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In my view, humans are essentially animals that have masked a certain amount of their base instinct with "civilized" society/social behavior, made possible by heightened intelligence, to distance themselves from other animals and assert dominance.  This is partially passive and partially deliberate.  But in the end we're all just organisms that have to eat, sleep, and poop like everything else.  I have no problem being human - in fact we've got it pretty easy compared to the rest of the animal kingdom.  We're the only ones even capable of fantasizing about being something that we're not to the point of wishing that we could become that something else... I'd rather be able to fantasize than to lose the ability to appreciate the object of my fantasies.  Does a wolf care that she's a wolf?  Probably not, at least not in the way we would think.  That's not to say that humans are perfect.  Intelligence can be put to many uses, good and evil.  Unfortunately the evil ones tend to get the most attention.  The animal world isn't perfect either.  Both engage in deliberate violence over territory, resources, social hierarchy, and other things.  Humans are just more diabolical about it and do it on a larger scale in comparison.  What gets me is that while many animals will only do this out of necessity for survival, humans derive pleasure from it too, which gets back to the need or desire to assert dominance.  For me the benefits of heightened intelligence far outweigh the negative consequences.

A relevant quote:
"We're all selfish, base animals crawling across the earth, but because we've got brains, if we try really hard, we can occasionally aspire to something that is less than pure evil."
- Gregory House. 

Humans are animals too... we simply enjoy the luxury of being the most powerful species on the planet. There are good humans and bad humans, and there are good and bad furries. I happen to be of the monistic belief that all is one. Humans, I think, become a boon to all that is life when they attribute separation from and superiority to themselves over everything else in nature. We highlight that which makes us "unique," even though everyday, scientists are finding out that other species are able to perform many of the same feats that we have used to measure our own humanity. Whether it is using tools or communication. We are more similar to other animals than we are different. Everything that motivates us is, in essence, pack mentality. Kenneth Burke remarked that one of the things that defines human beings is that we are goaded by hierarchy. Is that any different from the young lion in the pride who fights to become alpha male? As for being proud to be human, I think that the only things anyone should be proud of are achievements. We were born human. Then what? The choices we made and our actions in life are what matter.

Proud to be human? Of course! We're the only animal on Earth who can choose to not eat our natural prey. We're the only animal on Earth who can be as merciful as we can. We're the only animal on Earth that can question if we're proud to be what we are. What should we be unproud of? I've seen tigers that have killed people, just as we've killed living things. So should other tigers be not proud of being tigers, because the animal did what it was supposed to? The fact that you can question right and wrong, and make this topic should be a good example of why to be proud.

Your humanity is what gives you the ability to choose. Not every person is the same. You cannot let the wrongs of a few, or even many, influence your opinion of the race as a whole. Within the powers granted and given to you as birthright of being human, you can choose whether you kill, steal, lie, or live a good life. That is why I'm proud. Humans made furries. Humans are the animal that looks at other animals and questions whether it is right or wrong to end their life, to live like them, or even how they live lives. Other animals are happy enough with only seeing that animal as prey, or the hunter.

Celta Ka'ul.

[Pets name:]

Proud to be human? Of course! We're the only animal on Earth who can choose to not eat our natural prey. We're the only animal on Earth who can be as merciful as we can. We're the only animal on Earth that can question if we're proud to be what we are. What should we be unproud of? I've seen tigers that have killed people, just as we've killed living things. So should other tigers be not proud of being tigers, because the animal did what it was supposed to? The fact that you can question right and wrong, and make this topic should be a good example of why to be proud.

Your humanity is what gives you the ability to choose. Not every person is the same. You cannot let the wrongs of a few, or even many, influence your opinion of the race as a whole. Within the powers granted and given to you as birthright of being human, you can choose whether you kill, steal, lie, or live a good life. That is why I'm proud. Humans made furries. Humans are the animal that looks at other animals and questions whether it is right or wrong to end their life, to live like them, or even how they live lives. Other animals are happy enough with only seeing that animal as prey, or the hunter.

