Furry stereotype

2005-09-14T19:45:42Z

Aquilus:

[[Furry]] subculture receives stereotyping as most any other groups do at some point in time. Stereotypes can arise from virtually any facet of a group or demographic, depending partly on trends within the demographic, and partly on the experiences and biases of the viewer who is framing a stereotypical model in which to fit individuals. As with many stereotypes, Furry stereotypes can have some truth to them. Being based upon simplified mental generalizations however, they can also fail to hold up under closer scrutiny of a wider sampling of Furry culture.

== The Furry Stereotype ==

Furry fandom member demographics have traditionally appeared to cross over heavily with the science-fiction, fantasy, computer, and video-game geek worlds. It seems in part because of this, the stereotype of the Furry fan often bears a close resembelence to general stereotype of the nerd and/or geek: a hairy, overweight male, often unwashed, and living in his parents' basement while surfing for pornography on the Internet.

The particulars of Furry fandom and culture, involving less common interests and what outsiders frequently consider strange, unusual, or bizarre takes on the wider fantasy and funny animal genre, have led to the Furry geek stereotype being presented as much more extreme than typical geeks. For example, one list of some extra stereotypical points that have often been attached to Furry fandom specifically would paint most furries as:

* gay
* overweight
* zoophiles
* plushophiles
* fursuiters
* socially inept
* usually homely or ugly
* misanthropic
* unpopular

Some people have observed that these common portrayals of the fandom are based on several factors, such as the apparent larger than average percentage of individuals in it who are gay, bi, lesbian, or transsexual - a point which by itself is debated within the fandom. It is also pointed out, that the image of a Furry fan who is mainstream, has mostly unremarkable interests and hobbies, and sociable is not as titillating to the sensationalism seekers in the general public, or groups such as [[Something Awful]]. And even in the case of people who are Furries and also happen to pursue erotic art, engage in activities such as sexual [[plushophilia]], or are [[Furry_lifestyler|Lifestylers]], it has also been asserted that most are, in reality, much more responsible for themselves and the impression they give of the fandom than those who dig for examples to support stereotypes will often admit.

As a result, no matter how many furries there are who would fit the picture of the typical and less controversial, those fans who take part in less common activities, exhibit outrageous or unwise behavior, or do provide relatively rare fit with the most extreme stereotypes have more often than not been singled out and held up as the symbol of Furry fandom. The dynamics of stereotyping often result in this being all it takes for outsiders to see "the case being proven".

== Stereotypes within the fandom ==

Within Furry fandom itself, there are also stereotypes - some of these are the external stereotypes of Furry, circulated by Furry fans who may wish to distance themselves from the unpopular image of furries. Others are specific to the internal culture of the fandom, and are often based on the favored animal or species association of a given individual, especially among those fans who have a [[Personal_Furry|personal furry]] or role-play frequently. These stereotypes are sometimes based on combinations of the behavior of the Furry fan him or herself and the stereotypical attributes of various animals (not all of which may, in fact, be accurate to the factual traits of particular animals). Some examples would include:

* Foxes (Male) are often gay, overly sexualized, and not bright.
* Foxes (Female) are usually male players, even more overly sexualized, also not bright.
* Equines are "size queens", oversexed, into bondage and pony play.
* Dragons are arrogant, pretentious, and followers of wonky mysticism. If female, are fangirls of [[Wikipedia:Anne_McCaffrey|Anne McCaffrey's]] Pern.
* Gryphons are obsessed fans of [[Wikipedia:Mercedes_Lackey|Mercedes Lackey]] fiction.
* Rabbits are highly oversexed.
* Wolves behave arrogant and superior, or like big foxes.

[[category:culture]]

==External Links==

[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stereotypes Stereotypes] on Wikipedia

Murryfuck (term)

2005-09-14T19:22:35Z

Aquilus:

A word formed by swapping two letters of [[FurryMUCK]]. It is is often used disparigingly to represent the activities that go on there, versus other perhaps more serious, role-playing intensive [[MUCK]]s.

Fan boy

2005-09-11T21:08:06Z

Aquilus:

#REDIRECT [[Fan-boy]]

FurNet (IRC)

2005-09-11T13:45:15Z

Aquilus:

:''For other definitions of FurNet, please see the [[FurNet|disambiguation page]].''
[[Image:Furnet.png|right|Furnet]]
'''FurNet''', a major furry [[IRC]] network, was created to replace [[Yiffnet]] after it was shut down in 2001. It is the most popular furry IRC network at present, with an average figure of 850 users being connected at any one time. With its large user base and a wide selection of established channels, it tends to attract the majority of furs new to IRC.

FurNet's [http://www.furnet.org/ web site] includes a list of servers which you can connect to, and links to suitable software for a variety of platforms.

==Popular channels==
* #[[maleyiff]]
* #[[softpaws]]
* #[[pantherchat]]
* #[[foxie]]

For political reasons, the channel #[[furry]], which one might expect to be a premier channel on a furry IRC network, is often virtually empty and idle, a victim of the dispute which led to the formation of [[Anthrochat]].

[[Category:Chat rooms]]

WikiFur - User contributions [en]

Furry stereotype

Murryfuck (term)

Fan boy

FurNet (IRC)