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10:18 pm
April 12, 2011
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FriendlyOutsider
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| First time MNFurs Poster | posts 2 | |
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Hello all. I’m Lin, a high school student living in Minnesota. I am currently writing an English essay about a subculture of interest to me in which I do not already belong. I am not a Furry, nor do I plan on being one in the future. Rather, I’m more a “Furry supporter,” and really respect the culture and art of Fursuiting. I know a little of the ins and outs of Fursuiting, but would value from insider information. If time permits, it would be incredibly helpful if a few people were to fill out this short questionnaire. I ask that your answers are thorough and honest. And, please, if anything I have written within this post offends or is misguided, I wish to be informed so I may correct any future mistakes. Thank you much.
QUESTIONS
If you would like, please tell me a little about yourself and your character:
Briefly, in your own words, please define what the Furry culture is and what it is to be a Furry:
How did you discover the Furry culture and why did you decide to participate in it? How would you say it has affected you? Why do you continue to be a Furry?
Would you agree that the Furry community is open to people of all ages, genders, sexual-orientation, et cetera? What would you say the general demographic for Fursuiting is?
I personally first came across Fursuiting on anime-based websites and at anime conventions (e.g. Anime Detour). How closely related would you say anime and Japanese pop culture play into your Fursuiting and the Furry culture in general?
How large of a connection, if any, do you have to the animal(s) you portray with your Fursuit(s)? How closely is a developed character tied to the nature of the animal?
Any additional comments?
THANK YOU!
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6:00 pm
April 13, 2011
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SikeRedWolf
| | Rosemount | |
| Posting Is Important To Daily Furry Health | posts 90 | 
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I'll try and answer to the best of my ability. Mind you I'm fairly new to the Fur community (Only about 2 years or so) but I'll try!
ANSWERS
If you would like, please tell me a little about yourself and your character:
I'm a 21 year old Female, just graduated from College, working on joining the navy and I help run an animal rescue. I'm fairly out going, and been going to cons since 2005.
My main Fursona atm is Sike Redwolf. Hes 19 (being the age I created him at), black and red, and way more of a goofball than I dare to be in public. He feels over looked and pressured most of the time in his life, so he acts out and is kind of an overall dork
Briefly, in your own words, please define what the Furry culture is and what it is to be a Furry:
To me the 'furry fandom' so to speak, is a group of people that appreciate and love the promotion of anthropomorphic (personification of animals) creatures. In other words, a person in the fandom doesn't have to be a fursuiter, it can just be someone that loves to read or draw antrhos. Theres of course, various levels of fans in the culture, just like any. To me, being a furry just means that I am a supporter and lover of the fandom.
How did you discover the Furry culture and why did you decide to
participate in it? How would you say it has affected you? Why do you
continue to be a Furry?
I have known about the culture for about 3-4 years, and once I saw a fursuiter I went "Holy crap thats amazing". I began to use the internet and friends that had been going to cons longer and found out information and decided I wanted to be a part of it! It was a long time dream to get my own fursuit, and I'm glad to say this year it'll be realized. I'd say its definantly been a bridge. A few bridges burned with people that don't understand the fandom, and a bunch more made that are welcoming to it. I continue to be a furry because well…I like it just as much as anything else a part of me. I'm a geek and I don't want to stop being a geek. I'm an animal lover and I dont want to stop that, and I don't want to stop being a furry.
Would you agree that the Furry community is open to people of all
ages, genders, sexual-orientation, et cetera? What would you say the
general demographic for Fursuiting is?
Definantly! Of course, theres always a bit of wariness with the younger generation, but if a person is willing to be nice and friendly, of course the response is nice and friendly back. I'd say demographics for the fursuitting is going to be 18+ They're expensive, hot, heavy, and a lot of work. Not something the younger kids generally want to put up with (not saying they're excluded though.).
I personally first came across Fursuiting on anime-based websites and
at anime conventions (e.g. Anime Detour). How closely related would you
say anime and Japanese pop culture play into your Fursuiting and the
Furry culture in general?
I'd say furrydom's claim to fame started with the onset of anime subculture here in america back in the 70's and 80's and onto today. However, you have to remember that personifying animals and 'wearing' them or acting as them has been around for thousands of years. Paganism, Egyptian mythology, and Native Americans are good examples of the past. However, with it becoming more popular today, and more shown in things where costuming is acceptable, its gotten more attention and more people for the population. (in other words, cosplaying gave people more desire/notice/courage to fursuit).
How large of a connection, if any, do you have to the animal(s) you
portray with your Fursuit(s)? How closely is a developed character tied
to the nature of the animal?
