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diff --git a/docs/furry/a-furrys-manifesto.md b/docs/furry/a-furrys-manifesto.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..14021b6 --- /dev/null +++ b/docs/furry/a-furrys-manifesto.md @@ -0,0 +1,112 @@ +# 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 This manifesto may contain factual errors or +outdated content.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. diff --git a/docs/furry/img/index/farc-china.jpg b/docs/furry/img/index/farc-china.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..5dcc426 --- /dev/null +++ b/docs/furry/img/index/farc-china.jpg diff --git a/docs/furry/img/index/mosfet-ref-rev1.1.png b/docs/furry/img/index/mosfet-ref-rev1.1.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..b2ed625 --- /dev/null +++ b/docs/furry/img/index/mosfet-ref-rev1.1.png diff --git a/docs/furry/img/index/mosfet64rev2-600.png b/docs/furry/img/index/mosfet64rev2-600.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..315d335 --- /dev/null +++ b/docs/furry/img/index/mosfet64rev2-600.png diff --git a/docs/furry/img/mosfet-an-interview/rix-poster.jpg b/docs/furry/img/mosfet-an-interview/rix-poster.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..ebfd5ea --- /dev/null +++ b/docs/furry/img/mosfet-an-interview/rix-poster.jpg diff --git a/docs/furry/index.md b/docs/furry/index.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..100ee3f --- /dev/null +++ b/docs/furry/index.md @@ -0,0 +1,49 @@ +# Furry + +I'm not even ashamed now, I'm a furry. Don't like it? Call 1-800-IMA-JERK. + +As of 2024-09-08, my fursona is Mosfet. + + + +This refsheet was drawn with my own two paws. + +<details markdown="1"> +<summary>Pixel art before I had a refsheet</summary> + +</details> + +## Mosfet lore + +- [Mosfet: An Interview](./mosfet-an-interview.md) + +## Literature + +- [The Two Travelers from + Metropolis](the-two-travelers-from-metropolis.md), a fairy tale + featuring my sona + +## Personal reflections + +- [A Furry's Manifesto](./a-furrys-manifesto.md) + +## Why + +Look. I use a kernel with an (unofficial) furry mascot. I use a DE with +a furry mascot. I listen to a band with a furry mascot. Do I really need +to keep going? + +In 2022 I wrote a post titled [I Respect +Furries](../random/i_respect_furries.md), which may be _an_ origin story. + +This photo may or may not have played a role: + + + +[Credit: Twitter user +@CaramelFox_](https://x.com/CaramelFox_/status/1406842426476711940) diff --git a/docs/furry/mosfet-an-interview.md b/docs/furry/mosfet-an-interview.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..f47cf45 --- /dev/null +++ b/docs/furry/mosfet-an-interview.md @@ -0,0 +1,206 @@ +# Mosfet: An Interview + +2024-09-09 + +> Per responsible blogging practices, I am obligated to tell you that this +> is not an actual interview that happened. But for the following five +> minutes please pretend it did. + +> The depiction of Rix in this blogpost is fictional, and has been +> verbally approved by Rix. + +ANN ARBOR, MI — Frederick, a UMich student, recently declared himself +"furry" and unveiled his very first fursona, Mosfet, as a result of +a successful marketing campaign by the Anthro Art Association (AAA). + +Frederick is a senior student in computer engineering. His fursona — an +anthropomorphic animal alter ego, in furry-speak — is called Mosfet, a cat +with no specific duties. + +We reached out to Frederick and Mosfet for an interview. However, they +requested two separate sessions, quoting "no one has seen us in the same +room". + +## Interview with Mosfet + +Despite his introversion, we bribed Mosfet with an Airheads and managed to +arrange an interview. + +Q. Can you tell us how you were created, Mosfet? + +A. Well, I wasn't. A common misconception is that I was born the moment +Fred hit "Save". That's not true. Actually I've been around since 2022, +but Fred just seemed to be in denial until now. + +Q. What made him accept you as his fursona? + +A. I don't know (laughs). I just remember earlier this year when Fred +asked me if I was okay being a black cat. I said sure, I spent two years +as an amorphous blob of consciousness in his head like a