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submitted by Furriousity
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submitted by ironictiger
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This week on Knotcast, we talk about stuff. Anime, tumblr asks, and stuff like that. Whee! Episode 249 - Dialtone

Great show! Best live one we've had in a long time! We do the show live at MCFC '14. We're joined by Pandez, Travis & Indy, as we have many laughs at Pandez's Canadian expense. Also, Dr. Phil. Also, Fur Squared registration for next year is now open! www.fursquared.com Ep. 97 - MCFC '14 LIVE! - Great show! Best live one we've had in a long time! We do the show live at MCFC '14. We're joi...

Great show! Best live one we've had in a long time! We do the show live at MCFC '14. We're joined by Pandez, Travis & Indy, as we have many laughs at Pandez's Canadian expense. Also, Dr. Phil. Also, Fur Squared registration for next year is now open! www.fursquared.com Ep. 97 - MCFC '14 LIVE! - Great show! Best live one we've had in a long time! We do the show live at MCFC '14. We're joi...

http://31.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m892ot1oYD1rucozeo1_500.jpg

submitted by Account_Temporary
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http://31.media.tumblr.com/ecf90ca3217fbd00ca8b1ead26bfbb0e/tumblr_mvyi5wsari1s985pho2_500.jpg

submitted by Account_Temporary
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http://31.media.tumblr.com/368c36c146446db6e394a869fe3de83e/tumblr_mexjrcgWFX1rb71xuo1_1280.jpg

submitted by Account_Temporary
[link] [1 comment]

Akshat Rathi reports:

A handful of ideas regarding zebras’ stripes have found some support among biologists. One proposed that the dark and light bands change how air flows around a zebra’s body and helps in heat management, which could go a long way in the hot tropical areas that zebras live in.

Another proposed the stripes were used by zebras as a way of social interaction. They may use them to identify other zebras and for bonding as a group in the wild.

A third proposal suggested zebras used the stripes as camouflage. While stripes are clearly visible in the day, there some thought that it helped at dawn, dusk, and in the night.

All these ideas were shot down when tested rigorously. Two others, however, remained intriguing.

 

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submitted by Evilinc90
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Milwaukee news ran a short news segment on LARPing recently and I was watching it on Facebook through a link a friend posted. I wasn't expecting anything in particular, but one of those funny coincidences happened. Lo and behold, Alkali was one of the individuals they spoke with! Way to be a positive face of the community even when not involved in activities directly tied to the community!

submitted by fe-addict
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Pandamonium: A Steampunk Panda Adventure

Kickstarter ending 6/10/14

I’ll admit: I’m torn here. The book cover promises that rarest of things, a rock’em-sock’em swashbuckling panda adventure. And you know what? I want to believe. because that’s a pretty awesome panda pirate captain.

Artist/author Patrick Scullin is no slouch on the illustration front. He’s got a nice portfolio of illustrations, with lots of solid “supers” imagery, a few Doctors thrown in there for the Whovians. There’s even a set of ninja turtles–and they’re good! Scullin has a few publishing credits under his belt as well, bound volumes of his nerd-friendly “Super Siblings” webcomic–running almost exactly six years now, pretty strong stuff!

And I want to believe because I love steampunk, and bears are pretty cool, too. An epic battle of Grizzlies vs. Polar Bears, with one lone panda airship captain (all authentic steampunk captains have airships. I hope it’s a Zeppelin.) sounds like a pretty solid story, even if it draws a little heavily on tropes we have seen before (last scion of her race is a touch overplayed in fantasy).

But…but I don’t believe, and I’m sorry. I love the artwork, at least what I’ve seen, and I think the artwork might be enough to carry the project. But the writing’s kind of leaden, exposition-heavy and weirdly lacking in punctuation marks. There’s a PDF preview of the body copy on the Kickstarter page. Judge for yourself.

On the other hand, if bears are your big interest, this might be a rare opportunity–there’s not a lot of bear love in the anthro/talking animal novel sphere, particularly for something outside the Fandom. Check out the preview (I’ve ganked all the art from the Kickstarter site here, there’s not a lot of it…) see if the text and story grab you, and support a solid artist.

Just purely curious x3

I know this isn't relevant to Furry stuff but I'm curious. :3

Some Rings of Saturn here~ \m/

edit: 20 up, 20 down, I won't do this again :P

submitted by Thecoltonfactor
[link] [35 comments]

submitted by Flurra
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submitted by JontanD
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Here is the text to a journal I submitted over on Fur Affinity. There are certain mantras that I often find myself revisiting when I'm creating art. I've decided to make a working list of advice and suggestions for myself and the artists around me. I consider myself a life-long student of art. I am constantly striving to expand and improve! I don't think anyone ever really stops learning. I would love any input or advice you may have to share with me.

So gather around me, my friends. This is my gift to you. I hope you feel inspired to go out and create something!

?.Everyone starts somewhere. I think this is the most basic advice I have to budding artists. Often times we can get discouraged instead of inspired by looking at more experienced creators, but never forget that they began their journey with the first step, just like everyone else.