Celta Ka'ul.

I just wanted to say, I agree. Your post made me smile, and is one of the few reasons I have any hope for Humanity left. We have a choice - all we need is for more people to be educated enough to make better choices.

despite some of my previous rambles about why not to be proud,

We have grown up on this planet nutured by the life giving sun and to our knloadge we are the only race to question exactly why we are here and what our purpose is in the universe.
this umong other questions have brought forth religion (in my view) to the world and disagreements too but i would be 100% proud if the human race realised that we need to be together with no bounderies whatsoever because then and only then can we as a race reach our full potential.

I was born a human and I'll die proud that I lived as one.

It's difficult to be proud of this. Just by breathing we're exploiting the earth and its life to the limit.

And I can't think of one single thing the human race has given to the world. We've given things to ourselves, plenty of times, because that's the only thing we consider when we 'progress'.

I can't stand the ignorance of the human race either. You ask any of them what the meaning of life is and they'll come out with some nonsense, like life is just to love, blah, blah, blah. And they seem to ignore death as well (at least in Western culture).

Actually, I've just realised at that, my rant has only been at modern western culture.

[Pets name:]

Actually, I've just realised at that, my rant has only been at modern western culture.

Quite.

Humanity has given alot to the world - even the west - we have nature reserves, historical preservation products, science has begun to cure diseases that afflict not just humans but other creatures too.

Humanity is slowly realising our lifestyle which is still very much dating from the Industrial Revolution isn't really sustainable in any way whatsoever. The lifestyle of overindulgence and exploitation isn't something we can hold onto for much longer. Probably the rest of my life, though, will be this way.

i would be 100% proud if the human race realised that we need to be together with no bounderies whatsoever because then and only then can we as a race reach our full potential.

Oh the dream. One day... and if I can, I will help this change come about.

[Pets name:]

It's difficult to be proud of this. Just by breathing we're exploiting the earth and its life to the limit.

And I can't think of one single thing the human race has given to the world. We've given things to ourselves, plenty of times, because that's the only thing we consider when we 'progress'.

I can't stand the ignorance of the human race either. You ask any of them what the meaning of life is and they'll come out with some nonsense, like life is just to love, blah, blah, blah. And they seem to ignore death as well (at least in Western culture).

Actually, I've just realised at that, my rant has only been at modern western culture.

Hmmm. So what is the meaning of life?

[Pets name:]

It's difficult to be proud of this. Just by breathing we're exploiting the earth and its life to the limit.

And I can't think of one single thing the human race has given to the world. We've given things to ourselves, plenty of times, because that's the only thing we consider when we 'progress'.

I can't stand the ignorance of the human race either. You ask any of them what the meaning of life is and they'll come out with some nonsense, like life is just to love, blah, blah, blah. And they seem to ignore death as well (at least in Western culture).

Actually, I've just realised at that, my rant has only been at modern western culture.

Hmmm. So what is the meaning of life?

Lemmy summed that up well with a song:

The answer to life's mystery
is simple and direct:
Sex and Death!

We live to procreate and die. To furthur existence and refine our DNA. There are moths that live for 24 hours... consider the fact our life is long enough to even question this a gift.

Well, technically it is as you say, sex and death. Though really, avoiding death is only to increase chances of reproducution, right?

But it seems awfully morbid.

For me, the other version of the meaning of life, the less technical/more philosphical one-

Have fun and be polite and nice to the people around you.

This is what I've come up with so far, but I would love to hear other opinions.

Sorry I didn't explain, but that was basically the tl;dr version. But I guess it would be tl;dt. (too long; didn't type.)

[Pets name:]

Well, technically it is as you say, sex and death. Though really, avoiding death is only to increase chances of reproducution, right?

But it seems awfully morbid.

For me, the other version of the meaning of life, the less technical/more philosphical one-

Have fun and be polite and nice to the people around you.

This is what I've come up with so far, but I would love to hear other opinions.

