Questions before I start please

[Bloody Rosen Knight]

Hi. I'm new here, but I have questions before I post the member profile thing. ^^;

What exactly is a furry? I think I know the gist of it but I still would like an explanation please.

What's a fursona? Is it like the type of animal your furry side is?

And that's it for now.  

[Garek Maxwell]

It's not required if you're worried. You should be aware the guild is looking at possibly merging/starting a new version of this thread too. You can vote on it if you like!
http://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?t=21686159
Anyone's welcome to have their input.

As for what a furry is, the best definition to exist seems to be "a fan of anthropomorphic creatures". It's all inclusive and yet still has the requirement that you are a 'fan' of it. It's like the difference between owning a motorcycle and being a biker. Oh, and usually these creatures are animals with human characteristics/humans with animal characteristics. Historic example: Werewolves, Naga, Bugs Bunny, Tony the Tiger, etc.

A fursona is just like a persona for role playing, it's a character you create. It can represent yourself or it can be like a character in a story. It's pretty open ended to what it can be. Many people use their favorite animals for their fursona's species.

Note that there are those who take a spiritual approach to their fursonas, which would require more explanation than I gave. Many of the same ideas apply since they are often used to role play.  

[Bloody Rosen Knight]

Okay. So what's a anthropomorphic? I feel kinda stupid for not knowing things like this considering I've been called a furry before ^^'  

[Garek Maxwell]

Bloody Rosen Knight

Okay. So what's a anthropomorphic? I feel kinda stupid for not knowing things like this considering I've been called a furry before ^^'

Apologies in advanced for the late reply. Had to leave the house for a bit. Also, I got a cut on my finger so typos are probably going to be frequent. >.<

In Short:
Giving objects or non-humans human characteristics. This includes speech, physical appearance, thought, emotions, etc.

In Long:
Anthropomorphics is giving things human characteristics. It's an academic term and I've heard it used in sociology and anthropology. In those fields, you'd hear it when discussing what separates us from animals. Koko the Gorilla is commonly argued over, where scientists debate whether or not she knows and understands sign language, or is just immitating people around her for attention and food. (Very few still argue this.) The problem is when a researcher says a dog understands how they feel or can understand their language. They may, or they may not. Research is sorta iffy here and good research avoids this.

That's the scientific field's take on it, which I think gives a better perspective on the whole of things. In the furry fandom though it's usually simpler. Most furries just mish-mash together human and animal characteristics until they are satisfied. To some, it's a human with cat ears and tail. To others, it's walking on all fours but having human speech (and I assume vocal chords...) and intelligence. Other's just like werewolves stuck in a perpetual full moon essentially. razz  

[Bloody Rosen Knight]

Garek Maxwell

Bloody Rosen Knight

Okay. So what's a anthropomorphic? I feel kinda stupid for not knowing things like this considering I've been called a furry before ^^'

Apologies in advanced for the late reply. Had to leave the house for a bit. Also, I got a cut on my finger so typos are probably going to be frequent. >.<

In Short:
Giving objects or non-humans human characteristics. This includes speech, physical appearance, thought, emotions, etc.

In Long:
Anthropomorphics is giving things human characteristics. It's an academic term and I've heard it used in sociology and anthropology. In those fields, you'd hear it when discussing what separates us from animals. Koko the Gorilla is commonly argued over, where scientists debate whether or not she knows and understands sign language, or is just immitating people around her for attention and food. (Very few still argue this.) The problem is when a researcher says a dog understands how they feel or can understand their language. They may, or they may not. Research is sorta iffy here and good research avoids this.

That's the scientific field's take on it, which I think gives a better perspective on the whole of things. In the furry fandom though it's usually simpler. Most furries just mish-mash together human and animal characteristics until they are satisfied. To some, it's a human with cat ears and tail. To others, it's walking on all fours but having human speech (and I assume vocal chords...) and intelligence. Other's just like werewolves stuck in a perpetual full moon essentially. razz

oh okay! Speaking of tails i still need to make mine...  

[shoki_de_nai]

Wow, you're really new to furry!

Garek seems to have it handled here pretty well, and I'd be happy to answer questions if you have any more of them. I've been around the fandom long enough to answer most things. 3nodding  

[Bloody Rosen Knight]

lol yup. ^w^ I'm designing it to be a wolfy suit though~ with fully functional tail and ears! X3 i found the how to for the tail on wolftronix.com and me and a friend of mine designed similar plans for animatronic ears.  

[shoki_de_nai]

Bloody Rosen Knight

lol yup. ^w^ I'm designing it to be a wolfy suit though~ with fully functional tail and ears! X3 i found the how to for the tail on wolftronix.com and me and a friend of mine designed similar plans for animatronic ears.

Oh, you're making a fursuit?

I've tried my hand at making parts, but I just never have the time to finish!  

[Bloody Rosen Knight]

shoki_de_nai

Bloody Rosen Knight

lol yup. ^w^ I'm designing it to be a wolfy suit though~ with fully functional tail and ears! X3 i found the how to for the tail on wolftronix.com and me and a friend of mine designed similar plans for animatronic ears.

Oh, you're making a fursuit?

I've tried my hand at making parts, but I just never have the time to finish!

yeah but with school out If i can just get the parts I'll easily be done quickly 4laugh  

[[-Erik-]]

Making a costume so soon?

This cookie doesn't need milk, guys cool  

[Bloody Rosen Knight]

[-Erik-]

Making a costume so soon?

This cookie doesn't need milk, guys cool

...what?  

[Garek Maxwell]

Bloody Rosen Knight

...what?

Erik is..a bit cooky. xp

(*Whisper whisper* I don't know what he means either.)

[-Erik-]

This cookie doesn't need milk, guys cool

I can be the milk to your cookies, Erik! heart

(I don't know exactly what this means either, but I like the sounds of it!)  

[Bloody Rosen Knight]

hahaha I think Imma like this community XD anyways, I'm going to be working on my furry sketch for my fursona (again)  

[[-Erik-]]

...I am always so misunderstood.

-seppuku-  

[Bloody Rosen Knight]

[-Erik-]

...I am always so misunderstood.

-seppuku-

Well I never heard that phrase before. Can you explain it then?