Anything about badgers?

Did you forget when you asked earlier?

Ah.

Thank you kindly! Glad it served you well! I'm doing well, currently. Just intensely busy.

I've already watched you and said to you good job but... that's not enough! A wonderful and very exhaustive and deep panel, congrats!

Mhm, oomph, yes! I am so ready for this!
I have time, food and tea.

I laughed so much X3 IT was a nice way to learn about the fandom in a way i had not thought; stereotypes marking (many times) the way you can approach clients and what to expect!

Also I want to buy your artbook now XD

NEAT!
I didn't knew that you record it, butt i guess i just overheard it tho :v
Butt im really happy, since it was one of the best experience from my first EF and im glad to be able to revisited it kinda ;3c

that is very interesting.

It was very cool to see you live, I really enjoyed your talk and the research you put into it. Especially how you look into a part of the fandom that you might not particularly enjoy but prefer to know more rather than judge. Well done - I look forward to seeing more!

Thanks for saying so! Glad it was good to you.

I was curious for see some like this! great video and thanks for share.

You are welcome! Thank you very much for watching!
I am working on a Spanish translation so more of your friends can enjoy it. <3

Excellent video, really enjoyed listening to this and the humor of it ^..^ Also learned a lot!

I like balancing humour and education!

Very interesting speech, I wish I could have been there this year. You gave out some very informative things and I thank you for being so honest about some stuff! ^-^

Of course! Hope you're inspired to go out there and be more honest, too.

Holy FUUUUUUUUUUU- YES.

How was it?

Loved it. Also, FOXES..... Seriously, I'm something of the stereotype, with the addendum that I haven't slept around in years.... And am also not "hotdog down a hallway".....

But I really liked the video. And I wish more artists did this. Of course, I will freely admit I still love porn-type artwork too much to let it go. Will have to poke you for a commission eventually.

I'd seen some incarnation of this talk before, but this one hit me on a day where I was particularly introspective and emotionally vulnerable (for positive reasons, but still not without anxiety), and this time it loosened the knot on some core conflicts of mine that I've been struggling with for years, somehow without ever acknowledging them directly. You occupy such a unique niche as an amateur psychologist in a place that really, really needs a psych- thanks for demonstrating that this subculture exists for a reason. You've got the gift humanity needs to survive.

You must have seen the proto version two years ago. So much has changed since then, huh!

Thank you for being receptive. I just hope my subjectivity can be ironed out by my curiosity and the intelligent people with whom I surround myself!

And that last line is such a great compliment. I hope I can be a glue that holds humanity together.

Just started watching and I'm laughing so much at the "Roast of Johnathan" in the beginning there.

This is my life. Good thing I learned to enjoy it!

I watched the whole thing and enjoyed it quite a lot. These days my fursona is a dead, Norwegian philosopher, but I used to have an avian charcter and I'm a biologist and love to explore xenobiology in my characters. So that observation was spot on :)

You are a rare and beautiful flower that I'm thankful to know.
Thanks for sharing your response to the video. <3

Very entertaining panel!
Thanks for sharing it.
(Dragon who sleeps on piles of gold but is still buffed as fuck here)

+Fav here because it's a seriously good talk. Funny, yes, but also true and eye opening.

I see you now have english captions! If you'd like I can help you with the Spanish translation :)

I already have a Spanish translator in the works, but I thank you for offering! It's going to take a lot of money and time!

Do you have experience translating?

I have translated a few things for fun but nothing serious and definitely not professional, I just happen to know both languages. If you can pay for a professional to do it it'll be much better!

I am planning to pay a Spanish translator, but thank you for contributing! Maybe later the community could make efforts to translate.

That's cool and all Stig.. but what about my particular fursona? whatabout MEEEEEEEEE??????

Great work Jonathan.. I enjoyed it.

Hahaha, you noticed the pattern I get! It is funny when someone watches the whole thing but only asks about their species. (:

This was an interesting one to listen to, thanks so much! I'll be watching some of your other videos for sure. ouo

Thanks! Hope you love 'em.

OOh ya know what? VERY curious to hear your thoughts on this.

Gon give it a listen once im home! :D

How was it, homefry?

This is really great, I love hearing panels that are actually serious and something to learn from. I enjoyed hearing about the ones that hit closer to home for me. Especially with dragon and self-confidence issues, that hit home with Infierna and same with the lioness of course. Too busy to have time for your shit, and more on the aggressive side. Very much like Infierna it was so crazy you hit the nail on the head.

Then my deer-cat character, I think you mentioned deer being spiritual and she is definitely more spirit-based... and shy. She is closer to the Native American appreciating type you talked about with wolves. Although she is out of the norm of what you experienced since she has nothing to do with trans community. But I can see how deer would be a common theme in that community.

