A Furry's Manifesto¶
2024-09-22
Preamble¶
Furries are one of the most diverse communities. To say "I'm a furry" conveys as much information as "I love animals" (for better or for worse). I, as a new member of the furry community, feel the urge to make a statement regarding my missions and principles.
My opinions are my own, and do not represent the furry community, the Anthro Art Association, or the University of Michigan.
Please keep in mind that I have limited knowledge of the furry community at the time of writing. This manifesto may contain factual errors or outdated content. In the case of a suspected issue, please email me.
Missions¶
My mission in the furry community is to create art, and to help fellow furries create art.
Furry, as a hobby, is an art at its core: something that (1) is consciously made by humans, (2) expresses human ideas, and (3) can be appreciated by humans. The most obvious forms of art that check all three are fursuits and commissions. As of the time of writing, I'm incapable of either. However they are by no means the only forms of art; I consider this manifesto a piece of art, and there's nothing you can do about it.
I'm also a fan of creating art through engineering. I'd be more than happy to help you with PCBs. It would feel good to know that my efforts actually helped someone create art, rather than whirring away in a lifeless datacenter.
Acknowledgments¶
I am incredibly privileged to partake in the furry fandom. My parents have, with their hard-earned money, made every effort to provide for 15 years of education and especially my UMich tuition.
My Chinese ancestors fought for a nation free of colonialism. The US has, at least, never let any missiles hit itself.
Computer pioneers such as Ritchie, Stallman and Torvalds made it possible for me to own a computer — even two — and run a free operating system. Tim Berners-Lee et al. made the web happen, which, despite circumstances, are still a net good.
The LGBTQ community has normalized various forms of self-expression. Folks at the UMich Anthro Art Association (AAA) are doing a good job fostering an organized online community.
There is no end to this list. This shall be a reminder to myself that none of this would be possible without the effort of people around us. Be kind and give back.
Anti-Consumerism¶
Having stuff is good.[citation needed] However, I do realize the danger of consumerism. Other than the obvious argument that money doesn't grow on trees, my critique will focus on the philosophical implications.
My favorite MCR lyrics is this verse from "DESTROYA":
If what you are
Is just what you own
What have you become
When they take from you almost everything?
which is incredibly fitting, since the album Danger Days (2010) is a warning against consumerism. If I decide that my (human) identity hinges on ownership of a thing — my Squier bass, let's say — what do I become if I lost it?
You see, the Squier isn't part of my identity. What is though, is the ability to play bass and my love of music, even if all the bass guitars disappear from the Earth.
I disapprove of superiority via wealth. To be clear: I do not mind that you own a Porsche. It would bother me, however, if you feel you're somehow above people who don't. If I ever amass a fortune (unlikely), I promise to never make a big deal out of it.
Sustainability¶
I expect myself to sooner or later attend a furry convention. In the case I live in Shanghai and the convention is in another Chinese city, I would choose railway over air whenever possible, and to encourage my friends to do so. However I recognize that, for conventions abroad, air travel is inevitable. I am skeptical about the "carbon offset" option that airlines offer, so instead I will fund some other organizations that I trust more. Probably people who plant trees.
Generative AI¶
To do art is to be human; generative AI can never do art in this sense. I will not allow my art, in any form, to be used to train a generative AI that pretends to make art.
I will never use the output of a generative AI and claim it as my "art". I may, however, use them for research, parody, or discussion.
If I ever commission someone else, I will make sure, to the best of my ability, that they do not enlist the help of generative AI.
Future amendments¶
This manifesto is not exhaustive. There will mostly likely be amendments to this manifesto.