Author Topic: Hot Off the Press (Read 7209 times)

Skunki · « **on:** January 04, 2004, 01:47:09 am »

Ok, over the past few months I have taken notice to how much furries don't like how they are portrayed in the media. Whether it be Mtv or CSI, overall we are portrayed negatively. I have noticed that when anyone ever tries to do a show on furries, they always pick the sexually demented ones. you know, the ones that make it in a fursuit or something like that. they pretty much make it appear as if we are the bad guys.

It's just another form of prejudice, people hating what is different. But I wonder, have any of you tried sending a message to Mtv asking them to appologize for what they had done. I ask this because I feel like need to, but i also feel it is too late seeing how the show aired last year.

So, what have any of you done to help out in the fight against this new form of malice? Have you discussed your views with anyone or have you just pretty much kept to yourself hoping the whole thing will blow over?

As for me, I see myself as a kind of coward. I haven't really done anything to discuss my furriness, but it's only because I despise conflict. It's just one of the many reasons I am a skunk; I hate fighting, I'd just rather let the whole thing blow over or out of proportion, whichever seems to come first.

weiwardwulf · « **Reply #1 on:** January 04, 2004, 10:50:39 am »

Hello Skunki! I only get about 4 tv channels over airwaves, so much of the media crud passes by me unnoticed. Guess you could say I employ the "ignore it and it'll go away" response.

You have a good idea, tho. Circulate signed petitions after stuff like MTV and CSI... why not? A step further would be to bring a libel suit against 'em. Yet come to think of it, a friend o' mine was in talks with some "Anti-Defamation League" that offers lawyers, PR departments, etc to groups frequently harrassed by media. Wonder if our fandom as gotten up with them.....

Weiward Wulf

Azron · « **Reply #2 on:** January 04, 2004, 10:56:59 am »

At the main www.ukfur.net/forums" target="_blank">UK furry forum as far as I've found we were discussing whether or not a documentary made by furs about furs might be a viable/good idea. We got into quite a debate about it too!

One of the problems is that in the UK there are only 5 terrestial (as in, free to anyone with a TV and a TV license) channels, and they're all fairly major, so trying to get on one would probably involve either: a) paying lots of money b) the channel giving us money (i.e. convincing a channel that such a show would be interesting to non-furry viewers) or c) Getting a very late-night slot (with the previous two problems, but less significant in this instance).

I don't know, but would it be as difficult as this to do in the US? The other problem we discussed was how to make such a show interesting to non-furries (since we'd be aiming to 'enlighten' those whose opinions of the fandom are rooted in MTV/CSI/etc. We've yet to come up with any solid ideas, but it's always a possibility.

re-edit: url re-added (thanks for clarifying

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« **Reply #3 on:** January 04, 2004, 01:27:50 pm »

Oooh, good idea! Send something straight to the press asking for them to apologize. Might work, dunno.

Adamina · « **Reply #4 on:** January 04, 2004, 04:19:09 pm »

hehe, you could try, good luck, i dunno if it will work, though *hope hope*

Loganberry · « **Reply #5 on:** January 04, 2004, 07:10:40 pm »

Quote (Azron @ Jan. 04 2004, 3:56 pm)

At the main UK furry forum as far as I've found we were discussing whether or not a documentary made by furs about furs might be a viable/good idea.

Well, I suppose Human Furry Animals is the closest we've ever got to that - but when it was last on, it was at about 3am, if I recall correctly. Actually, though, I don't think CSI was anything like as bad as the MTV "documentary" - at least the CSI programme had some sort of sense of humour about it.

As for what I've done... well, I can't say I've done a huge amount, although you might count the essay I wrote while back ( Rabbiting On ), as that was originally published on a mainstream site (FictionPress). Other than that, I've once or twice got involved when online discussions (eg on Usenet) have fallen into the lazy "let's all have a go at furries" mentality. But that's about it, really.

Running_Wolf · « **Reply #6 on:** January 05, 2004, 06:37:07 am »

Well, I've pursued a vendetta against CSI and MTV. I totally despise CSI now (never liked it in the firt place though) and won't go near channel 5 when CSI comes on. As for MTV, well, I never watch that channel anyway so no difference.

Drake Blackpaw · « **Reply #7 on:** January 05, 2004, 08:39:35 am »

To balance it out, the recent article by the Houston press was a very well balanced portrail of the furry fandom. At least there has been one recent article from the press that is a good representation of furry.

The CSI show wasn't that bad. The worse thing it really did is imply that all furries are sad computer geeks with no social life. The plot did revolve around a "fetish" activity, but it was also clear that it was being done in a small invite only party and was not a main activity of the con.

