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My rambling thoughts on anthropomorphism and fanfiction
15 years ago
I received a thoughtful and well-written letter recently, and among the several questions posed was a request for my thoughts on the relationship between mainstream fiction, anthropomorphism, and the furry fandom.
This is an excerpt of my meandering, poorly-conceived reply to him here. I thought I could share it with you, and I'd appreciate your own opinion on the matter!
***
I'm not sure how well I can speak for 'the fandom' in regards to their relationship with mainstream anthropomorphism. There are a lot of contributing factors, I think, that lead up to this curious subculture, and I don't know if I'm the person most capable of explaining it with any of my theories.
Evolutionary biologists are always talking about how humans have evolved to 'see' aspects of humanity in entirely un-humanlike objects. Facial recognition within incidental shapes, pattern seeking, empathy toward the inanimate. Humanity seems hard-wired to instill very powerful emotive baggage to anything they identify with.
Empathy and solidarity are quintessential human qualities, I think. However, it seems like our brains have difficulty discerning when it would be appropriate to furnish these qualities on others. The end result being that people can end up falling in love with just about anything. The more human-like the object, the more likely we are to accredit a human-like response to it. Pets are a good example of this, as well as spirituality and religion.
So, we have people falling in love with their boats, their cars, their pets... It comes as no surprise to me, then, when some people fall in love with fiction. In fact, it almost wouldn't make sense if we didn't. Fiction is like a sort of alternate reality. We create it in an attempt to make real something that intrinsically isn't. We, (as artists, writers, moviemakers) attempt to engender qualities into our characters that are inherently familiar. Inherently human. We know that doing so will generate an emotional response. In fact, we want that to happen. All of us do. We go to a film with the intent of being moved emotionally. It feels good. It's desired. We gladly pay for it.
This sort of emotional reaction is very powerful. My rational mind may know it was fiction, but the repercussions biologically are difficult to suppress. If the work was especially compelling, people may have trouble separating that fantasy from their daily lives. Revisiting the memory of that potent fiction creates a sort of feedback loop. Endorphins are released, reinforcing the desire to explore the memory again, expand upon it, fantasize about it, relive it in our minds.
(As a side-note: this roughly explains why I got into artwork in the first place. These fantasies in my head were constantly battering about in my consciousness. I would lie in bed at night, unable to sleep, simply daydreaming for hours. I could not get it to stop. I don't know if that's normal, really. I don't know if most other artists are like this. Perhaps not. For me, though, I became very frustrated. I wanted to be able to make these things in my head more real. So I started to draw. I think, at the time I thought it would help me get these ideas out of my head... however it only achieved more of the opposite.)
It seems only natural to me, then, when some people begin to blend elements of the original work with their own fantasy. Slash fiction is a huge part of this. Humans are sexual creatures. When they connect emotionally with someone, (or something!) there is a chance that the bond will manifest itself sexually. We create these characters as our own in our minds, empathizing with them, living them. At some level, we want these fictional characters to be real.
The very fact that these characters are so endearing, lead some of us to become endeared to them. It is irrational, but it is also exciting. We like the feeling it gives us to think about these fantasies. It's a very powerful thing.
Now, the flipside is that there is everyone else; the people who happened to not be affected (in the same way) by these works of fiction. They don't want any part of it, and why would they? It's like asking them to kiss a random stranger on the street. They don't feel for that person. There's no emotional connection. There is only the irrationality of it all. So they balk.
Am I making any sense? I'm not so sure. Perhaps I'm just babbling
This is an excerpt of my meandering, poorly-conceived reply to him here. I thought I could share it with you, and I'd appreciate your own opinion on the matter!
***
I'm not sure how well I can speak for 'the fandom' in regards to their relationship with mainstream anthropomorphism. There are a lot of contributing factors, I think, that lead up to this curious subculture, and I don't know if I'm the person most capable of explaining it with any of my theories.
Evolutionary biologists are always talking about how humans have evolved to 'see' aspects of humanity in entirely un-humanlike objects. Facial recognition within incidental shapes, pattern seeking, empathy toward the inanimate. Humanity seems hard-wired to instill very powerful emotive baggage to anything they identify with.
Empathy and solidarity are quintessential human qualities, I think. However, it seems like our brains have difficulty discerning when it would be appropriate to furnish these qualities on others. The end result being that people can end up falling in love with just about anything. The more human-like the object, the more likely we are to accredit a human-like response to it. Pets are a good example of this, as well as spirituality and religion.