I've been doing animal rescue and volunteering since I was 9, so we're talking 12+ years here of me working soley for animals. Ontop of that I own a pack of 6 dogs, and I pet sit professionally in Minnesota. My life revolves around animals and giving them the care they need and deserve. I would be lieing if I didn't say that Canine's are the biggest influence in my life, and yes, my character is indeed a canine. I do however, have plans for mutt suits (bird/canine) and a feline suit as well in the future. Sike's character sheet has him living in a 'pack' in the wild for the most part. So I'd say its more closely related to animal kingdom with human tweaks (talking, walking upright, ect). But I have used his sheet in more modernized worlds of anthro-human worlds too (computers/cars ect). Some people are more set in stone for characters than I am.
Any additional comments?
I'm really glad that you're doing furrydom as the topic of your paper. I hope you learn a lot, and have fun with the topic. Despite the teeth, we really don't bite. If you have any other questions feel free to contact me. I'm more than willing to answer them. Like I said, I'm still a pup to the culture but its something I already hold dear.
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8:19 am
April 14, 2011
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Procyon
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| Getting Frequent Poster Miles | posts 255 | |
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FriendlyOutsider said:
Hello all. I’m Lin, a high school student living in Minnesota. I am currently writing an English essay about a subculture of interest to me in which I do not already belong. I am not a Furry, nor do I plan on being one in the future. Rather, I’m more a “Furry supporter,” and really respect the culture and art of Fursuiting. I know a little of the ins and outs of Fursuiting, but would value from insider information. If time permits, it would be incredibly helpful if a few people were to fill out this short questionnaire. I ask that your answers are thorough and honest. And, please, if anything I have written within this post offends or is misguided, I wish to be informed so I may correct any future mistakes. Thank you much.
QUESTIONS
If you would like, please tell me a little about yourself and your character:
THANK YOU!
Deleted part of this post as I will have to do it in parts for everyone's sake
I have several characters as I do not attach myself to one fursona as I find this far too limiting.
I will say that most of my characters tend to be either draco-form of some sort or anothers or members of the Raccoon family (I also include Tanuki even though it is a Canid it is culturally recognized as a raccoon)
I find between these two archetypes I can create characters with just about every extreme of personality and existence or tone it done for balance and familiarity of motivation while still being very expressive. I short, I take on the role that is most useful and the fursona will match it, which is ironically indicative of both families.
If I have a favorite character it is Procyon. A cybernetic raccoon morph who is missing his left eye and ear and has mechanical replacements instead. He is a complex yet damaged character but that is what makes him so fun for use in character analysis and allegory.
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5:21 pm
April 17, 2011
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Aerak
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| Pack Wolf | posts 168 | |
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If you would like, please tell me a little about yourself and your character:
I am a male, 26 years old, currently working as e-commerce manager at a company that sells industrial automation equipment. My main character/fursona is Aerak. He's a gray wolf who loves cheering people up and making them smile. He doesn't discriminate and is a pretty awesome guy. I identify very much with my fursona.
Briefly, in your own words, please define what the Furry culture is and what it is to be a Furry:
Unfortunately this is more of a topic for a book rather than something that can be summed up in a few brief paragraphs. There's a well known furry, at least in furry culture, known as Uncle Kage. He's the chairman of a convention called, Anthrocon, which is the largest furry convention in the world. I once heard him say, "The difference between anime fans and furry fans is that anime fans are fans of anime, and furry fans are fans of eachother". There's a sense of family to the furry fandom, granted in some cases perhaps a dysfunctional family, but family nonetheless. What Uncle Kage says is true – many of us are artists, performers, fursuiters, charity workers, etc – and we often times inspire one another and influence each other.
How did you discover the Furry culture and why did you decide to
participate in it? How would you say it has affected you? Why do you
continue to be a Furry?
I discovered the furry fandom through the anime fandom. I've always had a "spiritual" connection to wolves. Understand when I say spiritual, I simply mean that for whatever reason I identify with them and find them fascinating, beautiful creatures. I decided to participate in it because it just seemed to fit. I can't explain it any better than that.
When I joined this fandom I was 19. I didn't know what I wanted to get out of life, and I had a low self esteem and didn't believe in myself. I was also very shy. In the 7 years I've been involved in furry, I've went from shy and introverted into being very social. I'm involved in many different projects, I help run social events, and the fursuit I have allows me to be involved with a few different charities throughout the year. Through my experience in the fandom, I've found myself. I continue to be a furry because most of my friends are furries and because it continues to inspire me and I continually meet amazing people who I otherwise wouldn't have the privileged of knowing.