As for MTV, well do you really expect fair reporting from a music video channel that hired a director who specializes in gay lifestyle documentaries to do a impartial view of the fandom? Really, anyone who looks at anything on MTV as gospel truth needs to have their head examined.

I know some of the local fursuiters volunteer at hospitals and other events to help cheer up the children, that puts it in a positive light.

Skunki · « **Reply #8 on:** January 05, 2004, 06:10:58 pm »

i agree, csi wasnt so bad, but it was inaccurate and seemingly discriminating. as for a lawsuit against mtv, well good luck winning in the first place. secondly, if you did get a case, you could have a good chance of winning. if someone took any other minority and blew how the act out of proportion, johnny cochraine would definitely be on the case. it isnt fair, and i personally dont ever think it will be.

BrownLeopard · « **Reply #9 on:** January 05, 2004, 06:52:14 pm »

Well, heres a thought...while volunteering in suit, have someone take a pic of it, and send it to the local newspaper (or call the paper yourself to have them take it), and have them put down in print that "Hey these people are local fursuiters, and are down here volunteering at the hospital in the burn wing" or something like that. Put a positive spin on things! Remember, grab the reins of the media and you can lead them around.

Azron · « **Reply #10 on:** January 05, 2004, 06:54:22 pm »

Quote (Skunki @ Jan. 05 2004, 11:10 pm)

if someone took any other minority and blew how the act out of proportion, johnny cochraine would definitely be on the case. it isnt fair, and i personally dont ever think it will be.

That's exactly the thought I've been having. People are quick to jump to the defence of 'PC' minorities, whilst something like this can pass through into the public eye unnoticed.

Skunki · « **Reply #11 on:** January 05, 2004, 06:57:23 pm »

yeah, that would be a good idea. i would have to talk to one of my friends that has a fursuit to do it, i currently dont have one. but i still think a documentary would be nice, get a real furs opinions. not just those of some crazed furvert.

Kada-Ru · « **Reply #12 on:** January 05, 2004, 08:03:44 pm »

Azron, you don't have to delete a link to some where else. I think I need to have WS explain this a bit better.

This new rule is only for those becoming members and then trying to lead our members away to their own forums that have nothing to do with Furtopia. Your links to other places or information etc., are fine.

zwabbe · « **Reply #13 on:** January 06, 2004, 08:38:55 am »

Does anyone know if there is a way to get the CSI and MTV things to watch.. Ive never seen them and i just want to see how they portrat furries..

Drake Blackpaw · « **Reply #14 on:** January 06, 2004, 11:07:36 am »

There was an early thread asking for this and someone provide a link where these can be downloaded. Do a search and you are bound to find it.

I found the MTV show more funny than offensive. But then I wasn't looking at it with the notion, "Oh my god, everyone is going to think that this is what all furries do." Then again, I'm also not bothered with the idea of sex being connected to the fandom. I am probably in the minority on this board with that view.

Russano Greenstripe · « **Reply #15 on:** January 06, 2004, 03:54:10 pm »

Quote (Running_Wolf @ Jan. 05 2004, 6:37 am)

Well, I've pursued a vendetta against CSI and MTV. I totally despise CSI now (never liked it in the firt place though) and won't go near channel 5 when CSI comes on. As for MTV, well, I never watch that channel anyway so no difference.

*falls over with a knife in back* Ow...pain...suffering...

*gets up and pulls knife out* Sorry, but I wanted to demonstrate a point. 1st off, CSI is a great show that shows that even in the shadow of death and crime, people can still band together and let the light of truth shine forth (guess what my favorite show is on Thursday nights). 2nd, they didn't really portray us in a negative light, except for the part with Sexy Kitty. Though I admit that they could have had a positive outlook on it, I thought it was one of the best episodes I ever saw. Plus, it's what awakened my latent furriness.

Drake Blackpaw · « **Reply #16 on:** January 06, 2004, 04:24:50 pm »

Quote

2nd, they didn't really portray us in a negative light, except for the part with Sexy Kitty.

*Sadly shakes his head* Â Unfortunately I met a couple of furs that make Sexy Kitty look all to real. Â I have no problem with guys dressing up as females or roleplaying them sexually. Â A good number of the female characters on taps are played by males. Â However, he came off as such a loser. Â How more pathetic can you get than saying the only way you can get sex is with a fursuit on. Â ':p'

Skunki · « **Reply #17 on:** January 06, 2004, 04:43:01 pm »

yeah, i too have to give it up for csi. if i had never seen that episode, i probably wouldn't have ever found this site or known that there were other people like me.