Sorry I didn't explain, but that was basically the tl;dr version. But I guess it would be tl;dt. (too long; didn't type.)

Should've typed it. But I also like that philosophy, and it matches some thinking I did once - politness and kindess, as we advise everyone to be, just makes out morbid existence nicer. More pleasureable, and less brutal.

We do alot of things. Everything we have done is to make it easier for us to live, and nicer too. After all, are we not far more comfortable now than those 100 years ago? 1000 years? Look at how much nicer our lives our, how much longer we live - the things we do and see - even 50 years ago the idea of a package holiday halfway round the world would have been out of nearly everyone's reach. Now I go to these places and meet people from everywhere. Russia, Germany, Japan, China, America, Australia - this shows what we can do. Let's keep at it. Meet people, share views, have a chat - be nice and freindly to all you can.

I don't mind being human. Sure the species has some bad aspects, but it's okay. Furries pretend to be other species, but at the end of the day, I'd still rather not be anything else.

In my view, humans are essentially animals that have masked a certain amount of their base instinct with "civilized" society/social behavior, made possible by heightened intelligence, to distance themselves from other animals and assert dominance...

agreed, that's pretty much all we are.

I was never proud to say i'm a human. But after working in retail for a few years, I can never ever say i'm proud to be human again...It's terrible to see so many customers treat the people that try and help like dirt. At the end of the day i always say to myself,"Kinda sucks i'm human...hard to belive i share a race with such cold and uncaring peoole" By the end of the day i'm usualy wishing i was born my fursona or an animal. rather then be a human

I was never proud to say i'm a human. But after working in retail for a few years, I can never ever say i'm proud to be human again...It's terrible to see so many customers treat the people that try and help like dirt. At the end of the day i always say to myself,"Kinda sucks i'm human...hard to belive i share a race with such cold and uncaring peoole" By the end of the day i'm usualy wishing i was born my fursona or an animal. rather then be a human

Actually, I think it's the opposite way you're thinking about it.  Humanity is probably the noblest creature there can be.  I like Celta's views about us being the only ones able to question the morality of our actions.  Deep stuff (and great post, btw, Celta).  So rather than being ashamed of the depraved nature of humanity, I think of it in another way.  The ones who are liars, cheats, thieves, and jerks to the customer service people are the ones who have distorted the abilities of human reason.  They have actually lost something important to a person's soul, and once it's lost they often never try to regain it.

So I am definitely grateful for my humanity, and I actually feel...well, not really sorry for those people (not like I feel holier-than-thou, anyway).  But it's like I want them to return to the former glory of humanity's superiority in nature.

Does that make sense to anyone?

[Hallmark cards]

It's concluded. Humanity truly is a most atrocious, monstrous abomination. A figurative blemish, pulsating on the otherwise unmarred face of Gaia.

To think of all their maniacal, self-destructive and diabolical creations....like bad words and Hallmark cards and-and rush hour traffic! *ehem* Fortunately, I am above these things.

With any luck, this particular viral infection will be flushed out of the Earth's celestial body soon enough.
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In seriousness, it is consoling to see that not every member of these forums has a irreconcilable vendetta against their humanity.

You know, it's sort of funny that I found this thread again. I started working at a gas station recently, and in spite of the ticked off customers swearing at me or just generally being jerks, you see the good side of humanity as well. Heck, a kid was buying a soda the other day and another customer in line payed for the item for him. I asked him why and he told me "It's something my father always did for kids when I was younger." He felt like continuing something kind like that. It might be small and trivial but I thought it was a really kind thing.

It's small stuff like that that shows we're not all bad. Also, an article of note is Mean World Syndrome. I'll have to read up on this a little more. I find it intriguing...

[Hallmark cards]

It's concluded. Humanity truly is a most atrocious, monstrous abomination. A figurative blemish, pulsating on the otherwise unmarred face of Gaia.

To think of all their maniacal, self-destructive and diabolical creations....like bad words and Hallmark cards and-and rush hour traffic! *ehem* Fortunately, I am above these things.

