FA+
Shop
Furry Meme
16 years ago
This has been going around. I figured I'd fill it out because I felt like pontificating on something that wasn't for class for once :D
Are you a furry?
Relatively speaking, yes
If you have a spouse/SO- is he/she a furry too?
N/A
How long have you been in the community?
I suppose I've been technically in the fandom since...oh, 2000? But I've only been here since 2006. I'm not much of an active community-type person, so I'm unsure if any of that counts.
How did you find furry?
I've been into anthropomorphic or funny animals since the dawn of time, since...well, that's what cartoons were. And animals were always so much more interesting than people :D But if you mean the fandom proper, well, someone in an old AOL chatroom linked me to a Sonic website (I want to say TeamARtail but my memory isn't good enough to recall) and I was like "Oo, people who like and draw stuff like me" and then I learned that sometimes sonic artists did these things called "giftart" and I had to get me a slice of that pie. I've since matured and feel guilty for having been such an art whore :(
What's your reason for furry (what interested you to get into the community)?
Honestly? Even when I was a kid I never thought about ever -wanting- to be in a group. Rather, I like to talk with people who have similar interests as me and have always joined forums and chat groups in order to do so. My stay can be for a day, a week, or even years but I never consciously strive to be in a fandom. That's basically what happened here - I was involved in the furry fandom for a time, drifted in and out at varying degrees, but ultimately never left. I suspect that's because furry is such a broad term that covers a whole theme or idea, rather than a singular subject, so it's much more enduring. My interests are always my interests and cartoons have always been close to my heart.
What's furry to you?
It's what you make of it. Everyone deserves to be happy, and if that's accomplished by believing they are an animal spiritually, then more power to them. Furry, for me personally, is much more of an interest, almost by default. I like animals, I love cartoons, I like anthropomorphizing animals, I love art. And furry communities are generally where that stuff is. It doesn't define me and it doesn't affect my life beyond some of my online activity. As I said, I never strive to be in a group, I'm unable to define myself in terms of communities and whatnot. But that's just me, see, and the folks who find it much more important are just as valid in their belief as I am. Everyone deserves to be happy.
So, short answer: 'furry' is something personal to the individual, there's no way for me to define it.
If someone found out you're a furry and asked you about it how would you respond?
If you don't know already, I'm the longwinded sort who just plain loves to lecturelecturelecture, so I really jump at any chance to explain anything to anyone. I'm a debater by nature, so I'll engage and explain and hopefully make the individual understand my point of view. I welcome questions of all kinds so it wouldn't bother me at all. What do I care what people think of me?
What's your favorite aspect of the community?
The art and the people. Drama queens? Certainly! But in general the people I've met via the furry fandom have been really genuine and honest people, whatever that implies, and if there's one thing I respect its honesty and a desire to be true to yourself. Everyone seems to be finding themselves or working through things, or have done so in the past, and most people seem to understand that. They generally seem to accept people for who they are, there's nothing I admire more than that.
There is just such warmth in this community that I really admire.
That isn't to say everyone is, but this is what I've observed in general. I like to emphasize the good over the bad anyhow.
Do you use any furry terms (i.e. yiff, paws, murr)?
Sort of, but generally not in any personal way. I always use 'yiff' when describing furry sex to differentiate it from other forms of cybering etc. It's simply a more specific term that everyone knows what it means. Other than that, only in reference really or perhaps in jest. I'm not really the sort of people to use non-technical terminology, anyway, so you can't really go by me.
What do you wish furry was NOT associate with?
It would be nice if everyone realized that the furry fandom is comprised of human beings who, by our very nature, are vastly different from one another. The only common point here is the interest in animals/cartoons/anthropomorphs. That's it. It would be nice if people just understood that not everyone is the same so you cannot make blanket judgments about a large group of diverse people. Would be nice, but then so would many things, doesn't make it realistic.
