[Danel]

Is furry the proper term for this? It just sounds like a slang term, to me, for some reason. :shrug:

It's the generally accepted term for those who enjoy anthropomorphic artwork / anthropomorphic stuff in general.

Plus it's easier than typing "fan of anthropomorphism" all the time, though it can certainly possess certain stigmas if used as a pejorative.

[Tiff Clark]

I was looking at that TVTrope article linked to and I think I am considered a furry. As a kid, I really liked shows like Pinky and the Brain, Animaniacs, TMNT, which all had their share of anthropomorphic characters, and I even remember this one series of stories I used to read about superhero teens that turned into animals that used their animal forms for good or something like that. Today I like playing sonic games and I've always been a fan of Bugs Bunny and the other Warner Bros. characters. I'm changing my vote to yes.

I'm changing my vote from a no to a yes, this thread appears to be more informative and useful than I first perceived. A second kudos to OP :goodjob:

[djimi]

Honestly, this seems like a fascinating topic. I can't say that I'm a furry but I think it's really interesting how certain people are inclined towards this sort of thing. Then again, that could be my fascination with the brain and how it works, talking.

I noticed one of you said you were a psychologist (I assume you were being serious ) Is this something that is sparked within the mind or is it just a casual appreciation? In other words, is it something that people take a unique pleasure in or is it just another hobby. It seems much more complex than that, though.

Fascinating...

[Gracie Dugdale]

I was looking at that TVTrope article linked to and I think I am considered a furry. As a kid, I really liked shows like Pinky and the Brain, Animaniacs, TMNT, which all had their share of anthropomorphic characters, and I even remember this one series of stories I used to read about superhero teens that turned into animals that used their animal forms for good or something like that. Today I like playing sonic games and I've always been a fan of Bugs Bunny and the other Warner Bros. characters. I'm changing my vote to yes.

The stories you are thinking of are the http://www.scholastic.com/animorphs/index.htm series by K.A. Applegate. You know, if you enjoyed TMNT, you might also enjoy http://www.usagiyojimbo.com/ (who is featured in some of the TMNT cartoons).

I'm changing my vote from a no to a yes, this thread appears to be more informative and useful than I first perceived. A second kudos to OP :goodjob:

One of us, one of usssssssss....

Honestly, this seems like a fascinating topic. I can't say that I'm a furry but I think it's really interesting how certain people are inclined towards this sort of thing. Then again, that could be my fascination with the brain and how it works, talking.

I noticed one of you said you were a psychologist (I assume you were being serious ) Is this something that is sparked within the mind or is it just a casual appreciation? In other words, is it something that people take a unique pleasure in or is it just another hobby. It seems much more complex than that, though.

That would be me. I currently have a B.A in Psychology from the University of Michigan and am working on my Ph.D in I/O psychology (later on I hope to have a second Ph.D in Clinical Psychology).

For some furries it is simply a hobby - they enjoy the artwork or roleplaying their fursonas, etc. For other furries it is much more of a spiritual connection to a particular animal (either in a sense of being an animal in a past life or being an animal that is trapped / within a human body). The furries that feel that they were either an animal in a past life or are in fact an animal trapped within human form sometimes term themselves as otherkin. In a broad sense, otherkin usually consider themselves to be furries, but there are otherkin who want little to do with the larger fandom (possibly viewing it as "otherkin-lite").

[Quick Draw III]

That TVTropes link was a great read, thanks for the link. Here's hoping that one day people can learn that not all Furries are like the minority.

[louise hamilton]

Khajiit Overlord Rainer sort of dropped out a while back. He was the most vocal forum furry that I can remember. Nice guy.

[LADONA]

:flamethrower:
Kill with fire.

[Justin Hankins]

:flamethrower:
Kill with fire.

How nice. Do you have the same opinion of other people who aren't quite like you, or just furries in particular?

[Roanne Bardsley]

Not a furry, though interestingly was called one by someone for some time. I know a few, don't understand what the big deal is. I live my life my way, and they live their life theirs. I know a lot of people would frown upon many of my life choices, and no way am I going to be so quick to judge another on theirs.

[~Sylvia~]

The stories you are thinking of are the http://www.scholastic.com/animorphs/index.htm series by K.A. Applegate. You know, if you enjoyed TMNT, you might also enjoy http://www.usagiyojimbo.com/ (who is featured in some of the TMNT cartoons).

Ah yes, that's what I was thinking of. And thanks for the link to that other story, it looks interesting and I might give it a read sometime.

[Andrew Perry]

Ah yes, that's what I was thinking of. And thanks for the link to that other story, it looks interesting and I might give it a read sometime.

I would readily recommend it to you. It's almost impossible to get your hands on some editions (#8 is a reeaaall pain) but it is very much worth it. Sakai is an amazing artist and wonderful storyteller.

[Taylrea Teodor]

@ Khal, I get so much crap in real life for being a furry, I'm just glad someone understands it. You have to love CSI making furries look like freaks.

@ Capital, if you don't like furries you're more than welcome to leave the thread.

:lol: I know this one guy who wants to start a 'furry holocaust' with a wolf-furry as his partner... I think he's either joking or mentally ill.

