Furries.
Zig
...I am Captain Planet! Join Date: 2002-10-23 Member: 1576Members
...I am Captain Planet! Join Date: 2002-10-23 Member: 1576Members
in Discussions
DISCUSS. furries, explain your furriness. people who need answers... well.. ask!
i'm a casual furry. i define my.. furriness.. in part, as an attraction and affiliation, at times, to humanoid animals.. or animals with humanoid properties.
i've had my kitties for almost two years now, and i spend a LOT of time with them. one night i was spending some "quality time" with a girlfriend (not furry. i'll digress for a moment and say that i don't hate humans.. i love humans. i don't really wish i was a humanoid animal type thing. sometimes i fantasize or imagine.. but i don't hate humans). anyway, one night i was spending some "quality time" with a girlfriend (yes, running the bases), and she commented on how she liked how i "sort of <i>rumbled</i>" and she thought it was sexy. i didn't know i was doing this.. but i realized i was emulating my cats, and as an indicator of affection or contentment, i was <i>purring</i>, from my throat. like a cat.
from there i noticed that i'm more.. say.. catlike, than doglike. i stretch, ALL the time, luxuriously, because that's the best way to stretch. i looove relaxing. i love bathing in the sun. i love playing. i love cuddling. and i love keeping clean.. i love grooming and smelling good and feeling good and looking good. those are all very cattish qualities. (i love dogs, by the way. i'm just not a dog type guy.)
from there i experimented and am now comfortable with dipping into the furry community and roleplay (online and off), and that's about the extent of my whole.. thing. i don't believe i'm a cat. i just believe i'm a pretty catty person. i love cats (not in that way) i don't mind humanoid cats (yes in that way) and i LOVE humans who are just as cattish as i am.
the end. <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/smile-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
i'm a casual furry. i define my.. furriness.. in part, as an attraction and affiliation, at times, to humanoid animals.. or animals with humanoid properties.
i've had my kitties for almost two years now, and i spend a LOT of time with them. one night i was spending some "quality time" with a girlfriend (not furry. i'll digress for a moment and say that i don't hate humans.. i love humans. i don't really wish i was a humanoid animal type thing. sometimes i fantasize or imagine.. but i don't hate humans). anyway, one night i was spending some "quality time" with a girlfriend (yes, running the bases), and she commented on how she liked how i "sort of <i>rumbled</i>" and she thought it was sexy. i didn't know i was doing this.. but i realized i was emulating my cats, and as an indicator of affection or contentment, i was <i>purring</i>, from my throat. like a cat.
from there i noticed that i'm more.. say.. catlike, than doglike. i stretch, ALL the time, luxuriously, because that's the best way to stretch. i looove relaxing. i love bathing in the sun. i love playing. i love cuddling. and i love keeping clean.. i love grooming and smelling good and feeling good and looking good. those are all very cattish qualities. (i love dogs, by the way. i'm just not a dog type guy.)
from there i experimented and am now comfortable with dipping into the furry community and roleplay (online and off), and that's about the extent of my whole.. thing. i don't believe i'm a cat. i just believe i'm a pretty catty person. i love cats (not in that way) i don't mind humanoid cats (yes in that way) and i LOVE humans who are just as cattish as i am.
the end. <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/smile-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
This discussion has been closed.
Comments
I really don't get the misconception that all furries think that they're animals trapped in human bodies, or that they hate humanity. I know very few who are furries who actually do. I know I don't hate humanity. I -love- humanity and it's achievements. I think it's one of the most amazing things ever. I do however hate humanity's tendancy to be complete and utter jackasses. But who doesn't?
the term "furry" is a hard one to link to any particular mindset, considering that they are several aspects that it encompasses. The most common aspect is that of the appreciation of anthropomorphics concerning animals. The creation, the style, the variety it offers. Practically limitless possibilites. Pretty much all furries will have a "signature" character. An avatar of some kind. One which is pretty much the projected image of themselves as a humanoid animal.
Then you have people who (like zig) find their "furryness" in how they act. Acting cat-like. This will link in with the whole avatar thing a lot of the time.
Then there's the people who have spiritual links with a certain type of animal. Totem animals, that kind of thing.
For others, it may just be an extremely high appreciation of a certain type of animal which they then make themselves into a "morphed" version thereof.
