FA+
Shop
Character For Sale -Must Read-
10 years ago
Every day I open FA look at all the notices and sniff through journals and submissions excitedly just as most furs would.
However what this journal really is about is the garbage that flows through as submissions. “Character for sale”
So I open FA on a normal day, wether is be the home page or the list of notifications in my inbox, there is a FLOOD of these “character for sale” things.
Its all new, probably only going in for the last year or two.
In the beginning it was like “lol funny, what a clever idea to take advantage of some derps by that artist”
Then it got serious... a lot of furs have begun taking this garbage seriously. Fighting over and paying for what is essentially nothing.
No matter how you take it, its bullshit from every level and every angle.
I can understand if someone is selling a fursuit of their fursona and “character is not for sale” is mentioned so that if a derp buys it and romps around pretending to be you at least you have some vague hope of keeping your name clean.
Personally I would never sell a suit of my fursona but some people do, thats cool that’s their choice. If I was them, id make big changes to the garment before it was sold. Full stop.
But this whole {here’s a bunch of -off the shelf- coulor in the lines templates} that have had some coulor slapped on them in photoshop taking 2 mins each, with a price tag above each one.
that's weak, seriously. I thought furs had imagination, feeling and conceptual awareness.
A fursona is unique and different to every fur. Not necessarily unique in appearance but unique in in the sense of WHAT/WHO THEY ARE TO the person/fur. “what is your fursona to you” a fantastic question ill always ask when I meet a new furry or want to get to know someone well.
For me personally I am Diego, he –myself- is just a different more ideal physical being that other people or furs can communicate with. Kind of like a reflection in the mirror, its real you just can’t touch it.
What a fursona is to them doesn’t matter so long as their happy. But what does matter is when artists take advantage of people with no brain and the other issue being the whole "character for sale" thing is actually causing degradation of the fandom its self.
the practice of selling these things is making some furs and the fandom more consumer based.
Put simply its killing creativity and stopping alot of people intergrading, being creative and just simply using their own mind’s.
the fandom is not about “BUY THIS, GET THAT, BE HERE, SEE THEM”
what is beautiful about the fandom and furs is that we can exist on our own physically and even in our own minds. To be a fur you dont need approval or to be part of “the” group or even other like minded people around you. All you need is just to be yourself and have your own thoughts, mind and imagination.
You could live on an island your whole life alone but in theory still be a fur if you have your own mind and imagination. Of course you’d need an interest in anthropomorphism but you get the point, you don’t need outside influence to be a fur.
“Fursona/Character for self” commercializes and taints What and Who we are. Its ridiculous and shallow... and I don’t like it.
THIS IS NOT 1984! Thought crime is not illegal!!! Use your head fuzzies!
However what this journal really is about is the garbage that flows through as submissions. “Character for sale”
So I open FA on a normal day, wether is be the home page or the list of notifications in my inbox, there is a FLOOD of these “character for sale” things.
Its all new, probably only going in for the last year or two.
In the beginning it was like “lol funny, what a clever idea to take advantage of some derps by that artist”
Then it got serious... a lot of furs have begun taking this garbage seriously. Fighting over and paying for what is essentially nothing.
No matter how you take it, its bullshit from every level and every angle.
I can understand if someone is selling a fursuit of their fursona and “character is not for sale” is mentioned so that if a derp buys it and romps around pretending to be you at least you have some vague hope of keeping your name clean.
Personally I would never sell a suit of my fursona but some people do, thats cool that’s their choice. If I was them, id make big changes to the garment before it was sold. Full stop.
But this whole {here’s a bunch of -off the shelf- coulor in the lines templates} that have had some coulor slapped on them in photoshop taking 2 mins each, with a price tag above each one.
that's weak, seriously. I thought furs had imagination, feeling and conceptual awareness.
A fursona is unique and different to every fur. Not necessarily unique in appearance but unique in in the sense of WHAT/WHO THEY ARE TO the person/fur. “what is your fursona to you” a fantastic question ill always ask when I meet a new furry or want to get to know someone well.
For me personally I am Diego, he –myself- is just a different more ideal physical being that other people or furs can communicate with. Kind of like a reflection in the mirror, its real you just can’t touch it.
What a fursona is to them doesn’t matter so long as their happy. But what does matter is when artists take advantage of people with no brain and the other issue being the whole "character for sale" thing is actually causing degradation of the fandom its self.
the practice of selling these things is making some furs and the fandom more consumer based.
Put simply its killing creativity and stopping alot of people intergrading, being creative and just simply using their own mind’s.
the fandom is not about “BUY THIS, GET THAT, BE HERE, SEE THEM”
what is beautiful about the fandom and furs is that we can exist on our own physically and even in our own minds. To be a fur you dont need approval or to be part of “the” group or even other like minded people around you. All you need is just to be yourself and have your own thoughts, mind and imagination.