Also I loved the section on G.I.R.L. because I really thought I was the only one who felt that way -- so yay, I am not alone lol.

The part on dolphins I never realized that, since I think pooltoy art is unique and cute, pooltoy could be connected to my having a dolphin character. But that could just be coincidence. Overall I am drawn to tropical and fun themes and that is why I made the dolphin character, even if I don't use him much.

I really love your honesty and learning from you, and that you treat people like people.

Huh, I could see that with deer. I wanna meet more deer (and all species) that are outside these stereotypes. But glad so many related to your experiences too!

It provided a great opportunity for some self-reflection. Hope to see you again soon!

What about sharks? XD
Dunno if you mentioned it anywhere.

I guess it depends on if it's a "furry shark" with big ears and hair or if the design looks more like an actual shark.

not a sergal :P
Im a shark is why. i was curious.

I figured! But you gotta admit, there are a lot of furry sharks out there.

I guess I'd assume they largely prefer muscles, traditionally masculine traits regardless of their gender, and have a desire to be dynamic.

Nice lecture. I really enjoyed listening to it. Thanks for sharing.

Of course! Thanks for the time!

was interesting hearing your thoughts and observations on over the years of meeting furs and patterns you've picked up!
wish I was there in the crowd to participate

One day, my good Stu! When's your next con? I miss your lively eyes!

and you are a master of strokes and words! next con I'm going to is Blizzcon, not sure what furcon I'll be going to next though since I'm so far away from the rest of them D:

One day I'll come to an AUS/NZ con. Maybe I can buy you a pint or whatever it is Kiwis call drinks. <3

there isn't really much of a con thing in NZ, but have been to one in Straya a few times (was thinking of going next year but might not be able due to work next year sadly)
We have many names for drinks and that is one of them!and would be down for more than one with ya

MORE THAN ONE??!! DEAL!

Hope it happens sooner than later, dear cunt. <3

so do I bol!
p.s I like the Jon touch added to how you used cunt there :V

I watched the whole video, Damn, that's impressive, I wouldn't mind having a talk with you later.

Thanks again for watching and then hanging out afterwards!

I saw this in one of the furs I'm watching's faves. About 3 minutes in, I was laughing. I don't like motivational stuff (can you call this that?) as I find it too preachy...but damn, this was fun! I watched the whole thing!

I guess it counts as motivational if it motivated you to do anything!
And I like offsetting preachiness by confronting my own bullshit. Glad it was palatable for you!

This is great and holy shit I could Discourse forever (as well as - congratulations now it's gonna influence perceptions and stereotypes a billion levels down) but just a few weird things:

Holy shit there's been a lot of introspective husky stuff since forever (Blotch?) and showing up as that can be a manifestation of existential dread as far as "enthusiasm or die." Falvie was all over that with that puking sparkledog shit during peak sparkledog, intersection with the "is Gaga deep or a lazy art-school tryhard" thing and all that.

So much of our (current crop) of Mary Sue / Gary Stu shit is already based on things that were already a funny-animal parody of thousands of years of the same in regular human culture - Heathcliff, Rude Dog, etc etc. Ability to perceive something as lighthearted vs. asshole is... complex.

I think you nailed something about the New York thing and as someone who always gets accused of being New York-y there is something fucked up you can observe across everything in America right now about NY tautologically setting the baseline level for "vulgar" in American society and now we have everyone yelling about which identifiable stereotype is the biggest assholes the way they would around a Wall Street water cooler or in some fucking sports bar. Which may still be better than keeping it pent up so no one has to realize their shit needs adjusting, I dunno.

You're missing a huge distinction here—Husky characters from Blotch ≠ husky fursonas. You're referring to artists rendering a character, not a person pulled toward the husky and navigating the traits of their own volition, as it relates to themselves.

But something cool I wished I had mentioned in the end of the video—I met an introspective husky just one day after this talk was given!

Would also like to see more exploration of "autism" defined as "limited interests" being leveled as a social-control weapon to pathologize everything because "furry" or "able to program a VCR" is completely autistic to people who think their other bullshit is more important.

This was by far the best event I've ever been to! <3

Thanks for being there the whole thing, and welcoming me into a discussion later. <3

Thanks for having a discussion with me. I know I'm repeating myself, but I'm just so grateful. ^.|.^

A very interesting video, although i wish it were about 3 times as long. Partially because it feels like certain aspects could've been discussed in greater depth and also because i find psychology to be rather fascinating. The talk certainly adds to certain conceptions and commonalities i've managed to notice within people that find themselves in this fandom so thank you for uploading the video. Incidentally i had an idea for a commission as i was watching and i'll have to message you about it at some point.