Edit: Decided to add something.

[Eric Hayes]

To each his own i suppose. I just don't see what is attractive about a cat animal with boobs. Wouldn't you rather see a human with boobs?

[amhain]

I doubt you'll get a rise out of anyone now.

I don't like where you're going with this. Maybe you'll get a rise out of http://cdn.zoknowsgaming.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/zkgsonic.jpeg.

Anyway, if the thread is discussing furries, then I'll discuss furries. I do not like them. This was never said to be a thread to solely praise them.

Deal with it or come at me bro.

[herrade]

Personally Grrtt, I'd go for a khajiit>human. And if any of my fur brethern make a 'like a fox' joke...

[Krystina Proietti]

Capital, why do you dislike furries? Why are we bad people?

[Sara Johanna Scenariste]

To each his own i suppose. I just don't see what is attractive about a cat with boobs. (example.) Wouldn't you rather see a human with boobs?

sixual attraction is a tricky beast - both sociologically and psychologically - and people develop attractions to forms and objects due to both their exposure to said objects and their overall upbringing. Someone might be into uniforms, for example, because they grew up in a strict household and the concept of authority is calming or "good" to them, etc, etc. This isn't to say, of course, that simple exposure to furry artwork or whatnot will "cause" someone to become attracted to furries - or anything else, for that matter.

[Veronica Martinez]

To each his own i suppose. I just don't see what is attractive about a cat animal with boobs. Wouldn't you rather see a human with boobs?

I would kindly redirect you to this...

You have no-o-o-o-o-o idea how much of a "war" this is. Basically, on the Internet, if you say you're a furry, you're going to get flamed to death. It's like going to a Republican forum and saying "I'm a communist/socialist!"

http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/FurryFandom

Here's a good link to read at your leisure.

The link kindly provided by Marss has taught me at least that there are caught a few 'levels' to being a furry and that simply liking shows and games which feature furry characters classifies you as one, sixual attraction and relations to anthropomorphic characters is not necessary to be a furry, after reading this article I realized that there are a lot of people who can be considered furries which may not even think to acknowledge themselves as such before-hand.

[Bek Rideout]

Personally Grrtt, I'd go for a khajiit>human. And if any of my fur brethern make a 'like a fox' joke...

Well I am sure there is a psychological explanation to that. But that is basically taking a lion head and just putting it on a human body. That is some kinky stuff, my friend. You are in deep.

[Latisha Fry]

Meh, I'd go with either a Morrowind or Oblivion Khajiit.

[Sarah Bishop]

Personally Grrtt, I'd go for a khajiit>human. And if any of my fur brethern make a 'like a fox' joke...

Well, as a fellow fox...

Capital, why do you dislike furries? Why are we bad people?

Kalarn, I would simply not engage Capital in discussion. Not in this forum, at least. There is no need to derail this wonderful thread with bile or useless posts. I have full faith that the mods will intervene in their own time and do what they feel is necessary - however if we exacerbate the situation they may very well lock the thread.

Well I am sure there is a psychological explanation to that. But that is basically taking a lion head and just putting it on a human body. That is some kinky stuff, my friend. You are in deep.

Everyone has their own things that, er, 'stimulate' them. The level of 'kinkiness' is an incredibly socially-relative thing.

And of course there is a psychological explanation for furries - as far as psychology currently is capable of going, at least. That, however, doesn't make said thing wrong or immoral. I could easily point out several now-accepted states of being that were once considered psychological disorders - but I won't because that would severely derail the thread and promote a lock by the mods.

[Lindsay Dunn]

So Ren, how did you get into the fandom?

[Fanny Rouyé]

So Ren, how did you get into the fandom?

I originally came across the furry fandom through Sonic and Starfox fan-sites and I quickly progressed to chatting on IRC with fellow furries (and a short stint in Furcadia). My first furry convention was Midwest Furfest 2008 (or perhaps Furry Connection North 2008, I can't remember) - I've been going to both conventions ever since, though I first started wearing my fox-ears and tail at anime conventions (such as Youmacon in 2005). My fursona is a (wait for it!) rather generic red fox.

[Liv Staff]

Haha Kalarn, you beat me to the punch, I was about to ask everyone here how they got into the fandom.
Some friends showed me that the Furry Fandom was much more than that depicted in CSI, so after some research and such, I found out that I could fit the bill(At th etime, they didn't explain much about the fandom to me other than that not everyone is the crazed sixual deviants that people love to flame, so I thought I fit on the edge or something) But this thread and useful links made me realize that I am not on the edge, but a member of a quite diverse fandom.

[Kelly Tomlinson]

The link kindly provided by Marss has taught me at least that there are caught a few 'levels' to being a furry and that simply liking shows and games which feature furry characters classifies you as one, sixual attraction and relations to anthropomorphic characters is not necessary to be a furry, after reading this article I realized that there are a lot of people who can be considered furries which may not even think to acknowledge themselves as such before-hand.

Sorry, but no. You're a furry if you choose to classify yourself as one, not because of what someone wrote on TV Tropes. (and I can guess why)

Most children's cartoons contain anthro characters, that doesn't mean all children are furries.