So, we have people falling in love with their boats, their cars, their pets... It comes as no surprise to me, then, when some people fall in love with fiction. In fact, it almost wouldn't make sense if we didn't. Fiction is like a sort of alternate reality. We create it in an attempt to make real something that intrinsically isn't. We, (as artists, writers, moviemakers) attempt to engender qualities into our characters that are inherently familiar. Inherently human. We know that doing so will generate an emotional response. In fact, we want that to happen. All of us do. We go to a film with the intent of being moved emotionally. It feels good. It's desired. We gladly pay for it.
This sort of emotional reaction is very powerful. My rational mind may know it was fiction, but the repercussions biologically are difficult to suppress. If the work was especially compelling, people may have trouble separating that fantasy from their daily lives. Revisiting the memory of that potent fiction creates a sort of feedback loop. Endorphins are released, reinforcing the desire to explore the memory again, expand upon it, fantasize about it, relive it in our minds.
(As a side-note: this roughly explains why I got into artwork in the first place. These fantasies in my head were constantly battering about in my consciousness. I would lie in bed at night, unable to sleep, simply daydreaming for hours. I could not get it to stop. I don't know if that's normal, really. I don't know if most other artists are like this. Perhaps not. For me, though, I became very frustrated. I wanted to be able to make these things in my head more real. So I started to draw. I think, at the time I thought it would help me get these ideas out of my head... however it only achieved more of the opposite.)
It seems only natural to me, then, when some people begin to blend elements of the original work with their own fantasy. Slash fiction is a huge part of this. Humans are sexual creatures. When they connect emotionally with someone, (or something!) there is a chance that the bond will manifest itself sexually. We create these characters as our own in our minds, empathizing with them, living them. At some level, we want these fictional characters to be real.
The very fact that these characters are so endearing, lead some of us to become endeared to them. It is irrational, but it is also exciting. We like the feeling it gives us to think about these fantasies. It's a very powerful thing.
Now, the flipside is that there is everyone else; the people who happened to not be affected (in the same way) by these works of fiction. They don't want any part of it, and why would they? It's like asking them to kiss a random stranger on the street. They don't feel for that person. There's no emotional connection. There is only the irrationality of it all. So they balk.
Am I making any sense? I'm not so sure. Perhaps I'm just babbling
The point with the endorphins and reinforcement do bring out a good point there.
Like humans need to experience different things all the time, and fantasy is being able to do that without repercussions, that's what some people get attached to things. :V
However, that something may be an entirely new aspect of theoretical physics... or perhaps just some raunchy, irrelevant fanfiction. Which is more more laudable as an achievement is up to society to decide.
And yar, just depends.
For example, I couldn't care less about the Sonic franchise. As such, I have absolutely no interest in fanworks about the characters, sexual or not. But other people do, and who the hell am I to put them down for that? I do the exact same thing, just with different fandoms.
That is all I can say, really.
as for the cartoons in my life. i would watch the same movies over and over. there was always something about them that i liked. i still cant explane 100% what i like about them. im sure there are tons of things that add to it. i do know the main thing in all of them is that they had a snake in there somewhere.
its always so hard explane to anyone why you truely like anything. one mans trash is another mans treasure. *shrug*
Seriously though, yeah I know the feeling. I love cars, planes, trains, all forms of transport.
I remember reading a puff piece about some WII pilot limping his bomber back to base after sustaining heavy damage, only one engine running out of four, barely hanging on. The way the damage was subscribed, like it was a living, breathing thing: it was very moving.
For some reason, I felt more for that poor plane than I ever had for my cat, even when she died. I really liked my cat, too. She was sweet. But she never carried some poor pilot out of enemy territory with only one leg, coughing and sputtering.
THEY CAN DRIVE JUST FINE! ITS THE PEDALS!
It's not just the furry fandom and anthropomorphism either, Star Trek and trekkies, Manga and otaku... but it's the same idea. *nods* :D
I know rule 34 exists, I just figure that's just what it is. There is human porn, after all.
What I thought this was about was simply the fascination with animal beings. xD;
This could be a good read for you
I wish I had the artistic abilities or literary skills to give a more tangible form to my fantasies. Above all else, though, the fact that I'm very self-conscious and critical over my own work that pertain to said fantasy are the biggest obstacles I've placed before myself in actually accomplishing anything.
I Feel the same way about art as you do, though. I wish I could just paint directly what comes into my head, exactly as I imagine, like some magical printer. That's my goal, at least. It would make me very happy to be able to do that.