With any luck, this particular viral infection will be flushed out of the Earth's celestial body soon enough.

*sniff*

That was beautiful...

Ew no. I may be physically, but not mentally. I'm just waiting for genetic modification to come.

[rush hour traffic]

and-and rush hour traffic!

Well the universe is expanding, so that should help ease the traffic.

I see myself being human as a form given to me to enable me to help a greater number of animals than I could ever help under any other form. So basically, I am happy being human as long as it allows me to do good things for animals that I like and to do good for nature as well to the extent that I can...

I take pride in the good of our species in the fields of art and literature and for the good people who help others and help animals/treat them with respect. I don't take pride in our species on a whole though and I certainly will not say that us as humans are superior to other forms of life on this planet.
I am not ashamed to be human, although, I do not identify well with other humans.

That would be pretty much it...

I'm neutral.There are pros and cons to being a human.

Personally for me it could go either way... I mean I like being human but if I came back (recarninated?) as something else then I wouldn't mind.

In my view, humans are essentially animals that have masked a certain amount of their base instinct with "civilized" society/social behavior, made possible by heightened intelligence, to distance themselves from other animals and assert dominance.  This is partially passive and partially deliberate.  But in the end we're all just organisms that have to eat, sleep, and poop like everything else.  I have no problem being human - in fact we've got it pretty easy compared to the rest of the animal kingdom.  We're the only ones even capable of fantasizing about being something that we're not to the point of wishing that we could become that something else... I'd rather be able to fantasize than to lose the ability to appreciate the object of my fantasies.  Does a wolf care that she's a wolf?  Probably not, at least not in the way we would think.  That's not to say that humans are perfect.  Intelligence can be put to many uses, good and evil.  Unfortunately the evil ones tend to get the most attention.  The animal world isn't perfect either.  Both engage in deliberate violence over territory, resources, social hierarchy, and other things.  Humans are just more diabolical about it and do it on a larger scale in comparison.  What gets me is that while many animals will only do this out of necessity for survival, humans derive pleasure from it too, which gets back to the need or desire to assert dominance.  For me the benefits of heightened intelligence far outweigh the negative consequences.

A relevant quote:
"We're all selfish, base animals crawling across the earth, but because we've got brains, if we try really hard, we can occasionally aspire to something that is less than pure evil."
- Gregory House. 

i mostly agree...

Eh, i'm not that fond on humanity, infact i suspect that i am a Misanthropist. Man, they have surgery for changing Gender, why not for changing species?.......

i'm posting this here because i feel it is the main reason that i continue to be a furry, and a proud member of the comunity.

is anyone here actually proud to be human? cause we all are human at the end of the day...

tell you something, i'm not. i think i said why in another topic but i'll say it again... humans are just so materialistic, selfish, greedy, nasty pieces of work that treat everything and everyone else like they don't deserve to walk the earth.

i'd like to think that i'm not like this at all, but i know that i am... all humans are. there's no escape...

which is why i stick with the furry fandom... most people i find and have made friends with are the best friends i have... mainly cause most of my 'human' friends are just as my description... and no human can justify themselves for being like that...

like i think i said before... i don;t wanna turn you all into vegetarian pacifists, i just wanna hear your point of view.

Well, Josh, you have a point. I completely agree that humans are selfish and materialistic; however, you can't let yourself be brought down by who and what you are. I think that's why we're all furry. Each of us is different, and furries accept differences in opinion and behavior by relating themselves to animals with similar characteristics. Somehow, there's comfort in being like an animal, almost like being an animal is more right than being a human. I think that what we all fail to see is that humans, as idiotic and self-centered as they may be, are animals. Until we accept ourselves, which the vast majority of us don't do, we will continue to wreak havoc on our planet and fellow animals. So to answer your question, no, I'm not proud of what humans have done to our environment, but I think if more people were proud to be human, proud to be the animals we are, instead of thinking we're the superior species, we might be able to find peace.

And by the way, I myself am also a vegetarian pacifist.

~Electra