FA+
Shop
On my experience so far of furry fandom...
11 years ago
General
So, I haven't written much here, haven't been around much here and I think I partly figured out why.
I just don't really get much out of this fandom, and while I hear people talking all the time about how great it is, how supportive it is, how community minded it is... I just don't see it.
My experience may be an anomaly, certainly my partner Raraka doesn't experience things the same way but... my experience differs vastly from his.
For a start, I paid for a 'YCH/buy now' commission nearly a year ago. I know that the payment went through - I have the paypal transaction ID. I have heard *nothing* in person from the artist since then. Nothing confirming they got my reference sheet, nothing since and I know they've continued taking on commissions and so on since then. I spent $140 Australian on the commission - $120 US at the time, and... it's not a small amount of money for me. That amount of money could have been so many other things. I'm sad and disappointed that more than nine months have passed since I paid for the commission and have heard nothing. What's community minded or great about that?
Also, on the subject of community minded, my experience of that is, only if you fit in to the ideas that others have about it. Don't dare suggest that something is missing, or that some people find the fandom off-putting or unwelcoming, especially don't dare to suggest anything that might address what you were looking for out of the fandom, or try and put it together yourself.
I am however delighted by the commissions that have worked out, but this other experience has definitely put me off spending money on more commissions.
Individually these things aren't that big a deal, but as with many things, the sum is greater than the parts and I'm left wondering how the hell it is that I think sci-fi/fantasy fandom is better behaved, less offensive and demonstrably more community minded than my experience of furry fandom. Really never thought I'd be saying that given we're still routinely having conversations about the importance of parity, of representation, and not speaking for others.
Maybe my experience will improve over time? Who knows, I'm not holding my breath.
I will say that Rikkoshaye and Kaputotter are amazing artists who do incredible art and seem like the loveliest of people in addition to being vastly talented.
I just don't really get much out of this fandom, and while I hear people talking all the time about how great it is, how supportive it is, how community minded it is... I just don't see it.
My experience may be an anomaly, certainly my partner Raraka doesn't experience things the same way but... my experience differs vastly from his.
For a start, I paid for a 'YCH/buy now' commission nearly a year ago. I know that the payment went through - I have the paypal transaction ID. I have heard *nothing* in person from the artist since then. Nothing confirming they got my reference sheet, nothing since and I know they've continued taking on commissions and so on since then. I spent $140 Australian on the commission - $120 US at the time, and... it's not a small amount of money for me. That amount of money could have been so many other things. I'm sad and disappointed that more than nine months have passed since I paid for the commission and have heard nothing. What's community minded or great about that?
Also, on the subject of community minded, my experience of that is, only if you fit in to the ideas that others have about it. Don't dare suggest that something is missing, or that some people find the fandom off-putting or unwelcoming, especially don't dare to suggest anything that might address what you were looking for out of the fandom, or try and put it together yourself.
I am however delighted by the commissions that have worked out, but this other experience has definitely put me off spending money on more commissions.
Individually these things aren't that big a deal, but as with many things, the sum is greater than the parts and I'm left wondering how the hell it is that I think sci-fi/fantasy fandom is better behaved, less offensive and demonstrably more community minded than my experience of furry fandom. Really never thought I'd be saying that given we're still routinely having conversations about the importance of parity, of representation, and not speaking for others.
Maybe my experience will improve over time? Who knows, I'm not holding my breath.
I will say that Rikkoshaye and Kaputotter are amazing artists who do incredible art and seem like the loveliest of people in addition to being vastly talented.