Everything seems easier to draw out when I first wake up. Tired and drunk with warmth, my dreams are still fresh in my memory. I can visualize everything so clearly. But when time comes that I actually decide to put the pencil to paper, it's a frustrating and disheartening experience for me.
Conversations like this get me really riled up and eager to draw, but I usually end up disappointing myself and/or not even try. I have pencils and paper within arms' reach. There's a good chance they'll go untouched. But if I make an attempt, there's an even better chance that I give up and end up worse off than I would be for not trying. Either way, I'll end up disappointed in myself. Drawing isn't supposed to be a terribly difficult thing for me to be able to do at my level, but it's a real hair-puller to me.
At this point I realize that I'm just ranting on about my personal conundrum and am deciding on whether or not I want to hit "Post". I figured I may as well, seeing as I took the time to type it out. I don't normally engage in online conversations for various reasons. I mean-- when it comes down to it: Why am I telling you this? Who am I to consider that you might be genuinely interested in what I have to say? Blarghwuhgarble.
I often have very difficult times with artwork, so I understand what you mean. There are so many better casual artists out there, and on top of that there are the 'professionals' who are good enough to be employed full time from their work. It is daunting how many hours upon hours upon years of work it takes to really be semi-decent at something beyond just a 'oh that's kinda neat' hobby sort of level.
I hope you don't give up, though, and that you find some aspect of your artwork that inspires you enough to continue drawing.
One great thing about the internet is: that no matter how trivial you think your opinion is, there's usually always somebody listening. You might as well throw it out there.
The question is : can someone fall in love with someone else's character ? I have never heard of this but I think it is possible.
I think it is possible. Most fanbase consists on the love directed towards the characters more than the stories.
There are so many different people out there that if you develop the concept of a character long and deep enough, specially if you manage to show what makes it special and worthy of love, eventually someone will begin to like it.
I do agree though, it must feel like such an empty life. It must feel like being such an empty shell, actually. I think imagination is one of the strongest remniscents of childhood. To think quite a lot of people simply don't have it is just... kind of scary, really. If you consider some of this people are building the future of mankind we might really be lookin' towards one of those emotionless mind-controlled dictatorships 'a la' "1984".
Anyways!! What is depicted here is just what we humans are. Sure, we tend to seperate fantasy and reality but these stuff like movies, stories, drawings, it's what we do with our creativity. They may not look like it but sooner or later, something else will happen. Look at it this way, you love something, like you said, a car, what do you do in order to make your car more loveable in your own way? You try to improve it. With these kind of improvement, we get technology. This is how humans are with creativity. Hence, many animations and stuff.
The furry fandom and anthropomorphic creatures are part of our imagination and who or what we are. It's just something else and perhaps, in near future, we might create some special or fun ideas for humans through these thoughts? Who knows.
What got me into fanfiction is because of my fucked up mind. Every night, I would dream of stories and characters moving around my mind without sleep and somehow, I create a story through all these 'night-dreaming'. It's like an urge to do something about it and that's how fanfiction comes out.
It's quite a thought provoking opinion and it's something for the brain to think about. Why do we have the furry fandom? Why does fanfiction exist? Why do we have sexual urges for these furries? Why are we a furry?
I've allways daydreamed, a lot. I've spent, and still do, an awfull lot of time dreaming stories, most made up, some involving characters from different fandoms.
And one thing I've allways noticed is that odd attachment fictional characters produce.
In a very uncomprehensible way, I've allways thaught that fantazysing is like roll playing god... everything is the way the mind asks for it to be.
How then could we not love those characters who are charming just like we want them to be?
Something that also happened frequently is that I find it pretty difficult to daydream about a fictional character that has died in the canon of wherever they came from.
I've never understood why really, but I guess the same empathy that makes me feel affection towards them makes me unhappy of knowing nothing new will ever happen to that character again. Like the sadness of finishing a good book.
And it makes absolutely no sense, since fantasy is fantasy in the end and everything goes.
I never had connected these thaught with how the fandom works, but now It makes perfect sense.
And I'm oddly relieved, since noone I've even known personally daydreams.
I'm glad I've read our words ^^
Of course, then it becomes difficult in reading the final book in the series! So I suppose it's just delaying the inevitable, haha.
And hooray daydreaming! I'm happy I'm not so alone in that, at least.
Also, I don't know if you've read any Stephen King, but I allways hated him for making unbearably lovable characters, just to kill them near the end.
He is an evil man ù___ú
I feel like I understand myself better and for that I thank you.
