Meldinger

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Bjeff! Mjau! Mø! / Sv: Furrysak i Dagbladet FREDAG?

« på: 22. feb, 2010, 14:42 »

I don't know where you get the idea of a non-fur calling a fur by that very term would leave the fur offended. Sincerely, I appreciate it when people call me by righteous terms!

Gay is also a negatively charged word, by this definition, but someone who is gay, should not be offended by getting called gay! I am gay, if you're wondering.

This is more a case of "what if" than anything, considering the fursecution-factor. I suppose it is a force of habit.


The term "gay" is a good example of what I mean, though! "Gay" did not originally translate to "homosexual", but it used to mean "happy"/"overjoyed". How the term changed its meaning, I don't know nor would I dare myself to speculate. Regardless, you know the history so I won't dive into it any further, but I do not like calling someone else "gay" (not even those who are) because I feel I am insulting them, which is the last thing I want.
I don't think I have ever used terms such as "gay", "straight" or "bi" in relation to sexuality and I do suppose this is yet another force of habit.

It's always "what if" this and "what if" that. I will, however, practice the use of the terms while I am here to avoid future misunderstandings if you'd prefer.

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Bjeff! Mjau! Mø! / Sv: Furrysak i Dagbladet FREDAG?

« på: 22. feb, 2010, 14:20 »

I am by no means a 'scientist' of any official standards, nor am I a 'furry' (which I'd consider to be an offensive term for the subculture's members; I normally prefer to use 'anthro' instead

Well, you might find that offensive, but still, the terminology is wrong. The most widely accepted term for those whom this fandom consists of is furries. Anthro means man, so applying that term to someone who already walks on two legs would be counter-productive, don't you think?

I must voice my converns, about having someone who chooses to change the core terminology of our fandom, represent us as a whole.

You are right that it is wrong; I simply prefer to use other terms above that one because I feel that it might be interpreted as offensive to those who actually are. I believe the most relevant example of this would be how two African-American men may address each other with a variety of different words that when uttered by a European or someone of different ethnicities would be considered to be racist because many used them in negative contexts before.
Similarily, I feel that calling someone a 'furry' when 1) I am not one of them, & 2) there are so many negative meanings tied to the term 'furry' as well, especially by those who are not a part of the subculture, isn't appropriate and could very quickly be taken the wrong way.

If that made sense.

*edit*: That does not mean I do not use it. I am only careful about how/when I use it.

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Bjeff! Mjau! Mø! / Sv: Furrysak i Dagbladet FREDAG?

« på: 22. feb, 2010, 14:00 »

Why do you call some anthro and other furs?

And why do you believe we can't explain about us?

And how did you find this thread I also wonder?

And CabinCon is fun yes, I have been at CabinCon and want you feel there is was you normally feel in a furmeet here in Norway.

1) Ultimately, the meaning of the words in the context I use remains the same. I try to avoid the term 'furry' (and its derivatives) as much as I can as I believe it is connected to too much negativity & is too easy to misread, either by purpose or by accident. Sometimes, however, it cannot be helped as I grew up in a very conservative family who were very much followers of the "do not utter two of the same words in one sentence-rule" or something like that. I would call it a force of habit.

2) I don't, nor did I ever imply such. However, I figured that perhaps a person who is not a part of the subculture could be of great assistance.

3) After my inactivity on NP (which is still the case, by the way), I found it while Googling for updated information about the subculture today. A complete coincidence.

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Bjeff! Mjau! Mø! / Sv: Furrysak i Dagbladet FREDAG?

« på: 22. feb, 2010, 13:38 »

For some reason, the forum wouldn't let me post a bug-free answer so it is included in a text-file.

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Bjeff! Mjau! Mø! / Sv: Furrysak i Dagbladet FREDAG?

« på: 22. feb, 2010, 10:53 »

Hello, krushdbug.

I had a friend of mine translate all of the posts in this topic and would like to express my interest for an interview - preferrably not face to face, I fear. I have chosen a name different to what I normally use on the Internet for this very purpose to not only protect my online identity, but also to protect my offline identity. Considering the amount of Fursecutioners (anti-furries who, in their effort to ruin the furry fandom, has caused a lot of insecurity and necessary paranoia in relation to interactions with the media) and their extremist behaviour, I'd not want to endanger my friends or family. I do hope you understand.

I live in Norway and have been researching the furry subculture in this country for over five years and I believe I can shed some light on questions, misconceptions and/or issues that will, have or might arise as a result of your article. I do not read or speak Norwegian too well and would prefer to conduct the interview (if any) in English.

I am by no means a 'scientist' of any official standards, nor am I a 'furry' (which I'd consider to be an offensive term for the subculture's members; I normally prefer to use 'anthro' instead, which is much more general and leaves less room for intentional misinterpretation) but I sympathize with the subculture and I promised a friend (who was an anthro until a small group of Fursecutioners discovered his real identity and sabotaged his life, ending in my friend now living with me because he no longer has a home) that I'd make every effort to relinquish the negative impression of the subculture and advertise it for what it is: a medium for free thinking, creativity and socialization. Anthros are largely one of the most accepting & friendly subcultures I have ever had the joy of researching and it is such a shame that society makes every effort at demonizing anthros simply because they have the guts to be different.


The scepticism held by the members of Norwegian Paws is understandable and well-justified, but I assure them that my intentions are NOT to demonize; only to educate and shed a different light on this severely misunderstood subculture.
I am, however, very objective in the way I work; I do not make things into what they are not, but I also don't sugarcoat things. Any and all questions would be answered objectively.


I would also be willing to forward questions from Norwegian Paws to you (anonymously, of course) & relay your answers back to them and vice verse.

And thanks for taking this initiative; we need more open minds such as yourself in this world full of prejudice and segregation.