There are no real specifics behind what makes a furry. There is no set of rules that must be followed. As such, it's an extremely diverse group, with each individual having their own reasons as to what makes them what they are. Which tends to lead to conflicts between groups who think that their way of thinking is the right way (the "burnt fur" movement, for example)
I generally find furries to be a lot more accepting...a lot more open minded, moreso than other people. This tends to draw in people who are into the more negatively viewed aspects of the whole furry thing, which people seem to grab hold of and paint everyone else with the same brush.
As to my furryness...
I've ALWAYS had an appreciation of animals. I've loved owning cats, dogs, fish, snakes...except birds, which are evil hellspawn (or at least the birds I've owned are) I've always felt an affinity to them. However, foxes are what have fascinated me. I see them a lot around here. I've walked alongside them. I share many common "personality traits" with them. Always had an interest in anthros, growing up on Disney and such.
So, I am. Cut that extremely short however because I'm dead tired and need sleep.
Though I too am more a cat person than a dog person. My cat is asleep on my monitor right now.
Edit: Random note, but every furry I know of that has heard Rhapsody think they work for the power of awesome. IT'S A CONSPIRACY.
Oh, and it irritates me when people say that they hate humans. Don't go all crazy just because you weren't accepted by a group of people. -_-
A good example of this was when I worked at a taco bell 4 years ago as a freshman in highschool. A couple guys came in who were obviously ****. They decided it was time to make out at 3 in the afternoon with a family trying to eat there right next to them. So I was granted the duty of telling them they need to either stop or leave. I'd have done it to a heterosexual couple just the same by the way. They called me a "Fagg0t Hater" and a "Homophobe" I told them I didn't realize asking people to be civil in a public facity made me a nazi and asked them to leave.
So yeah, do whatever you want in your own home but leave me out of it.
The <i>Media-Official Accepted Definition</i> of a furry is quite simply 'one who enjoys the anthropomorphic arts'. This ranges from people who collect Bugs Bunny memorabilia to the less-savoury types.
Definitions time.
<b>Casual Furry</b> - Someone with a mild interest. Enjoys cartoon animals. Generally not seen at 'furry conventions'. Quite a few people fall into this category without realizing it.
<b>Average Furry</b> - See Casual Furry, but add in a local social circle of other furries, as well as occasional or consistent attendance to conventions.
<b>Spiritual Furry</b> - Usually someone who believes that their soul was misplaced into a human body. They accept that they are human, and live as one. Also covers those with spirit-animals (see many native religions) or totems.
<b>Porn Furry</b> - They're here for the smut, or to sell other people smut. There isn't much more to it than that. They are a minority... but receive the same press as Catholic priests who go after choirboys do.
<b>Furry Lifestyler</b> - Lives in some regards to as if they were a given animal, or otherwise integrates certain animalistic behaviours into their daily life, sometimes without even realizing it. (Ex: answering the phone with a 'woof' or 'meow', chasing bright, shinee objects..)
<b>Hardcore Furry Lifestyler</b> - Wants to be an anthro, and refuses to acknowledge their (current?) humanity. There are relatively few of these. The condition briefly touched upon in the prior O-T thread is called <i>body dysmorphia</i>, and is not only applicable to furries... anyone who gets too much plastic surgery done suffers from it as well. It is a feeling that your body is wrong, is not yours, and you refuse to cope with it.
The great majority of 'furries' tend to fall into the 'Casual' subheading. The marked minority are hardcore lifestylers. It's just that the minority is extremely vocal, and won't shut the hell up... it's like having a seven year old with Tourettes. Embarassing as all **** to everyone associated.
Personally, I am a spiritual furry.. just in case someone was wondering. <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/smile-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
<span style='font-size:2pt;line-height:100%'>And foxes deserve nothing more than genocide.</span>
Maybe it's just so unremarkable that no-one's commented on it? It didn't take a rocket scientist to work out that you're a furry of some kind, considering your previous avatar.
I don't know what your beef is with foxes. :/
<!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> I wouldn't discrimiate from someone just because they chose an alternate lifestyle so long as said life style dosen't complicate my own life.
A good example of this was when I worked at a taco bell 4 years ago as a freshman in highschool. A couple guys came in who were obviously ****. They decided it was time to make out at 3 in the afternoon with a family trying to eat there right next to them. So I was granted the duty of telling them they need to either stop or leave. I'd have done it to a heterosexual couple just the same by the way. They called me a "Fagg0t Hater" and a "Homophobe" I told them I didn't realize asking people to be civil in a public facity made me a nazi and asked them to leave.
