Feed aggregator

submitted by kerespup
[link] [1 comment]

Opening paragraph from The Independent's piece about Eurofurence 2014:

This weekend 2000 self-proclaimed ‘furries’ - fans of anthropomorphic animals in cartoons, anime movies, literature and computer games - checked into a conference hotel in Berlin for Eurofurence, Europe’s largest furry fandom convention.

The Daily Mail's opening paragraph:

Grown adults dressed as sexualised cuddly toys met at a gathering for ‘furries’ in Germany at Eurofurence, Europe’s largest furry fandom convention.

Starkly different, sadly predictable on The Daily Mail's part, but a reality we better get used to as I will explain later.

To provide context for readers outside the UK: The Independent is a centre left 'broadsheet'; The Daily Mail is a middle income tabloid. The former's article is good, covering the obligatory basics such as what a furry is, what the fandom is about, its sci-fi convention origins [1], that's it's not all about sex, yet surprisingly little about the convention itself other than its past themes.

To the Mail's credit, their article is not out and out bashing us. It also introduces reader to the fandom, going as far as lifting quotes directly from their news rival. The difference is that sex was a minor talking point for The Independent, whilst for The Daily Mail it's part of the eye catching headline:

Cats wearing stockings and bears in satin corsets: 2,000 adults dress as sexualised cuddly toys at bizarre festival

By comparison The Independent headline:

Furrie invasion: 2000 fans attended Eurofeurence in Berlin to celebrate their love of anthropomorphic animals

The narrative is seen throughout The Mail's piece. Beneath the headline are three bullet points, the second says:

Event attracted 2,000 'furries' - some in stockings, tutus and corsets [emphasis mine]

There's a nice piece midway where Kathy Gerbasi talks about her interest in the fandom, however those paragraphs are wedged between two photos of a fursuiter's cleavage. It's no crime on the fursuiter's part if she chooses to go for a sexy appearance, but The Mail made an editorial decision to have the second photo be a close up.

While we deplore The Mail and would prefer articles about our fandom be like The Independent's, we're faced with the uncomfortable reality; The Mail probably makes more money from sensationalised titles than The Independent's makes from respectable news articles. Online publications rely on high volume traffic to justify the price advertisers pay, hence click bait headlines that draw you in, even if the content is mundane. Of course this is nothing new to those familiar with the tabloids, but even respectable publications are getting into the act with titles posed as questions.

Don't be surprised if you see future a loaded headline such as "Should you keep your kids away from furries?" The answer will be a well considered 'no', but that moment of curiosity will be how they get you. For the greater good of not just the fandom but the web as a whole, we should think twice before clicking a headline and not reward publishers for their baiting tactics.

[1] I would like to read an article that actually tracks down some of the proto-furry convention attendees. How often do we hear about these fable origins, yet not get some first paw accounts of those early days?

Permalink

submitted by Epicshark
[link] [2 comments]

submitted by Fenrir74
[link] [6 comments]

submitted by HappyWulf
[link] [48 comments]

If you haven’t already, you might want to make yourself familiar with Fairy Quest by Paul Jenkins (story) and Humberto Ramos (art). After selling out of their original trade paperback, Fairy Quest: Outlaws, Jenkins and Ramos ran a successful Kickstarter campaign to continue the story. And now Boom! Studios have picked up that continuation as a new full-color series, Fairy Quest: Outcasts. In the magical land of Fablewood, all the myths and legends of old must live their lives by the dictates of their Story — else the evil Think Police will wipe their minds clean. Now, Red Riding Hood and Wolf have broken the law — by becoming good friends. The first issue of Outcasts will hit the shelves this October. Check it out at Previews.

image c. 2014 Boom! Studios

submitted by VentKazemaru
[link] [9 comments]

So I have a basic idea on what my fursona should look like. The only art experience I have is art 1 back in my freshman year of high school, and I was pretty crap at it back then. Should I commission a piece of art by just describing what I have in my head or take a stab at it with my drawing skills and let someone else make a drawing based on that. I feel like my drawing would be so bad it would ruin what the idea of my fursona is. Any help is appreciated!

submitted by Fuel-Injected
[link] [5 comments]

submitted by uberschnitzel13
[link] [8 comments]

submitted by CandyDragonGuts
[link] [1 comment]

submitted by kibaxyru
[link] [14 comments]

submitted by Heynowyouranalstar
[link] [7 comments]

submitted by theCharcoalfox
[link] [2 comments]

submitted by Thecoltonfactor
[link] [2 comments]

submitted by 1NiteFang1
[link] [1 comment]

imgur.com/cutJt2r

submitted by LeopardWolf
[link] [4 comments]

submitted by zazazael
[link] [1 comment]

We're back! Here's an episode covering a lot of weird stuff, including poop mountains, Nazi food conspiracies, and more! Hope to see you at IFC at our live recording! Ep. 101 - We Can't Math - We're back! Here's an episode covering a lot of weird stuff, including poop mountains, Nazi food...

submitted by AerialReavers
[link] [7 comments]

Hey guys, I'm looking for some animators on Youtube that regually create furry animations, do you know of any?

Things such as this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RJonJ2xoGo

EDIT: Web address

submitted by SDownsy
[link] [5 comments]