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Furries and FurAffinity on Boing Boing
15 years ago
Fur Fun
Lisa Katayama // Rob Beschizza
8:19 AM Monday
"Of all the folks in the geek hierarchy, furries can say a thing or two about getting negative attention from the mainstream. One aficionado of anthropormophic art, fiction and culture, however, would rather to talk about what makes the fandom so fulfilling."
http://www.boingboing.net/features/furry.html
I ran across this article this morning and I thought I would share, as it not only expresses a fairly well-written feeling I share, but also mentions FurAffinity (and others) by name. Like most people who undertake this task, the author and/or interviewee is "trying to set the record straight", which is usually far more damaging than leaving it alone. But in this case, it's not so bad.
What do you think? Thoughts?...
Lisa Katayama // Rob Beschizza
8:19 AM Monday
"Of all the folks in the geek hierarchy, furries can say a thing or two about getting negative attention from the mainstream. One aficionado of anthropormophic art, fiction and culture, however, would rather to talk about what makes the fandom so fulfilling."
http://www.boingboing.net/features/furry.html
I ran across this article this morning and I thought I would share, as it not only expresses a fairly well-written feeling I share, but also mentions FurAffinity (and others) by name. Like most people who undertake this task, the author and/or interviewee is "trying to set the record straight", which is usually far more damaging than leaving it alone. But in this case, it's not so bad.
What do you think? Thoughts?...
But I digress. Very nice article!
I've always been kind of sick of that.
The mild side (of anything) are around for a collective interest in something. The wilder element are show-boaty and in some cases vulgar, capitalizing on shock value. This element is certainly allowed to exist, and many if not most of us partake in it. But it's this element that often captures the limelight and thus perpetuates a global image.
I don't blame the wild-cards or the faction they belong to, I blame the lazy journalists who stop on the surface and have no desire to move past the façade. True journalism, in every form, needs to do more than look at what is handed on a silver platter and understand the arm that is holding it.
This is part of the problem. We're not, not really. I mean, I'm personally really vocal about this, but most of the "wilder element" keep to themselves and enjoy what they do among circles that will appreciate it. I don't think it's entirely fair to say that any furries who make their sexual interests public are "unfairly portray[ing] furries as freaks" because that means us perverts (and I mean real perverts with paraphilias not just vaguely kinky people) need to keep that aspect of ourselves in the closet forever, even if we want to talk about it, even if we can do a good job of expressing it, even if we think non-furries can sympathize, for the sake of a few people who are embarrassed for us. You call it show-boating and vulgar... I call it expressing what attracts me most to the fandom in an appropriate venue. As for capitalizing on shock value... yeah, cool, I want the rest of the fandom to disown me for being honest about myself and have a studio audience make ew faces at me, I think I'll go on the Tyra Banks show.
It doesn't make sense. Why do we always have to disavow and dismiss the adult stuff in the fandom in order for the article to be showing us "in a positive light"?
The trouble with "trying to set the record straight" is, there is no such thing. This realm has an awful lot of overlap, but no definites. We're all in here for different reasons. It's just that, like in all things, there are those of us with louder voices and they define us all.