From c765662eb99d7d3d5976e0e91618cb7885e363ae Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Frederick Yin Date: Sun, 22 Sep 2024 23:01:23 -0400 Subject: New post: furry/a-furrys-manifesto --- docs/furry/a-furrys-manifesto.md | 112 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1 file changed, 112 insertions(+) create mode 100644 docs/furry/a-furrys-manifesto.md (limited to 'docs/furry/a-furrys-manifesto.md') 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 This manifesto may contain factual errors or +outdated content.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.[citation needed] 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. -- cgit v1.2.3