Would you agree that the Furry community is open to people of all ages,
genders, sexual-orientation, et cetera? What would you say the general
demographic for Fursuiting is?
Yes, I would agree with that statement. As for the second part of your question, anyone in this fandom can be a fursuiter, regardless of age. Most fursuiters tend to be in their 20s and early 30s. Also, contrary to what the media would have you believe, only about 10% – 15% of furries own a fursuit/aspire to own a fursuit.
I personally first came across Fursuiting on anime-based websites and at
anime conventions (e.g. Anime Detour). How closely related would you
say anime and Japanese pop culture play into your Fursuiting and the
Furry culture in general?
I personally don't believe there is much overlap. I don't care for J-Pop and I'm no longer a fan of anime as a whole. There are some anthro characters in certain animes, however this isn't connected to furry culture. If you had to connect furry culture to anything, I would say Native American culture is an influencing factor.
How large of a connection, if any, do you have to the animal(s) you
portray with your Fursuit(s)? How closely is a developed character tied
to the nature of the animal?
I've already touched on this – my totem is a wolf. And so the answer to your question would be, I have a large connection to this animal. The second part of your question – it really depends. I don't create many characters. If I randomly decide to make a costume, I usually pick an animal and then figure out a personality for that costume after it's created.
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9:25 pm
April 17, 2011
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Happenstance
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| This Poster Has Maxed Out The Forums | posts 121 | |
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QUESTIONS
If you would like, please tell me a little about yourself and your character:
I'm Ben, I'm 30 years old and work a sucky job. My more-or-less character is Happenstance, a once-wolf who is now something of a wolf/raccoon mix. He doesn't really have defined characteristics, personality, or anything of the like. Why does he exist? Why do any of us?
Briefly, in your own words, please define what the Furry culture is and what it is to be a Furry:
Furry culture isn't. Apart from furries, those anthropomophized critters, there is nothing that one can hold in common from one furry to another. Social demographic-wise, many furries are male, white, and middle class, and various aspects of an individual furry are more likely to be influenced by these things and age than by "being a furry". The furry community as a whole, however, tends to have a voracious appetite for art that is animal and furry related.
How did you discover the Furry culture and why did you decide to participate in it? How would you say it has affected you? Why do you continue to be a Furry?
I found the fandom because I was doing a websearch for something mainstream that crosses over into furry territory. That was back in 1999. I participated because "I like this". I had encountered and enjoyed things of a furry nature before finding that there was a loose collective of people with a name branded to them, so it's really only natural.
It's affected me in that I met my now wife in a furry chat program. I've met people I like and have had fun hanging out with them. I've done a few things that I wouldn't have otherwise done, and it's been enjoyable. So, yeah, the wife thing is pretty big.
I continue because, hey, "I like this" still. I'll keep doing it until such a day that I realize "I used to like this, but I don't seem to any more", if that day ever comes. It's a pretty easy way to run into people that I might not otherwise, also. That's a plus.
Would you agree that the Furry community is open to people of all ages, genders, sexual-orientation, et cetera? What would you say the general demographic for Fursuiting is?
Yes. Frankly, the furry community is one of the most open ones there is, since the requirements are so low. And I don't know really about fursuiters. Many are younger, with disposable income or time to fashion their own. Others are older, with, again, disposable income or time. I'd say it's just folks who love the idea of getting in costume and have the means to do so (probably similar to cosplayers, though the costumes may come to a bit more $-wise)
I personally first came across Fursuiting on anime-based websites and at anime conventions (e.g. Anime Detour). How closely related would you say anime and Japanese pop culture play into your Fursuiting and the Furry culture in general?
Not at all. The genesis of furry ties more into Disney animation and the Don Bluth era of the 80's, along with underground comics like Omaha the Cat Dancer and Fritz the Cat (among many others, these I'm most familiar with), that showed that the whole "funny animal" business didn't have to be just for kids. Although it may draw from various classical and older sources, these are what brought together the original group of people that would later be known as furries in our modern age. Then, the internet happened (courtesy, of course, of Al Gore), and it became a lot easier to find the rest of the freaks and contact them.
Cosplaying at anime conventions, with some of the crazy character designs therin, is probably just seen as more of an excuse to fursuit among those furries that like anime than any real connection.
How large of a connection, if any, do you have to the animal(s) you portray with your Fursuit(s)? How closely is a developed character tied to the nature of the animal?
I only own a fursuit of Happenstance at the moment, though I've been lackadaisically working on another of a not-particularly-fleshed-out character. Considering that the character (Happenstance) is some techno-magical meld of wolf and raccoon, which are noted for being loyal, stoic, frightening, affectionate, social, curious, clever, devious, and mischievous, probably among other things, he's got quite a gamut to run. I've been known to be several of those things on the list; so by turn, a fair amount.
