding to the illusion that one has truly become an animal... which I assume many fursuiters try to have.

Nothing quite like suffocating under a pelt to replicate that, I guess.

I suppose that may be the source of some of my confusion; fursuiters never seem entirely clear, as a collective, if they are dressing as animals which are anthropomorphising through necessity, or are just dressing as anthropomorphic animals. I suppose it probably depends from individual to individual.

On a related note, how significant is fursuiting actually seen to be within the furry community? The mainstream view seems to acknowledge no other aspect of the subculture, and even among us weirdies online it seems to be the most common image, yet relatively little of what you encounter online seems to pay much reference to it. Is that simply because it doesn't come up much, or is it a more insular part of the community than we may be lead to believe?
Also, are fursuiting and the previously mentioned concept of the fursona seen to be inherently related, or does that too depend on the individual?

 

[Zelig]

Most furs are pretty nice people from all I've seen, and would not react any differently than any other human in an everyday situation: we hate school, we hate work, etc. etc.

I like both school and work, as do most of the people I interact with at my school and job.

 

[Takhisis]

I didn't like school. Univ is another thing entirely

 

[Kennigit]

Didn't read much of the thread from earlier; but on a scale from 1 to furry-sympathising, how are these? (you can just watch first 30 seconds):

Spoiler :

Link to video.

and


Link to video.

I'm assuming that it's been asked: but does furriness start small and build, or what? Like how early did it take for furriness to set in? Was it before realising your gay even?

 

[bigdog5994]

in your opinion when does furry start being gross

 

[Tani Coyote]

On a related note, how significant is fursuiting actually seen to be within the furry community? The mainstream view seems to acknowledge no other aspect of the subculture, and even among us weirdies online it seems to be the most common image, yet relatively little of what you encounter online seems to pay much reference to it.

Fursuiting is a large part of furry culture, with many fursuiters indeed, but it's not a requirement to be a furry. I think the reason it gets so much attention is the oddest thing about groups gets noticed first. When you see a furry convention, what pops out more? People who appear average in just about every way, or the group of walking and talking foxes, wolves, etc. walking around, possibly in groups? The fursuiters draw the most attention, and as a result, many will assume that's what we are in a nutshell.

There's probably a political analogy to this... many Europeans see American politicians they think are crazy on TV, and unless they dig deeper, might assume that's what all Americans are like. Yeah, something like that. Not exactly the most perfect analogy, but you get the general idea.

Is that simply because it doesn't come up much, or is it a more insular part of the community than we may be lead to believe?

A fair amount of furs fursuit, but it's by no means what being a furry is all about, as mentioned above. It just gets a disproportional amount of media attention, again, because it sticks out the most. Observe how fursuiting was covered in CSI and 1000 Ways to Die, but not really anything else pertaining to the fandom.

Also, are fursuiting and the previously mentioned concept of the fursona seen to be inherently related, or does that too depend on the individual?

Depends on the individual. Most furs have a fursona of some kind(even if they don't get anyone to draw it), and whether they try to "become" that fursona with a fursuit varies from person to person.

I like both school and work, as do most of the people I interact with at my school and job.

You know what I meant.

Didn't read much of the thread from earlier; but on a scale from 1 to furry-sympathising, how are these? (you can just watch first 30 seconds):

Spoiler :

Link to video.

and


Link to video.

I think my gayness is interfering with my furryness here... sorry. No real opinion on my part.

I'm assuming that it's been asked: but does furriness start small and build, or what? Like how early did it take for furriness to set in? Was it before realising your gay even?

Hmm. In my case, I'd say you're fairly accurate. In my case, it started with one or two characters, and gradually built up as I got older and discovered furry art and the furry community and culture(yes, we do have a bit of a culture, or at least a subculture).

I think how it works is everyone starts with some character or two they like... they gradually build up characters until they happen upon a few furry sites. That's the turning point. Are you interested, or repulsed? If you're interested and continue to look around and research, you're probably a furry, even if only the "fascinated with anthro animals" type.

 

[Tani Coyote]

in your opinion when does furry start being gross

I'm not even repulsed by those who have sexual attractions to anthro characters(it is, after all, an animal with a humanoid body and mind, capable of consent...).

What DOES gross me out, however, is when furs take it to the next level - i.e. closer to reality - and get into beastiality. Many seem to confuse us with these people, which is rather sad.

There's a clear difference between consent and not being able to consent. While it may not be one's cup of tea for a man to have sex with say, a humanoid vixen, I don't see anything wrong with this: it'd be fully consensual, if it was real. It'd be like any other sexual preference... one guy prefers his women large, another slim, another... furry and animal-like.

Where I draw the line is beastiality, pretty much. Most furries are fairly open-minded from all I've seen, but even we have our limits on things that are just downright horrid.

 

[bigdog5994]

i can dig it i guess

its still weird though

 

[Perfection]

Whats the dif between a fur and a furry?

To what degree do you think being a furry shapes your life?

 

[Maniacal]

Huh, I always relate the term "furry" to people who dress in fur suits and are TOO obsessed with drawn animals. Never heard it used for people simply drawing anthropomorphic animals. I wouldn't consider Disney "furry" at all, just choosing anthropomorphic animal characters a lot.

 

[admiral-bell]

To what extent have you encountered, uh, "Fursecution" on the internet?

 

[Tani Coyote]

Whats the dif between a fur and a furry?

I think they're just different ways of saying the same thing... there probably is a technical difference, but I haven't seen it.

To what degree do you think being a furry shapes your life?

Not tooooo much, other than browsing the related websites and drawing. I probably will never go to a furry convention, for instance. Though I would be interested to go to one at least once, just to see the kinds of shenanigans my people get into...

Huh, I always relate the term "furry" to people who dress in fur suits and are TOO obsessed with drawn animals.

To be fair, terms vary in meaning to different cultures and different groups. Think the old debate between Americans and other countries' people over the meaning of "liberal", for instance.

You seem to be using the popularised term that refers to the most perverse and/or bizarre sides of the fandom - fursuiters and furverts(those who like to sexualise anthro characters). These are the two sides that are most often seen, hence the stereotypes.

Never heard it used for people simply drawing anthropomorphic animals. I wouldn't consider Disney "furry" at all, just choosing anthropomorphic animal characters a lot.

Indeed, I wouldn't call them furry either as they don't really have that "furry bias" I described. I'd say they've had their mark on the furry fandom though, as they filled countless young minds with talking animals... likely helping to bring the modern fandom about, even.

To what extent have you encountered, uh, "Fursecution" on the internet?

I know there's a lot of people who troll furries(we get trolled in real life shows for goodness sakes), but until I came out about it here, I never really had the issue. I've pretty much moved into the "eh, not worth my time" camp about them all, however.

This thread wasn't meant to indulge the trolls in the other thread; it was meant to help shed some light on the fandom for outsiders. The trolls just motivated me to get the courage to stop being frightened of talking to a mod about it.

 

[dannyshenanigan]

Do you think 50-60 years from now you will still be an furry?