But hypothetically speaking, I'd like to not be associated with any group who has or implies non-consensual sex - that's things like bestiality and sexual cub art. Babyfurs who are exclusively adults acting like children? Doesn't bother me, because its consensual and really doesn't harm anyone. Hurting or infringing of the rights of others is the only thing that really bothers me. Everything else is just shit that ain't my business.
How strongly do you feel about someone bashing the community as a whole?
I really don't care what other people think of me and, by extension, any group I happen to be a part of. Now, if we're discussing it I will likely rant but it doesn't upset me particularly. I'm just like to rant and always strive to prove my point in a conversation :)
How strongly do you feel about someone bashing you yourself for your interest based on the media's aspect on what furry is?
I really don't care what other people think of me.
We all know furry has a lot of sexual aspects in this fandom. What's your opinion on it?
Humans are sexual. We will always be sexual and sexuality will always mean different things to different people. Who are we to judge another's quirks because it doesn't work for us? If its harmless, its fine by me, its their life not mine. And again, everyone deserves to be happy. Further...people cannot choose their fetishes, its a psychological development. If somebody's fetish is ruining their life, I hope that they seek treatment, but if they can function and it makes them happy...what's wrong with that? Why does anyone care what other people like sexually? I boggles my mind.
Personal
What is your fursona(s)?
Artemis. Artemis is a panthar, which was originally just my 11 year old self trying to be clever but has been retrofitted as its own species. Blahblah, uninteresting stuff
Do you have any fetishes to pertain to the fandom?
I'm pretty much asexual, I don't have much of an interest in sex to begin with and so I don't really have the opportunity to have qualifiers on it. However, the non-psychological definition of a fetish is an intense interest in or a fixation on an object or a concept, which I certainly do have. Gore, horror, vore, that sort of thing could be considered my fetish.
If you could magically morph into your fursona would you?
Yes.
Do you believe you have a spirit animal?
I do not personally believe in spirit animals, no.
What other fanbases/groups are you a part of?
Horror, Sci-fi, Batman (or DC comics, if you want a broader term), gamers...I dunno, I really don't actively belong to any group, I just sort of like things...
Anthro/Feral, Therian, or Kemonomimi (Not a furry, just an animal with ears and a tail)?
Anthro/Feral
Are you a fursuiter? If yes, how many do you own? If no, do you plan on being a suiter?
No, but I actually do think it would be spiffy to have a fursuit at some point. I dunno, I like to dress up in costumes and stuff but I prefer then people can't see my face. I don't know why.
Besides...they're just so cute.
How many of your friends are furry?
I dunno, like half?
How many pets do you own, if any?
I have a German Shepherd Dog named Dakota :)
Aside from furry what other interest do you have?
Drawing, writing, movies (I fucking love movies), psychology, debating, showing off how goddamn smart I am ;D
Are you confident enough in yourself to say you're a fur, no matter what the media says?
Well, yes, but I generally don't like labels and thus stay away from them. Besides, I don't feel I'm active enough in the community to take the title of "furry". It seems disrespectful to the people to whom it means something. But if someone called me a furry I wouldn't have a problem with it. It's all relative, really.
Meetups
Do you attend any cons? If no, would you attend any cons? If yes, which cons have you been to?
No, but I do think it would be neat to go to one once. Though, see, I'm not the particularly social sort and since its primarily socializing I don't think I'd be too comfortable. Now, if I went with a friend and had a fursuit ('cause I'm shy ;) ) I might be more sociable, but for now I think I'd have a panic attack or something.
Do you go to local meetups(bowling, public outings...etc)?
I haven't, but like cons I do think it'd be fun. I'm just too shy and anxious to ever do it. Not a people person, this one.
Have you ever attended a furry party? If no, would you attend one?
No. What is a furry party?
Online
Have you ever met up with a fur you talked to online?
Yes
What furry websites do you attend?
FurAffinity. That's it. Really, I didn't know there were many more than that...
What non furry websites do you frequent?
LiveJournal, DeviantART, and Facebook. And then random forums or sites I'm interested in in any given month. But those ones are fairly consistent...sometimes.