And seeing as i'm already typing i may as well respond to the shout you left on my page (well it seems no more disjointed than replying via shout so why not). I wouldn't consider myself to be much of an artist but if anything i can hesitantly call myself a musician. Need to write more and start creating things again. From the pov of drawing, no. I can't really draw to save my life, but i do appreciate the more interesting and expressive artists within the fandom such as yourself and i occasionally come up with ideas for art pieces based on slightly abstract expressions of my psyche or weird events that happen in my life.

Thanks for humouring me! The reason why I asked is because your watch list had excellent tastes, and it was so small! You seemed like someone who's been around for quite some time.

Why thank you. I left the fandom a little while ago after too many run ins with the less savoury characters within it but i suppose i'm back because i'm remembering why i was drawn to the fandom in the first place, the ability to express certain concepts through art and commissions is something i value quite highly. And yeah, i've been around for a few years.

interesting, will give it a watch ;]

Let me know what you think!

HEY- I am also totally fascinated with the stereotypes and associated projections of people onto their art and onto their characters they make. I'm a artist and I've alway found it incredibly difficult to make a honest character for myself, like I hardly know 'me' so I can't easily do a character of 'me'. Fast forward like 7 years, been doing a LOT (whole lot) of therapy) and I have super controlling folks who sorta bulldozed my expression and independence so I'm as a adult fighting to represent myself and identify myself now (ironically almost) through art.
It's really cool to see how peoples' sonas surprise me and are more than they appear, both through their lived experiences and also through their creativity impacting their characters.
Anywho #rambling, it's interesting stuff!!!

OH! Totally a post script (PS) you didn't go into creatures/demons etc. in the talk. I list myself as a creature more as like a reference to humanity being animal and as LGBT people being commonly reflected as 'monsters' in main stream film etc. But I'm curious- what's your experience with non-dragon creatures and mythos and contemporary monsters/ creatures as well ?
I'm pretty new into all this and I haven't seen many if any.
Though the ones I have seen have gone through a similar dehumanization or abuse.

Oh yeah, there's a HUGE overlap of monster/creature designs and queer communities! caelansky and I talk often about that in our #FURSONATIME videos. Have you checked out the rest of the Youtube channel?

In any case, glad all this resonates strongly with you! It's nice to have your attention along for the ride. <3

#Fursonatime? I didn't realize you had a channel (I'm legit pretty bad at finding people's accounts mostly b/c I'mma a old fucker who is one track minded or distracted BD on the internet) I'll check it out!

It's interesting stuff, glad you had it recorded! Also >:D heeelllloooooo painterly illustrator caelansky +watch that all day long yes.

That was a really well thought out fun and education video/presentation. I really loved it! (And not because it had macros and paws...i swear :P Nahhh...it was also because of that lets be honest!)

Ive come across quite a few different spectrums in the furry fandom myself and from your video the vast majority of the "Typical" types of people stood out like a sore thumb each time you said them. Really made me think alot more now ^-^ My friend gin showed me the vid and i loved it. Looking forward to seing more of your work, from the vid you sounded like you already had alot of experiences (Just from the slideshows) with Macro artists / people into the fandom (I have yet to check out your work so...you may well just end up being a macro artist / foot fetishist :P who knows!) but id love to chat sometime and have a good long natter about all the variations and what they mean to different people

Hope all is well and that you are having fun,

Eri

Thanks for the kind words, Eri! Really appreciate your attention. And please thank Gin specifically for sharing my work with you.

I have a whole tirade on foot/paws in art, including how people may get to that point of obsession, so maybe at a con or in my streams I can see if you have something to share that I haven't yet been exposed to!

:3!!!

I received a message on telegram after someone saw this. All they wanted to do is link to their FA and ask if I was into paws.

Hahaha - some people have one set of rails running through em.

but to be safe..

It wasnt me D: I already know these things. :P



Also - I was taken back by your level of insight - really admire that.

I have surprising insight? That's excellent news! Thank you for consistently feeding me compliments that inspire me.

They are genuine :P

Hey now, Wolves can be Objectivist and Ayn Rand gurus as well, and also be Daddy Wolves!

Fantastic video that was greatly insightful! I loved your insights into the fursonas!

Oh yes, wolf fursonas can be DEFINITELY friendly to objectivism. I imagine those are the kinds of wolves who romanticize the idea of the "lone wolf" without knowing the communal needs of real wolves!

Thanks for watching! Glad you enjoyed what you heard.

Cannot say I was expecting to stumble upon something like this today, but I'm glad for having taken the time to watch it! Definitely feel enriched, and amused, by your whole introspective talk. You're a good speaker, and it's nice to see somebody digging into the deeper psychological meanings, and stereotypes, and things you can infer from fursonas. I'm very much a lurker, quietly watching the fandom for a long time, and yet it's kind of cool to see some of the things I've picked up on from observing, being delved into in greater detail by somebody like yourself, an artist and active event-goer, that gets to have more direct talk with people about these things!