You could live on an island your whole life alone but in theory still be a fur if you have your own mind and imagination. Of course you’d need an interest in anthropomorphism but you get the point, you don’t need outside influence to be a fur.
“Fursona/Character for self” commercializes and taints What and Who we are. Its ridiculous and shallow... and I don’t like it.
THIS IS NOT 1984! Thought crime is not illegal!!! Use your head fuzzies!
Understand and relate to your points, but at the same time, capitalism. If there is a market for it, then they can do it. Don't see any issue other than folks not realising that they can be inspired by an image and then create something similar but different, and different in the areas they want, to have it be unique and theirs, without the need to pay someone for it.
Have seen a few 'selling this character' things, which were either a combination of fursuit and commissioned works, or just a heap of commissioned works. Essentially saying that you own the copyright to that character from that point onwards. Which, again, is entirely fine, and personally has more merit than the colour-swapped/coloured base image which these 'character for sale' or even 'character auctions' have.
Never understood the market. But, if the market exists, may as well make use of it.
One thing which is not agreed with is your journal:
the fandom is not about “BUY THIS, GET THAT, BE HERE, SEE THEM”
Yeah, it kinda is for some folks.
A lot of folks get popular by spending money with the 'right' (read: popular) artists, then pay for a really expensive fursuit of their character. And from merely having and spending money, they get popular. And they enjoy it. So for those looking to get popular in the fandom, and the various boons that it affords accordingly, it IS EXACTLY what the fandom is about.
I thought furs had imagination, feeling and conceptual awareness.
Perhaps you think a bit too specifically of this subculture. It doesn't only attract creative folks, it attracts everyone who enjoys anthropomorphic artworks and creations. As a result it attracts a lot of folks who are NOT creative. And that is FINE. There is nothing wrong with someone not being creative, and they are welcome to be a part of the subculture as well. As they well should be.
You did hit the nail on the head though:
What a fursona is to them doesn’t matter so long as their happy.
So, in other words. If someone feels something for one of these off the shelf designs, and they like it. Then, it doesn't matter, so long as they are happy. Definitely true.
This is capitalism, and personally, don't really like it, but am happy to have it going on. Yes, also feel that it is to some extent taking advantage of less creative folks, but even so, if they are happy, what is the problem?
The subculture has always been consumer based. There are creators, there are those who enjoy creations. This has supported people to becoming professional fursuit makers, and making very good costumes as a result. There are professional artists who support themselves through drawing and have improved accordingly. The subculture IS consumer based, and THAT is exactly what has allowed it to expand as much as it has, and be as successful as it has.
People join the Community for Various reasons. EG/ you could become an artists! BANG!
And its now a form of income to live off and that's all some people want it for.
People are part of the fandom based on spiritual connections. The "Therian" side to it.
Others see it as a form of socializing...i could go on for days writing reasons. or gaming!
I could go on listing for hours!
It all depends on the person. People are less attached to what we call our "Fursona".
To us the thought of selling our sona seems disgraceful! Its the character that represents YOU...because thats how we grew up thinking.
There are those that go about thinking less of it. or just differently altogether.
There are lots of people that make slight changes to their current Sona's as the years go by. Some change it altogether.
It all comes down to what they are thinking, which we have no right to question.
Maybe a significant life event occurred that assisted in the change! Who knows! Each to their own!
Buying characters may seem like buying nothing but i suppose there is a mental satisfaction side to it all.
Acquiring a new look that seems physical in the mental state.
Sorta like "Turning over a new leaf." People could just buy characters to easily acquire an identity for illustration too!
Seeing all the different designs piques our curiosity, whether you buy it or not.
Our minds utilize what we see and recycle some of it into new designs that we create out of our own best interests.
For some, it is easier to do than others. But again...there are soo many different reasons why someone might want to buy or sell a character.
OK sure....Some guy just bought a random character for $10 that someone whipped up in 2 mins.
But have a think for a second. WHY did that person buy it? Whats going on through their head when they bought it!
I can Guarantee its not just because they are "dumb" or "lazy!" I think that's a short-sighted assumption Diego XD
everything you mentioned here was addressed in my journal.
whilst you have valid points and i do agree, its undeniable that this stuff has gone too far and that some artists do it purly for a quick buck.
Im amazed when reading through the comments people actually pay and buy them.
It aint gonna stop. That would be like trying to stop the stock markets from fluctuating. You would have to do something pretty drastic for it to have an effect.
So ill just add that I think a fursona needs to be something personal. Something that evolves and develops over time until you get it exactly how you want it. Buying it cheapens it. People who rush their fursona or buy one or ask for names or designs without trying are just cheating themselves.
Im of the view that people cant have multiple fursonas.
They have a fursona and then secondary characters they opt to play with.
It really gets my goat up when people say they have multiple fursonas.
If you like the idea behind a design, why go for something thats a recoloured base. It targets impulse buyers.
Take note of what you like from several over time and make your own character thats perfect for YOU that you can take pride in. Just feels lazy to me.