How much a person ties the traits of a character to the nature of the animal depends on that person. Some like to use it as a basis, where others just have a character of a certain species because they like that particular animal or mythical critter.
tl;dr: Yes, that's a lot of words.
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10:37 pm
April 17, 2011
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Skystrider
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| This Poster Has Maxed Out The Forums | posts 115 | |
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QUESTIONS
If you would like, please tell me a little about yourself and your character:
Im 23 years old, live in Anoka County. My Sona, Skystrider is a American Bald Eagle. Ref Sheet here: http://www.furaffinity.net/view/5184959/
Briefly, in your own words, please define what the Furry culture is and what it is to be a Furry:
Furry is a affinity towards a certain animal you relate to. Furries celebrate their animals by drawing artwork of them and fursuiting.
How did you discover the Furry culture and why did you decide to
participate in it? How would you say it has affected you? Why do you
continue to be a Furry?
Would you agree that the Furry community is open to people of all
ages, genders, sexual-orientation, et cetera? What would you say the
general demographic for Fursuiting is?
Yes, all accepted, 16-24 years old, about 1/4 – 1/5 of people have fursuits, generally 16+.
I personally first came across Fursuiting on anime-based websites and
at anime conventions (e.g. Anime Detour). How closely related would you
say anime and Japanese pop culture play into your Fursuiting and the
Furry culture in general?
hardly, I enjoy anime shows but never went to a anime con until after I became a furry and had been to furmeets and even so mainly go to Anime cons to hang out with other furs.
How large of a connection, if any, do you have to the animal(s) you
portray with your Fursuit(s)?
I dreamed of him when i was a child and believe in his presense around me in spirit form as a animal guardian spirit.
How closely is a developed character tied
to the nature of the animal?
Fairly closely.
Any additional comments?
THANK YOU!
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4:39 am
April 24, 2011
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kingofstove
| | Depok, West Java | |
| First time MNFurs Poster | posts 1 | |
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QUESTIONS
If you would like, please tell me a little
about yourself and your character:
Well, I'm male, 16 years old, still a high school student like you, nothing
special about me, just a normal teenager, i'm shy type guy.
My Chara is Rika Nikov, a female Russian fox,
same age as me, her fur colour is bright red fur, with white stripe, she is
just like a better version of me, she often give me good advice and many other
things. And she like to comment on everything I do. She is very cheerful,
and also like to sing
Briefly, in your own words, please define what the Furry culture is and what it
is to be a Furry:
Furry culture is a culture that someone made a chara of an animal that have
human human personalities and characteristics
I, Personally think Furry culture is becauese
the many things in life that contains furry, from cartoon, ads, games, and many
other things
Although some people consider having Furry
chara is abnormal, i think it's very normal, it's like having a part of ourself
that doesn't limited by social
nature, that's why i have my own chara, because chara doesn't have any barrier
that usually appear in life
How did you discover the Furry culture and why
did you decide to participate in it? How would you say it has affected you? Why
do you continue to be a Furry?
I saw furry since i was 3, but at that age, i
consider the things i saw wasn't important and quickly forget it, but after
many years, after i had many exp, i thought maybe better if tried to make my
own Furry chara, and so i started participate Furry culture.
After joining the furry culture, at first i
fell very-very weird, but after some time i fell comfortable with my furry
chara, and even better, since I created my furry chara keep bombarding me with
her comment on my actions, at first it's kinda annoying, but now, i feel that
her comment is very useful, and also, since i joined the furry culture, I find that
having a furry friend is very enjoyable, but, keeping my furry relative alive is hard
work, I need to keep her in my mind, and try to forget everything that could distract
me from my furry chara, that’s why I want to continue to be a furry, because I never
felt this thing, and I don’t want my chara to be gone, and just be my teenager
crazy dream. It’s very different from anything that I have experienced, that’s the
reason why I continue to be a furry.
Would you agree that the Furry community is open to people of all ages, genders, sexual-orientation, et cetera? What would you say the general demographic for Fursuiting is?
I agree that Furry community is open to all ages, people shouldn't banned Furry culture just because they saw Furry is an erotic-weird-diffrent culture, they didn't know what inside the furry culture, they didn't know what happen inside this culture, and they just judging furry from it's cover, many people only know furry from typing in Google, Bing, Wikipedia, etc.
In my place, i can't just get talk with my friend and tell them i am a furry, because they will be thrilled, and will keep distance from me, and that's how hard to be a furry in my place. 
