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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outdated content.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.
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