hermit +\*\*\*\*ing crab, I'll take whatever you have. + +Q. Do you know why Frederick named you Mosfet? + +A. He's a \*\*\*\*ing nerd. It's unique, I like it. + +Q. Do you have any nicknames? + +A. Yeah, "Mos" is okay. + +Q. Does anyone ever call you "Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field Effect +Transistor"? + +A. I'm impressed you said that in one breath, but no. + +Q. Any words of advice for other fursonas out there? + +A. If you're ever asked a question you'd rather not answer, you can just +act like a stupid kitty. + +Q. Wouldn't that be less effective for other species? + +A. Meow. + +Q. (Checks clock) Thank you, Mosfet, for being with us today, we greatly +appreciate. + +A. (Chewing Airheads) [unintelligible] + +## Interview with Frederick + +Compared to Mosfet, Frederick was more enthusiastic for an interview, but +still tried to fish some benefits out of us. We gifted him a $5 LCSC +coupon. + +Q. Frederick, we are very interested in your decision to become a furry. +Would you like to share your story? + +A. It wasn't my decision. It was entirely Rix's fault. + +(Clears throat) The story begins in August. I was chilling in Duderstadt, +first floor collab area, doing human things. Then I noticed a poster on +the wall. + + + +(Editor's note: we searched through Frederick's camera while he was in the +bathroom and found the poster he was talking about) + +I was like "holy \*\*\*\* no \*\*\*\*\*\*\* way that's a furry!!1!" As +I stepped closer, Rix's menacing stare penetrated into my soul. The slogan +goes, "I want YOU for the furry club", because you can always count on +Americans to come up with creative slogans after the WWI. + +Nevertheless, it worked. It was apparently a carefully orchestrated scheme +of mind control to make me furry, and with just a glimpse at the poster, +I've fallen right in their trap. + +In the next few days, Rix's curse took a grip hold of my life. I could not +stop thinking about furries: on the bus, in the classroom, even in bed; +into their paws I have commended my spirit. + +It was Wednesday when I lost all control of my body — I was a puppet, all +my bones and muscles held hostage by the furries — they pushed me aboard +a wicked wagon, the so-called Kommuter Sauth — it drove me to the +Zentralercampustransitszentrum, not far from which Festifall was held. + +I recognized him in an instant — he was more fluffy than the poster had +shown, and extremely cute — but the sweetest snout has the sharpest tooth, +for he hath rabies! He bit me right in my neck — next thing I knew, +I became a furry, for the furriotoxin has infiltrated my bloodstream. + +Q. Wait, what's furriotoxin? + +A. It's a toxin that makes you furry. Have you watched zombie movies? It's +like that. There is no cure. + +Q. (Sighs) You're making things up, Fred. + +A. Ask a biologist, it's a real thing. + +Q. …Fine. Could you spell "furriotoxin"? + +A. Furri with an i, o, toxin. + +Q. When did you hear about furries for the first time? + +A. In high school, while perusing the xkcd archive, I saw this comic about +furries pretending to be humans and another about someone with a squirrel +sona getting bullied. (Editor's note: [xkcd +629](https://www.xkcd.com/629/) and [xkcd 471](https://www.xkcd.com/471/)) +I was in China so I was like "OK that's an American thing then". + +Q. And how did you get into them? + +A. There was a time when I was really into cats, especially on the +internet. I still am. And then I developed a craving for Blåhaj, the IKEA +shark, so I bought one. + +Guess what's real popular among furries? Blåhaj _and_ cats. If you follow +these hashtags, you will, sooner or later, meet a furry. They posted +fursuits, commissions, conventions, big juicy succulent di— + +Q. Sir, this is a family-friendly publication. + +A. —nners! What the \*\*\*\* are you thinking about! + +Q. Sorry. Please go on. + +A. One really interesting sighting of a furry was on my high school new +year livestream. Dude was playing violin while his fursuit head was just +on the windowsill. I think he's in college now. But still, I never saw +a furry in real life for a long time. + +Q. When did you see the first furry then? + +A. It was