So yeah, do whatever you want in your own home but leave me out of it.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Seriously
A few extra definitions/terms to add:
Furries: Generally these are either a) Anthro characters or b) those with an anthro character
Furry fans: People who have a liking for anthro characters
Therians: See Talesin's definition of "spiritual furry"
<span style='font-size:6pt;line-height:100%'>(I don't understand Talesin's hate of foxes either, I mean <a href='http://www.bluehillbaygallery.com/na/0262-fox-kit-in-den.jpg' target='_blank'>how could</a> <a href='http://www.nae.usace.army.mil/recreati/obl/oblfoxpup.jpeg' target='_blank'>You hate</a> <a href='http://www.dupageforest.com/Wildlife%20Web/avoid_kit.jpg' target='_blank'>Such cuteness!</a>)</span>
As for the NIMBY, CWAG.. exactly how do you 'not want to see it'? I doubt you have many mascots running up to be in your face often. Very few furry artists or fans pushing prints in your face. Might see someone walking down the street wearing a tail or ears, but is there really any harm in that? It's a mode of dress.
Certainly, you might hear from someone who happens to be a fur on these forums from time to time. Again, why I don't normally make a point of it, myself.
An interesting recent event took place in the Artwork forum... someone posted a drawing of an anthropomorphic Marine. Among the hundreds, if not thousands of drawings and concept art, this one was instantly picked up and flamed. I got to kill the flameposts and clean the thread.
And why was it flamed? For not being NS-related? Given that it was a Marine, it was pretty directly linked.
Personally, I'd say it was either an 'oh, noes!!11! teh furies r invading!!!2! ATAK!!1' reaction where these particular individuals felt that ANY furry content meant that the boards were instantly being 'taken over'. It's either that, or an outright act of trollish bigotry.
A good example of this was when I worked at a taco bell 4 years ago as a freshman in highschool. A couple guys came in who were obviously ****. They decided it was time to make out at 3 in the afternoon with a family trying to eat there right next to them. So I was granted the duty of telling them they need to either stop or leave. I'd have done it to a heterosexual couple just the same by the way. They called me a "Fagg0t Hater" and a "Homophobe" I told them I didn't realize asking people to be civil in a public facity made me a nazi and asked them to leave.
So yeah, do whatever you want in your own home but leave me out of it. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I had similar experiences as a security guard. Though your incident seems like they intended to make a scene.
One of the stores that I watched had apparently been designated a 'meeting point' for homosexual encounters. The problem was that this meeting point was in the Public men's restroom. We got numerous complaints from customers who were being solicited or of fathers who walked into the bathroom with their children and noticed 2 legs and a pair of knees in one stall.
We got about 1-2 complaints per week. However it was much easier to deal with it in our situation. We just walked into the bathroom, made an announcement that it was private property and asked them to leave. We also stated that if they left quietly we would let them leave quietly and not have to arrest them for solicitation or trespassing
they came back the next week and we went through the same ol' same old. However they never were loud or beligerant about it even though sex in a public restroom kind of grossed me out.
edit: On Topic, I don't see why people get all bent out of shape by what how other people choose to live their lives or what to believe. I doubt the topic would have even been brought up if those who are offended by it didn't mention it in the first place.
edit2: Although, middle aged and overweight men wearing cat ears is enough to make me a bit frightened. I think it mostly deals with my aversion to people who cosplay rather than to their beliefs.
My next door neighbors are g*y (stupid filter). Never bothered me, and I never knew they were more than brothers until I learned their last names. They don't hang out on the sidewalk and suckface (I can't stand anyone straight or g*y doing that). They really don't do anything beyond standard relationship practices that could really offend anyone.
no, that is just silly.
If you are middle aged and over weight, cossplay something that you can cosplay, something that fits you.
It would be like me trying to Cosplay Vash (as I am short and stocky), it would look silly.
It would be like me trying to Cosplay Vash (as I am short and stocky), it would look silly. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
At the latest anime con in NYC, they guy cosplaying Vash... Was the voice actor for Vash. Very disorienting.
Quality costume but the gut needs some work
<a href='http://www.ibiblio.org/jmaynard/TRONcostume/portrait.jpg' target='_blank'>Now clicky for Thansal's delicate eyes</a> It isnt anything offensive. Just think 40 yr old in a unitard then click accordingly.
forget the gut, he needs a cod piece, please remove that image
PLEASE!
and yah, that is what I am speaking off. IF you odn't fit the part, don't try.
Meh enjoy what you want in private, but don't stick it in people’s faces or go around proclaiming that "this is what I like and if you don't accept it there’s something wrong with YOU!"
