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+# 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+outdated content.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.<sup>[citation needed]</sup> 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"](https://genius.com/My-chemical-romance-destroya-lyrics):
+
+> 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.