September 2023 I think, I just got here and I was at a drag show +on Central Campus. There were two furries chilling around Angell Hall, +I was like "huh" and two months later on Halloween four furries popped +into the 370 classroom and I was like "HUH". Mark (editor's note: Dr. Mark +Brehob) grabbed a photo of them. There was Takio (editor's note: fursona +name) who showed up on Festifall as well. + +Q. Truly an inspiring story. Now that we've learned about you, let's talk +about Mosfet a little bit. What's his personality like? + +A. He's a menace to society. Rebellious, chaotic, but kinda stupid, +because sometimes ignorance is bliss. But on the other hand he's also very +emotional so I don't have to. He's got some, uh, insecurities. + +Q. Was it by design, or was it by accident? + +A. It's not really his fault. His biggest insecurity is being unloved, so +he tries very hard to prove himself even if he doesn't need to. Probably +got it from me back in the days. He's good enough, I'm proud of him. + +Q. (Checks clock) I think we're running out of time, so let's do a rapid +fire round. Are you planning to get a fursuit? + +A. Not any time soon, \*\*\*\*'s too expensive. + +Q. Name three things Mosfet likes. + +A. Salmon, heavy metal, cuddles. + +Q. Three things he hates? + +A. Sparkling water, roller coasters, gym class. + +Q. His favorite band? + +A. System Of A Down. + +Q. That tracks. Next question: Did you watch _Zootopia_? + +A. Yes. + +Q. Did Nick Wilde influence you in any way? + +A. No comment. + +Q. Well, Frederick, thank you for being with us today and sharing so much +about you and Mosfet. + +A. And thank you for having me. diff --git a/docs/furry/the-two-travelers-from-metropolis.md b/docs/furry/the-two-travelers-from-metropolis.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..0aa42f4 --- /dev/null +++ b/docs/furry/the-two-travelers-from-metropolis.md @@ -0,0 +1,136 @@ +# The Two Travelers from Metropolis + +2024-10-13 + +> Context: Last semester I took Prof. Laura Okkema's [GERMAN +> 386](../umich/w24_fairy.md). She then invited me to her creative writing +> workshop, and this week we're working on fairy tales. So while we're at +> it, why not write a furry tale? + +Once upon a time, there was a gray wolf called Leon and a black cat called +Mos who, after years of living in the metropolis they were born in, +decided it was not for them. They wandered the land in search for a place +that would accept them, and that’s where they would live. As the sun +touched the horizon they finally arrived at a city, where they were +greeted by an old bear. + +“Welcome, visitors! Say, your clothes look dashing!” Indeed, they were +made of fabric weaved only in the metropolis. + +“Thank you sir,” replied Mos. “Could you show us the way to a hotel? Leon +and I need a good night’s rest.” + +“You see, gentlemen, I own the inn right there; it is a good place to get +some peace.” As they walked down the street, no one could look away from +the travelers’ clothes. They wanted to know what other treasure the +travelers have brought along. Leon and Mos were flattered, and promised +they would share them with everyone. But they could hardly keep their +eyelids up, so they retired to their room and fell asleep. + +As the bell tower struck twelve, a shadow unlatched the travelers’ door. +He pinched Mos by the back of his neck so he could not move, then tied +Leon’s snout shut so he could not bite. Both of them felt a sharp blow on +the back of their heads, and the next thing they knew, they were stripped +naked and thrown into the river. The ice cold water washed them +downstream, until a fallen trunk caught them just outside of the city +walls. + +“Those robbers took our clothes and luggage,” Leon waved his fist. “You +cursed dog, our blood shall cry out for vengeance!” + +“They tried to take our lives as well; I’m just glad we’re both alive. +Let’s dry ourselves, and find somewhere to sleep.” + +Clearly the city wouldn’t accept them. Leon and Mos must find another +place. + +In the morning, they were surprised to find their bag caught by the trunk, +but the valuables had been removed. All that’s left was some plain +clothes, which they put on