I'm not a super social guy, don't really have any friends amongst the community here (yet...), but you certainly hit pretty close with a few of your observations from people I've known; the more spiritually-minded wolves, and the "got no time for that shit" female lions. I don't really have a fursona myself yet, but this also kind of opened me up to my own thoughts and ideas of what appeals to me, and what that might mean on a deeper, mental level. I don't mean to be one of those folks that sees this, and their only take away from it is "now do me next!", but... if you have any thoughts to share on a fella who finds his interests leaning towards smaller reptiles (geckos, skinks, small colourful tropical sorts), I'd be fascinated to hear!

To move away from that, I also thought it was really interesting to see how you, as an artist, like to think about and consider what your art means to people, and even how your work might meet/fulfil the needs of folk who commission you. I'm... not an artist, probably never will be, but it's really cool to 'meet' somebody who thinks about that kind of thing! If I weren't so terribly poor, I'd be super interested in commissioning and working with you and seeing first-hand how you go about the process. Alas, a comment is about the best I can do to show support for now.

Anyway, thanks again for providing an interesting and entertaining hour to some rando guy on the internet! Thanks for sharing yourself, and for enriching me just that little bit! :)

Thank you for your time and for sharing how valuable my efforts were to you! Glad to have resonated with someone.

Probably the most valuable thing to establish in choosing species is hearing why people gravitate towards certain things. I have friends into small scalies for different reasons, and those who appreciate designs versus those who care for actual reptiles further separates them from each other.

Thank you also for wanting to support me. Luckily for us both, recommending my work to others is absolutely free and a huge help to me, so I appreciate that more than a commission much of the time!

Hah, I am far from the most socially connected person in the world. But for what little it's worth, I will mention your art and your talks with the friends I have! And I'll certainly be lurking around here more myself, as I do kinda like what I've seen thus far!

As for why I gravitate towards reptiles: I think the naturally vibrant and fairly diverse scale patterns are quite appealing, I generally like the slender overall shape of reptiles, and I suppose I'm rather drawn to how quiet, yet expressive they can be in their faces. I don't have an appropriate living condition to have them as pets and they're not exactly just hiding under every rock out here in England, so I guess I find there's an interesting, exotic appeal to them as well!

Apologies if that WASN'T you asking me to explain what appeals to me about them, by the way! I am far from the greatest at getting inferences from pure text.

it sound funny, I want more understand what you say

Thank you for watching! I want Japanese subtitles for you to enjoy. Soon!

Really great video! I followed you for your art and had no idea you had such insightful (and funny) commentaries as well.
Just to clarify - when you speak of Ideal fursonas and Paradigm fursonas, is the main difference that Ideal fursonas have literal traits that the fursona owner desires (e.g. the buff fursona for the person insecure about their own body muscle, or the cisgender female fursona for a trans woman) and that Paradigm fursonas have figurative or metaphorical traits that the fursona owner desires (e.g. the babyfur fursona owner doesn't actually want to be two years old, but wants a release from responsibility)?

Yes! That's a very good way of putting it. But to take it a step further, there are paradigm fursonas that the owner may not even wish to be like beyond some sort of cathartic expression. Example: chaotic and destructive characters. Since those sorts of things can have a whole spectrum of overt versus covert desire, it validates holding the terms as non-mutually-exclusive.

I thoroughly enjoyed your talk, but I'm curious to know what are the stereotypes associated with the following animals/fursonas and the people who choose them (surprise, surprise, they all relate to me {but to be fair, they weren't covered in your talk and I am genuinely curious})?

Bat (in particular horseshoe, pallid and vampire)

Hyena

Smilodon (AKA Sabertoothed Cat)

Bats and Hyenas are actually covered in our updated version of the talk!

So are large cats. But because the sabertooth cat is in the public sphere, it serves as a kind of low-hanging fruit for those who want something more esoteric. I don't recall seeing them chosen as fursonas by those deeply invested in biology or paleontology.

Thank you for watching!

Sweet! Do you have a link to this update? And thank you for replying back!

Not yet, sadly! We want to do a good live recording and haven't had the space just yet to do so.
But at your next big convention, look for the panel "There Are Only Two Kinds of Dragons (and other furry stereotypes)".

Gotcha! Though to be honest, I don't know WHEN the next convention will be, especially if it happens to be a furry convention. Plus the only local ones I know of are SanJapan and the Alamo City Comic Con, and I'm not sure if they'd let you do a panel there (again, neither of those are furry).