And I think Furry is very open to all ages, hey I'm 16 and I'm already a furry, that's the proof that Furry community is very welcoming, and very open
I personally first came across Fursuiting on anime-based websites and
at anime conventions (e.g. Anime Detour). How closely related would you
say anime and Japanese pop culture play into your Fursuiting and the
Furry culture in general?
well, actually, I don't really close to anime, and believe it or not, i never attend any comic-con, or even Furry Gathering/Furry-con
And, anime is very close related to furry, for example, if you type furry in Google Image, you will find tons of Furry picture that have anime style drawing
And also do you know if my Furry chara (Rika Nikov), the word Rika is because i found an idea of making her because when i saw a furry manga, and also, the word Nikov because she is a Russian Fox, so, it's make a perfect sense if i give her that name, and also that name fits her temper, and looks.
How large of a connection, if any, do you have to the animal(s) you
portray with your Fursuit(s)? How closely is a developed character tied
to the nature of the animal?
well……. actally i doesn't really like if my chara is portayed with fursuit, this is not because i don't want to wear fursuit, this is simply because i don't want her to be portayed by me, i want her to be herself, not me portraying her, except, somehow she managed to take over my body, and she's controlling my body, then i will be very happy to wear a fursuit, this is because my body is now contorlled by Rika, now me, and that's mean Rika is becoming herself, she now has a body (although it's my body), and now she is alive, all i need to do is just make a fursuit, a voice changer, and….. done.
Well, my chara is actually still has fox fur, fox ear, fox claw, etc. So i thought my Rika is just like a fox but have human persona, etc.
Any additional comments?
Rika said that she is very happy to help me write this reply (she helped me write at least half of this reply), and also she is very thankful because she now can express her feelings about furry culture
Rika: Thanks, i never felt this things before, expess my feelings about furry felt very good, well, i really hope i can takeover my brother's body, then i will control my own body, and at least, be myself.
Well, i just can said thank you, and hope my writings can help your essay
I'm still 16, and that's now a lie.
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5:56 pm
April 25, 2011
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Procyon
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| Getting Frequent Poster Miles | posts 255 | |
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Post edited 6:01 pm – April 25, 2011 by Procyon
FriendlyOutsider said:
Hello all. I’m Lin, a high school student living in Minnesota. I am currently writing an English essay about a subculture of interest to me in which I do not already belong. I am not a Furry, nor do I plan on being one in the future. Rather, I’m more a “Furry supporter,” and really respect the culture and art of Fursuiting. I know a little of the ins and outs of Fursuiting, but would value from insider information. If time permits, it would be incredibly helpful if a few people were to fill out this short questionnaire. I ask that your answers are thorough and honest. And, please, if anything I have written within this post offends or is misguided, I wish to be informed so I may correct any future mistakes. Thank you much.
(again edited for brevity as I need to Answer one at a time)
QUESTIONS
Briefly, in your own words, please define what the Furry culture is and what it is to be a Furry:
THANK YOU!
Furry Culture is a conglomeration of several different forms of art and personal expression. These may also include several points of personal introspection and personal development.
All furry is based on Anthropomorphism. However, I will go beyond the standard definition and add this:
Anthropomorphism has a reflective aspect. Just as much as people imbue animals with human aspects to give them understandable context, Furries commonly do the reverse and see humans with animal characteristics to give them understandable context.
An animal has instinct and perception, and is not burdened with history, concepts ethnicity or other cultural baggage. The animal acts and expresses itself purely on base motivations: Hunger, anger, affection, lust, play, companionship; just to name a few.
Just as most classical arts (poetry, art, theater) are obsessed with the emotional workings in humans, Furry provides another avenue to understanding the human condition by sidestepping standard cultural understandings and build from a more base set of principles. If there is wonder to why the Furry art form seems to go to extremes at times (silliness, sexuality, play, etc.), the answer is because Furry commonly does not see itself limited to societal convention when it comes to artistic displaying of emotion.
When you read the best stories, look at the best art, watch the best costumers act, you will see artistic expression at its most raw. Governed not by standard esthetics of human history, but by instincts and philosophically pure forms of emotion.
Sorry that is as short as I could get it.
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11:26 am
May 8, 2011
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FriendlyOutsider
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| First time MNFurs Poster | posts 2 | |
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Thank you to everyone who took time to write a response. The paper's done now, and I think it turned out great with everyone's help. But more than that, thank you guys for "enlightening" me, if you will, on the hobby/culture of furry. Everyone was so open and explanatory. I have a great appreciation for the community. Hope to see a few of you and other furries at future anime conventions. :)
THANKS AGAIN!
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