immediately. They abandoned the bag before they +set out again. + +Just as the sun lost its glow to the distant hills, the two travelers came +across a town. The mayor, a spotted cheetah, welcomed them to her house, +where she had invited a couple guests. The travelers didn’t seem any +different in their plain clothing. + +“Say, dear travelers, what do you think of our town?” asked a middle-aged +fox, wearing a cook’s hat. + +“Oh, it is lovely!” replied Leon. “Except I notice many houses in bad +condition, while the mayor’s seems new. Mos, don’t you agree?” + +“Yes, I believe the citizens deserve better housing.” + +The atmosphere grew intense as the mayor laid down her fork. “Well, young +travelers from the metropolis, don’t you find it condescending? The king +orders his servants to do charity, while he does not spare a penny.” + +“Your words have offended our beloved mayor and us citizens,” the fox +remarked as he forced a cup of poisoned wine down their throat. The +travelers soon laid on the floor. + +As Mos woke up in the morning, he was shocked to find that he had lost his +voice. Leon, too, was trying to howl in vain. They rushed outside, only to +be ignored by the townsfolk like ghosts. They ran as fast as they could, +until the town was out of sight. + +Clearly the town wouldn’t accept them. Leon and Mos must find another +place. + +As the clouds cleared up for the milky way, they found a wooden bridge +that led to a village. The villagers paced back and forth, weeping and +calling for help. + +“Oh heaven help us now!” A lion cried out, “The sudden high tides have +stranded our poor baby in the middle of the river!” Indeed, there was +a frightened lion cub sitting on the highest branch of a tree, swaying in +the wind. No one in the village could both swim and climb, but Mos could. + +Without saying a word, he jumped into the rapid current followed by Leon. +They barely made it to the tree. + +Swiftly, Mos ascended the trunk. His fur and clothes were dripping, but +that did not bother him. With night vision he located the lion cub with +ease. He extended his arm, but it was too far to reach. He laid his entire +body on the branch, but it snapped under the weight. + +The cub fell in Leon’s arms safe and sound, but Mos dove headfirst into +the water. Terror seized Leon’s heart, but he had to transport the cub to +safety first. He held it above his head, inhaled deeply, and began +swimming upstream. + +Mos awoke in Leon’s arms, completely dry and surrounded by villagers. The +villagers asked them where they traveled from and what they wanted as +a reward, but they could not speak. All they could do was gesture vaguely +at the town and their throats. The lion understood them, and reemerged +with a potion, of which Mos and Leon both took a sip. They felt a tingling +in their throat, and in no time they could once again speak. + +“We are lost, and we don’t have a penny,” plead Mos, “but all we humbly +ask is a night’s stay.” + +“We are forever in your debt,” exclaimed the lion. “If you so wish, you +could stay here forever.” + +Clearly the village has accepted them. Leon and Mos were too young to find +out how long is forever, but for now, they are home. + +## Trivia + +I, by definition, cannot write a folktale, so this is more like +a [Kunstmärchen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Literary_fairy_tale). The +species do not carry any hidden meaning whatsoever; we don’t have +stereotypes of sly foxes and dumb bunnies. The genders of characters, +apart from Leon and Mos, are arbitrarily assigned. + +Like the Grimms, I cranked up the knob labeled “violence” in later +revisions. Originally, the story only had one traveler. Leon was added +because I genuinely felt bad for the shit Mos went through. The stripping +part was inspired by the classic “Clothing = Power” equation. I could have +not thrown them into the river, but I did it anyway because I wanted to. + +The sentence “You cursed dog, our blood shall cry out for vengeance!” is +hands down the funniest one in the KHM. (Use caution; “The Three Black +Princesses” is racist af.) After six months of not knowing what to do with +it, I’m glad to use it where it belongs. |