Bleh...theres more know I want to write but I don't know how to put it because I'm sleep deprived haha
And dream, of course!
Btw...I can relate very well about the whole daydreaming thing. I DO THE SAME SHIT AND GET THE SAME RESULTS!
That's good I suppose. Better than finding out nobody agrees with my conclusions
But I sure love little plushies! They're so soft and cuddly. I could stay with one all day long... :3
*wagwag*
(I'm basically saying that though it makes sense, I can't explain it myself. XD)
And then there are the kids who become so obsessed with WoW, they have killed themselves over their character dying in a raid or what have you. To all of these people, their fiction has become such a reality that it has affected their day to day lives.
As much as I love furs, fiction, and especially HTTYD, I hope so never cross the boarders between fiction and reality.
Everything in moderation!
I saw it a while back now. Not quite sure how to put it, but it was like there were two types of fursonas. The super awesome special ones that were what people dreamed of becoming. And the closer to reality ones that were how people saw themselves in a different life/light.
I'm probably just ranting now, I do that 'cause my literary skills suck and i tend to go on about crap :P
But, yeah. A good read, had me thinking.
I agree wholeheartedly with all of this, and can't help but feel this kinda thing is what makes us sapient in the first place, gives up the ability to create in general.
I couldn't agree more. I think the whole concept of creating an universe is, actually, the starting point for any kind of artist, be it a musician, writer, painter, it's the ability to visualize what doesn't exist outside one's mind, or adapt what is perceived as our own universe projecting it into a 'palpable' medium.
The part about attributing human-like characteristics and emotions to innanimate objects is something I think most 'loners' can emphasize with. I'm no outcast or anti-social (pretty popular and loved, in fact o.o), but I've never managed to trust anyone as much as I trust.. my car. And in fact, I have seldomly loved people more than I love my car. Being my first one I'd suppose helps build this special connection, but I really can't see myself having a car without forming this sort of bond after a while. I think this kind of thing brings fantasy into our lives, into a somewhat boring world, devoid of magic and illusion.
Congratulations though, that was really well written, specially for an unnelaborate reply. ^^
tho i know what all the big words mean i just never had the patience to use them
=] makes it look like a segment from a book you made about yourself xD
^^ needless to say i couldnt have put it better myself!
You can't really understand and appreciate yourself without being able to identify thoes same qualities, good and bad, in others. They become an extension of our heighest hopes, and are darkest fears. And in many ways, they speak when we may not dare, as we sometimes live vicariously through them.
This helps us grow and connect with others and that can't be a bad thing <3
Read it just now, and I have to say we have strongly overlapping philosophies. But, setting that aside for a moment, I'd like to address something I noticed on a different level. You don't post journals very often, and less so are they this insightful to your mindset. So that you posted this at all is significant, and suggests the material met with a certain standard of your. However, you called this excerpt "meandering, and poorly-conceived".
Interestingly, even in this same post, you've also expressed some disappointment with your own art's inability to capture your imagination adequately (see 'magic printer' comment above, as well as the twinge of envy with 'better casual artists and professionals').
This excerpt you posted, .. nay, I wager the letter as a whole .. is as a work of art in your mind, and as such, you're holding it to the same litmus as you do visual pieces. Good enough to post and share with others, but falling short in some way for yourself, such that it's less than it could be, less than complete. Perhaps it's as simple as being afraid it won't be well received, and so you warn us ahead of time that it is "poorly-conceived". You're a little shy to share it, in case it isn't well received, but just as with your art, it contains a kernel of truth.
The reason I bring this up is that I don't think it's a rare quality, I think it's something intrinsic to human nature just as well as the empathy and such you describe in your letter. And also another link to the trio cited above -- furry fandom, anthropomorphism, and mainstream fiction. I think you hit the connection between the last two pretty solidly, but how does the furry fandom, as a fandom, fit into it? If you ask me, we're still a little shy about it, as a whole. Some are more outgoing about it than others, of course. But in the contexts involved, the 'fandom' as a whole is still budding, still concerned about how well, or unwell, it will be received. This isn't just a philosophy, I've seen it before my eyes in how the press is handled at conventions, and how the press is regarded in general. In the sense that the press reflects (and guides) society's opinion of a group or activity, the furry fandom is, by analogy, akin to how you felt posting this excerpt. Timid, humble, but exposing itself anyway. The fandom's interests have a kernel of truth to them, and as more people accept the many similarities with themselves more than they reject the dissimilarities, the difference between 'furry fandom' and 'mainstream fiction' will diminish. Perhaps someday, it'll disappear.