Loganberry · « **Reply #18 on:** January 06, 2004, 07:40:39 pm »

Quote (Drake Blackpaw @ Jan. 06 2004, 9:24 pm)

*Sadly shakes his head* Unfortunately I met a couple of furs that make Sexy Kitty look all to real.

I think there's a good point there - we can't start saying that no-one in the furry world is like that, because it patently isn't true. It's an inevitable result of furry being such a broad church - there are bound to be some fairly extreme people at the far ends. Maybe the gut reaction we tend to have - "but we're not like that at all!" would be better put as something like, "yes, these people exist, but they're a very small part of the great variety that is furry" (well, preferably better phrased, but you get the idea).

Skunki · « **Reply #19 on:** January 07, 2004, 11:47:13 pm »

yeah, kinda like how some "normal people" like to get smacked while wearing leather. you cant judge a whole because of the few. likewise, we should not all be judged as perverts and whatnot. and i really think that we have a misconception of how people think of us. yeah, there may be some that think we are all bad, but i think the majority of people do not. that is why most people really don't seem to care when you wear a tail out in public. just a thought.

Drake Blackpaw · « **Reply #20 on:** January 08, 2004, 10:41:48 am »

Quote

there may be some that think we are all bad, but i think the majority of people do not. that is why most people really don't seem to care when you wear a tail out in public. just a thought.

Most people don't care, most people don't even know what furry is. The biggest attacks against furry comes from the gaming community, which itself was attacked by the population and media several years ago itself. Sometimes I think the gaming community attacks furry just to say, "see, there is someone even geekier than us."

A very interesting site related to this topic is the: .Pressed Fur site. They have gathered most of the media coverage on furry and rated it based on it's pro - con bias to the fandom. There are some articles in magazines that make the MTV Sex2K look flattering to the furry community, there are also some links to articles that provide a very nice and balanced view of the fandom.

Quote

yeah, kinda like how some "normal people" like to get smacked while wearing leather. you cant judge a whole because of the few. likewise, we should not all be judged as perverts and whatnot.

I agree with the general statement but not the overall tone. You are correct that people should not assume that all partake in an activity or hold a view because they found a few that do. I found myself saying the same thing in a defense of people who are religious this morning.

The tone I find disturbing is the implication that these activities are wrong or sick. You may not have meant that, but it does come across that way. Sexual activity is only a small part of the whole that makes up a person. Unfortunately we as a society seem to have an unhealthy obsession on other people doing things we don't do. I sometimes wonder if this comes from a need to feel superior to someone else, jealousy that someone may be having more fun or excitement than they are, or just an inability to focus on real issues so we are going to make some up. The reason these articles are out there is because society gets tittilated by reading about things that they don't do.

*Oh well, the peverted kittyskunk who has friends into the leather fetish scene steps off his soapbox. ':p'

*

Skunki · « **Reply #21 on:** January 09, 2004, 05:58:31 pm »

no, i wasnt saying it was wrong. i was just saying that is what some furries like to do.

Drake Blackpaw · « **Reply #22 on:** January 09, 2004, 08:56:48 pm »

*Nods* Sorry, overreacted. I did agree with your point that the many shouldn't be judged by the actions of the few.

Skunki · « **Reply #23 on:** January 10, 2004, 12:33:53 am »

it really doesnt matter that much though. if a person really wants to know what a furry is, i tell them to either look it up in wikipedia or just find some furries and ask them what it means to them. i have even been tempted to tell them to come here and ask some of us. but i haven't due to the risk of people who just want to have that negative aspect. i would hate if they just came in here and just gave their opinions on how much we "suck". someone said that to me once, and i just said, "ok, i respect your opinion even if i fon't agree." needless to say, he left when he knew i wasn't going to give him an argument. by the way, needless to say is one of those phrases that if you take it word for word it just doesn't make sense. if it is needless to say then don't say it. it still sounds cool though and lets people know you are about to conclude a big part of your story... blabber blabber blabber, ect.

Running_Wolf · « **Reply #24 on:** January 10, 2004, 04:52:06 am »

Quote (zwabbe @ Jan. 06 2004, 8:38 am)

Does anyone know if there is a way to get the CSI and MTV things to watch.. Ive never seen them and i just want to see how they portrat furries..

www.suprnova.org" target="_blank">www.suprnova.org has the CSI episode. They aren't named well. I'll have a look on my hd (can't believe I still have this tripe on my hd) and tell you the name to look for. I know it's one of the ones marked "lol" in the name.