Has the fandom done anything for you that you're thankful for? Has it taught you anything or brought you anything you treasure greatly?
Really awesome friends.
Are you a furry?
Relatively speaking, yes
If you have a spouse/SO- is he/she a furry too?
N/A
How long have you been in the community?
I suppose I've been technically in the fandom since...oh, 2000? But I've only been here since 2006. I'm not much of an active community-type person, so I'm unsure if any of that counts.
How did you find furry?
I've been into anthropomorphic or funny animals since the dawn of time, since...well, that's what cartoons were. And animals were always so much more interesting than people :D But if you mean the fandom proper, well, someone in an old AOL chatroom linked me to a Sonic website (I want to say TeamARtail but my memory isn't good enough to recall) and I was like "Oo, people who like and draw stuff like me" and then I learned that sometimes sonic artists did these things called "giftart" and I had to get me a slice of that pie. I've since matured and feel guilty for having been such an art whore :(
What's your reason for furry (what interested you to get into the community)?
Honestly? Even when I was a kid I never thought about ever -wanting- to be in a group. Rather, I like to talk with people who have similar interests as me and have always joined forums and chat groups in order to do so. My stay can be for a day, a week, or even years but I never consciously strive to be in a fandom. That's basically what happened here - I was involved in the furry fandom for a time, drifted in and out at varying degrees, but ultimately never left. I suspect that's because furry is such a broad term that covers a whole theme or idea, rather than a singular subject, so it's much more enduring. My interests are always my interests and cartoons have always been close to my heart.
What's furry to you?
It's what you make of it. Everyone deserves to be happy, and if that's accomplished by believing they are an animal spiritually, then more power to them. Furry, for me personally, is much more of an interest, almost by default. I like animals, I love cartoons, I like anthropomorphizing animals, I love art. And furry communities are generally where that stuff is. It doesn't define me and it doesn't affect my life beyond some of my online activity. As I said, I never strive to be in a group, I'm unable to define myself in terms of communities and whatnot. But that's just me, see, and the folks who find it much more important are just as valid in their belief as I am. Everyone deserves to be happy.
So, short answer: 'furry' is something personal to the individual, there's no way for me to define it.
If someone found out you're a furry and asked you about it how would you respond?
If you don't know already, I'm the longwinded sort who just plain loves to lecturelecturelecture, so I really jump at any chance to explain anything to anyone. I'm a debater by nature, so I'll engage and explain and hopefully make the individual understand my point of view. I welcome questions of all kinds so it wouldn't bother me at all. What do I care what people think of me?
What's your favorite aspect of the community?
The art and the people. Drama queens? Certainly! But in general the people I've met via the furry fandom have been really genuine and honest people, whatever that implies, and if there's one thing I respect its honesty and a desire to be true to yourself. Everyone seems to be finding themselves or working through things, or have done so in the past, and most people seem to understand that. They generally seem to accept people for who they are, there's nothing I admire more than that.
There is just such warmth in this community that I really admire.
That isn't to say everyone is, but this is what I've observed in general. I like to emphasize the good over the bad anyhow.
Do you use any furry terms (i.e. yiff, paws, murr)?
Sort of, but generally not in any personal way. I always use 'yiff' when describing furry sex to differentiate it from other forms of cybering etc. It's simply a more specific term that everyone knows what it means. Other than that, only in reference really or perhaps in jest. I'm not really the sort of people to use non-technical terminology, anyway, so you can't really go by me.
What do you wish furry was NOT associate with?
It would be nice if everyone realized that the furry fandom is comprised of human beings who, by our very nature, are vastly different from one another. The only common point here is the interest in animals/cartoons/anthropomorphs. That's it. It would be nice if people just understood that not everyone is the same so you cannot make blanket judgments about a large group of diverse people. Would be nice, but then so would many things, doesn't make it realistic.
But hypothetically speaking, I'd like to not be associated with any group who has or implies non-consensual sex - that's things like bestiality and sexual cub art. Babyfurs who are exclusively adults acting like children? Doesn't bother me, because its consensual and really doesn't harm anyone. Hurting or infringing of the rights of others is the only thing that really bothers me. Everything else is just shit that ain't my business.