This Furry garbage (IMO) is far from the "main stream" so if you enjoy this kind of stuff and like to talk about it, don't expect allot of people to be nice or understanding about it.
Meh enjoy what you want in private, but don't stick it in people’s faces or go around proclaiming that "this is what I like and if you don't accept it there’s something wrong with YOU!"
This Furry garbage (IMO) is far from the "main stream" so if you enjoy this kind of stuff and like to talk about it, don't expect allot of people to be nice or understanding about it. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
Hey man, go back 30 years and tell someone you were a homo, and that was grounds for tossing your life in a garbage can.
Furries may be weird today, but you won't die before you see it become mainstream.
I'm only 18 god knows what I'll have to witness before my time comes
I'm curious Beast and Talesin, as to what led you two to your current conclusion about your spiritual species. I'm just trying to understand where you're coming from.
I'm curious Beast and Talesin, as to what led you two to your current conclusion about your spiritual species. I'm just trying to understand where you're coming from. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
In my case: it's dreams, flashbacks, and memories of my previous life...all very, very real. Though my memories of my past life are incomplete, some are as real as remembering I had scrambled egg on toast for breakfast yesterday. Dog have always seemed to show respect towards me that they wouldn't usually to others.. even hyperactive dogs go calm near me.. that always freaked me out, but I did not investigate it further.
In a more extreme sense, sometimes I get "phantom anatomy" sensations.. like, a tail, ears ontop of myhead instead of the side, muzzle, fur (particualrly around the neck).. things like that all add up.... It can't really be attributed to anything else really o.o.
<!--QuoteBegin-Beast+Aug 26 2004, 03:06 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Beast @ Aug 26 2004, 03:06 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> There is a difference here kinda.. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
The only difference is that my memories are absurd enough that I can flat out deny them. Whereas if I had a memory of running around in the woods, it wouldn't be as easy to dismiss. But just because it's harder to tell that it's a lie, doesn't make it any less a lie.
i thought we already covered the fact that most furries do not hate people <!--emo&???--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/confused-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='confused-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
The only other thing I'm going to say is that AC2K4 was awesome. <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/biggrin-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
<!--QuoteBegin-[WHO+--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> ([WHO)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Them,Aug 27 2004, 10:58 AM] Why not more cow, chicken, or buffalo furries then? <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
there are a good many cow furries <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/smile-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
<!--QuoteBegin-CommunistWithAGun+Aug 27 2004, 02:10 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (CommunistWithAGun @ Aug 27 2004, 02:10 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> LOL CHICKENS DONT HAVE FUR SO THEY CANT BE FURRIES LOL
Ok in all seriousness thats a good point Who. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Scalie and bird and ocean creature fall under the same category. By 'Furry' we mean the whole thing, the correct word if you can find it in some places is 'Anthropomorphic'.
Hehe a perfect oportunity for me to show off more, voila moi artwork.
<a href='http://vcl.ctrl-c.liu.se/vcl/Artists/Snake-Wildlife' target='_blank'>http://vcl.ctrl-c.liu.se/vcl/Artists/Snake-Wildlife</a>
Anyone like to share thier links to 'THIER' furry/anthro artwork? Luv ta hear from you. <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/smile-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
-Posts condemning 'furries' as entirely belonging to the 'lifestyler' subclass, obviously ignoring the handy-dandy subgenre list posted on the first damn page
-Posts leaning too heavily into religion
-A good chunk of EEK's posts, having still gone over the top (and being in O-T is NOT an excuse)
-Bigotry/mockery
This is not an open license to go off (given that it will be cleaned away), it is more of a 'well, this isn't working'.
Now, for the Crab-ism...
I personally think that there are a limited number of souls. By limiuted i mean 1, only one. When you die, your soul retains part of your personality, and as you/they grow, you/they evolve . It explains the "Six Degrees of Seperation" hypothesis, Explains Reincarnation, Human-like animals AND fursons.
I know what you're gonna ask, so here it is: I am personally a Casual Furry, I'm ok with RPing with em (I have a habit of being a Housecat, or a (Head)crab) and i dont mind the Artwork (I've been featured in a few, and i generally like the styles, both the G and the "Not So G" rated types). I Dont like the spazzing poeple do over it, To Each his own, and if you dont like it, you can either not like it quietly, or you can not like it with a few missing teeth and a concussion, and Quietly.
And now, i shall take my leave
/me scurries back into his vent