?.The best way to improve is to make changes. I cannot remember where I first heard this phrase, but I have regarded it as one of the most important things to remember, not just in terms of art but in terms of anything you apply yourself to. Do not be afraid of change.

?.The most difficult part of any assignment is to begin. I have got to say that I've always found that the hardest part of any task is to begin. This is in regards to making my own fursuit, as well as difficult school assignments. I was so afraid of attempting a costume it for so long, but once I actually started working, things were not so difficult.

?.Do not be afraid to start over. Do not be afraid to scrap a sketch/project if you are not pleased with it. If you did it one time, you can do it again, and probably even better. I also experienced this when I burnt a clay sculpture in the oven. I was so upset and frustrated that my work was all gone.. so I sculpted the same character again the very next day. The second sculpture came out even more beautifully than I had originally imagined, because I already made a draft of it with the first attempt. I am very happy to that experience.

?.Sometimes it is easier to take away than to add. I think that this phrase may be more pertaining to an individual's own style of making art. I've found that I personally have greater success with my work when I can messily create something and then meticulously clean it up. For me, I need something in front of me before I can shape it into what I wish to create. Perhaps this method will work well for you too!

?.Take opportunities to challenge yourself. This is truly one of the reasons I do so many raffles. Not knowing what character you are going to draw provides an opportunity for challenge! Taking chances with what you're asked to do will open you as an artist and stretch what you can create. Don't put constraints on your work, allow yourself to branch out and experiment.

?.If a particular part of a project appears difficult, move on and come back to it later. If you're feeling frustrated with the way a part of your work appears, change to a different and easier portion and come back to the spot later. I find myself doing this a lot. It keeps stress from building, and often times you'll work your way back to the trouble spot only to find it's much easier now!

?.Some of the best work is freely given. Sometimes, creating something as a gift can produce some of the best results. I think this is because it's the happiness of presenting a gift of a friend that is driving you, not money to pay your rent, buy food, ect. I also feel that this is a mentally refreshing thing to do. I highly suggest it, if you can afford to create free art.

?.If it looks good from far away, it will look good up close. Zoom out often to better evaluate your piece as a whole. Zoom out further to see it as a thumbnail. Another tip is to invert your image to check it for inconsistencies. Looking at your work from different angles and perspectives can really help you spot out corrections and get an idea of what needs improving.

?.Set yourself up for success. Before you sit down to create, have something to eat, use the restroom, ect. Put on something pleasant to listen to. I've found that different music can reflect in your work. For instance, if I want plenty of energy in a piece, I'll listen to electro swing. If I want something more serene, I'd recommend gentle nature sounds.

That is all I have for now. This is a working list and will be expanded on and amended. Feel free to share and enjoy! Renashe Tradewind

submitted by GoingToTheOcean
[link] [3 comments]

Dear PB, 

I just recently turned seventeen, and I'll be a senior in high school in a matter of months, and I'm a bit ruffled over where I want my future to go. I've given thought to the matter and I generally don't like many activities/hobbies, so at this point, I'm skeptical of how useful a college degree will be considering that I don't know what degree I'd get and the cost of college, despite the increase in income it allows. I've given quite a bit of thought into joining the military, but I'm not sure if that's a viable means of earning a living. I know I can deal with the stress and strain that training will encompass, but I don't want to commit myself to something and then have nothing to fall back upon.

Sorry if this letter is rambling any; I have a problem with that. I hope I've given sufficient information for advice, and if not, then I'd be happy to answer any questions. 

Thank you,

Ciner

* * *

Dear Ciner,

There is a lot of pressure on young people to get a college education. As you noted, people with degrees usually make more money than those with only a high school diploma or less. However, it has always been this bear’s belief that a college education (at least, a four-year or higher degree) is not for everyone. As you mention, there is the alternative of the military, but that certainly is not for everyone, either.

The good news is there are a lot of careers you can get into without going to college that earn you a decent income. Here is an excellent list about them: http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2013/07/25/50-jobs-over-50000-without-a-degree-part-1/. It includes everything from dog walker to construction-related industries to computers and writing professions. Also, there are a lot of things you can do with a 2-year degree. The U.S. actually has an outstanding community college system. Here are some high-paying jobs with a two-year degree: http://career-advice.monster.com/salary-benefits/salary-information/100k-jobs-two-year-degree/article.aspx and here http://www.forbes.com/sites/moneywisewomen/2012/01/23/highest-paying-2-year-degree-jobs-in-the-us/.

So what you need to do is find something in which you have an interest. You noted you “generally don't like many activities/hobbies,” but that doesn’t mean you have no interest in anything, I hope. If you have absolutely no interest in doing anything in your life, then I cannot help you. But if you can find just one or two things that appeal to you, that is workable. Better yet, if you can find something you love and can find a career in, then you will never work a day in your life because work will be like play. If I could, for instance, earn a living writing this column, I would be one happy bear.

Don’t be pressured by adults or peers to do something for the money. That will just make your life sad—and is, unfortunately, what happens to most people in this world. Find your passion first, then make it a career.

Good luck!

Papabear

submitted by AC_Scart
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submitted by vriskas3rket
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submitted by SkyF0x
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