How strongly do you feel about someone bashing the community as a whole?
I really don't care what other people think of me and, by extension, any group I happen to be a part of. Now, if we're discussing it I will likely rant but it doesn't upset me particularly. I'm just like to rant and always strive to prove my point in a conversation :)
How strongly do you feel about someone bashing you yourself for your interest based on the media's aspect on what furry is?
I really don't care what other people think of me.
We all know furry has a lot of sexual aspects in this fandom. What's your opinion on it?
Humans are sexual. We will always be sexual and sexuality will always mean different things to different people. Who are we to judge another's quirks because it doesn't work for us? If its harmless, its fine by me, its their life not mine. And again, everyone deserves to be happy. Further...people cannot choose their fetishes, its a psychological development. If somebody's fetish is ruining their life, I hope that they seek treatment, but if they can function and it makes them happy...what's wrong with that? Why does anyone care what other people like sexually? I boggles my mind.
Personal
What is your fursona(s)?
Artemis. Artemis is a panthar, which was originally just my 11 year old self trying to be clever but has been retrofitted as its own species. Blahblah, uninteresting stuff
Do you have any fetishes to pertain to the fandom?
I'm pretty much asexual, I don't have much of an interest in sex to begin with and so I don't really have the opportunity to have qualifiers on it. However, the non-psychological definition of a fetish is an intense interest in or a fixation on an object or a concept, which I certainly do have. Gore, horror, vore, that sort of thing could be considered my fetish.
If you could magically morph into your fursona would you?
Yes.
Do you believe you have a spirit animal?
I do not personally believe in spirit animals, no.
What other fanbases/groups are you a part of?
Horror, Sci-fi, Batman (or DC comics, if you want a broader term), gamers...I dunno, I really don't actively belong to any group, I just sort of like things...
Anthro/Feral, Therian, or Kemonomimi (Not a furry, just an animal with ears and a tail)?
Anthro/Feral
Are you a fursuiter? If yes, how many do you own? If no, do you plan on being a suiter?
No, but I actually do think it would be spiffy to have a fursuit at some point. I dunno, I like to dress up in costumes and stuff but I prefer then people can't see my face. I don't know why.
Besides...they're just so cute.
How many of your friends are furry?
I dunno, like half?
How many pets do you own, if any?
I have a German Shepherd Dog named Dakota :)
Aside from furry what other interest do you have?
Drawing, writing, movies (I fucking love movies), psychology, debating, showing off how goddamn smart I am ;D
Are you confident enough in yourself to say you're a fur, no matter what the media says?
Well, yes, but I generally don't like labels and thus stay away from them. Besides, I don't feel I'm active enough in the community to take the title of "furry". It seems disrespectful to the people to whom it means something. But if someone called me a furry I wouldn't have a problem with it. It's all relative, really.
Meetups
Do you attend any cons? If no, would you attend any cons? If yes, which cons have you been to?
No, but I do think it would be neat to go to one once. Though, see, I'm not the particularly social sort and since its primarily socializing I don't think I'd be too comfortable. Now, if I went with a friend and had a fursuit ('cause I'm shy ;) ) I might be more sociable, but for now I think I'd have a panic attack or something.
Do you go to local meetups(bowling, public outings...etc)?
I haven't, but like cons I do think it'd be fun. I'm just too shy and anxious to ever do it. Not a people person, this one.
Have you ever attended a furry party? If no, would you attend one?
No. What is a furry party?
Online
Have you ever met up with a fur you talked to online?
Yes
What furry websites do you attend?
FurAffinity. That's it. Really, I didn't know there were many more than that...
What non furry websites do you frequent?
LiveJournal, DeviantART, and Facebook. And then random forums or sites I'm interested in in any given month. But those ones are fairly consistent...sometimes.
Has the fandom done anything for you that you're thankful for? Has it taught you anything or brought you anything you treasure greatly?
Really awesome friends.
